Posts Tagged ‘wedding photography’

Tip 2 of 10 of Getting Great Photos

Monday, January 31st, 2011

GET IN CLOSE

Once again this is one of those things that you’ll want both of, the far away picture to tell the story along with the close up to capture detail.

Don’t be afraid to take a few steps closer before you snap away!

For owners of a DSLR camera they make these lenses called macro lenses.  At first I always thought those were for people who took up close pictures of flowers and bugs and stuff (you know like the ones in National Geographic)!  Oh I was sorely mistaken the first time I tried to get a detail shot of a wedding ring!  You know those yummy pictures we post all the time of the beautiful wedding rings like this one?, well you can’t get that without a macro lens.

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For owners of a point and shoot camera they make a setting on your camera for close up shots, you know that setting with the flower?…….please use it!!!!  If I see another excited bride post a picture of a blurry engagement ring I’m going to freak out!  Ok all jokes aside, really that setting does wonders and you’ll actually be happy with the photos you post of your new bling!

So get out there and practice shooting!  Have fun!

Enjoy!

-erika

Recent Work from an Arkansas Family Photographer

Friday, December 3rd, 2010

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!

Arkansas Family Photographer

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!

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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!  :)

Arkansas Family Photographer

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!

Arkansas Family Photography

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

Saturday Steal // Arkansas Wedding Photographer

Saturday, October 9th, 2010

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!

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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….

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I love this advice about the ties!!!  Read more.

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Find out how to make this frame!!!  So cute! Read More.

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Ring Bearer book………I think YES!!!  Read More.

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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.

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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

What to Wear Wednesdays // Arkansas Wedding Photographer

Wednesday, October 6th, 2010

This segment of the What  to Wear Wednesdays series I decided to focus on weddings.  The goal in writing features like this is first to give our awesome readers ideas for their weddings, portrait sessions, life, pretty much anything and secondly to inform and teach!  Today I will focus mostly on teaching.  Too many times I’ve been brides with a dress on that just doesn’t quite match the style of her wedding.  Or for instance the other day I was watching Say Yes To The Dress (are you really surprised?) and the gal was having a destination wedding in Jamaica but was trying on a ball gown dress on?!?!?!??!  REALLY?  Your dress should play a huge roll in the spirit of your wedding day.  Nothing says beach wedding like a loose flowy gown to me…….my last thought was a form fitted stuffy and poofy ball gown?  So in my efforts today I tried to give you a theme and a color palette along with a coordinating dress.

Got any ideas for something you’d like to see us feature in What to Wear?  Comment below we’d LOVE to hear from you!!!!

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Enjoy!

-erika

Lizz and Greg // Simple Pleasures Wedding Photography

Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010

I’m a little bit behind on my blogging schedule, but now I’m playing catch up since, with Baby Titan that’s about all I can do right now is sit at my computer (glad we don’t have TV or that’s where I’d probably be sitting!!!)

Lizz and Greg were married July 31st.  This was the first time I’ve been to Simple Pleasures to shoot and I had a blast!  There is so much cool stuff in that place!  Oh and not to mention the beautiful cars!!!

Ceremony: Highlands Methodist Church

Reception: Simple Pleasures

Cake: Rick’s Bakery

Floral: Breezy’s

DJ: MS Soundworks

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They were married at Highlands Methodist Church in Bella Vista.  He’s a pretty proud Dad!!!  :)  And she’s all smiles!

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Meet Mr. and Mrs. Evans!

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We had some great lighting for our couple shots! Isn’t she beautiful?  I just love that red hair!

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A beautiful first dance shared together for the first time as a married couple!

These two are both extremely involved in music.  Lizz lead her group in song while Greg decided his group would serenade his girl!

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Lizz’s dad surprised them with a ride in the get a way car as they left their reception.   I just love it when couples have these old cars to get a way in!  There’s just something different about it than pulling away in a 1998 Nissan………

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Congratulations you two!

Enjoy!

-erika

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

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

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……….

Erika Dotson Arkansas Wedding Photographer

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

Enjoy!

-erika

Claire and Aaron // Northwest Arkansas Wedding Photography

Monday, August 2nd, 2010

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!

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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

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

Claire and Aaron // Destination Wedding Photography

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Hey there ladies and gents!  :)  Claire and Aaron were also married on Father’s Day just like another one of my latest wedding couples!  How in the world did we manage that?  Well in case you didn’t know we’ve got ourselves a little staff over here at Erika Dotson Photography and even if your wedding day is already booked with us we can still accommodate you!  :)  That makes us all happy right?!?!!?

I met Claire and Aaron for the first time at Panera Bread where her Father slipped in and paid for everyone’s meal right under my nose!  Thanks Claire’s dad!  When we originally met it was known that they were going to get married at Sandals and that a photographer came with their wedding package, well apparently Claire and Aaron didn’t like the idea of not hiring their own photographer…….we bent the rules just a bit.  It was made known that if you had a friend that also happened to take pictures they would be allowed to shoot during the wedding as well.  So that’s just what we decided to do become “Best Friends”!!!  Well later down the road we found out we would be having a baby and that I wouldn’t be able to travel to Jamaica….. :(  as you can imagine I was bummed!  But Tanja was lucky enough to get to go and capture some amazing photos for them!  Claire and Aaron are such a sweet couple and it’s been really fun to get to know them as a couple and as individuals!  We wish you the best together for many happy years!

This will be part one of Claire and Aaron’s wedding photos……

See what she had to say (she’s already gotten to see all these Jamaica ones!):

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE our pictures!! I am so excited to get them. Thank you so much! I cant wait to see more… let me know what all i need to do!!”  - Claire Williams

Jamaica Weddings

We’ll start as always with some getting ready shots!  I love these!

Destination Wedding Photographer

“Something Old”

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I love this dress shot!

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These monogrammed robes are a super cute idea for your bridesmaids!  SPA time!!!!

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What a beautiful day!!!!

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Yes they brought this sand all the way back to Arkansas……how awesome is that!?!!?!?

Destination Weddings

I love how the officiant is clapping!  It makes me happy to see his huge grin while they seal it with a kiss!

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LOVE!

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She caught this while they were waiting around for the sunset for some beautiful couple portraits coming up!

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Love this angle and the coloring!

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This may just be my favorite shot of the whole day!

Sunset Photographer

Yummy sunset lighting!

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Gorgeous girl!

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Adorable…..again.

Erika Dotson Photography

I just love the simplicity of this cake…….it helps too that orchids are my favorite!

Erika Dotson Photography

The look on Aaron’s face is priceless to me, he adores her and you can see it here!

Erika Dotson Photography

Claire and her Father have a pretty close relationship I’ve learned, that’s why I love this image!

Keep posted for more images from Claire and Aaron’s ceremony here in Fayetteville!

Enjoy!

-erika



Alyssa and Seth // NWA Wedding Photography at Pratt Place Barn

Monday, July 26th, 2010

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……

NW Arkansas Weddings

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!

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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!)

Arkansas Wedding Photography

I loved the color of these bridesmaid dresses!  I think green was a pretty popular color this year!

Arkansas Wedding Photography

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!!!!

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This is just too cute!

Arkansas Wedding Photography

This image is so timeless to me!

Erika Dotson Photography

A little attention for Seth as well…..lookin sharp.

Erika Dotson Photography

A little brotherly love….

Erika Dotson Photography

To be followed by sisterly love!  I’ve got some more lovely lit photos for you!

Erika Dotson Photography

First let’s finally met the lovely couple……Alyssa and Seth Pitts…..Congratulations!

Erika Dotson Photography

LOVE.

Erika Dotson Photography

What a stunning bride!

Erika Dotson Photography

Gorgeous couple + gorgeous light = wedding perfection!

Erika Dotson Photography

Their wedding was held at the beautiful Pratt Place Inn.

Fayetteville Wedding Photography

NW Arkansas Wedding Photography

Anticipation.

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What a gorgeous ceremony inside the barn.

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They seem a little excited!

Let’s move on to some detail shots!!!!!!…………….

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Alyssa chose to use a local florist from Prairie Grove.  Their flowers turned out beautifully.

Fayetteville Wedding Photography

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.

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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!

Arkansas Wedding Photographer

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!

Fayetteville Wedding Photography

What an amazing wedding cake!  Love it!  It was quite tasty too!  Thanks guys!

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They had these cute little tins with candy surrounding the cake.  Too sweet!

Arkansas Wedding Photographer

These are just too cute!  I loved all the little details that Alyssa and Seth incorporated!

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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!!!)

Arkansas Wedding Photographer

Alyssa seems to be a pretty hardcore fan herself!

Arkansas Photographer

Alyssa was all grins as they shared their first dance together!

Arkansas Photographers

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!

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I love how Alyssa’s looking back at all her single friends.

Fayetteville Wedding Photographer

And Seth with all his single friends!  I just love this shot!

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Seth’s facial expression here is just great!

Fayetteville Wedding Photographer

They had a live band that really rocked out their reception!

Arkansas Weddings

I love how much fun they are having together!

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Looks like this guy surprised everyone with his awesome dance moves!

Fayetteville AR Wedding Photographer

What a fun grand exit!

It was wonderful to work with you two!  I hope you have many happy years together!

Enjoy!

-erika