Our story
Built in Oregon.
Built from the heart.
That Oregon Life is more than a shop. It is a love letter to Oregon, created by people who care deeply about this state, its stories, and the communities that make it extraordinary.
Tyler James started That Oregon Life in 2013 by sharing the places, photographs, and stories that made him feel more connected to home. In 2015, he left his job to pursue the dream full time. What began as a personal passion project grew into an independent Oregon community far larger than he ever imagined.
What Oregon means to us
Oregon is not simply a place. It is a feeling.
It is an old-growth forest, the first glimpse of the Pacific after crossing the Coast Range, a mountain reflected in a quiet lake, and a family-owned restaurant along a rural highway. Oregon is rugged, creative, independent, complicated, beautiful, and wonderfully strange.
That Oregon Life exists to celebrate all of it: unforgettable places, outdoor adventures, local food, fascinating history, community events, small towns, local businesses, roadside oddities, and the people whose stories deserve to be heard.
Our mission
Celebrate Oregon honestly, meaningfully, and with heart.
Explore with curiosity
Take the scenic road, try the trail you have never walked, and make time for the Oregon places people too often pass by.
Support what is local
Small businesses, artists, photographers, makers, and community organizations are part of the fabric of Oregon.
Respect what we love
We believe in responsible exploration, Leave No Trace practices, and protecting Oregon's wild places for future generations.
The heart behind the brand
Partners in life and Oregon adventure.
Tyler may have started That Oregon Life, but he did not build what it has become alone. Danielle Denham is his closest companion, creative partner, and an essential part of the heart behind the brand.
Danielle's passion for Oregon history led her across thousands of miles of backroads to research and photograph historic and abandoned schoolhouses before more of them disappeared. Her preservation work was eventually featured on OPB's Oregon Field Guide—a fitting reflection of the curiosity, care, and love of overlooked Oregon stories that guide everything we do.
What we create
A piece of Oregon you can carry with you.
Our Oregon-inspired tees, hoodies, hats, stickers, calendars, gifts, and growing coffee line are another expression of our love for this state. Many feature Oregon landscapes, stories, and work created with local artists and photographers.
They are made for lifelong Oregonians, new residents, travelers who left part of their hearts here, and anyone who feels at home among the forests, mountains, rivers, high desert, and wild coastline. They are reminders of home, adventure, memory, and belonging.
Explore the shopIndependent by design
Built here. Answerable to our community.
That Oregon Life is independently built and run. We are not a state agency or a polished tourism brochure. Our independence lets us remain personal, follow stories that matter, support businesses we believe in, and speak directly to the community that has grown around us.
Every reader, contributor, photographer, customer, and local partner has helped shape this journey. Every time you read a story, visit a featured business, attend a community event, or purchase something from our shop, you help keep independent Oregon storytelling moving forward.
And the journey continues
There are still so many Oregon stories to tell.
Thank you for believing in this dream, giving it purpose, and being part of That Oregon Life.
With gratitude and Oregon pride,
Tyler James, Danielle Denham, and the That Oregon Life team