food // Portland Oregon Lifestyle Photographer

food

September 11th, 2011

Sauvie Island

After a mildly disappointing first summer in Portland, I vowed that this year, I would do the season justice. I still didn’t live up to my own ridiculous expectations (which involved visiting every park and food cart pod in the city) but I had a great time and checked off a couple of firsts.

At the top of that list was getting out to Sauvie Island for berry picking. I ended up going twice, it was so much fun. On the second time around raspberry season was coming to a halt, but I spent almost an hour roaming through the raspberry graveyard, sometimes going toe-to-toe with some hungry bees. I came out with just shy of a pint. The lady in the store was so impressed by my tenacity she gave me the “forager’s discount.” Hah!

Photos 2, 10, 12-14, 16 shot by Chris.
August 24th, 2011

Cheers

This morning I announced via twitter that I’ve officially given notice at my day job. My last day will be October 1st – 3 days before my birthday – where I will then dedicate 100% of my time to being a photographer.

I’m so excited.

And yes, a little (lot) scared.

Needless to say it’s taken me months of calculating, mulling and budgeting, but I’m really excited to see where this life change takes me. I’ve been inspired by a lot of my fellow creatives in the blogosphere who’ve recently taken the same plunge. I even sought e-council with another photographer and ended up writing an Encyclopedia Britannica about my life. Sorry ’bout that. :)

I wanted to extend my gratitude to everyone who has shown their immediate, unwavering support. I was honestly blown away by the response my measly little tweet received. Your encouragement means everything to me, and your belief in my talent helps reinforce those wobbly beams that hold up my self-esteem. Sometimes it feels like those beams are made of licorice. (Mmmmm, licorice…)

Pair all of this with the rising success of Harlowe and I’d say Chris ‘n’ I have a lot waiting for us across the New Year border.

So here’s to giving it all you got, taking risks, making BIG changes and not just living the dream but living your dream.

Cheers!

Camera: Nikon D700
Lens: Nikkor 50mm f/1.8
Actions: Simpler Simon
Available through K. Miller Actions.
August 5th, 2011

During a Game of Baseball

It’s been film central around here lately, so I thought I’d post some digital photos I shot the other day while playing with Chris’s old school flash. Yeah, you heard me right: I’m learning how to use a flash! It’s always been the opposite of my M.O., but I realize it’s better to learn it now than later. And I’m actually sort of having fun. Sort of. (Groan!)

I still think artificial lighting looks… Well, artificial, and I’ll take yummy natural light under a shaded tree or through a magic window over strobes in a studio any day. But, much like using a tripod, sometimes you just gotta suck it up. I can’t possibly strive to be a professional if there are areas of my profession that I refuse to even learn about. And that’s the honest truth.

Anyway.

We’ve been on a smoothie bender, so I spent 4 innings of a recent Giants game stemming, pitting and chopping an entire bag of freezer-bound cherries. This is what I ended up with (along with hands that, according to Chris, looked like they “just ripped out a pig’s heart.” Okaayy… You feeling all right, honey?).

The last two photos depict two different methods of bouncing the flash – which simply means angling the top of the flash so that it hits something, such as a wall, and bounces back at the subject, usually to create softer lighting than a direct hit.

And now I want a smoothie. Hah. Happy Friday, everyone!

Camera: Nikon D700
Lens: Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 Micro
Actions: Simpler Simon
Available through K. Miller Actions.
June 24th, 2011

Lunch: 6-7-11

Last summer I did things like make Thai curry for dinner despite the fact that I was taking cold showers every evening. I vowed to eat smart this year and avoid foods that would only help increase my body’s temperature. It was the first official day of summer this week (not like that means anything to the PNW!) and on that note, I’m here to hold a moment of silence in honor of pho.

Although, knowing Portland there’s bound to be some cold, cloudy summer days whose foul mood can only be remedied with a big steaming bowl of pho. This particular meal is from Pho Van on Hawthorne, the only place I ever go when the craving strikes. It’s the best.

Camera: Canon AE-1
Lens: 50mm f/1.8
Film: Agfa 100 (expired 5+ years)
Scanned from a negative developed by Blue Moon Camera & Machine
May 17th, 2011

The Perfect Avocado

I’ve been meaning to upgrade Chris and I’s point-and-shoot for awhile now. After tinkering around with a friend’s Olympus Pen, I decided to buy an EPL-2. I’m still getting a handle on the video capabilities, and I haven’t yet bought an adapter to use my Nikon lenses on it yet – that’s when the real excitement will begin. But I’ve been recording clips here and there; it’s definitely a fun little toy. Eager to test its video capabilities, I recorded myself making a sandwich.

Unfortunately it stopped recording halfway through, so I edited it down to show just the bits where I’m cutting up avocado. As an avid avo-fan, it pains me to watch the “git-r-dun” method of smushing the flesh out with your fingers.

Instead, I do it like they taught me at my college sandwich-shop job. Provided your avo isn’t overly ripe, it’s extremely efficient, easy to repeat at high volumes and produces perfect slices for spreading across sandwiches (not so easy to spread around a croissant, though ;).

Perhaps someday I’ll re-record this with a greater emphasis and intent on showing how to efficiently cut and slice avocado, but for now, this video is just for fun.

Camera: Olympus Pen EPL-2
Lens: Olympus Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6
May 16th, 2011

PiÃ±a

The other day I cut my very first pineapple. Some fruits you can get away with pre-packaged, be it frozen or in a can. Pineapple, though? Nothing really compares to a bowl of freshly cut wedges (what is it about room temperature fruit that’s just so much… better?). I was surprised by how easy it is to cut through the skin, despite its menacing appearance.

One of these days I’ll do a Macro Monday on something that isn’t edible. Perhaps I should start taking requests? If you’ve got an idea for something that might look interesting up close and personal, leave a comment below with your suggestion and I’ll see what I can come up with!

Camera: Nikon D700
Lens: Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 Micro
May 9th, 2011

You Cannot-a Have-a the Mango!

Camera: Nikon D700
Lens: Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 Micro
May 6th, 2011

Pumped for Summer

The weather has been phenomenal in Portland this week. We had a slight hiccup yesterday but I’m gonna go on a limb here and say I found the cool showers refreshing after being blasted by the sun earlier in the week.

The other day I posted a photo on Flickr that was taken last summer, proudly displaying the spoils of Farmer’s Markets and easy mornings.

These two photos remind me of that same summery feeling of just kicking back and enjoying the simple things in life. I can’t wait until the weather is awesome forever so I can take this same exact photo, except outside.

And for the record, it is really hard to take a downwards-photo with a Rolleiflex!

Camera: Rolleiflex 2.8C
Film: Agfa RSX II 200 (slide film)
Scanned from a negative developed by Blue Moon Camera & Machine
April 14th, 2011

Ballin’

Tuesday happened to be one of the most beautiful days Portland’s hand in months. I took advantage of the opportunity (as I type this, it’s hailing) and went out to lunch with Chris and Andrew on Mississippi. We had pizza (the gluten-free Greek Geek at Mississippi Pizza Pub is TDF, for the record) and then fancy ice cream at Ruby Jewel.

The boys high tailed it to the comic book shop afterward and I went for a little stroll, so I didn’t get any snaps of our treats. But I got a scoop of milk chocolate malt with salted Marcona almonds on a cone, and Chris had the honey lavender in a cup. Both were divine.

Then, we played catch in the park. At first I walked around the park taking photos and picking up sticks that look like they might make good magic wands, but eventually I got roped in to something that felt suspiciously like exercise.

I had fun, though playing catch in skinny jeans, leather sandals and a billowy shirt are not recommended – not to mention I’m a left-handed girl living in a right-handed world. Sniff!

Photos 9-14 shot by Chris

Camera: Nikon D700
Lens: Nikkor 85mm f/1.8
Actions: Simpler Simon
Available through K. Miller Actions.
March 1st, 2011

Chipwich Island (Lunch 03-01-2011)

Doesn’t that sound like the most amazing vacation spot on the face of the Earth? Too bad it doesn’t exist. Or maybe it’s a good thing it doesn’t exist, since I just got way too excited fantasizing about a fictional island where sandwiches stacked with potato chips are an unlimited resource.

Well, the point of this post was not for me to look like a weirdo (too late!) but for me to say… If you’ve never had a chipwich, you’re missing out.

If I wasn’t already set into the photography life, I’d totally start a chipwich food cart.

And all the island talk? We just acquired a kitchen island from some neighbors down the hall who’re moving to California. I christened it this morning with the above chipwich. The wood is a little beat up, which means I’m totally in love.

This chipwich was made with Paesano bread, Wellshire Farms pastrami, mayo, Dijon mustard, thinly sliced purple onion, Colby Jack cheese and Sour Cream Cheddar potato chips.

Camera: Nikon D700
Lens: Nikkor 50mm f/1.8, Nikkor 85mm f/1.8
Actions: Simpler Simon, Darken Rahl
Available through K. Miller Actions.
January 12th, 2011

Brunch 1-12-2011

French toast with a glass of orange juice and a Cara Cara orange.

This morning was the first time I’ve ever made French toast. It was nothing fancy- just eggs, cream, vanilla and cinnamon with some sliced Dutch crunch bread. Franny certainly approved, though… I think. Is it two meows for “Magnifique!” or one? I always get a little fuzzy trying to translate Kitten to French to English.

Now that I know how easy it is I’m ready to dive headfirst into a world of alternatives.

What’s your favorite way to make or eat French toast?

Camera: Nikon D300
Lens: Sigma 30mm f/1.4
Actions: Darken Rahl
Available through K. Miller Actions.
October 10th, 2010

Afternoon Snack 3-12-2010

Asparagus sauteed in butter, garlic and parmesan.

I think this may’ve been the last time I had asparagus. It’s one of many foods I slowly coaxed Chris into liking over the years, and I always forget that it’s “safe” now. ;)

Camera: Nikon D50
Lens: Sigma 30mm f/1.4
Actions: New untitled action.
Available soon through K. Miller Actions.

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