My Story

Hi, my name is Paloma Ayala, and I’m the person behind Orolume Gallery

Orolume Gallery is a fine art photography gallery based in Hood River, Oregon, right in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge. I create and sell fine art photography prints, offer family photo sessions, and make merch and paper goods using my photography (and illustration-style designs).

Why I started Orolume Gallery

Before I opened the gallery, I was selling my work at the Hood River Farmers Market. Honestly, it was an amazing experience because I could see how people reacted to my photos in real life, not just online.

But it was also really hard to sell photography that way. Hood River weather is super unpredictable, and I was constantly dealing with wind, sideways rain, pouring rain, humid days, and even 90°+ heat. My materials suffered, and I couldn’t safely set up big prints because strong wind gusts can ruin things fast. Even my paper goods would start acting weird on humid days. And with only Instagram, it was hard to help people picture what I really meant when I said, “Imagine this photo as a large print in your home or office.”

Also, the Farmers Market is not really a place where people come planning to buy a big fine art print. Most visitors are there expecting to grab a crepe or some local veggies, not make a larger investment in something for their wall.

At the same time, something interesting kept happening: people would ask me if I was showing in a gallery. And my answer was never “no”… it was more like, “not yet.” That question stuck with me and made me realize I needed a real space for my work.

At the very beginning, some people really wanted to support my business, but I didn’t have a real space to meet them—so I’d end up meeting clients near a supermarket and selling prints from the trunk of my car. It was kind of funny, but it wasn’t the professional experience I wanted. Later I set up a home studio, which helped, but I live in a residential area (not a commercial zone), and it didn’t feel right to run an everyday business out of my house.

For photo sessions, I was also working out of my garage—setting up, cleaning up, and welcoming clients into a private home surrounded by garage stuff. It worked, but it didn’t feel right, and it wasn’t the experience I wanted to offer.

So I decided I wanted a small gallery space where my work can be shown the way it deserves, and where clients can have a better experience.

What this gallery changes (for you and for me)

With this gallery, I’m finally able to present my work professionally, offer fine art prints and goods in a calm and intentional space, and do photo sessions without stressing about the weather or random situations. Most of all, it lets me give people a more reliable, consistent experience from start to finish.

My goal is simple: I want you to feel like I’m doing everything I can to offer the best service possible, whether you’re buying art for your space or booking a photography session.

Who I help

I work with people and organizations in the Columbia River Gorge who want photography for their homes, offices, and workspaces, and also for businesses, local organizations, events, and experiences they want documented.