Hey, I'm Erin.
I believe that powerful images can make the world a more inspired and connected place.
I am a photographer with a deep love for nature, imagination, travel, and meaningful stories from all over the world.
What gets me most excited? There are a few things at the top of my list: Collaborating with other creatives to make a piece of impactful art. Spending intentional time outdoors. Learning about the rich traditions in the places I travel to.
It is my goal to bring a sense of wonder to every project I am a part of.
I first fell in love with photography in high school. I was 15, shooting black & white Ilford on my dad's Nikon FE. My photography was a creative outlet for me, and a way for me to pause and explore that which I found beautiful or interesting. I went to Purchase College, pursuing an interdisciplinary course of study between the School of Art + Design and the Environmental Studies program.
Wonder is a feeling that has always fascinated me. When I was a kid, this sense of wanderlust would follow me around like a cloud over my head. I’d thumb through National Geographic, pretend I was traveling far from home, and watch documentaries about places I'd only dreamed to visit. Eventually, I left my home country (the US) for the first time when I was 21.
I continued to follow my love for travel, and spent my early 20's as an adventure travel guide before returning to photography in 2017, using my experiences around the world as inspiration.
I BELIEVE IN:
Seeking to understand before being understood, quiet moments in nature, universal intelligence, experiencing culture through food, ART.
I'm NOT ABOUT:
Superficiality, overpacking, rushing, "the grind", oversimplifying anything.
YOU CAN FIND ME:
At a gallery, birdwatching, photographing layers of sand dunes, eating Greek food, creating miniature worlds using weird objects in the studio.
daily rituals
Journaling, exercise, meditation, getting outside, making things.
Art for me is about pulling the story down– it already exists; it is the artist's job to communicate it.
Summer 2009 - Went on my first backcountry wilderness trip. It totally kicked my ass, and challenged me in the best ways. This trip is what pushed me to become an adventure trip leader.
Summit selfie while on my NOLS trip
WHERE I'M FROM!
2007-2011 - I was spooked about trying to make money with photography, and created my own major: Visual Arts & Environmental Studies, as I uncovered the importance of intersectionality in all things. I’ve been obsessed with the combination of art & science ever since.
High school - Fell in love with photography shooting on my Dad’s old Nikon FE.
2015 - Got my first ever full-time office job in Colorado. Seven months later, I got fired… oops (“it just wasn’t a good fit”). Used my savings to build a bed in the back of my CR-V (still one of the most-read posts on this blog) and go camping for a couple of months out West.
2014 - Started this blog and began sharing my travel photos as @erinoutdoors on Instagram. Internet, meet Erin Outdoors.
2010-2014 - Worked as an adventure & wilderness guide for teenagers around the world. Perhaps you are wondering why I would, in my right mind, elect to spend the majority of my time with 10-15 teenagers in an unpredictable outdoor setting. You’d be right to wonder. It’s a demanding job. But it was also one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.
WHAT LIVING OUT OF MY BACKPACK LOOKED LIKE
ROAD TRIP!
2017 - I quit all my side jobs to focus on blogging & photography–– I was too busy not to! Upgraded my camera gear. Became a member of the Sony Alpha Imaging Collective. Led my first adventure trip for my blog readers. Moved to Los Angeles.
Lots to appreciate about Colorado
ON SET IN MEXICO!
Summer 2016 - Did my first official brand collaborations. Modeled for REI’s holiday catalog in Argentina. Kicked things up a notch on my blog… I really wanted to make it full time!
2016 - Ah, the freelance life. I had lots of jobs–– social media manager, server, babysitter, house sitter, plant sitter, dog sitter… you get the idea. Hit 10k followers on Instagram. Bought my first Sony camera.
2019 - The mini-series I host with REI, In Our Nature, launched. I turned 30. I spoke on the TED Stage. Photographed humpback whales, a longtime dream of mine.
2020 - Took a hard pivot. Went viral with my #OurGreatIndoors miniature series during quarantine.
2018 - Stayed committed to the vision, and put my focus and energy into projects that aligned.
In the British Virgin Islands with Adobe
Thanks for coming to my TED Talk… I’ve always wanted to say that
#OURGREATINDOORS
2021 - Making more miniatures for new and existing clients!
2022 - Continuing to make art. I am currently offering both miniature and travel photography for commercial projects.
2020 - My miniatures were featured on CBS Sunday Morning, I was interviewed by Drew Barrymore, and the project was published in newspapers worldwide.
feature in el país, spain's national newspaper
work for chevy's new roads magazine
a recent favorite
LET'S WORK TOGETHER →
In My Backpack
my sony alpha 1 and 100-400mm f4.5-5.6 lens
The stuff that works best for me in the field.
my journal - i'm a big believer in morning pages and mindfulness
Sunscreen, my first aid kit, & warm layers.
LEARN MORE
I'd love to hear about your idea, and see if I can help bring it to life.
WANT TO CREATE SOMETHING TOGETHER?
let's explore