Posts Tagged ‘senior portraits’

An Arkansas Wedding Photographer’s Recent Work…..

Friday, November 19th, 2010

Our recent work post will be photos that we’ve been working on or it could include other work we’re working on too (you know for those non busy months) ha!

As if I didn’t already have enough on my plate I decided in the middle of the busiest season for us (fall family portraits) and in the middle of being a stay at home mom (which is a JOB if you didn’t know) I needed to have a office remodel……geeez……my brain what does it think sometimes?   Oh well I’ve got support from my hubby finally!  I say that bc I always start projects and they usually never get finished….but now he’s starting to see a change (probably since I decided I would tackle one room at a time from start to finish!) and even said the other night….”this room is next” —–> referring to our bedroom, which looks awful with a few pictures hanging on the wall randomly, our bed only on a frame with a makeshift headboard, two very mismatched side tables, and a project of mine gone bad when my hubby decided to take matters into his own hands…..a dresser I was painting white and ran out of spray paint……he mustered that I wasted money on the project and that I had plenty of spray paint left over in storage and I should just use that…..of course I didn’t want different colors…….so he took a can of BLACK and went to town on the drawers……so we ended up with a black and white dresser……it will find a new home soon I promise, but for now I’m not working on that room.  :)

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This is my friend Erica!  :)  and of course her hubby too!  They moved here from Utah a few years ago.  I was super excited to meet her when we finally met up last year.  She’s an amazing photographer (she did Titan’s newborn pictures!) so if you want some newborn pictures she’s the one to go to!!!  She’s so talented and super patient even with my screaming baby and my hubby that was totally ready to go after 30 minutes!  But you can’t even tell that in her images!!!  She’s great she really is!  Check her out…..http://ericakirbyphotography.com/

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And you should recognize Chelsea and Stew they’ve been all over our blog!  They just got married May 1st so give it up to them!  Congrats!  These are their babies right now…..Philly and Hubert.  I just love Hubert’s ears!!!  They actually did a great job during the shoot!  It’s always hard to get them to look directly at the camera though!

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I’ve been working on some senior sessions two!  Meet Craig.  He’s a Springdale Bulldog.  I did his sister’s senior portraits a few years ago so they came back for round two!  He’s going to be attending U of A next fall!  Way to go Craig for picking the best college in Arkansas to go to!!!  …….U of A Alumni speaking…….  ;)

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Then my brother in law Andy wanted some additional pictures of him in his football jersey to end the season off just right!  Oh of course his girlfriend Ally had to join in for the fun too!  Sorry you two but I can’t NOT share this next one!!!

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(LOVE IT!!!!  HA ha HA ha HA ha  I’m rolling off my seat!!!)

Then of course my house is a disaster…..

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Let’s just take a look……two chairs that are projects……parent’s choice boxes full of Christmas Party projects……boxes of things for my office project……red rug on the kitchen table…you guessed it another project…..and then of course a drop zone for Titan’s stuff……oh goodie!  I can’t wait to finish up all these projects so I can have my house back!!!

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And Titan’s room……let’s see….. all the stuff that was in the office got dumped into his room….poor little guy.  It’s a good thing he’s still sleeping in our room or this would not be acceptable!

Ok so here’s a few before shots (excuse the crappy iPhone shots please).

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We plan on taking those shelves down, just wanted to try to get a lot of the painting done first.

Now some during shots……

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I almost forgot a few other things in the recent work file!!!!!

Our family portraits!

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Along with Katie and Jake’s wedding!!!  They were married Nov 6th in the St. Louis Temple!

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Whew…..that’s all for now.

Lot’s on our plate over here!

Enjoy!

-erika

Mini Sessions Announced!!! // Arkansas Portrait Photographer

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

Hey there everyone!  I will be offering four dates total for Mini Sessions for the month of October!  Two in Fayetteville and two in Central Arkansas!   A Mini Session lasts 30-45 minutes and costs $50 so it’s great for anyone who doesn’t have time to book a session for two hours, who has a super busy family and it’s hard to find time to get everyone’s schedules together, or just for those who want a cute little session for 50 bucks!

CLICK HERE to contact us and book your session!

Below is one of my favorite family portraits that I’ve done!  I love it!  What a great family too!

Arkansas Family Portrait Photographer

Book Your Session Today…………..CLICK HERE!

Enjoy!

-erika

Friday Favorites

Friday, September 24th, 2010

This was previously Monday’s Favorites but we collaborated and thought it would be best to blog our new Out and About section soon after the weekend.

Today’s Favorites are going to focus on engagements.  Have you ever heard of Lifestyle Portraiture?  Think about how much more personal your engagement pictures would be if you were doing what you as a couple normally do and enjoy!  Lifestyle Portraiture involves capturing you as you really are (of course in an artistic manner bc otherwise it would be considered a snapshot!)

I’m going to highlight a few examples of what I’m talking about with storyboards!

PillowFight

Would it not be so much fun to have a huge pillow fight with your honey?  I can’t wait for someone to come along and adore my idea!  Shoot we could even set up a bed outdoor during sunrise so we wouldn’t have to clean up all the feathers (of course we would have to find earth friendly feathers)!  - is there such thing really?

weekend warriors

Oh this would be the cutest session!  I can’t wait for a couple to come along that is super outdoorsy!  This would be the perfect session for them!!!!

I’ve done a few lifestyle sessions previously……..

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Cute vintage style date in an ice cream parlor!  This was such an adorable session!

dog date in petsmart

Or how about a doggie date at Petsmart!  This was a fun session as we ran in and out of the aisles hiding from employees bc we figured we would get kicked out if they knew what we were up to!

Let me know if you are interested in a Lifestyle Session.  What you aren’t engaged……so what let’s do a Just Because Session with the two of you!  Oh wait you’re single…..yea that’s not going to work…..just kidding!  Let’s do a Just Because Lifestyle Session with just you!  Are you an excellent baker and you want to document it?  Let’s go!

Enjoy!

-erika

Andy // Arkansas Senior Portrait Photographer

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

Andy is my brother in-law but more importantly a senior at Huntsville High School!  I’m not super sure what his plans are after school bc I’m pretty sure he doesn’t really know either.  Andy is a great kid!  He stays out of trouble, he’s a good example to his friends, he’s a great athlete, and he’s a wonderful uncle!!!  :)  He enjoys playing lots of sports from football to running to lacrosse!  He’s an outdoor junky, everytime we go over to his house he’s always doing something outside!  It has been such a treasured experience to watch him grow up and become who he has.  My first date with TW included riding to the lake with Andy and him whispering and asking me if I liked his brother!  :)  Good times!  Congratulations Andy we sure are proud of you!

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Enjoy!

-erika

What to Wear Wednesdays!

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

Hey everyone!

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

Copyright Erika Dotson Photography

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

Enjoy!

-erika

Erika Dotson Photography // Arkansas Photographer

Friday, July 30th, 2010

Today is going to be my day!  Well technically I’ll have to share with Baby Dotson and my husband too but we’re having maternity pictures taken today!  I’m pretty excited!  Do you remember Ruthie?  She won a free mini session well low and behold she’s a rising star in the photography world around here and she has asked if we wanted to do some maternity photos with her!  Thanks so much Ruthie!  So that’s what we’re up to today.

I did want to post a few teasers of things I’ve been working on recently though!   Everything from Conway weddings to Huntsville Seniors.

Europe Wedding Photographer

Meet Tanja and David (you should already be familiar with Tanja she’s a retired associate photographer here at Erika Dotson Photography).  I’m so excited about their upcoming wedding……you know why?  Well she’s retired because she moved to England to be with David so that means I’ll be going to England next summer!  You’d be excited too!  We’re working on their engagement session…..lot’s of yummy pictures to come!

Huntsville Senior Portraits

Meet Ally.  She’s going to be a Senior this year at Huntsville High School.  Sorry boys she’s taken!  Ally is my brother in law’s girlfriend and she’s such a sweetheart!

Arkansas Senior Portrait Photographer

So now we’ve gotta meet Andy (my brother in law) yes girls he’s taken by the sweet gal above, so sorry!  :)  He’s also a Huntsville High Senior this year!  I’m so excited for him!  I’ll save all my sappiness for when I make his post later! But for now Congrats and we’re cheering you on this year!

Missouri Wedding Photographer

Next up is Sarah and Ryan O’Callaghan!  They were married in Springfield, Missouri a few weeks back.  Sarah and I attended U of A together in the Dietetics program a few years ago.  Ryan is an LSU Tiger so they’ve got some work cut out for them, in fact if I remember right the Tigers and the Razorbacks were playing each other while we were in the middle of our engagement session and we stopped off Dickson St to change and Ryan peered through the window of a bar to keep updated on the score!  They are such an adorable couple and I was so excited when Sarah called an announced her engagement!  Stay tuned we’ve got some exciting images coming!

Conway Wedding Photography

And finally Ashley and Jim!  They had the best wedding party I’ve been too in a long time!  I’m not even kidding you their band came from Memphis and ROCKED THE HOUSE!!!!  If anyone is looking for an AMAZING live band you have got to check out The Fabulous Steeler Band!  I’m excited about posting all the beautiful details of their wedding!!!

Now I’m off to go enjoy my day and get ready for my time to shine!  ha ha

Enjoy!

-erika

Vintage Umbrellas for Rent!!!

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

I just came across this website and couldn’t resist posting about it!!!  Check this out you can rent umbrellas for your wedding!!!!  I always recommend my clients to go buy some color coordinating umbrellas if they are planning an outside wedding and there is a chance of rain.  This website is perfect!  You can just rent those umbrellas instead and they will be much prettier, which means prettier pictures!!  :)

Think about it there are TONS of reasons to check this out!

Instead of renting a tent keep your guests covered from rain or the hot sun with umbrellas!

Color coordinating umbrellas for your wedding party!

Engagement pictures!

Hang umbrellas from the ceiling as decor!

Whether you are a wedding planner, a bride, or a wedding coordinator you’ve gotta check these out!  They have all different kinds too!  Ruffles, solids, prints, bridal, jeweled, and double layered!!!

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(Image found from Azzura Photography)

Now how cute would all these be for you and your bridal party?!?!?!?!  LOVE!

Enjoy!

-erika

Cristy and John // Utah Wedding Photography

Sunday, June 20th, 2010

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!

Utah Weddings

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?

Utah Weddings

They found this beautiful barn that had the perfect backdrop for some amazing images like this one.

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LOVE.

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The wind is so graciously blowing her hair here and it is so dreamy!

Utah Wedding Photographers

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!

Utah Wedding Photography

John worked at this golf course that served as our gorgeous backdrop for these pretty pictures!  I love this one too!

Utah Wedding Photography

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?

Utah Wedding Photography

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!

Utah Wedding Photography

Another gorgeous kissing shot, I’m loving that tree!

Utah Wedding Photos

:)

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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

A day in the life…

Thursday, March 25th, 2010

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!

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Enjoy!

erika

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

Sunday, March 7th, 2010

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!   :)

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Enjoy!

-erika