At home with Randi Obenauer

Sometime during the winter of 2015, I was taking photos at the Eastside Flea in Vancouver, BC and came across a vendor booth filled with the most beautiful handmade leather bags, and sitting behind an old sewing machine was a radiant woman with wild red hair and the sweetest smile with a gleaming gold tooth. My friend Linda had told me about this magical woman and her incredible leather work, but it was a nice surprise to finally cross paths with her. I snapped a quick a photo of her and immediately started day dreaming about doing a shoot for her bags Ora Leather Goods. She also makes motorcycle seats as Aro Upholstery, plus works as a doula, can read your moon chart and bake the most wicked pie. Later in the summer of 2016 we worked together on a lookbook for both her brands, and I went up the coast to Powell River, BC to escape the city and visit her beautiful home and workshop. Randi was about 8 months pregnant at the time, and it was truly special to be able to document her, her partner Sean, their animal family, and their home. So grateful for the love, magic, wisdom and kindness Randi brought into my life. You're a real gem, lady. XOXO