As soon as I encountered Erika’s work, I immediately knew she had to capture our special day! There are key components when it comes to planning your wedding- Choosing a photographer that understands you both: Your personalities and your vision.... That’s my number one takeaway from the process! She listens, she’s experienced and she’s insanely talented! She guides, she’s flexible, she’s thoughtful, cultivates a true partnership, is genuinely excited to fullfifll your every dream. Erika accepts you for who you are, no other “prettier” version encouraged. It’s the small details that stand out, when we did our engagement shoot nestled in at home- I remember telling her “is Miguel’s rubbery G-shock watch not look good on camera, I’d love if I’d gotten him a leather one?” She replied with a question instead, “We’ll does he wear it everyday? It’s honestly fine! That’s him.” We tend to nit pick every detail during our wedding journey- It was so refreshing and empowering to work with someone who only cares about your essence and not what material things are going to make for a better image. This small action led me wanting to share everything even more with her! She gained our trust from the get-go! She was always available, reliable and punctual, even if she was hundreds of miles away from FL. You need and deserve a photographer that takes it as serious as you do! That’s the reason I stand behind that I told her post wedding day- We’d choose you all over again without a shadow of doubt. She’s a lady boss in all means, entrepreneurship at its finest! A mom, a bride herself and a beautiful mind. I admire that she’s takes full ownership of her business and constantly challenges herself to deliver nothing but the best. She’s resourceful and is always tuning her art. My family loved her wedding day; Her urgency, her ability to blend in the background and capture every single important moment but also carries an important trait- giving direction and taking command when called for. I personally loved her witty qualities! I was so nervous day of and her reassurance was all I needed to settle my nerves. My groom and I trusted Erika to make it a seamless process. She’d gently tussle my hair, rearranged my train and made us laugh the whole way there. It’s important to feel comfortable with your photographer- if you don’t, it’ll show through in the end result. Our images! Delivery day was amazing- Her way of narrating our wedding timeline in such a natural, fluid way couldn’t have been better. We were left speechless!!! Photography should be able to do just that- transport your to that time and place, make you experience the emotions all over again, relive one of the most valuable moments in our lifetime. As a longtime, avid scrapbooker, I love documenting moments in life. This time around I had to pass the torch along to someone who’d just “get it” and entrust in their talent. I find myself day dreaming about showing our future kids, the images of our wedding day. To think that Erika will still be talked about years and years from now, is a pretty powerful and remarkable thing.
Erika,
We are so fortunate and grateful to have shared this milestone in our lives with you. Thank you for capturing us in a way that’s so true to who we are as a couple. Thank you for the patience, understanding & empathetic nature and knowledge along the way- We are forever in your debt.
Love,
Ari & Miguel Despian