I was born in Japan and grew up there until I moved to the United States in 2005 to attend college. Now based in Eugene, Oregon, I enjoy bringing my unique artistic style, influenced by life in both Japan and the U.S., to every photoshoot.

My focus is portrait and commercial photography. I incorporate my love of styling and old portrait paintings in every shoot. Shimizu Photography

I’m an Oregon-based photographer born in Eastern Oregon, now residing in Eugene, Oregon. I work documenting weddings, elopements, communities, and the changing environment.

Through my Coast Guard, commercial pilot, and aviation weather careers, I began to experience land devastation in a visceral way. This inspired my pursuit of conservation through photography. Blake Robertshaw Photography

My name is Tatiana Beatriz, but most friends call me Tatie B.

I moved to Oregon from Ecuador in 2012 for what I thought would be one year of adventure. But here I am, after more than 10 years, still happily holding my camera, living, and working in beautiful Oregon.

My passion for photography started when I was a child, I found myself expressing my feelings from behind my camera, in my photographs. I have always loved photography because it’s like jumping straight into a moment from another world. Tatie B Photography

Lisa was born in Oregon and grew up on the Oregon Coast. She loves the Pacific Northwest, from the green forests to the misty beaches. Now based in Eugene, Oregon, she enjoys bringing a natural feeling to her photography projects.

She primarily focuses on family photography, always with an eye for expressing the unique atmosphere of each person or situation.

Jessica hails from the Midwest, though she’ll tell you Oregon has always had her heart. She first ventured to the Great PNW in 2009 as a grad student, and something felt familiar here that brought her back a few years later to further build her life.

After KO’s co-founder, Blake, Oregon is her second love. Whenever she can, Jessica can be found soaking up the glory of Oregon’s public lands - hiking, biking, camping, and paddling her way throughout, always seeking to discover and appreciate more deeply this land she calls home.

I am Baldemar Riojas III, but those who have met me know me as Balde. I come from a humble migrant family that would travel from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas to the Treasure Valley in Eastern Oregon in search of a better life. With some luck, my parents were able to find a life in Ontario, Oregon working the agricultural land as migrant workers. I spent most of my summers as a youth stomping around the ditch banks of Eastern Oregon working the land.

Through these humble beginnings I learned that life is difficult for everyone, and it is on us to make it easier for one another. That is how I try to live my life, help where I can and if I can’t help then find someone that can. It is for this reason that I am excited to be a part of this movement and help share peoples stories and help people connect as a community. Most importantly of all I am excited to help share what it means to be an Oregonian.

Hello, my name is Kara Riojas. I grew up on the Idaho side of the Treasure Valley but found my heart across the Snake River in Oregon. I moved to Oregon five years ago after meeting my husband at a backyard BBQ. I spend my time reading, grading papers, and running through Eastern Oregon’s beautiful countryside.

I’m passionate about sharing stories as I’m an English teacher and have an intense love of books and words. I’m excited to be a part of this project because I believe everyone has a story to share, as long as someone is willing to take the time to listen.

Amy grew up all over the US as a navy brat without roots, when she moved to Oregon she didn’t just put down roots, she found her community when she tapped into the mycorrhizal fungi of the Pacific Northwest. A mycorrhiza is a mutualistic symbiosis between a fungus and the roots of a plant and she believes that like mycorrhiza we are all part of a community whether we are consciously aware of it or not.

Amy studied Landscape Architecture, Planning and Public Policy and has over a decade volunteer experience as a garden educator. She thrives on simplifying complex systems and processes so people feel comfortable and empowered with that knowledge.

Amy loves growing plants, floral design, cooking, arts and crafts.