It might be a surprise to you but I attend my fair share of rodeos…..I have a brother in law that is a bullrider so that should explain it. We went to The Rodeo of the Ozarks and here’s what I saw so I thought I would share on this beautiful 4th of July!
Uncle Andy carrying Titan
Daddy has a split personality as a cowboy….yes hat, shirt, belt, jeans, and boots all included.
Rodeo at a glance…..
Happy 4th of July everyone!
enjoy!
-erika
I met Amanda, her makeup artist, close friend, mother, and brother at the hotel to snap some getting ready shots. It was simple and laid back the entire time which would lay the foundation for the remainder of the day. Amanda looked absolutely stunning! Her gown was altered to create a custom look that complimented her personality quite well. We did have a rain threat for the ceremony but it always seems that the big guy upstairs is always looking down on our wedding couples. After the preparations were ready we headed to the adorable Bell Gable Chapel located in Fayetteville, Arkansas where Amanda and Steven saw each other for the first time. The first look always makes for the best first sight pictures! I just love that one of Steven’s first sight of Amanda! Too sweet! The two walked hand in hand down the aisle past a select group of close family and friends. Unfortunately Steven’s parents were unable to attend due to health issues but that didn’t stop them from enjoying the ceremony from Little Rock, as Amanda’s brother set up a streaming video that played during the ceremony. He played a big roll for them that day by sealing them together as husband and wife. Amanda and Steven both wrote their own vows, it was so intimate that she got a little choked up and they turned together to read her vows to him. I’m pretty sure there wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd, and I’ll bet in Little Rock too! Amanda and Steven are such great people and in the short time that I’ve got to know them I can tell they are meant for each other.
Here’s part 2 of Sean and Brittany’s big day!
Congratulations Sean and Brittany! Love you guys!
Megan and Benton decided to meet up with us again and shoot some more engagement photos since we didn’t really have the beautiful sunlight we had hoped for the first time. I really enjoyed hanging out with them again and laughing again at how funny Benton is. These two are really such sweet people and I’m super excited to get to work with them on their special special day!!!
Enjoy!
-erika
Last week I met up with Teri and her two daughters Kate and Britni. It just so happened to be Kate’s birthday and it was such a beautiful day to hang out and take pictures! Kate is such a beautiful young lady and she has been interested in photography for quite some time, well really since I’ve “facebook” known her (this was our first official meet). She contacted me soon after I started to attempt my 365 day self portrait project (for probably the third time) and that’s when I saw her project in action……although she’s super awesome and she actually finished hers! Guess what she’s on round two of what she calls a photo a day for a year! Be sure to stop and check out her blog! Kate is a college student at the UofA and she’s going to be going to Beijing this summer! I can’t wait to see those photos she posts while she’s over there! Teri is a Chiropractor and Britni is studying Sociology at the UofA as well, she has two adorable children that grace the walls of Kate’s blog!
We started out at a local Apple Farm on the east side of Springdale and accidentally got sprayed by something that wasn’t poisonous but wasn’t good for us and shouldn’t really be touched or inhaled according to the farmer. He advised us to wait for him to finish…….once he kept on going down the aisles we decided in the best interest of light that we would risk it and keep shooting! Good thing because we never saw him again! After that fiasco along with trudging along this beautiful pink chair that was missing one leg we headed over to a spot that these gals found. What a find!!!!
A funny little story about this pink chair…..Teri called me the morning of the shoot and began to explain to me all about this chair…..I interrupted her in the middle and asked if it was missing a leg in the back and she said yes! Husband and I just so happened to pass by this same chair the night before on our way home and I mentioned to him that I really wanted to stop and grab it but he wouldn’t let me!
What a great example for Mother’s Day! I know my mom would love it! Email us erikadotson@gmail.com to talk about getting a session booked for your mom!!!!
Enjoy!
-erika
Saturday was such a gorgeous day and also the first day of the Fayetteville Farmer’s Market!!! Jordan over at VS Mobley’s General Store was planning something big though……meet the Wedding Party!
She Said Yes showed up with a couple beautiful gowns! They are my favorite place to go for bridal gowns because they offer the most beautiful designer gowns around!
My favorite part about their display was having a variety of sashes that drastically changed the style of a simple gown.
Designs by Nicole Phillips from Joplin showed up with her gorgeously adorable aprons. She sells these treasures as gifts for bridal showers as well as hostess parties or even Mother’s Day!
Bluebird Photography was there too! She’s a really down to earth sweetheart and has some work worth checking out. Isn’t her set up precious?!??! I think I love that gold bowl!
Then the beautiful ladies from FLORA showed up with this show stopping arrangement. Those ranunculus were just too perfect! They are new on my lovely vendors list, I mean, really, they specialize in extraordinary plants!
Goddard Design Group impressed us with this design. If you are looking for something unique I would suggest checking them out.
Of course Lola Boutique is just around the corner but they have some serious style that you shouldn’t miss out on for your honeymoon or just everyday attire! I’m loving these colors! I think I might just be in a muted trend.
Luxe Beauty has always been a favorite although I’ll be totally honest for some reason I get a little uncomfortable when I walk into any place that sells makeup, yes even Dilliards. I have no idea why. Maybe I just feel like everyone is staring down my at home makeup job provided by Maybelline and sizing up my work? I hope I’m not the only one out there that feels a little bit intimidated! They have a beautiful little shop off Dickson St. and the gal at the show was anything but intimidating, she was such a sweet and adorable lady.
I couldn’t believe how many beautiful treasures Mae’s Emporium had to show off!!! This is THE place to go for bridal jewelry!
Mr. Tux showed up too!
Carolyn from Num Nums was such a pleasure to meet. She has sweet treats and a personality like you’ve known her for years!
Yes they were delicious!
Of course we were there too!
Special thanks to Jordan at VS Mobley’s for hosting such a great event! I had a great time and met several new vendors that I haven’t heard of before!
Thanks
-erika
It was a cloudy day and we were curious if the sun was ever going to come out. Thankfully during the day it peaked out a bit and allowed us to squeeze in a couple beautifully lit shots. We started shooting in downtown Rogers and then shortly ended up on the highway heading toward Beaver Lake, which ironically was just across from their wedding location!
Megan and Benton are both school teachers and it’s funny but neither of them really planned on teaching back when they were in college. They both joined an AWESOME program called Teach for America, where they commit two years of their life to teaching in low-income communities and helping their student achieve. I mean really I have the greatest couples EVER!
I can’t wait for their wedding this June at Creekwood Gardens!
Megan is all smiles because Benton is such a naturally funny guy! I seriously love this couple, not only are they beautiful people but they have good style too!
I just love this little series!
Getting a shot with the Harris building was Megan’s only special request. Her dad worked here for many many years and she basically grew up in this building. She told us a story of how her dad would push her on these carts like a race car. I just love personal touches like this in photographs. It really makes your photography increasingly special to you.
Meet Abby, she’s adorable! I just love how she smiles for the camera!
Not sure why but I just really wanted a picture like this!?!?!
Apparently this pup Abby gets a little jealous when Benton and Megan are loving up on one another! Too cute! Once again I swear this doggie is a poser!
Of course she said yes! Great job Benton!
This is my favorite shot from our shoot!
We caught a little bit of pretty light at the end of our shoot! Lovely!
Enjoy!
-erika
I finally (I say that because we’ve been trying to get together for months and the weather just wasn’t having it!) got to meet up with Megan and Benton last Friday! We had a wonderful time shooting around downtown Rogers. I had the privilege of meeting their adorable puppy! I just adore when people bring along their pets! Around our home pets are a VITAL part of our family. What a cute way to add some personality to your engagements! I am going to self claim myself to be the “dog whisperer…..or maybe barker” to get the shot! :) We had a really great time and stay posted for more to come!
Enjoy!
-erika
Sara and Blake were referred to us by the lovely London and Darren who will be getting married in 70 days!!! When I met with Sara and her mother they told me they had already hired another photographer and had engagements (which obviously they didn’t like hence I took new ones), they didn’t like that they weren’t personal to them. Soooo I had Sara and Blake fill out a questionnaire that I use to get to know my clients a little bit better and provide truly original and personal images. Sara mentioned a few things to me that we incorporated into their session, but for now we’ll focus on their love for the outdoors. While we were setting up this shoot (more on that later) Sara mentioned to me that they had plans to actually go camping in a few weeks! How perfect!!!!
Enjoy! -erika
When we posted this picture last week of Jessica and Ben…….. 
We had several comments on this particular image. One comment in particular was that it was “Award Winning”. Thanks to Ben and of course the invention of the camera phone….. 
We recommend not trying this……after I headed out there the thoughts occurred to me that it’s probably not super smart to bring your expensive equipment out onto a log over the lake….. Enjoy! -erika
