There is a moment at the beginning of nearly every Colors of the Valley session.

Before I reach for my camera. Before anyone asks for a sit or a stay. The dog stops. A nose lifts into the breeze.

I've often wondered what they're smelling. Maybe it's the sweet scent of ripening hazelnuts, fresh-cut grass, lavender blooming nearby, or the damp earth from yesterday's rain. While I'm looking for the light, they're discovering the valley in an entirely different way.

That simple moment became the inspiration for Colors of the Valley. What began with the 2027 4 All MuttkindCalendar is growing into a long-term project celebrating the changing seasons, rich agricultural heritage, and working landscapes of Oregon's Willamette Valley through the curious eyes and eager noses of our best friends.

I've lived in the Willamette Valley most of my life. Like many people who grew up here, I never thought much about the fields I passed every day. They were simply part of home.

Creating Colors of the Valley has given me a reason to slow down. To ask questions. To learn about the places I've known all my life, and to appreciate the farmers, growers, and families who continue to shape this remarkable landscape.

I hope you'll enjoy exploring it with me.

Follow the Seasons

Every season tells a different story.

Some begin with a field of tulips. Others with a quiet orchard, an iris garden, or a familiar country road. Each photograph marks the beginning of another discovery about the people, places, and landscapes that make the Willamette Valley home.

Click any image to explore the story behind it.