erin tole photography

…: Sweet Savannah :…. Portland Oregon newborn photographer

Erin — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:38:35 +0000

I was truly beginning to wonder if my pregnancy pheromones were somehow sabotaging my newborn sessions, like I was seeping baby-crack and they all just wanted to stay up and hang out with me…And then Savannah came over.

What a dream. <3 her hair, her perfect little face. And big sister takes direction like no 3 year old I’ve ever encountered. I can only hope my newborn will behave as well for the lovely Rachel Vanoven and I.

…: Keaton :… Vancouver WA newborn photography

Erin — Tue, 01 May 2012 21:19:57 +0000

That birth two posts down? Here’s the end result

He’s my friend’s baby so I can say this, but he was a total stinker. We’re lucky to have any shots at all! LOL

…: lil miss maicy :… Portland Oregon newborn photographer

Erin — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:22:33 +0000

This little lady is too cute for words so I’ll be a bad blogger and zip it for a change ^_^

…: Keaton :… Vancouver WA birth photography

Erin — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:47:45 +0000

As a photographer, a mama, a new dad… you really never know where the end of the line will be on “birth day”. You can plan and plan and plan til your fingers bleed from typing up your birth plan but the bottom line is that sometimes it’s a bit out of our hands. It’s scary to think about but a fact of life nonetheless. A wonderful friend of mine (and labor and delivery nurse herself) had to play patient instead of doctor this night, and she was such an amazing example of strength and determination in the face of a hectic night of getting. that. dang. baby out!

You’ll notice that births shot at night have a bit of a different “feel” to them than those that occur during the day… This mama tried and tried with all her might to get little dude worked down into position to make his entrance but alas, he was stubborn. After hours of no progress at all, and me napping in a chair, expecting be awoken at any moment, Keaton was born ( I think?!) around 3 AM, via unplanned cesarean section. With a cord wrapped around his neck AND looped around his torso, and one kinda cone-ish head, we could see he truly gave it as much effort as his mom.

I feel very, very blessed to have been allowed in the operating room under such circumstances and I can’t thank the understanding hospital staff enough on that count. On a night when nothing really turned out the way we thought it would, I am so thankful to have been able to give my friend these photos of her little man’s first breath. One that occurred behind and blue sheet and would otherwise have been lost…

I think the first thing I said when I saw him is “Oh my gosh Amber, his hair is RED!” Was NOT expecting that one

For tips and advice on shooting births, check out the bottom of THIS post <— clicky link

… sleeping willow … Portland Oregon lifestyle photography

Erin — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 04:50:03 +0000

I’m really at a loss for words with this post. I left at night and drove over three hours on a Monday with my little girl to meet a friend I’d never met in person before, and left days later feeling more like I’d gained a sister than a friend. After a very alarming run-in at a country mini mart with an unmarked tow truck in which we assumed we’d be murdered, I think we both found it a little hard to say good night so soon. Even at past 1 AM that first night with two groggy and confused preschoolers lingering about, it just seemed like there was so much to say. Her house on a farm smells like the wood smoke of my childhood, and I still haven’t washed the sweatshirt I wore there, even though I’m told I smell like campfire.

What a wonderful thing to experience again as an adult woman. I am reminded of those childhood moments where you lay curled up next to your friend at a sleepover and wish it could be every night, to have the comfort of a friend who understands you so near.

But as we get older, we quit spending the night at our friend’s houses. We gain husbands and babies and careers and we lose the selfless time to connect with other women. So, to wake up in the house of a friend, to eat breakfast and sip lattes together, to talk and talk and talk some more while our three little girls played together on the floor with ponies, with no obligations and no hurries… it makes me ache deeply.

So maybe we can’t go back in time and relive those days…but we can give them to our children.

There’s a train that runs from her to me. And we’re gonna use it.

…: Iris Wren, again :… Portland Oregon newborn photography

Erin — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 19:40:39 +0000

Meet my newest little lady-friend Her birth post is a few posts down… Tiny lil’ peanut that she is. <3 her

xoxoxo

Enjoy, Chris and Teddy

… : Allen Justice : … Vancouver WA newborn photography

Erin — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 15:49:40 +0000

This little guy was a pretty good sport for us… I think he really looks like his mama. :)

Thank you Kelly and AJ for being

…: Lundyn 1 year :… Portland Oregon baby photographer

Erin — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 21:16:36 +0000

NOTE: My contact page is not working :/ We’re workin’ on it but until then, shoot me a line on Facebook (link above!) or email me at hello@erintolephotography.com

I <3 this little muffin. She’s been beautiful since the day she was born For this session we hung out in a funky soda shop for a bit then decided to hit up my back yard…I’m so glad we did because although it took a grand total of 15 minutes I think the images are preeetttyyy cute. Usually 1 year sessions are…how shall we say…Not my favorite… because a little person who has just discovered they can walk doesn’t really want to sit around smiling because I ask them to. Lucky for me Ms. Lundyn was just a hair shy of running so she was her usual smiley/drooly/sweet self that I am used to

xoxox

…: beach :… Portland Oregon lifestyle photography

Erin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 20:02:07 +0000

I needed this so bad. Instead of hemming and hawing over what crap to take to the beach, I threw my camera with just the 35mm on and decided that would have to suffice. Being pregnant and having only slept 4 hours due to the 3AM birth the night prior did not phase my crazy 2nd trimester energy.

Instead I found myself overwhelmed with things I wanted to photograph. Cats in the alley, horses in a field…my family just being themselves. It ignited something that’s been dormant and overworked lately. The need to photograph things as they are…not posed or perfect or even “technically” perfect. Even the quick edits I did on these were a refreshing change…I think I need to shoot more lifestyle photography, and I am definitely going to be posting more of my family and life on here. Although it might take technically take time away from my business I’ve realized it’s also breathing fresh life into it, something I think lots and lots of us professional photographers could use…

You will notice, that I am not actually IN any of these photos. Windy beach + me saying “ok, so I’m going to hand you my camera, just put the little dot thing on US and then hold halfway down….” and people’s eyes glaze over. I must train at least one of them soon, though.

I encourage all of you…take your camera with you next time. Who cares if it’s expensive…why is it there if not for you to be inspired?

… : Nora :… Portland Oregon baby photography

Erin — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:49:26 +0000

I so enjoyed this little miss. Nevermind the laundry I had to do afterward