Erika Dotson Photography » clean wedding photography

Saturday Steal // Arkansas Wedding Photographer

Erika — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 13:19:58 +0000

I have been bookmarking blogs like crazy so be sure to expect some good stuff around here! Let me know if you have any ideas for posts or if you would like to see something on the blog!

Saturday Steal…..Again from Martha because she’s that awesome!

This is super cute! Why just have the “Just Married” sign on the back of your car and why not post one at your reception? Download the template here….

I love this advice about the ties!!! Read more.

Find out how to make this frame!!! So cute! Read More.

Ring Bearer book………I think YES!!! Read More.

You know we could totally create these for you! Let me know if you are interested before we start your engagement shoot and we can work this into the design!!! Read more.

This would be a post my mom would be proud of (she’s an environmental engineer)…..BIODEGRADABLE CONFETTI!!!! Awesome! No mess to clean up! Read More.

If there’s anything you’d like to see featured please let us know! We write these things for you guys anyways! :) I’d love to hear from you…..(AKA please leave comments!!!) :)

Enjoy!

-erika

Claire and Aaron // Northwest Arkansas Wedding Photography

Erika — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 01:53:50 +0000

Claire and Aaron were wed in Jamaica but also chose to have a service here in Arkansas as well for those who couldn’t attend their Jamaican wedding but also decided to do so out of tradition! Apparently there has been a long standing tradition in Aaron’s family about getting married in the bay window at their parents historical home and having your marriage last, I think I’d get hitched in the bay window too if I were them! They had such a beautiful ceremony and reception here in Fayetteville, I was so glad that I was able to attend this one after working so closely with this couple!

Caterer: Whole Hog

Party Rentals: Eventures

Cake: Shelby Lynn’s

Florals: J Renee Floral Design

Hair: Sarah Faye Burnett at Black Sheep Salon

Photography: Erika Dotson Photography

Enjoy!

-erika

Ashton and Adam // Mena Arkansas Wedding Photography

Erika — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:15:31 +0000

Ashton and Adam were married in Mena, which is where I graduated high school! It was nice to drive back down there and visit again! Their wedding was held at the Herod home. They had so many lovely wedding day helpers! I could tell these two families were very welcoming and just amazing! It’s always good to feel accepted and taken care of at a wedding! :) Thanks guys! You two are beautiful and I know the Big Man upstairs has a lot in store for you! Congratulations on your new life together!

Let’s start with all the BEAUTIFUL details!

The flowers were created by a local florist that is just starting out in the area her name is Lauren Frost. She’s super stylish and adorable! If you are planning a wedding and would like her info please contact me.

For some reason I love this photo! Guys just have no idea how much work it can take to get that beautiful gown on do they?

Isn’t she a beauty?

This image along with the next few pretty much sum up a “First Look”. I just LOVE LOVE LOVE when my clients decide to do a First Look! You still get ready as usual without seeing each other beforehand. We set up in a pretty location with good lighting before the ceremony begins. A First Look allows you to relax and send a little time with your future spouse before the ceremony, you can talk, touch, kiss, laugh, hold, hug, etc. all of which are things you usually aren’t doing at the altar. It also allows for more time for creative portraits as well as getting all those family portraits out of the way so you can move right on to the reception without leaving your guests waiting!

She’s so happy and relieved to be able to see her groom before the ceremony!

And then you get yummy pictures like this!!!!! LOVE!

Meet Mr. and Mrs. Herod! :) Ashton that has a nice ring to it!

Don’t they look so happy together!?!?!

I just love these purple bridesmaid dresses!

What a gorgeous dress!

Ashton’s smile as she sees her groom……

Along with Adam’s smile! :)

Love this shot I was able to capture! Some dad love!

What a beautiful day and location for a wedding day!

These two little girls were adorable!

They look a weee bit happy to finally be married….. :)

Now on to the reception……..just a few more detail shots for ya!

I’m telling you this Lauren Frost girl did an amazing job on the florals!

What a beautiful wedding cake too!

Some more cake cutting…………..

The whole crowd called the Hogs while they cut their cake! Too cute!

Awww and a cute Hog kiss to seal the deal!

Perfect toss Ashton!

And yes Adam you did well too!

What a beautiful happy couple!

Congratulations you two!

Enjoy!

-erika

Alyssa and Seth // NWA Wedding Photography at Pratt Place Barn

Erika — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 23:04:16 +0000

Hey there everyone! I know I’ve disappeared off the face of the earth for a bit but I’m coming back in full swing! Alyssa and Seth were the winners of our contest we held nearly a year ago at the Democrat Gazette Bridal Fair in Rogers. If you remember there was a whole lot of people following what was going on. I had the participants submit a letter explaining them as a couple. Then we selected a few participants to take a picture with their fiance and incorporate Erika Dotson Photography into the photo somehow. It came down to two girls and I had the opportunity to meet with them and I chose Alyssa and Seth as the winners of the Free Wedding Photography package. I am certain that was the right choice as well! Alyssa and Seth were perfect and glowing on their wedding day. Their special day was something out of the ordinary as well which was another reason I chose to volunteer my time and talents in their behalf. Alyssa and Seth both lost their father’s in a relatively close time period and decided that there was no other day that would honor them as much as Father’s Day. These two set themselves aside to commemorate their amazing father’s. I hope through these images you can see that same selfless beauty that I saw the moment I met Alyssa and Seth.

Let’s start with some getting ready shots……

I just love her cute little shoes! She even had her brother (the lucky guy that walked her down the aisle) put a penny in her shoe just before the ceremony started!

Her dress was stunning! The entire gown was made of lace! Gorgeous!

(Just a little tip to all my brides out there……remember a cute hanger for your dress shot!)

I loved the color of these bridesmaid dresses! I think green was a pretty popular color this year!

This is one of my favorite images of the day! Seems silly I know, but just take a minute to look into the photo. This image tells a story. You’ve got the bride making last minute preparations before her finally gets her dress on, while mom and maid of honor are carefully getting her dress ready for it’s big debut. This is a beautiful photograph!!!!

This is just too cute!

This image is so timeless to me!

A little attention for Seth as well…..lookin sharp.

A little brotherly love….

To be followed by sisterly love! I’ve got some more lovely lit photos for you!

First let’s finally met the lovely couple……Alyssa and Seth Pitts…..Congratulations!

LOVE.

What a stunning bride!

Gorgeous couple + gorgeous light = wedding perfection!

Their wedding was held at the beautiful Pratt Place Inn.

Anticipation.

What a gorgeous ceremony inside the barn.

They seem a little excited!

Let’s move on to some detail shots!!!!!!…………….

Alyssa chose to use a local florist from Prairie Grove. Their flowers turned out beautifully.

At their reception Alyssa and Seth set up this beautiful little table to make Father’s Day cards. It was such an original and cute idea! Pictured above is Seth’s father on the left and Alyssa’s father on the right.

I started thinking which led to this idea! I just love when my wedding clients add personal touches to their wedding because it allows me to capture meaningful memories for them to truly bring out their character in their photos!

As soon as I saw those stamps I knew what my ring shot was going to be for the day! I think it’s perfect!

What an amazing wedding cake! Love it! It was quite tasty too! Thanks guys!

They had these cute little tins with candy surrounding the cake. Too sweet!

These are just too cute! I loved all the little details that Alyssa and Seth incorporated!

We can’t leave out the groom’s cake! I’m pretty sure Seth is a pretty big razorback fan! (He should be excited to know that Baby Dotson’s room will be Razorback themed then!!!)

Alyssa seems to be a pretty hardcore fan herself!

Alyssa was all grins as they shared their first dance together!

The Best Man whipped out his speech from his phone……I just love how technology is changing the wedding scene too! He gave a great tear jerking speech! Way to go!

I love how Alyssa’s looking back at all her single friends.

And Seth with all his single friends! I just love this shot!

Seth’s facial expression here is just great!

They had a live band that really rocked out their reception!

I love how much fun they are having together!

Looks like this guy surprised everyone with his awesome dance moves!

What a fun grand exit!

It was wonderful to work with you two! I hope you have many happy years together!

Enjoy!

-erika

A day in the life…

Erika — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 04:14:33 +0000

This basically is what I do on a daily basis….. edit edit edit and some more editing! And guess what…..I wouldn’t trade my job for a million bucks!

Enjoy!

erika

Tired.

Erika — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:54:30 +0000

It’s been a long day……..

But I’ve gotta go get rested up for our awesome Devil’s Den Wedding tomorrow! I’m super excited, even though I know you can’t tell in this image, and I can’t wait!!!! Congratulations Kelly and Adam!!!

Enjoy!

-erika

Bake Off!

Erika — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 03:03:12 +0000

Ok so we really didn’t have a bake off because we all know I would win, but I did think it would be super cute to post these two pictures tonight! I made some banana bread and it’s amazing!

Enjoy!

-erika

All in a days work

Erika — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:28:02 +0000

First off I want to let you guys know after being convinced by some readers I went ahead and had a pedicure yesterday…………amazing!!! What a great way to start off the sandal season!!! Anyways that was yesterday. Tonight I’m kickin back because I was a productive little lady today! I cleaned out every room, not only cleaned but rearranged and organized, both our doggies got baths, I weeded our flower beds, dinner was made when the husband got home, new sheets on the bed, and all the laundry was done! Wow. I’m usually not that good in one day!

Enjoy!

-erika

I’m not sure what this post is really going to be about….

Erika — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:09:13 +0000

Ok maybe you are now intrigued by my title, but I honestly don’t know where this post is going. I am going to just play it by ear, hopefully it’s not too too much rambling for you. TW and I went to church as usual on a Sunday then we went out to the inlaws, as usual. I was not too happy about having to work at 6pm to do inventory until midnight, which obviously if it’s 9:42pm right now they let me come home early!!! Anyways so TW had to drive me back down to my car, since we weren’t about to take the new car on the inlaws dirt road. The two youngest little girls, TW’s sister, Tracy’s kids, wanted to come with us, so obviously being the super cool aunt and uncle that we are said sure but go tell your mom. Laycee the middle aged girl got to sit in TW’s lap first and steer. I do remember the days of getting to steer, aww what fun those days were! While that was happening Kynlee, the youngest girl was telling me how she needed a seatbelt and I said don’t worry about it we’re only going down the dirt road it will be ok. This little girl was totally determined to wear her seatbelt! She didn’t quit at it until she got it unstuck from the seats! Her mom would be so proud! Well they dropped me off at my car and I said hang on don’t leave I want to take my self portrait with all you guys. I went to my car, got my camera and shucks……my battery died right there! I was pretty bummed. So we all said our goodbyes and I headed off to work while Kynlee got her turn to steer down the road. Maybe I do know what I’m going to write about now……… isn’t it funny how excited little kids get about something us big kids take for granted when they get an opportunity to be big? My picture today was taken with my phone of me steering my way to work. I do enjoy driving but certainly not as much as those two little ones!

So I challenge you guys to all find something that you take for granted that you once were told you weren’t “big enough” to enjoy! And I want to hear about it!

Enjoy!

-erika

Are we Step Up material?

Erika — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:42:06 +0000

Tonight we watched Step Up 2 at the inlaws house. Everytime I watch any of those step movies I totally wish I had any sort of dancing skill. All that awesome upbeat music just gets my heart pumping and you can’t help but want to get up and dance!!!! So of course we went home and did all our dance moves for practice……..

Enjoy!

-erika