Erika Layne Photography & Design

I’ve been redesigning my dinning room and I’ve had a strong desire to be surrounded by family. Creating spaces of gratitude and celebration has been my main focus. In college I reprinted negatives found in a stash my grandfather left behind. This photo of my grandmother shows how fly of a woman she was in Brooklyn in the 50s! Always took pride in her and personal . She is my if we’re still using that, lol. Happy more on the coming soon ;)

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Just wanted to share the most finished space of my home, my office. With the help of my super creative friend who painted this pattern on my wall, this useless area to the side of my kitchen is now a beautiful backdrop for my zoom meetings. Don’t let this one space fool you though, the basement and upstairs are still a hot mess and need to be put back together after a minor flood, and replacement floor situation. Sug, where you at homie, I need you to move in so we can work on projects. This is me trying to climb out the black hole of not posting. Desk is from , chair was found at auction. Dog has anxiety but is the cutest thing ever.

This woman just pushed a baby out with no meds, channeling the strength of her ancestors. These photos were inspired by my friend 's vibrant personality and her ferocious love of art and life. She has found a way to integrate art into her life in every essence of the word. Her and her family have been through so much these past few years, fighting their way through to make their union manifest into a sweet little baby named Pharaoh, born May 6th. This remix was that passion project that had me on the iPad until 2am. I am so proud of them as parents, friends, and my chosen family. Love you both dearly, happy mother's day Sug!

One minute he was dipping the tip of his boot in the water, the next, he was laid out, face first in the shallow water trying to push his body up with his little arms. I reached over quickly and grabbed his arm but was too late, he was already drenched. Just leaving this here to show you the cutest rebound ever. Nothing could take his joy away. He was back at it 2 minutes later.

Ps. There's a fun adventure waiting for you in my backyard where these photos were taken ;)

Gentle reminders from a woman moving through divorce. When you feel something off in your relationship say something, act on it and get help/therapy if needed. Most marriages can be saved if both people want to save it simultaneously. Let humility enter your marriage. Learn about why you are the way you are, and what you learned from your childhood. Get to know your defense mechanisms intimately. Know that you are whole, with and without this other person. Be curious, when things don't feel right. Just because the picture you thought you were painting is changing course, know it will still be beautiful. It will be ok no matter what you choose, you will be fine.

Sending love, and accepting love in return. Hopefully this reaches someone who needs the message.

When people ask me what I do, I say I specialize in capturing human connection. This picture just about sums it up.

Been binging on lately
Been trying to support my son through his low level motivation in school
Been building a second business
Been resting
Been feeling all the emotions
Been researching and planning for tiny living
Been in therapy
Been trying to listen to what my body needs
Working on putting myself out there more
Working on communication
Working on being gentle with those closest to me
Working on standing in my truth without fear

How you been? What you been up to?

Handed my camera to and she captured me contemplating life. Thanks for letting us use your home.

Image alt text: me, a brown skinned woman sitting in front of a gold wall, wearing a mustard knit sweater and red felt brimmed hat. My face turned to the left of the frame as soft natural light enters the frame from the left. My elbows are resting on my knees with my on hand resting under my chin and the other moving past my ear. I'm also wearing tan hexagon shaped glasses I purchased from

I've been doing a lot of healing lately and this woman right here has been an instrumental part of me taking a look at trauma and how it's showing up in my life and in my body. I love the creative energy we both brought to this shoot. It take a lot of trust and vulnerability to try things and put yourself out there, it's something I have to practice intentionally over and over again.

The purple tint in the back is from an led light bulb, I used flash and bounced it over my shoulder off the white ceiling in my basement studio.