Jessica and Ben…..oh where do I start? I’m so excited about these two getting married! They are so full of life, style, and class I can’t wait for their wedding! I met with them upon booking their wedding and they shared some super awesome ideas (nope sorry I’m not going to spill the beans) that got me way way way happy that they chose us to photograph their special day! I first met Jessica while I worked for a short period part time at Forever 21 (oh my gosh I LOVE that store…), we started talking and soon realized that we were in touch with several of the same people! Crazy small world! 
She is such a sweet and caring gal I love her to pieces! This couple is really concerned about how their guests feel at their special day, now that’s just too cool for school since most of the time it’s all about the couple right? I just know this wedding will be full of love for each other (which makes for yummy pictures) as well as full of love between all the guests. Oh ok I seriously could go on for days and days about how excited I am about their upcoming day, but I guess I’ll save that for later posts! Maybe part of the reason I’m a bit hyped is the fact, I know, since they are working with Janessa Bailey who is like IT when it comes to wedding planning, that their wedding will seriously be full of amazing little photography opportunities…..does that make sense? Oh well it does to me and maybe will to you after I get to show you their pictures! :) And of course since they’ll be getting hitched at Pratt Place Barn that in itself is a reason to get all giddy!
But first we have to start with engagement pictures right? I’ll start with Part 1 and share Part 2 later! :)
It seems like every session I do, I always have a favorite right off the bat! I’m pretty sure this is the image that I shared with Ben and Jessica!
They are so stinkin cute together, I just can’t stand it! You see that middle shot there? Well this is probably not the smartest thing I’ve ever done, but I insisted on getting a better angle and there was no land over there to stand on and of course no boats around. Instead I trekked across this log laying in the water with my new boots and my camera in hand……now that I’m describing that, maybe I shouldn’t ever do that again?
These two really were up for anything I threw their way! When I met with Jessica and Ben for the first time they told me that their first kiss will be on their wedding day, which is AMAZING! I totally wanted to showcase that somehow in their images so when I found these red hott lips laying around I just knew they were the perfect couple for them!!!
I had so much fun getting to know these two as a couple! It was a fun filled day of shooting in beautiful weather out at Lake Fayetteville!
Enjoy!
-erika
We’re still chuggin along over here at Erika Dotson Photography! It’s been such a great year with many wonderful new clients! We are so blessed to have such amazing people choose us to be their special photographer! It’s been a pleasure getting to know you and work along side you! THANKS! :)
Here’s some of the things we’ve been working on!
Yep you should recognize that gal in the red scarf…Donnally…..and her gorgeous family! Had the pleasure to visit my hometown for a few hours as I drove down to Mena for their family portrait session! They have such a beautiful home with lovely surroundings, what a treat it was to shoot there!
This is Craig, we went out for part two of his senior portraits to Lake Fayetteville. I love that spot! He’s a Springdale Senior, in case you missed it the first time around! Congratulations….again! :)
Here’s Mr. Jack with his mommy and daddy. I traded out some babysitting time with this family! What a great plan and we’re both happy with what we got! :) Dusty and Stephanie have been my hubby’s friends for years so I adopted them too…..I’ll admit they are good company! :) Thanks guys!
Then the Crees siblings! This is Sam. We know each other from high school. Sam and his sisters wanted to give their parents a meaningful gift this year so they booked us for a sibling session! I love that their parents have no idea! What a GREAT gift idea!!!
Well that’s what we’ve been working on! :)
Enjoy!
-erika
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
The idea of Saturday Steal is pretty much just to give you (our fab readers) some awesome ideas! :) I sure hope you enjoy!
I think I’ll focus on Fall Weddings since it is just right around the corner! :)
I just love when brides show up with bouquets like this with all the different colors and textures!
This bouquet takes a cue from the season and is a fragrant mix of white majolica roses, Scabiosa, sage, basil, rosemary, and lily of the valley.
Read more at Marthastewartweddings.com: Real Weddings by Season — Martha Stewart Weddings
MMMMmmmmmm…….Carmel apples! Seriously! Love it!
Chocolate- and caramel-dipped apples are set out in large copper kettles for departing guests to take with them at the end of the evening.
Read more at Marthastewartweddings.com: Real Weddings by Season — Martha Stewart Weddings
Totally love this idea, especially for all our southern weddings around here! What a great option rather then renting a bunch of white chairs! Prob cheaper too!
Guests at this fall wedding sit on hay bails decorated with wildflowers from a friend’s farm in French flower pails.
Read more at Marthastewartweddings.com: Real Weddings by Season — Martha Stewart Weddings
What a cool twist on the bride’s entrance! If you really have a southern themed wedding this is the way to go!
For this September wedding, the bride makes her entrance on farm owner’s hay wagon.
Read more at Marthastewartweddings.com: Real Weddings by Season — Martha Stewart Weddings
What a simple but beautiful cake!
Two tiers of the cake, by Elizabeth Loudon, are the mother of the bride’s chocolate cake recipe. Set on a stand trimmed with felt, the confection is covered with bittersweet chocolate frosting and dressed with roses, fiddleheads, and sandersonia.
Read more at Marthastewartweddings.com: Real Weddings by Season — Martha Stewart Weddings
I pretty much just planned your whole country themed fall wedding for you! :)
Enjoy!
-erika
Hey, Donnally here! I’m a new intern for Erika Dotson Photography, find out more about me here.
Meet Elizabeth and Andrew, a ridiculously cute couple! Erika threw me a camera, and I started snapping pictures… a great way to learn the ropes! Erika gave me a ideas for themes, I chose a first date theme for the couple because I thought it would be perfect for them. It was a fun shoot, complete with cupcakes from Bliss Cupcake Cafe, balloons, and lots of laughter. We shot the mini-session with them in downtown Fayetteville. Elizabeth and Andrew, recently engaged, were great to work with!
Bliss was a cute place to begin the shoot, owner Shelley Cassar, was happy to have Bliss as the set for the first date theme.
To set up the first date theme, Elizabeth and Andrew picked out their cupcakes. Their taste of choice was chocolate milkshake and carrot cake. Yum!!!
*Erika here – It was such a treat to be able to teach Donnally what I knew about photography this day. I’m super excited to have her on board as an intern here! Can’t wait for what is to come! Be sure to check out her about page.
Yes, old fashion Coca-Cola was a must for the shoot!
I’ve got nothing for you… but meet the cupcakes.
Andrew kept blowing bubbles in the Coca-Cola, making Elizabeth all smiles.
*We thought it may be a bit awkward if Donnally wrote about herself, so here I am again. I loved how she just jumped onto this table to shoot! She’s learning already one of the most important factors on a shoot…..not worrying about your surroundings and how silly you look propped up on the table! I love it! :)
Gorgeous lighting.
I love the way Andrew looks at her. So sweet.
And forehead kisses… bonus!!!
This picture sums up the couple. Perfect.
Enjoy!
-Donnally
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
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
Cristy and John were sealed in the Draper Utah Temple a few weeks ago where I was able to capture their special wedding day memories with them! Cristy and John are so perfect for each other! I’ve known Cristy since I moved here to Northwest Arkansas. We met through church and have been pretty good friends since. We roomed in college together and she was also one of my bridesmaids when TW and I got married! Cristy is such a delightful person to be around and she’s always lifting you up emotionally and spiritually! I remember one time I was venting about how frustrated I was that I was working so hard but still didn’t have any money……..she’s so sweet……..a few days later I went out to my car and she had left me a lovely little note with some money to buy gas! I told you she was a doll! Now as for John I don’t know him very well but through the weekend I was able to gather that he is almost identical to how adorable Cristy is….well of course in a more manly way! His family was everything beyond amazing! I know Cristy got lucky marrying into such a beautiful loving family! They all made me feel like I was part of the family too! :) After such a wonderful weekend I have some amazing shots to show you guys!!! Aren’t you super excited!?!?!?!?
We started with a day of portraits the day before their sealing since we were worried about weather and if we would have enough time! I’m so so so glad that Cristy asked me if we could do this!
For now I’m just going to share those portraits…….another day shortly we’ll share their wedding day portraits and all the details!
Isn’t she just gorgeous!?!?!? When I took this shot John whispered to me….”I am a lucky guy to get to marry her”! —now doesn’t that make your heart melt?
They found this beautiful barn that had the perfect backdrop for some amazing images like this one.
LOVE.
The wind is so graciously blowing her hair here and it is so dreamy!
I think this might be my favorite image of the day! I loved these white trees that were everywhere out there! I also love the look of excitement on John’s face!
John worked at this golf course that served as our gorgeous backdrop for these pretty pictures! I love this one too!
John wasn’t too happy about this picture because Cristy’s high heels were ruining the green…..I’m not a golfer but who cares about a few little bumps?
This picture cracks me up and it was totally their idea! It’s so funny how she’s attempting to pull him away from the game!
Another gorgeous kissing shot, I’m loving that tree!
This is a favorite too! For anyone thinking about seeing their groom before the ceremony I totally recommend it! You can get more creative fun shots like these that you would otherwise miss! We could also do a day after session too!
Enjoy!
-erika
Claire and Aaron are getting married in Jamaica today! I hope the weather there is beautiful! Tanja our associate photographer is capturing their special day over there! What fun! Claire, Tanja, and I went out with Claire’s mom about a month ago to get these beautiful images that I’ve been dying to show you! Congratulations you two!!!
I just love the light in this image!
Isn’t she gorgeous? She got these parasails for Jamaica, I can’t wait to see what Tanja does with them!
Once again I’m in love with that lighting! She looks so beautiful here! I think this is one of her favorites.
Ummmm blue shoes……YES PLEASE! This is too stinkin cute!
I love how playful this image is!
Awwww this reminds me of an old time picture.
Just loving that parasail again!
As if you couldn’t tell by now this image should tell you how laid back and easy going this little lady is. I was freaking out when someone mentioned taking the dress in the creek (since she isn’t married just yet) but Claire just hiked up her dress and walked around. This image is lit so beautifully and shows off Claire’s gorgeousness!!!
Enjoy!
-erika
