Elm Photography

Name: Elm Photography
Address: Lompoc, CA, 93436, US
Telephone: +18057577606
Price range: $$

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Elm Photography

Photographer specializing in children, teens, and family portraiture based out of Lompoc, California Photographer of children, families, grads and couples.

E-mail me for a price quote and booking.

08/30/2026

Aubrey | Class of 2027 | Senior Session

I don’t know if a session could have gone any better.

It was a hot weekend in Santa Barbara, with Refugio and El Capitan topping out around 88–89 degrees and plenty of gusty wind. It was still 80 degrees when I drove home around 8:30 that night.

But Elings Park? Empty, peaceful, and probably ten degrees cooler. It could not have been more perfect for Aubrey.

We started among the trees and golden grass before heading down to Arroyo B***o Beach, giving us the best of both land and sea. Each setting fit her beautifully, but more importantly, they gave her sweet spirit and fun personality plenty of room to show.

Truly, I could not have asked for a better evening or a sweeter senior to photograph.

08/28/2026

Noah | Class of 2027 | Senior Session

Weird and unseasonable weather? Yes. Did I expect rain in the forecast in August? No.

Was I worried we were going to sweat ourselves silly in the 95-degree heat they were predicting? Absolutely.

Thankfully, it wasn’t quite that bad. More like high 70s with lots and lots of humidity, which my dry California temperature gauge is simply not built for. Hopefully no one noticed it dripping down my back.

Noah, though? Not one complaint. Every so often there was a quick flick of his hand because a gnat decided his face was the place to be, which was completely understandable. Otherwise, he just rolled with everything.

And I mean everything.

He kept his cool, did everything I asked him to do, somehow understood most of my directions, and did it all looking just like the cool dude he is.

08/09/2026

Kyrsten | Class of 2027 | Senior Session

Jalama Beach is popular so far this year. Okay, I’ve only just begun senior season, but still, I’ve been there twice this week. Yesterday did not disappoint.

Besides the packed campground, probably because it was gorgeous and the last weekend before school starts next week, we made this location work. The sun was bright, the wind was behaving, and Kyrsten? A stunner and an absolute trooper.

This statuesque beauty walked into places I hadn’t explored before, climbed over some rather treacherous ice plant, removed a prickly stalk of whatever-that-was that happened to be in my way, and somehow managed to make all of it look effortless.

Yes, I climbed over the uneven ground too because the spot was just too lovely to pass up. And while I struggled, per usual, to maintain my balance, I am happy to report there were no falls last night.

Miracles happen.

Then I told Kyrsten, “Run into the waves, but you don’t actually have to get in...”

She went right in.

And you know, I love a client who is willing to do just about anything for the art. I’m all for it.

Kyrsten, you have the kind of gorgeous smile that absolutely lights up the camera, a sweetness about you that is adorable in every way, and a graceful elegance I’m not sure you even realize you have.

That is one of the reasons I love doing what I do. I get such a short amount of time with each senior, but sometimes that is enough to see little pieces of who they are that maybe they haven’t quite learned to see in themselves yet.

And getting to show them?

That part never gets old.

08/05/2026

Gigi | Class of 2027 | Senior Session

What a way to begin the Class of 2027 senior season, which is easily one of my favorite times of year. I briefly considered using “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” for this post, but even I knew that would be a little too much. So, you’re welcome.

Of course, it would not be the first senior session of the season without me discovering that I am apparently no more coordinated on dry land than I am in the sand. At one point, I lost my footing and landed directly on my rear. Without missing a beat, Gigi looked at me and said, “New angle…”

She was not wrong.

Gigi is gorgeous, knows her angles, and somehow managed to translate every off-the-wall direction I gave her while I worked through a little first-session rust. More importantly, she is sweet, kind, easygoing, and completely herself. She has such a gentle spirit, and spending the evening with her was an easy reminder of why I love photographing seniors so much.

We started at Miguelito Park beneath the trees with the mountains behind us, then headed to Jalama Beach. The fog stayed just offshore long enough to give us the soft, sun-drenched light we were hoping for.

Gigi, congratulations on your senior year. Thank you for trusting me with your photos, laughing through my lack of coordination, and starting this senior season on such a good note.

08/03/2026

Almost every senior tells me some version of the same thing: “I’m awkward in pictures.”

I hear it so often, and I never expect you to arrive already knowing how to pose or what to do with your hands. That is my job.

I will guide you through the session in a way that feels natural, help you settle in, and pay attention to what makes you feel comfortable. We will move, talk, laugh, and take the pressure off until you stop thinking quite so much about the camera.

You do not have to pretend to be confident before we begin. Part of my job is helping you see the confidence that is already there.

Senior sessions for the Class of 2027 are now open. Booking inquiries here www.elmphotowest.com/contact when you are ready to start planning.

06/19/2026

Asahi | Class of 2026 | Graduate Session

Who knew Lompoc High School could look this good? Well, Asahi certainly helped. Her bright smile, kind personality, and joyful energy made this graduate session one I'll always remember.

Today is her last day in Lompoc before she heads home to Japan, and I kept thinking the same thing throughout her session: "What a brave girl." I suppose it makes perfect sense she was a BRAVE this year. I know, cringe mom moment there. Leaving your family, your friends, your language, and everything familiar to spend an entire school year in another country isn't something most people would ever do. Yet she embraced the experience with so much grace, kindness, and curiosity. She got to experience all the fun of an American senior year, and I feel so honored that I could help document this chapter before she heads home.

Thankfully the Lompoc High campus was open, so we were able to photograph her session right at the school. Years from now, she'll have these photographs to remember not only her graduation, but this incredible season of life spent halfway around the world.

Good luck, Asahi. Thank you for letting me be a small part of your American adventure. Wishing you safe travels and all the best as you head home.

06/09/2026

Hi, I’m Erin, the face behind Elm Photography.

For all the new followers, the longtime supporters, the clients who keep coming back, and the people quietly lurking because they know they need updated photos but would rather do almost anything else first... welcome. I’m glad you’re here.

I’m a portrait photographer based on California’s Central Coast and I’ve been photographing people for over 15 years. I specialize in seniors, couples, families, branding, and all the in-between seasons that somehow move way too fast while we’re living them.

My style is natural, warm, candid, and true-to-life. I love movement, personality, connection, awkward laughs that turn real, and the little moments people usually don’t realize matter until years later.

One thing about me, I’m not a “15 minute mini session every weekend” kind of photographer. Nothing against them, they absolutely have their place. But I’ve always cared more about connection than quantity. I like slowing down enough for people to relax, breathe a little, and stop feeling like they have to perform in front of a camera.

Most of my clients show up nervous and leave saying, “That was actually fun.” Honestly, that might be my favorite compliment.

Senior season is officially starting up again, which is always one of my favorite times of year. There’s something really special about photographing someone right in the middle of becoming who they’re going to be. It never gets old for me.

If you’ve been thinking about booking a session, this is your sign to finally do it. I promise you do not need to know how to pose, what to do with your hands, or how to “be photogenic.” That’s my job.

I’m really grateful you’re here.

06/05/2026

2026 grads, this has been a year.

Not only have I been dealing with my own bittersweet feelings of my daughter graduating, this was also the year so many of her elementary school classmates graduated too. It has felt sad, gut-punching, surreal, beautiful, and honestly a little offensive how quickly time moved.

One minute they were tiny kindergarteners with missing front teeth and backpacks bigger than they were, and now they are standing in front of my camera as these incredible young adults with their own opinions, ideas, humor, dreams, and personalities.

Every single senior session this year has meant something to me.

This has also been my busiest and most successful senior season in the 15 years I’ve been doing this and let me tell you, I am praying this keeps up because I genuinely love what I do. I have loved getting to reconnect with families I’ve known for years, meeting new ones, hearing all the college plans and life plans, and watching these kids step into adulthood.

To every 2026 graduate I photographed this year, thank you. You made this season so full and so memorable for me. I am incredibly grateful I got to play even a very small part in documenting this chapter of your lives.

Congratulations, Class of 2026. Now please slow down for the rest of us.

06/04/2026

Marianne & Rianna Best Friend Graduate Session

You know, having a mom as a photographer is actually pretty cool. At least I like to think so. My kid has had photos taken through all the big moments, big events, big sports seasons, and all the milestones along the way.

Friday, these two girls, along with hundreds more, graduate from high school.

They’ve been friends since 3rd grade, and as a mom, there’s something really special about seeing a friendship last through all the awkward stages, growing pains, school drama, and life changes that come with growing up. I pray Marianne and Rianna stay friends for a very long time.

Watching them go from little girls to young women has been equal parts beautiful and bittersweet.

I’m so proud of these two for making it to this milestone. Graduation is a huge accomplishment, and I know there are so many parents this week sitting in their feelings a little bit too.

Address

Lompoc, CA
93436

Telephone

+18057577606

Website

https://www.elmphotowest.com/, https://elmphotowest.pixieset.com/booking

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