Leek Soup – Dina Avila, Photographer

One of the cool things about Portland is that you just need to drive a little ways out of the city to find neighborhoods that all seem to have their own vibe. Be it hipster (Southeast), nouveau riche (Pearl), homey (Deep southeast), diverse (NoPo), or  St. John’s, which is working class. When I drove through St. John’s on my way to meet a friend and his kids for some photo’s, there was something familiar and grounding about the neighborhoods. I grew up in a working class town surrounded by refineries that employed half the town. I hated it then, but I appreciate it now. St John’s is like that town. People working to make a living. No pretensions, not a lot of money, lot’s of family, and folks just being folks.

I met Ryan and his brood under the strikingly majestic St. John’s Bridge. Will, as Ryan puts it, never turns off adorable. I would agree. And Marilyn is just plain cool. She’s a seven-year old skateboarder who rides at the skate park with all the big boys. She runs, fishes and messes with her little brother just enough to keep him on his toes.

Here are some of my favorites from the shoot.

Cheers!