Erika El Photography

Erika El Photography Adventurous wedding and elopement photography for the bold and daring.

Anyone else feel most at home outside in nature? It’s my happy place, and usually something my couples relate with and w...
01/04/2026

Anyone else feel most at home outside in nature? It’s my happy place, and usually something my couples relate with and why they end up choosing a wedding in nature. It doesn’t hurt that nature is both so inspiring and calming. A pretty good setting for your vows I’d say ☀️🦋🌷🐝⛰️

outdoor wedding, mountain top elopement, wedding in the blue ridge mountains, blue ridge mountain wedding photographer

What always inspires me most about my couples is their confidence to say,That isn’t us.We don’t want to spend our money ...
19/03/2026

What always inspires me most about my couples is their confidence to say,

That isn’t us.
We don’t want to spend our money on that.
Those aren’t the memories I want to make.
That’s not important to us.
That’s not how we want to feel on our wedding day.
We don’t feel comfortable inviting X to our wedding.

Figuring that out and feeling bold enough to stand by it, is what wedding planning should be 🫶🏻😎

wedding planning 2026, private wedding vows, north carolina wedding photographer

Part of my job is being whatever you need me to be. Sometimes that means providing a lot of direction, cracking jokes, b...
11/03/2026

Part of my job is being whatever you need me to be. Sometimes that means providing a lot of direction, cracking jokes, being silly to make you comfortable. Sometimes it means pulling back, staying quiet and creating space to make you comfortable. And usually, it’s a little of all of the above. My job is to take whatever cues I can to serve you best in each moment. While I may be the one “in charge”, anytime you’re behind my camera, my hope is that you get to be focused on each other and use the time to reflect on and celebrate your love.

Colorado wedding photographer, colorado wedding inspiration, crested butte wedding, crested butte elopement, mountain wedding

One of the most important tips I give my couples; it’s going to take more time than you think.Getting ready, your first ...
02/03/2026

One of the most important tips I give my couples; it’s going to take more time than you think.

Getting ready, your first look, driving to the location, family photos, hiking, speeches, you name it. We always tend to underestimate how long things will take.

So when planning timelines for my couples I always always always overestimate how long things will take and thennnn...still add in some cushion time because the number one thing couples tell me they DON’T want to feel on their wedding day?

Stressed.

It’s always easier to be proactive and plan ahead. And worse case? Everything runs perfectly and you can spend more time enjoying your day at a relaxed pace or have flexibility if things don’t go according to plan.

North Carolina Wedding Photographer | North Carolina Wedding | Blue Ridge Mountain Wedding | North Carolina Elopement

I know they say you’ll only wear your dress once but actually...that may not be true 😉I have couples reach out all the t...
27/02/2026

I know they say you’ll only wear your dress once but actually...that may not be true 😉

I have couples reach out all the time wanting a session after their wedding. They want an opportunity to put on their wedding clothes and get epic portraits in the mountains, to adventure with no obligations, time for just to two of them and to do whatever they want. This is perfect if you’re having a more traditional style wedding with guests and want ample time celebrating with them. Instead of splitting your focus you can have that day with your people and accommodate any needs to include them, and the following day can be entirely focused on you two.

Yeah, you can totally do that!

North Carolina Wedding Photographer | Asheville Wedding Photographer | Mountain Wedding | Blue Ridge Mountain Wedding

Your wedding photos are like little pieces of art. Each one a brush stroke that paints the full story of your wedding da...
23/02/2026

Your wedding photos are like little pieces of art. Each one a brush stroke that paints the full story of your wedding day.

Cheesy? Maybe. True tho? Yep.

We tend to focus on the big moments - the first look, the first kiss, the pronouncement, the cake cutting. Those are the major plot points for sure, but the story isn’t complete without all the other little moments in between. And maybe they won’t make it as the framed photo on your wall but in 50 years when you look back through your entire wedding gallery, you’re going to want more than just photos of the major moments (especially since those are the ones that are most easy to remember). You’re going to want to recall every single detail you possibly can.

You’ll never forget what your wedding dress looked like, but will you remember how the hydrangeas were in full bloom, how the vibrant the sunset was, how your little niece was breaking it down on the dance floor, how your dad looked while you danced your first dance?

That’s what I’m here for.

Your sign to gather a handful of your favorite humans and have an al fresco dinner party as the golden sun sets to celeb...
20/02/2026

Your sign to gather a handful of your favorite humans and have an al fresco dinner party as the golden sun sets to celebrate your nuptials. ☀️ 🥂

North Carolina Wedding Photographer | North Carolina Wedding | North Carolina Wedding Venue

Yesterday’s post was a hint if you couldn’t tell 😉Formally introducing you to my family sessions! Which I’ve actually be...
17/02/2026

Yesterday’s post was a hint if you couldn’t tell 😉

Formally introducing you to my family sessions! Which I’ve actually been photographing ever since I started my business years ago 😂. It has always been for friends, past clients or just fall mini sessions, but it’s about time ya’ll knew I am officially offering family portrait sessions!

Similarly to how I capture weddings, my approach for families is also a more candid, documentary style. I guide you and the kiddos through the session with the goal to have ya’ll interact how you normally do as a family, aka not sitting perfectly with everyone smiling at the camera. Of course we’ll aim to get one or two of those, but these are more of a snapshot into your everyday life and the current personality of your kids.

I show up however your family needs, whether that’s a bit of a slower and calmer energy while the kids get used to the camera, more wild and playful to lean into their excitement, or taking lots of breaks for feedings and soothing.

The goal is simply, joy.

Soaking in precious time with your family and capturing these fleeting memories. And just like with my couples, I want you to walk away feeling like that was fun and easy. Which yes, is possible.

(This will mostly be available to those locally in North Carolina, but if timing works with my Colorado schedule I would love to photograph families there as well!)

A couples adventure session but....different 😉North Carolina Photographer | Couple Session | Couples Photos | Family Pho...
16/02/2026

A couples adventure session but....different 😉

North Carolina Photographer | Couple Session | Couples Photos | Family Photos | Maternity Photos

Did you know I have a ton of resources on my website about planning your wedding or elopement in the Blue Ridge Mountain...
12/02/2026

Did you know I have a ton of resources on my website about planning your wedding or elopement in the Blue Ridge Mountains? From information about incredible vendors and venues to permit logistics and mountain locations, my blogs are packed with useful information to help you get started wether you’re just now learning about the Blue Ridge Mountains or in the middle of wedding planning, head to my website link in my bio and click on the Resources + Inspo tab, tada!

(P.S. there are blogs for Colorado too, of course!)

Planning + Design: KnightCo. Events
Photography: Erika El Photography
Content Creation: Ebony .trinity
Venue: Douglas Ellington House
Hair & Makeup: Laurel Beauty Co
Dress: Juniper James Bridal
Suit: Bunbury Custom Clothiers
Jewelry: Yewo Collective
Stationary + Live Painter: Ruthie Kellar Studio .studio
Floral: Petal and Fern
Cake: Gateaux Cakes & Pastries
Rentals: Professional Party Rentals
Harpist: Jessica Schaeffer
Couple: Lacey and Dan Ryan and .in.real.life

Destination Wedding Photographer | Blue Ridge Mountain Elopement | Asheville Wedding | Blue Ridge Mountain Wedding | Asheville Wedding Venue

“Erika was absolutely fantastic. She is so easy to be around and blended in with our family effortlessly. After our init...
09/02/2026

“Erika was absolutely fantastic. She is so easy to be around and blended in with our family effortlessly. After our initial phone call, I felt so confident and at ease—I knew she was the perfect photographer for our special day. She photographed both our engagement session—with our dogs—and our wedding day, and she captured everything perfectly. Every photo feels natural, genuine, and so true to who we are.”

Jackie and John had an intimate wedding with a handful of guests at venue in Asheville. Laurel Falls overs views plus on site cabins for you and your guests to stay in which makes it the perfect place where you can have it all and never have to leave. From beautiful scenery for your ceremony and portraits to a patio for al fresco dinner the logistics are made simple here. And since Jackie and John wanted a relaxing weekend with their people in Asheville, it was the perfect spot. And what a joy it was to capture it all.

Vendors:
Venue:
Planner -
Florist -
Makeup -
Catering -

North Carolina Wedding Inspo | North Carolina Wedding Photographer | Asheville Wedding Venue | Asheville Wedding Photographer

Planning a Colorado wedding for 2026 but not sure where to begin? I’ve got you covered 👇🏻Blogs on my website you can rea...
27/01/2026

Planning a Colorado wedding for 2026 but not sure where to begin? I’ve got you covered 👇🏻

Blogs on my website you can read right now and jumpstart your planning journey:

Planning Resources:
-How to Plan Your Adventurous San Juan Mountains Elopement
-Best Southwest Colorado Wedding Venues
-Ultimate Guide for Crested Butte
-Best Places to Elope in Colorado

Just click the website link in my bio and head to “Resources + Inspo”

I’d love to help you plan the perfect day❤️ slide into my DM’s with any questions or fill out my inquiry form - I am still booking 2026 weddings in Colorado!

Colorado Wedding Photographer | Colorado Wedding Planning | Colorado Elopement | Destination Wedding

Address

Andrews Farm, SA

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