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People with Taste: Ro Birkey, Photographer
We’re back with People with Taste! Ever since she photographed Meg’s growing family back in 2020, we’ve been obsessed with Chicago-based photographer, Ro Birkey. She takes beautiful pictures that are effortless, natural and thoughtful. She tells stories with her photos in such an artful way. Her photography style is like a breath of fresh air. She even has her signature nostalgic, artful, filmy presets available on her website that we LOVE for editing on our photos. She’s all about community and not only offers photo sessions but provides provides amazing resources for photographers on her site too. To put it simply, she’s just cool.
Want a peek into Ro’s world? Check out her Instagram and hear some things that are keeping her inspired these days…
“A fun way I get inspiration lately is through documenting my own family and world with film. Over the years of photographing so many families I started to realize that I had little to show for moments of my own family apart from some random phone snaps. It felt like work to take out my “work” camera so using film cameras became the best solution. They allow me to be present and intentional without any of the post work. I’ve been loving all the different things I have been able to capture from everyday moments at home, to family trips across the country…they instantly transport me back and are infused with some much nostalgia. I love the user-friendly, portable 35mm cameras like the Kodak Half Frame and the Pentax Zoom.”
“Since I spend a lot of time in my home it tends to be the place where I intentionally surround myself with items that feel inspiring to me. I’m so affected by my environment and in any place we have lived it’s been a high priority to continually make that house a home. Lately I’ve been really inspired by pieces that have heart or some history to them. I think at one point I loved how clean mid century modern felt but as my kids have gotten older and we have more people in and out visiting, I truly want our space to feel lived-in, warm and not precious. I also find getting weekly fresh flowers to put around my home is always an instant mood lifter in keeping my surroundings inspiring! Trader Joes carries all my favorites. I find a lot through FB marketplace and local thrift shops like Dodgerie and Able Shoppe [who we featured in a past newsletter!]”
“I’ve gone through seasons where putting together outfits is the most infuriating part of my day and what I’ve come to realize is taking the time to really play, take risks and discover pieces that feel like me truly brings me a lot of inspiration and can actually be one of my favorite ways to express myself. I love dressing based on my mood and letting go of any “rules” that don’t matter. Though I typically lean into more masculine styles, if I’m feeling like a dress over jeans one day, I’ll go for it. Pops of color have been fun to play with lately as well. Love a good statement color in an outfit like these classic red shoes.”
“I tend to romanticize tasks sometimes so it’s more interesting in the moment and making dinner is no different. I crank the windows open, stream a jazz playlist on Spotify or put a record on, sip on some sparkling grapefruit water and let my mind wander as I prepare the meal. We light candles at a lot of meals as well because why save that for special occasions? The kids seem to enjoy it as much as we do. Here’s the Spotify playlist that I love to cook to.”
Thank you Ro for having great taste!
Would you or someone you know be a good fit for our People with Taste series? Shoot us a note!
