10 on 10 - July 2015

Can you believe it? It's been two full years of the 10 on 10 project! I'm still a little in awe that this small nugget of an idea to connect photographers across the country has continued, and even more so, that readers and photographers alike look forward to the posts each month. ...not only that, but the caliber and talent of this group is fun to take part. It's like I'm in middle school and I'm allowed to sit at the cool kid table.

This year, the group is growing yet again. Most of the previous participants are still active, but we also have four newbies joining the group. I'm really excited about the group as a whole because while everyone shows incredible talent, we all bring something different to the table. A different style, a different location, a different take on the same industry. So go ahead, take a jaunt. Check out the other 10 on 10ers and find yourself some inspiration. Then come back and check out my trip this month to FL.

Anne Almasy

Anya Elise Photography

Amy Straka Photography

Button Media 

CLB Creative 

Lisa Hibbert

Pogo Photo

Shaw Photography

Twinty Photography

This month, my 10 on 10 post is taking you all out of Oregon and as far east and south as we can possibly get. This summer, our family reunion was in Sarasota, FL.

Let me preface this with the background of how much I love our family reunions. I grew up traveling to see my cousins and aunts and uncles every other year. My mom is one of four kids, and the cousins are scattered in age with about 17 years from the youngest to the oldest. When you grow up seeing each other that often, even though we were always far apart geographically, your cousins become more than that one vague aunt's kid, they become your friend, an additional support, and confidant. Aunts and uncles become someone to seek advice, to look up to, someone who will support you throughout life and cheer for you through the hurdles.

I'm grateful to have a family that makes it a priority to all create time together, time to focus on the family as a whole and to also celebrate the growth the of each individual. ...and then there was the beaches. 

Needless to say, we had a pretty good time. I left Oregon thinking that I would have a few days with some time to work and catch up on e-mails. Apparently, I forgot that when you lay on a Florida beach, your mind automatically shuts out the real world for the rest of the week.

Posting the photos makes me miss it all already.

Until next time.

10 on 10 - June 2015

We've been doing 10 on 10 for 2 years now! I can hardly believe it. Next month we have a some other GREAT photogs joining the group, which means we'll be going strong in the year to come, so stay tuned. Most of the current group will still be continuing to post as well, so don't worry, you won't miss out on some new found favorite photogs either.

For now, make sure to check out another month of fab posts from this year's 10 on 10ers.

CLB Creative

Shaw Photography

Anya Elise Photography

Button Media

Twinty Photography

Brittany Conner Photography

Now that you've done that, let's get into this month's 10 on 10. Not only did the project turn 2, my sweet, little niece Myra also turned 2. I can't believe how fast the last couple years have been, but we LOVE having her in our life. Nabil and I get to take her captive every other week for a night and it's so much fun to see how much she changes in only a few weeks. I also love watching her learn and explore the world. A real life black bear at the zoo = mind blown!

This past weekend, family got together and celebrated year two. Myra enjoyed ripping the wrapping paper, playing with play-dough, and eating the junk food.  And I enjoyed ...pretty much the same.

I can't get enough of that little polkadot belly! Cheers to many more nights out on the patio this summer :)

Remember to stay tuned next month. We have some great photogs joining the group.

Until next time...

10 on 10 - May 2015

This year we have had the 10th fall on some pretty fun days which gives me the opportunity to change my mind about what I'm going to post at the last minute and to find a new, fun 10 on 10 project the afternoon before it needs to be posted. Before we get to that though, make sure to check out the other 10 on 10ers listed below. They always have something good in store and some good eye candy.

Brittany Conner Photography

Button Media

Twinty Photography

CLB Creative

Shaw Photography

Anya Elise Photography

A few month's ago

I posted 10 portraits of women

in celebration of International Women's Day. For May's 10 on 10, I realized (this week) that the 10th is Mother's Day! It seems only fitting that I use this as a day to celebrate a few of the mothers around me.

Over the last 2-3 years I've been fortunate enough to have some great friends who have become even better moms. I've been lucky enough to watch their kids grow from little bean sprouts to wobbly nuggets of curiosity. Through that time, I can say that my understanding of knowing that it is difficult it is to be a mom has grown ten-fold, while simultaneously knowing that my understanding of life as a mom is close to zilch.

From what I can gather, motherhood is at the very least, life unexpected. Most days, it seems like you're just hoping you don't royally mess up the little being that came into the world nothing short of perfect. That's a lot of pressure! Which is why we have Mother's Day. Today is the day to thank your mom for caring about the amount of sleep you get, for worrying about the kind of dye that goes into those fruit chews, and for making sure you have sunblock on any uncovered skin on a hot sunny day, even when you're 28...

To all my mother family/friends/neighbors, thank you for all that you do. It's easy to see that no one loves you like your own mom. Know that while it may not be said often, us kidos really appreciate all the love that you put into giving us the best life possible. I can unequivocally say being my mom was/is not easy. I'm stubborn and have a strong rebellious streak (sorry mom), but I can also say that I got my best personality traits from the perseverance and love of my mom.

With all that being said, this month's post is documenting some of the moms in my life (and a few of the neighbors to my friend that were out in their yard). Thank you all for being a part of my last minute, mom appreciation 10 on 10 post, but more importantly, thank you for being your own best mom. I was pretty quick in taking most of these photos, but it was so fun to see five different women and see how much they love their kids and how much their kids love them back. It's instantaneous and unmistakable.

I'm wishing these five ladies and all the other moms out there the best Mother's Day. ...and if you haven't yet, use this as your reminder to call you mom and say 'I love you'.

Until next time...

10 on 10 - Feb 2015

Happy 10th everyone! This time on the blog, I'm taking you all on a little trip to the Portland Zoo. I went there with one of my fave families and my favorite (almost) 2 year old little boy. Before we dive into that though, be sure to check out the other 10 on 10ers listed below:

Twinty Photography

Anya Elise Photography

Button Media

CLB Creative

Brittany Conner Photography

Shaw Photography

Welcome back. Now for some fun with the lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my! But really, if you have never been to a zoo with a 2 year old, I highly recommend it. It will remind you how exciting it was to see an animal for the first time. The kind that you only learn about in books, so you know what they sound like, but now they are right there in front of you in real life! Everything was mind blowing. I loved it.

If you can't tell, I hang out with all my friends and family who have kids to get my fix.

By the end of the day, all of us were ready to crash. A fun-filled weekend day at the zoo. As always, thanks for letting me tag along on your family time Erickson family. :)

Until next time...