Erika Dotson Photography » erika dorie dotson

Before and After – NWA Photographer’s Style

Erika — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 15:00:47 +0000

I get a lot of emails (mostly on facebook)………..which if you are reading this now, the best way to contact me is via email…..erikadotson@gmail.com for the fastest response. I really dislike facebook messages, first of all it’s not very professional on my part but more importantly information gets lost and hacked all the time!!! No fun.

Ok so what I get a lot of emails……no I didn’t finish…….I get a lot of emails about what I use to edit with and I think people get disappointed when my reply is simple and I say photoshop. Nope there’s no secret special fancy tool that I have, just boring old photoshop.

With that said I do use about 5 actions religiously from Totally Rad Actions, MCP Actions, and Red Leaf Actions if you’ve never heard of them, I’m telling you now you seriously are dated and missing out!!! Check them out NOW!!!! :)

Ok so I wanted to run through a photo from start to finish with you guys.

ORIGINAL:

First of all you’ve gotta start with a pretty good picture originally. Personally this photo looks pretty good straight out of camera (SSOC). And I shoot in RAW which makes things easier as far as editing goes.

I’m not super techy so I am not going to provide screen shots for you. So sorry! (If anyone out there would be so kind as to share in a comment below I would love to know how to do that on a mac!!!) :)

Next, I open my file in Adobe Bridge and made light adjustments, along with clarity.

I then usually run an action called A Touch of Color. Personal favorite as far as actions go! I then play with the opacity levels. Seriously that’s the trick here! You should never run an action and just leave it how it ended up!!!! I always change those levels!

My next favorite action to run is called Groovy. This one just puts a nice warm coat on everything and I usually only use it at about 30%.

Finally I finish up with an action I created myself that flattens the image to end up with this photo…..

AFTER:

I would love some feedback! Let me know what you think or if you have any questions!

Enjoy!

-erika

Amanda and Cade // NW Arkansas Engagement Photographer

Erika — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 20:03:47 +0000

I met up with Amanda and Cade less than a week ago out on some property that Cade grew up on with his buddy. What a beautiful place up in Missouri! Amanda and Cade are so cute together too! If you are big into fishing at all you’ll know Cade’s name! Yea he’s that good! I hear he’s going to be on TV next year! That’s super awesome! When Amanda and I told him that he could go fishing during the engagement shoot we had to practically run to keep up with him! I imagine these two have had lots of fun and memories on many a camping trip! And that cutie Amanda she has her own camo outfit fully decked out for a girl…..PINK details! Awesome! Oh and the arrows on her bow are zebra and pink! Someone was thinkin! When Amanda mentioned the idea of wearing camo gear for some pictures I was totally excited! I just love that part of their session! They will be getting married at Cooper Chapel and their reception will follow at Simple Pleasures just down the road! I’m excited for them!

I posted a few of my favorites and a slideshow at the bottom with more!!!

I just love this image and the lighting is great!

Hi Amanda and Cade……CONGRATS!

I like this one a lot too…..look how happy Amanda is! :)

Ummm of course the super talented fisherman caught a fish during our session…..barely! ;)

This is fun! See her arrows are pink!

She’s gorgeous huh?

Enjoy!

-erika

Bird Hunting // Arkansas Photographer

Erika — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 16:41:24 +0000

Hey everyone. A few days ago, Wednesday to be exact, TW threw the idea at me that he wanted to go bird hunting and asked me if he could go. Now take into account please that I am very used to just getting up and going and doing what I want when I want and now I have been sitting at home all week with a gorgeous fussy baby. :) I told him no. Background on my husband……he’s hardly ever home! He is a football coach at a small school so you know what that means. Wednesdays are usually the only day of the week that he’s home somewhat early and there was no way I was going to let him skip out on parenting duties……without me!!! So in-laws to the rescue! TW called up his momma and asked if she could watch Titan for us. She arrived to pick up our darling little boy who loves to cry. :) She asked me if I was going to Little Rock again for a shoot. Nope I replied. Then she asked if I was going to stay and get some editing done. Nope I replied. Then with a puzzled look on her face I sheepishly explained that we wanted to go bird hunting. (Neither of us are really big hunters). I felt a bit guilty at that moment. I just asked someone to take my kid to watch him so I could go and trudge through a field looking for birds……. Well I quickly got over the guilt and enjoyed a somewhat fun afternoon with my husband (as fun as walking through a field gets).

This is the only shot I got of myself and it was really by accident. Glad I got it though.

I don’t think I realized that a game farm just means they buy birds and then release them out in the open for you to come shoot……I guess I thought it was enclosed?

I think anytime my husband gets to go out and hold a gun he gets excited just like a 10 year old! :)

I giggle like a little girl when I see this picture of Ellie. We went out with Pointers that naturally hunt and find birds and I brought along Ellie who is a bird dog as well just a different kind (she supposably retrieves them -remember when I said we weren’t big hunters). This picture totally describes what Ellie thought of the whole experience! She truly had no idea why she was there or what she was supposed to be doing, all she knew is she was having a blast running through the grass, smelling all the new smells, and hanging out with all these new dogs she’s never met! I love my Ellie!

Just a shot of the other two pointers that came along on the hunt. I love their little beards!

Ellie was like the troublemaker in class too. I think the best thing she did the entire time was distract the other dogs from hunting! She just wanted to play that’s all!

My beautiful girl.

You’ve already met Winchester (AKA Winnie) if you’ve been keeping up with the blog, but this is TW’s beautiful girl.

We hunted until it was dark and I was able to capture this beautiful skyline shot!

Enjoy!

-erika

Amber and Alan // Fayetteville Wedding Photographer

Erika — Fri, 15 Oct 2010 11:07:17 +0000

Amber and Alan were such a beautiful couple. From the very beginning I could tell how much Alan adored her! So sweet! They were married at the Dwelling Place in Fayetteville and they held their reception at the amazing Fayetteville Town Center with pretty rentals from Festivities to provide the atmosphere. We got to work with some amazing vendors at their wedding too!

Jessica Kersey from Finishing Touch Event Design was their awesome coordinator!!!

Videography provided by James Michael Smith

Florals were purchased from Flowerama (Bentonville) and arranged by the mother of the groom

Catered by the Event Group

Cake was created by the talented Shelby Lynn’s Cake Shoppe

They danced to the tunes of DJ Derrick

And Pinnacle Limo Services provided them a pretty sweet ride from the ceremony to the reception

Let’s see those pictures!!! We’ll start you off with all the pretty details.

I loved this shot of all the hands helping her get her dress on

Donnally captured this shot great! I imagine Alan and his really great brother were having a little heart to heart right before the ceremony!

Of course if there’s a wedding on a gameday you’d expect the groomsmen to be picking up the highlights on their phones!

Jon took the guys outside for some group shots and I just love this one……look close!

Alan looks like he’s concentrating before the big reveal at their first look.

Amber’s already emotional.

I’m so glad I was able to capture this moment. Having a first look has many benefits but as simple as it may be calming each other down before hand is one of them. Amber and Alan decided to exchange their personal vows during their first look and the traditional vows would be exchanged at the ceremony. What a great personal touch!

You’re looking at Mr. and Mrs. Nichols!

We headed outside to catch the last of the pretty light right at sunset. Alan looks so happy with his beautiful bride!

Jon caught this shot for us. The ambient lighting and the movement is lovely.

Just another reason I recommend hiring two shooters on your wedding day…..while Jon captured the photo above I was able to sneak in and catch what is probably my favorite shot of the night from a completely different angle!

Love it!

Their guests send them off to celebrate on their honeymoon!

Congratulations Amber and Alan!

Enjoy!

-erika

Something for Sunday

Erika — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 03:57:23 +0000

First off this week I was able to catch Titan’s first smile at me! Love that feeling!

Next we got another dog (unfortunately Rock -the white boxer- had to go bc he just wouldn’t listen to us everytime we needed him to and with a new baby that worries me). Her name is Winnie. She already listens pretty well and she’s a beautiful doggie! Her and Ellie get along so well too! Ellie sits just outside Winnie’s pen to keep her company!

Last night I had the opportunity to capture Danielle and Justin’s big day! They were so beautiful inside and out and it’s so wonderful to be able to attend a wedding where you can just feel the love radiate from the bride and groom. Justin is such a sweetie to his new bride! I wish you two MANY happy and glorious years together!

And finally some shots from our weekly Sunday gathering at the in-laws house…….. Meet Titan’s Godparents. Will and Tracy (TW’s sister). They love Titan so much! We’re excited to know they would take care of Titan at the drop of a hat for us! We love you guys!

Titan seems to think Aunt Tracy was a good pick too!

Grandpa kept poking him in the belly so I got him back per special request from Titan…..

They usually play a round of cards every week too, I’m not a huge card fan so I usually sit that one out. Now count me in when we play board games!

TW picked up my camera and I always get all nervous and embarrassed when it’s my turn in front!!! Glad though to have a picture with my baby boy!

And finally Uncle Luke and his girlfriend were nice enough to make everyone some dessert!

Enjoy!

-erika

Fuller Family // Arkansas Family Photographer

Erika — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 17:29:39 +0000

Hey there this is part two of the Fuller Family! If you didn’t get to see the first part scroll down a bit since I posted it just yesterday (we had to show off Caleb’s true self first!)

Yes I managed to get some good shots in between the mini breakdowns we had. I learned that candy is a photographers best friend!

We first headed to the exercise station since we knew sitting down to take a family portrait wasn’t going to work as the first thing on the agenda. Caleb seemed to like it!

See I told you he was a happy kiddo! I just love that shot between his parents!!!

Little known fact about Caleb…….he LOVES dogs!!! I just love how excited he looks as he’s pointing to some “doggies”!!!

I had to include a beautiful shot of them as a couple and also a classic Ben shot on the right! He’s definitely a crowd pleaser and laughed at the idea when I asked him to kiss his wife, I promise you though he really does love her!

What a cutie! I mean…….what a HANDSOME boy! ;)

And of course we ended the day with a fun trip to the playground!

and even dad joined in on the fun!

What to Wear // Senior Style

Erika — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 15:00:22 +0000

I decided to start something new…..are you really that surprised?

To kick off the new school year I wanted to make some What to Wear samples for your upcoming SENIOR PORTRAITS!!! Check back weekly to see some new styles and be sure to book your sessions because my fall sessions are booking up quickly!

I recommend for each session something:

//DRESSY//

//TRENDY//

//CASUAL//

*All styles available at Forever 21

All you 2011 Seniors let’s schedule your portrait session now for all the beautiful fall weather! Email (erikadotson@gmail.com) today to start booking your session! Hurry our spots are limited and running out!

Enjoy!

-erika

Our Maternity Session!

Erika — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 18:00:31 +0000

So the other day I made a post that I was taking a break for the day to have my maternity pictures taken by Ruthie……the gal that won our Free Mini Session a little while back……..

Here’s the results! I know you’re all dying to see what I look like now…..! :) Only 5 more weeks!

I just love this one with the Red shoes!!! We decided that since Baby Dotson’s room is going to be Razorback themed we wanted some photos to put in there for him!!! :) Plus two U of A Alumni….what else would we have come up with?!?!?

Ding…….Turkey is done!

This last series was my favorite! A big thank you to Ruthie! She did an amazing job!

We wish her the best in her future as a business! Many happy fun and profitable years! (I feel as if I’m giving a toast!)

Enjoy!

-erika

Special Gifts to my Clients! // Erika Dotson Arkansas Wedding Photographer

Erika — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 00:53:07 +0000

Hey there everyone! Several of you ladies contacted me at the beginning of the week regarding your wedding CD’s and I mentioned that I would be sending them out that day……then you all received an email shortly afterwards that said nevermind bc I have a little surprise for you!!! Well guess what I’m a horrible secret keeper (at least when it involves something so awesome like this!) and I’m just going to share it with you here, then you can be surprised when you actually get them in the mail!!! :)

I recently ran out of my traditional old labeled CD’s that I give to clients……you know the ones with my logo and name plastered all over them, which gave me an excuse to go order more……. Well that’s when it hit me! I’m going to make custom CD’s for all my clients!!! Yea be excited! :)

And without making you wait any longer for a picture……….

I’m so excited to get these out to you guys tomorrow!

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