Rylee Paxton

01/05/2021

That’s my photo 🥲

Teakwood & To***co - the boyfriend scent. Spray on your pillows + bedsheets & imagine you have one.

image: Rylee Paxton

11/03/2020

My favorite place to enjoy Shelter N’Haze (other than the beach of course)? At Stemma Brewing Co. after dropping my ballot off at the ballot box.

aka, GO VOTE please if you haven’t already. And then have a beer to celebrate the fact that you used your voice through your vote.

10/30/2020

One of the reasons that I fell in love with photography was because it gave me the gift of capturing special moments - freezing them in time so that they’re always there to look back on.

I love being able to do this for my self, as I’m a sucker for nostalgia, but the greatest joy comes from being able to gift this to other people. Being trusted to portray a season in someone’s life, in a way that honors the experience in just a single photo, is what keeps bringing me back. Knowing that I gave people a forever memory, it doesn’t get better than that.

Was so incredibly lucky to spend time with this stud and his parents in the days before their little family unit welcomed its newest addition. The sweetest moment before he earned the title of big brother.

10/03/2020

One year in Bellingham.
One whole year in my little northwest corner.
I was just starting to get to know this town, before it had to shut down. I’ve barely seen Bellingham at its full capacity, especially because the six months I was here before the pandemic, it was the dead of winter and got dark at 4pm.
And yet, I couldn’t love this place more. My sweet home. The first place I’ve lived where I don’t have an escape plan - because for the first time, I don’t need one. A place I’d like to settle in for awhile. Where the mountains are just a short drive away and my office overlooks the bay (miss that place).
I’ve really had to learn to trust myself this year. Every place I’ve moved before Bellingham, I knew at least one person going into the move. Moving here, I had Bernie in the beginning, but once I no longer had her as a crutch connecting me to my life before moving west, I had to figure out what this place meant on my own.
With every year that goes by, I’m amazed by how much I continue to grow. This year in Bellingham is no different. I’ve laid to rest versions of me that no longer suit me, set free things that weren’t mine to hold on to, dusted off pieces that had been hiding out for far to long, and celebrated the parts that are awakening for the first time. I’m so proud of this season of life and the progress I’m making.
So cheers to a year, BHAM. Can’t wait to celebrate quite a few more.

09/24/2020

you’re so golden ✨

re-edit from awhile back

09/23/2020

Monday night, I decided at the last minute that I needed a sunset in the mountains. With sun setting earlier and earlier, I would have missed it had I left any later. The long drive to one of my favorite spots was the best way I could’ve said farewell to summer.

09/01/2020

remember when we used to sit on the floor of my dorm room and chat for hours while inhaling cookout milkshakes? could use one of those nights right now. ily

08/28/2020

I just need to take a minute to express my deep gratitude for all the badass women that I’ve met since moving here.

This past year (& especially the past six months) has been full of deconstruction and regrowth - of looking deep within myself and learning more of who I am and who I want to be. It’s been a challenging, emotional, yet beautiful journey and I owe so much credit to the women who surround me. These ladies (& those that I still don’t have any photos of - wth needs to change) have been such anchors during my time in Bellingham. Their grace, strength, patience, and all around badass-ness continuously inspire me to be better at all those things. They’re always ready to celebrate the exciting moments in life but just as willing to meet me in my deep lows. They are absolute champions and I just need you all to know how much I love them. @ Bellingham, Washington

08/24/2020

camping brews brought to you by

08/18/2020

blessing your feed and your Monday with this b&w moment

07/31/2020

Summer has officially hit bellingham & I’d say today is the first day that being in the apartment with no a/c has been a struggle. Will be eating nothing but watermelon & smoothies hear on out bc turning on the oven is out of the question.

PNW still definitely beats Alabama heat tho 🤷🏻‍♀️ don’t miss that at all

07/30/2020

another from the archives.
just casually being the cool dude that he is.