Introducing my parents!  :)  I know they will be so excited!!!  ha ha ha ha ha ha

I might be just a bit biased but I think my mom is beautiful!  :)

One thing I’ve learned from my parents is that as husband and wife it’s important to show affection to one another in front of your kids.  The reason I think this is so important is because it proved to me that my parents loved each other!  Simple as it may sound I know several couples that don’t show affection to one another and you wonder…..  Thanks you two!

My stepdad (AKA “Papa”  which is short for “Papa Coach”) was so proud of his Jack Purcell’s which is pretty much an old school version of our Converse.  In fact he special ordered these to wear to his 50 year high school reunion!  Mom said he wasn’t going to wear them unless the tip was navy blue color!  Wow talk about exact!

This I think is my favorite shot of the day!  My mom looks great!

LOVE!

I hope you two had fun on our little session!  I know it was a memory making experience!  I just want to say thank you so much for being great parents for me and also grandparents for little Titan!  I’m so proud of you mom for going back to school!  You really are amazing!  I love you guys so much!

Enjoy!

-erika

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

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

One of the most popular questions I get is what to wear……hence I’ve created a whole link just for you guys up there!  But that’s not enough, I’d like to take it a bit further and show you what some good examples are!

Fall is coming up and I know everyone wants to have their family portrait made this time of year, hurry and book quickly since those beautiful fall leaves come and go so quickly so does my availability between senior sessions and family sessions and everything in between!

Now booking for mid Sept and Oct.  Please contact me at erikadotson@gmail.com to book your session!  I’m trying to schedule sessions on Mon, Tues, Wed, Thur.  let me know if you need a weekend date and we’ll try to work something out!

Below is an example for a family of five, but could be adapted for a couple session as well.  You can see the color palette below.  Using accessories is a great way to add individuality to each family member.  Maybe a grey scarf for mom?  What about some cute ruffly socks for little sister?  Or could you see dad in a fedora?!?!?  :)

Copyright Erika Dotson Photography

Please leave some feedback.  Let me know if there’s something you’d like to see.

Enjoy!

-erika

Congratulations you two and we wish you the best!

Meet totally HOTT Kelly!  :)

Meet the handsome groom Adam.

This beautiful shot was captured by Tanja.

Totally laid on the ground below them to get this shot!  Awesome.

Aren’t they just adorable?

I’m pretty sure this is my favorite image from the entire day!

Told you Jules Design was amazing…..  :)

This is another favorite!  So hard to decide.

I’m not sure if there’s a more beautiful place in the world to get married……

Doesn’t “THE” kiss make it all official?

She seems pleased.  :)

Enjoy!

-erika

These ice lanterns are a total do it yourself project for anyone planning a winter wedding!  How cute!!!

You need two buckets, one smaller then the other.

Some greens, I love to use olive branches.

Fill the biggest bucket half full with water.

Place the smaller bucket inside it and place some rocks or something heavy to keep in in place.

Add more water, the water level should be to the top.

Add your branches to the sides of the bucket.

Use some tape to keep the small bucket in the middle of the big one.

Now set the whole thing outside to freeze.

Once its frozen, remove the small bucket first and then the large one.

You now have a beautiful ice lantern.

Place a votive candle inside and voila, the party can start.

What a cute idea!  And just for all you brides, details like this make your wedding rock that much harder!!!  Photographers love little details!

I love how they pulled these centerpieces together!  I usually get stuck in that rut that these centerpieces things have to be super fancy, but these are totally cute and another DIY!!!!

Steps for a Full Wrap Treatment
Step 1:Measure paper around the vase. Leave about 1″ on the neck for a ribbon treatment.
Step 2:Cut the paper. Adhere one edge of the paper to the glass with glue dots. Wrap the other side around and secure with more glue dots.
Step 3:Cover the top rough edges with a grosgrain ribbon.

Steps for a Middle Band Treatment
Step 1:Measure paper around the vase.
Step 2:Cut first band to measure 5″, second to measure 3.5″.
Step 3:Stick first wrap to the vessel with glue dots. Layer on the 3″ band,again using glue dots.
Step 4:Top it off with ribbon treatment.

Anything personalized is super cute but these are adorable.  If you planned on a wedding in the summer and thought of these fans think how much your guests would love to have this keepsake!!!

I saw these at Forever 21 and instantly thought they would be perfect for a stylish bride!!!

This idea struck me as an important one for all couples planning a wedding.  I like to ask “what is your photography budget”, and I usually get this response “well we really haven’t thought about it” or “we don’t really have one”.  My first piece of advice for you is make one!!!  It will be the most important thing you do to keep your wedding costs down and be able to get what you actually want.  Wedding expenditures add up and quickly but if you are prepared with a budget that will help.  Also it’s a great idea to start budgeting together as a couple, since now you’ll probably have some sort of a joint account.  This website isn’t just geared toward weddings either but it’s a great way to keep track of what you are saving!  Be sure to check it out smartypig.com

Enjoy!

-erika

He set everything up prior and went all out with flower petals, tons of candles, and a cabin at Devil’s Den!!!

Then blindfolded her the entire way there!!!  Perfect!

SHE SAID YES!!!!!!!  SHE SAID YES!!!!!!  (She also said “Oh my G, Oh my G, Oh my G about 20 times!!!)  Well she said the full word but I’m editing it for my blog post!  :)  Congratulations you two!!!!

TANJA IS ENGAGED!!!!  TO AN ENGLISH BOY!!!!  (if you didn’t know Tanja is our associate photographer!!!!)

I’m super excited for them!!!!  I hid with a friend who was video taping and I was shooting.  It was super super super dark and not the best conditions but I’m sure she’ll be excited to have something!

First off the information on how to download these table numbers and menus is here.

I love this wedding timeline!!!!

What a cute idea for wedding favors or really for any reason!  Check out info to download the template here.

I am so pumped!  All the time I get brides that want to do their own flowers, which honestly usually this scares me, mostly because the only place to get flowers in bulk around here is Sam’s Club so they usually all end up being the same do it yourself flowers.  But wait I’ve found a super cool awesome website for anyone interested in doing their own flowers!!  If you are one of those people I recommend you take a look at this webpage really quick though!  It will help you determine if you really are a DIY flower bride.  Now as for the rest of you.  They sell their flowers in a Grand Box which includes several flowers to create many bouquets.  Here are a few of my favorite wedding flowers.

And finally a Save the Date download!  Aren’t these super cute!!! Check it out here!

Please leave some comment love so I know if I should continue with Monday’s Favorites!

Enjoy

-erika