Kalissa's Photojournalism Blog

The Lovin’ Oven, located at 240 E Ida Street, Stayton, Oregon, on March 10.      The Lovin’ Oven, a family owned and operated business, has been serving Stayton, Oregon, and the surrounding areas for nearly 30 years. Started in 1983 by a woman named Doreen Hellemn, who started selling her hand-baked cakes out of her home. Baking in a small kitchen on the side of her house in Stayton, Hellemn sold wedding cakes and started baking a handful of cakes every week for Gerry Frank's Konditorei—a bakery and cafe in Salem, Oregon.       In 1987, Valerie Schultz began to work under Hellemn, assisting her for about six years before she, and her husband Mike, bought The Lovin’ Oven in 1993. After a rocky few first years, Mike made the difficult transition from logger with Lulay Timber Co, to a self-employed baker, and they eased their way into the baking industry as business owners. After establishing themselves as the new owners, they bought a small shop on 3rd ...

Who was she:      Diane Arbus (1923-1971) was born to a wealthy family in New York. Finding their lifestyle humiliating, she wanted to escape it as soon as possible. Thus, she married Allan Arbus, a Signal Corps photographer during World War II, at the young age of 18 in 1941. They bore two children together, Doon and Amy Arbus, but separated in 1960—formally divorcing in 1969. Even after they separated, they continued to work alongside each other and Allan continued to serve as an emotional support for her. Allan introduced her to photography, starting a studio together and teaching her the ins and outs of the technical side of art. At age 48, on July 26, 1971, Diane took her own life after a long struggle with depression and getting overwhelmed with the expectations of her work. Her fame grew greatly after her death with her work not being widely accepted until the 1980s. Professional history:      In 1946, Diane and Allan opened Arbus Studio where they t...

The barn at the Bergerson family home in Aumsville, Oregon on March 2. The barn was constructed in 1972 by Roger Bergerson and Paul Cox, the owner of the property and his father-in-law. Cows were bought at the end of '72, and have held a steady presence on the property ever since. Daisy eating dinner at the feeding trough on March 2. Daisy is one of 3 adult cows, and the only current mother, on the property at the moment. The Bergersons regularly breed and butcher their cows every year, after getting the meat back from the butcher they distribute it amongst friends and family. However, they are currently prepping to send all 3 to the butcher, reaching an age where it is impractical to take care of them anymore. Linda Bergerson on March 2 standing in the doorway to the barn. The Bergersons and the surrounding families all have the same breed of white face cows and have made it a habit to trade back and forth with one another, and often share supplies from their barn with their neigh...