“Fatherhood is an incredible experience full of joy and responsibilities. We have to enjoy the good times and support each other through the challenging ones so we build a strong bond and memories together.”
Francisco Salgado, father to Paulina, age 29, and Tamaio, age 11. Owner photographer at Campbell Salgado Studio. Photo studio bio Sculpture site.
Q. What is your favorite thing to do in Portland with your kids?
A. Being from Mexico I crave great street tacos so Tamaio and I often search out taco carts, tiendas and tacquerias around Portland. Go to music concerts in the Summertime at the Zoo and local parks with a picnic dinner. Visiting galleries and the Portland Art Museum is one of my favorite things to do and my son always finds something of interest wherever we go. Since we’ve been doing this for his whole life he seems to enjoy it - particularly modern art.
Q. What do you like to do on sunny days in PDX?
A. Take neighborhood walks, ride bikes along the Springwater corridor, through Oaks Bottom and the Eastbank Esplanade. Meet up with friends in parks to relax and visit.
Q. What do you like to do on rainy days in PDX?
A. Rainy days you’ll find us with our noses in a good book, watching action adventure movies, reading comic books and making sculptures. My son loves music almost as much as me so we spend time sharing our favorite songs with each other. I love when he introduces me to new sounds. He’s currently fixated with Dubstep. And then it’s fun to share the roots of many of the contemporary songs he enjoys.
Q. How do you balance being a dad with other priorities (work, hobbies, etc)?
A. As an entrepreneur I need to be attentive to our family’s schedule as well as our work priorities. I try to balance times when my wife Kim is working by hanging out with my son and vice versa. I love to spend meal times with my family and we often cook and clean up together. I am an avid learner so I encourage Tamaio to ask me about things he is curious about so we can learn more.
Q. What’s your favorite story/memory of being with your kid(s)?
A. My favorite memory is having both of my children together for a meal. Watching them enjoy and help one another makes my heart happy. From cooking to cleaning up we have time to share about our day and check in. I treasure those times a lot.
