the erika dame wedding photography experience

wedding experience

the iNDIE pEARL

candid

+ authentic

What is happening on your wedding day is so unique. Your wedding will be unlike ANY other wedding that has ever happened before and your story deserves to be told authentically and 100% real to you.

I will show up on to your wedding day ready to beautifully tell your story as it unfolds. Every scripted moment you expected and every unscripted moment you didn't expect and never want to forget. 

approach

documentary

My approach to photographing weddings is to be photo journalistic/documentary during the documentary times (getting ready, during your ceremony, reception) and to flip into portrait photographer mode and guide during the portrait times of the day (wedding party and family photos, bride and groom portraits) when you need direction. 

experienced

+ confident

There is one thing I have learned in 9 years of photographing weddings and it is that wedding days are always changing. Things don't always go according to plan and because I have photographed hundreds of weddings, I instinctively rely on my intuition to make quick decisions as unexpected events unfold. To you those moments might seem like chaos, but my calm response will reassure you that everything is ok.

systems

+ Preparation

I prepare myself as much as possible BEFORE your wedding day so that when the day comes, I arrive ready to capture your day quickly and efficiently.

My system of shooting portraits makes it so that you spend more time on your wedding day doing what is most important to you... enjoying the day with your family, wedding party and guests and NOT taking hours of portraits.

easy

+ natural

Many of my couples tell me they are awkward in front of the camera or nervous and those are always my favorite engagement sessions or wedding portraits. I use very clear instructions to easily guide you through your photos... flowing effortlessly from one photo to the next so you never feel awkward or are left wondering what to do next. I want you to walk away thinking that it was easy and  feeling confident.

here

for you

I know wedding planning can get overwhelming and that you'll have a lot of things you're unsure of. 

I have shot hundreds of weddings over the last 8 years and know what it takes to leave your wedding day with the best photos possible.

I am here for you; always available for you to text, call, email, or to meet you at your favorite coffee shop to answer any question you may have.


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wedding photography experience

the indie pearl

Candid

+ authentic

My approach to photographing weddings is to be photo journalistic/documentary during the documentary times (getting ready, during your ceremony, reception) and to flip into portrait photographer mode and guide during the portrait times of the day (wedding party and family photos, bride and groom portraits) when you need direction. 

During documentary times, I blend seamlessly into whatever situation I am in, walking around catching interactions and moments as they're happening. I will help and make suggestions as needed, but try to let things unfold as naturally as possible. I never want you to look back at your photos and remember the moment as a "styled shoot" where I was there for myself and not for you.

During the portrait parts of the day, I guide you through photos efficiently and quickly. I have a system I use to flow from one photo to the next because standing through hours of portraits is no fun for you or your guests.

What is happening on your wedding day is so unique. Your wedding will be unlike ANY other wedding that has ever happened before and your story deserves to be told authentically and 100% real to you.

I will show up on to your wedding day ready to beautifully tell your story as it unfolds. Every scripted moment you expected and every unscripted moment you didn't expect and never want to forget. 


systems

experienced

+ preparation

+ confident

From periodic email check-ins that answer questions you might have to creating your family portrait shot list and working with your planner to build your timeline, I prepare myself as much as possible BEFORE your wedding day so that when the day comes, I arrive ready to capture every detail.

Then once your wedding day arrives, my system of shooting portraits makes it so that you spend more time on your wedding day doing what is most important to you... enjoying the day with your family, wedding party and guests and NOT taking hours of portraits.

There is one thing I have learned in the 9 years of photographing weddings and it is that wedding days are always changing. Things don't always go according to plan and because I have photographed hundreds of weddings, I instinctively rely on my intuition to make quick decisions as unexpected events unfold. To you those moments might seem like chaos, but my calm response will reassure you that everything is ok.

If the day gets behind, I work quickly and efficiently to get us back on schedule, yet still maintaining the highest of standards.

easy

+ natural

Many of my couples tell me they are awkward in front of the camera or nervous and those are always my favorite engagement sessions or wedding portraits. I use very clear instructions to easily guide you through your photos... flowing effortlessly from one photo to the next so you never feel awkward or are left wondering what to do next. 

I want you both to walk away from this whole experience, remembering that being in front of my camera was actually a lot of fun... that taking photos was easy and you felt comfortable through the entire process. 

Fun, easy, and comfortable are the 3 words I hear most from my couples after their engagement session or wedding portraits are finished and there's nothing I want more, for you, than that exact experience.

~ Liz and Chris

You were organized, calm, positive, easy to work with, and fun, which are all essential on a wedding day. I'm type A and knowing that I didn't have to worry about photos on the day of allowed me to relax and take the day in, knowing you had everything under control.

"you took a load off my mind..."

FAQ'S

DO YOU TRAVEL FOR WEDDINGS?

Do we need a second photographer?

what are the perks of an engagement session?

What gear do you shoot with?

How many hours of coverage do I need?

Do you offer wedding albums and prints?

how long will it take to get our photos back?

how do we book you???

Heck yes I do!! I'm up for a wedding anywhere! My passport is ready and waiting!!! 

It depends! Not every wedding needs a second photographer. Some weddings are easily covered by one photographer, but depending on the size, location, and logistics of your wedding, a second photographer is usually needed. I can totally help you determine if one is necessary for your wedding or not.

I LOVE engagement sessions and am a fan of getting my wedding couples in front of my camera before my wedding day. You and I get to know each other (relationships make photos that much better) and you get to see how I work. By the wedding day rolls around, you'll be like "We got this!"

I do!! And let me tell you... I am IN LOVE with my wedding albums. They're seriously SO BEAUTIFUL and super high quality. I was very picky when it came to choosing my album company because I want you to love your album and for it to last for generations. 

I also offer a variety of different wall art to decorate your home with, including: metal prints, canvas prints, framed and matted prints, and gift prints for friends and family.

It takes up to 8 weeks to get back wedding photos and 4 weeks for engagement and portrait sessions.

Just let me know you're ready to book and I handle the rest! I'll send over a contract for you to sign and a link to pay your retainer. Then you're all locked in and my calendar is closed off for that day.

That's a hard question to answer. Every wedding is different and unique in their own way. What works for one, doesn't necessarily work for the next. If the wedding is taking place all at one location, including getting ready, and you want full coverage of your wedding from beginning to end, 9-11 hours of coverage is usually needed. Things like different locations, travel time, wedding party size, large family shot list, multiple portrait locations, etc all require more time and may extend your needed coverage. This is all something I can help you determine just by you answering a few simple questions during a quick phone call.

I shoot Sony mirrorless. I use professional grade camera bodies, lenses, and external flashes.

~ jess and ethan

"you MADE THE WHOLE PROCESS AS STRESS FREE AS POSSIBLE!

you went way above and beyond just photography by being more than just a photographer. you're the whole package! so talented and attentive."

~ jess and ethan

"you MADE THE WHOLE PROCESS AS STRESS FREE AS POSSIBLE!

you went way above and beyond just photography by being more than just a photographer. you're the whole package! so talented and attentive."

the

pricing

All collections include:

Online Gallery
Hi Res Digital Downloads
Print Release

All collections include:

Online Gallery
Hi Res Digital Downloads
Print Release

Wedding coverage /
STARTS at $4500

PORTRAIT SESSIONS / 
STARTs AT $650

All collections include:

Online Gallery
Hi Res Digital Downloads
Print Release

All collections include:

Online Gallery
Hi Res Digital Downloads
Print Release

Wedding coverage /
STARTS at $4500

PORTRAIT SESSIONS / 
 STARTs AT $650

"I have friends that are so mad they didn’t hire you for their weddings because they aren’t happy with their wedding photos and Tyler and I are over here in awe of your work!!"

- Catherine and Tyler

"THERE ARE SO MANY amazing moments YOU CAPTURED SO WELL.”

"I COULD TELL RIGHT AWAY THAT YOU WOULD MAKE THE WHOLE WEDDING EXPERIENCE SO MUCH FUN FOR US. FROM THE BEGINNING, THE ENTIRE PROCESS WAS SEAMLESS AND FLOWED SO EASILY. YOU WERE SO RELATABLE AND EASY GOING, THAT WE INSTANTLY FELT COMFORTABLE. you captured us perfectly... the true us!"

~ Courtney and Michael