Hi, I’m Erin, founder of Rhythm Coffee.

I’ve spent most of my life at the intersection of creativity, service, and human connection. I’m a photographer and artist by training, and for nearly a decade I taught photography and visual storytelling in places as varied as Hawaii, Thailand, and Iowa. I also led global photography expeditions with National Geographic Student Expeditions, traveling to places like Iceland, Greece, Tanzania, and Belize. Across cultures and landscapes, I learned how much power lives in slowing down and really noticing.

Alongside that work, I’ve always been rooted in the service world. Cafés, classrooms, galleries, and studios shaped me just as much as travel did. I worked for years as a barista and learned how something as simple as a well made drink can create a moment of care, grounding, and connection.

Rhythm Coffee grew from that understanding. It’s where my love of art, presence, and hospitality comes together. Each drink is made with real ingredients, served in thrifted mugs, and offered with attention and warmth. The goal is not speed or volume. It’s creating a pause. A small exhale in the middle of the day.

I live in Detroit now, where I spend my mornings brewing coffee, writing, making art, and hanging out with my cat, Cortado. Rhythm Coffee is my way of creating spaces that feel human, nourishing, and quietly special.

You can find my photography and visual work at erincarnes.com.