Introducing: Erika’s Client Closet

/ Portraits, Tips & Tricks

I love shopping and for my clients to feel their best, so how do I combine 2 of my favorite things? Erika’s Client Closet! Dresses for every body.

What is it?

A curated selection of dresses that I handpicked that are flattering on all body types, and photograph beautifully that my clients can now borrow (for free!) when you book a session with me!! I have dresses that range from size small – large. Many of the dresses can be bump-friendly for maternity sessions too.

How does it work?

After you book a session, you’ll have access to borrow a dress from my closet. I will send you an email with pictures, size and fit of the dresses ahead of time. Then you can let me know which ones you’re interested in. If you are local and would like to try a dress on before your session, you’re welcome to try them on in my home-studio! Otherwise, I will bring it to your session for you to change into in my changing pod. (Yes, my super awesome little changing pod can come with my anywhere!)

I know how stressful it can be to figure out what you should wear, plus figure out what your whole family is going to wear for your portrait session. My goal is to help make the process stress-free while helping you look your absolute best! I want to help you feel empowered and confident for your session. If you feel great, you are going to look amazing!

Here’s a few of the dresses in action:

Ready to borrow one of my dresses? Reach out today so we can get your session booked!

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Favorite Portrait Locations From 2020

/ Tips & Tricks

I think we’re all in agreement, the past year was crazy (there’s no other way to describe it). However, amidst the crazy, I am so incredibly thankful that I managed to safely connect with and shoot over 40 amazing families! There so many great locations for sessions near and far, so today I’m sharing my top 6 favorite places I shot last year!

  1. At Home – I loved getting to bring some light to families with my front porch portraits sessions last spring. Since 2020 was a year of being home and spending time with family, what better way to commemorate it than pictures on your front porch! Looking for a location that is purely YOU? Look no further than your family home.
LOVE that fur-family could be included for sessions at home too!

2. Colonial Williamsburg – CW is one of my favorite locations because there’s so many different options for portraits! From brick buildings to greenery and add in all the history, and it’s perfect for all portrait sessions! I’ve lived in Virginia for 9 years and still manage to find new locations in Williamsburg every time I go.

Bonus Tip! After a session in Colonial Williamsburg, be sure to get nachos from Precarious Beer Hall or pizza from Mellow Mushroom!

3. Yorktown Beach – Yorktown is hands down my #1 most requested location and it is one of my favorite places here on the peninsula! The best part of this location is that the whole location isn’t beachy, there’s also battlefields, and historical buildings. Since I’ve shot here so many times, I know all the hidden gems and where to go to avoid the weekend crowds!

Bonus Tip! After your session, stop by the Water Street Grille to sit on the patio and enjoy a drink with a great view of the river!

4 – Newport, Rhode Island – This was my first visit to Newport, Rhode Island and it was the cutest little seaside town that I never knew I needed to visit! I LOVED how coastal it was, I mean, I got to shoot on a sailboat and it doesn’t get better than that! I wish I was there longer to explore, but the rocky beach & cliff walk were my absolute favorite.

5 – Nashville, Tennessee – I don’t often get to shoot in downtown locations, but when I do, I am o.b.s.e.s.s.e.d! The light buildings helped create the perfect clean backdrop for Laura & Aaron’s maternity session. With so many people staying home, there weren’t many people out and about which worked out in our benefit!

This was a random field on the side of the road. So glad we stopped for these!

6 – Duck, North Carolina – I loved getting to shoot my best friend’s anniversary pictures on the perfect, overcast day. The best part of pictures on the beach when you’re vacationing there is that you can take advantage of the beach later in the day when it’s less crowded!

I’m looking forward to all the fun, new places I’ll get to shoot this year!

Interested in a session but not sure where to do it? I’d love to chat to find the perfect location for you! Contact me today.

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Marianne & Kevin | Newport, Rhode Island Wedding

/ Weddings

Like most couples planning on getting married in 2020, COVID was not kind to Kevin & Marianne’s original wedding plans, but they pivoted with such grace and planned an extra special weekend that was perfect for them. Newport, Rhode Island holds a special place in their hearts, so it made sense to be the place for their coastal, intimate destination wedding.

This was my first time visiting Newport, Rhode Island. Let me tell you, it is the quaintest coastal town that I never knew I needed to visit! The food was amazing, and the views were even better! I can’t wait to go back! New England in the fall, in general is just beautiful!

Kevin & Marianne’s wedding day could not have been more perfect. After everything they’d been through with planning, they absolutely deserved it! They had most of their closest family and friends to celebrate their day with them. As they were getting ready, Kevin surprised Marianne by having a friend bring their yellow lab, Riley Rose, to the house so she could be part of their wedding day! She wouldn’t leave their side- it was the cutest thing.

Marianne’s brother officiated their ceremony where they exchanged their own personal vows upon the Madeleine Schooner in Newport Harbor as the sun set. It was literally a dream! I am thankful I had my camera to cover my face during their vows to hide all my tears- it was so special. The whole weekend was straight out of a New England nautical wedding storybook (if that’s even a thing!).

Marianne & Kevin– I could not be happier for you two! It was such a joy and honor to be a small part of your wedding day, thank you so much for having me! Ps. Kevin, I need the recipe for those blue cheese and bacon stuffed tomatoes. O.M.G!

Ps. Kevin MADE these ring boxes!! How incredible are they?!

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Jennifer & Brian | Williamsburg Winery Elopement

/ Portraits, Weddings

When choosing a wedding photographer for your wedding or elopement, you’re not only picking someone to take your pictures, you’re selecting someone to be by your side the whole day. Finding someone that you can “click” with is so important! Since Jennifer and Brian were coming in from out of town, we only had one chance to meet briefly on Zoom. I knew from our first conversation that we were going to click.  I asked Jennifer to describe her wedding day, she said relaxed, fun and “just us.” I like all those words!

Jennifer & Brian are from Northern Virginia and had been planning a weekend getaway when they decided to take it up a notch and elope! (They did get blessings from their family so it wasn’t a surprise.) Jennifer found me on Instagram and told me their plan, and I was so excited that I’d get to be a part of something so special!

The grounds of the Williamsburg Winery and Wedmore Place are beautiful! The day of their wedding was PERFECT fall weather (being in Virginia, it could either be 1000% humidity or gloomy). We found a secluded area next to a small lake behind the Wedmore Place that was the perfect location for them to privately exchange their personal vows.

Married by Evan was wonderful with officiating their ceremony!
We had to get some shots in the wine cellar! (They got married at a winery after all!)

The whole day truly could not have been more relaxed and perfect. Jason, my husband, came along as my assistant to help my carry my bags (we joked that he’s the unofficial VP of customer service for Erika Frances Photography), and the 4 of us instantly clicked! When we were taking bride & groom portraits, we kept getting sidetracked and carried away in conversation. It was like we were catching up with long lost friends.

Jennifer & Brian- Jason and I absolutely loved getting to know you two and to hear all your stories. We came to the wedding as strangers and truly left as friends! Finding your only wedding vendors online can be risky, but I think you’re 2/2 with finding “the good ones” online! 😉 We wish you all the happiness and love!

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