We had the good fortune of connecting with Erica Barbo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erica, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I have pursued a creative career because that is where I feel most energized and fulfilled. My passion for photography extends beyond just capturing moments; its about celebrating love, family, and the beauty of life’s milestones. Being able to create art while meeting new people is a dream of mine. My dedication to my craft is fueled by the love I have for my husband and family, driving me to create timeless and meaningful images that tell the unique story of each couple I get the pleasure of working with.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I take great pride in the individuals I’ve had the privilege to capture through my lens, along with the art I have diligently crafted over the past decade. It is intriguing to compare my photographs taken when I first started out to those captured today. Watching your creativity grow more and more each day is something that is very unique about this career. However, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. I had wanted to do this career full time for so many years, but I wasn’t able to financially make that move until a little over three years ago. As much power you feel becoming your own boss, you must also take into consideration the responsibility. I would say I overcame business challenges through a combination of adaptability, resilience, and resourcefulness. I am also continuously striving to improve my skills and produce exceptional work that stands out from others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The most captivating aspect about Colorado is that you can experience the best of both city and nature! I would suggest flying into Denver and checking out all of the fun things the city has to offer. There are great breweries, coffee shops, and night life! One of my favorite coffee shops is the downtown location of Little Owl coffee, its a must! If you have the time I would then suggest checking out other parts of CO. My favorite town in the whole state is Crested Butte. It is about a 4 hour car ride from Denver and is quite scenic. Crested Butte offers many opportunities to ski, fish, hike, kayak, bike, raft, and more! Lake Irwin is definitely worth checking out. It is a beautiful site no matter what time of year it is! You can go to hike, or even just enjoy a picnic by the water. Taylor River is also another great spot to check out. I have gone fly fishing and rafting in the water and it is an incredible experience! At the heart of Crested Butte’s downtown is Elk Ave, which is lined with art, restaurants, bars, and more. I would highly recommend Camp 4 Coffee, Butte Bagels, Izakaya Cabin, Montana Distillers, and Breadery CB. You don’t have to search too hard for good food and company when you are in Crested Butte!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When I think about my photography business, I often think about the support I received to get me to where I am today. I had the honor of interning with a very talented wedding photographer, Kinsey Wilder to begin my photography journey. This opportunity came along as I was studying business my first year of college and it became the perfect outlet to open my eyes to photography. Kinsey taught me so much and gave me the opportunity to shadow her, which is where I discovered my love for weddings. Establishing meaningful connections with fellow wedding vendors is also essential. When it comes to other vendors, I would love to give a shoutout to Jacinda Mahan with Kefi Events and Ciera Glenn at Lucky Penny Events for helping me connect with clients from the Crested Butte area. They have each been such a blessing in my life and always so great to work with. Lastly, I would love to give a shoutout to my husband Garrison for the love and support he gives me each and every day. He has been my rock on days where it can be tough, and I truly can’t imagine where I would be without him!

Website: ericatorgesonphotography.com

Instagram: @ericabarbophoto

Facebook: Erica Torgeson Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.