Name: Erika Rigger Photography
Price range: $$

Four Reasons to Hire a Professional Photographer for Your Next Event

October 30, 2022

baby smiling and eating cereal at birthday

If you’re on the fence about whether or not to hire someone to photograph your event, consider these four reasons to hire a professional photographer:

A Professional Photographer Will Eliminate Stress

Big brother kissing little sister during baby birthday party

Let’s say the event is a family reunion and you want to get a group photo of the whole family. And, let’s say you opted not to hire a professional photographer. You could do it yourself, but one of two things could happen then:

A) You have someone take the photo for you. Family members don’t want to be left out of the photo because they had to take it. This could possibly offend that person or make them feel awkward for being excluded.

B) You set a timer on your camera. This can be problematic. Because there are so many people in the photo, you will need to take several images to make sure everyone is looking and has their eyes open. Finishing the photo session will take two to three times as long. Keep in mind, you’ll have to keep resetting the timer. And still, you might not have gotten the shot. Hiring a professional photographer will eliminate all of this stress.

To Avoid the Selfies

Mom with kids at family gathering smiling while holding baby

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to go around all night taking selfies with my phone. I would much prefer to relax and enjoy the moment instead of trying to capture it. If you hire a professional photographer, the quality of the photos will be much better than the selfies. Also, trying to take a selfie with a group of people is next to impossible when trying to get everyone inside the frame.

Hire a Professional to Relax and Enjoy the Moment

Baby and big sister eating birthday cake during event

If the event is a birthday party, you don’t want to miss out on visiting with guests or helping your child open presents or cut the cake because you are too busy trying to take the photos. You want to be part of the action, not stuck behind the camera. Let a professional photographer take care of it for you!

For Photographer Grade Editing

Woman with grandchild eating a sandwich during event

Another great thing about hiring a professional is that you don’t have to worry about editing and distributing the photos after the event is over. You just have to wait to receive them from your photographer. It’s really a gift to have well lit photographs taken by a professional who preserves the memory of your event. Everyone can cherish the resulting photos for a very long time to come.

When planning your next special occasion, keep in mind these four reasons to hire a professional photographer. If you are considering hiring a photographer to capture a local special event for you, please consider connecting with me!

7 TIPS FOR PREPARING FOR YOUR AUTUMN SESSION

October 21, 2022

Mother and daughter in fall photo session

Autumn is one of the most popular months of the year for portrait sessions. After all, nature is doing its thing with all those vibrant colors, plus you get a chance to really play up your wardrobe with accessories in the crisp weather. To get the most out of your time, here are 7 tips for preparing for your autumn session.

Make Your Autumn Session Worth Your While

1. Make use of accessories and clothing that play up the “autumn” feeling.

Dad and daughters in front of yellow trees during autumn

For example, opt for leather boots, cable knit scarves and comfy cardigans. This look is amazing on the whole family and can really bring a picture to life. Tip: neutrals do really well in the fall against all that foliage.

2. Timing is everything.

Start paying attention to that shift in weather as summer melts into fall. Once the leaves start changing, call up your photog and book a session. I know that I like to plan fall sessions to be sure we choose a location that is in line with your vision for your photos.

3. Location is important.

Mom and daughter during photo session in Wilmington, NC

If it’s autumn, you better believe we’re playing outside in the gorgeous weather. I have a lot of locations to choose from that have particularly pretty backdrops for fall sessions, like the New Hanover Arboretum. I’m also open to your suggestions!

4. Plan for a late-afternoon to early-evening autumn sessions.

Brothers in matching outfits running through the woods in fall

This is when the light is just gorgeous. The days are shorter in the fall, so we need to plan accordingly to get that golden hour light.

5. Play in the environment.

Kids playing on leaves during photography session

Chances are there are leaves on the ground or a few buds lingering around. I may have you throw leaves up into the air or something similar. Remember, this shoot is all about capturing your family bond and having fun, so let loose and get into the season!

6. Pack the necessities for your fall session.

Mother and sons smiling during autumn photography session

It can get chilly during autumn sessions, so you may want to have some necessities on hand. I recommend a lip balm, moisturizer, warm packs for your hands, tissues, and, of course, warm apparel.

7. Wear comfortable shoes and accessories.

Expecting parents smiling during evening photo shoot

Since we’re going to be outside, we’ll probably do lots of walking. If those boots look amazing, but kill your feet, scratch them. If the scarf looks adorable on Timmy, but it scratches his face and makes him unhappy, it’s better left at home.

Fall Sessions Are Here Now

Keep these 7 tips for preparing for your autumn session in mind this year to get the most out of this beautiful season. It’ll be winter before we know it!

I have a few openings left for an autumn sessions! Contact me or check my calendar to see my availability! Happy Fall Y’all!

HOLIDAY IN-HOME CAROLINA BEACH NEWBORN PHOTOGRAPHY | BABY ELLERIE

October 19, 2022

Mom and dad with newborn baby girl and dog on couch

The holidays and the cold weather tend to bring a unique kind of warmth into the homes of families. And what better way to welcome in a new life than into the coziness of Christmas time? This special season holds a certain kind of magic, which is what I aimed to capture in this holiday in-home Carolina Beach newborn photography session.

Sweet Holiday In-Home Session

From the jump, I knew this shoot was going to be something spectacular. This couple welcomed me into their gorgeous Carolina Beach home to meet their adorable daughter Ellerie as well as their super sweet four legged friend. The colors in their home were bright and neutral. As a result, the natural light flowing in from the windows beamed on a beautiful cozy winter scene.

The Christmas tree was a perfect accent to this in-home newborn session. Positioned right next to a big and bright window, it gave us a gorgeous little holiday scene to work with. The colors on the tree worked in harmony with this couples’ beautiful attire. The ornaments and twinkling lights provided just the right amount of sparkle.

New mom and dad with newborn baby during in-home photography session

Dad holding his newborn and mom holding hew newborn in front of a Christmas tree

Newborn baby girl with Christmas tree during photography session in Carolina Beach

The Magic of In-Home Photography Sessions

In-home newborn photography sessions can be intimidating. I like to remind families that the idea is to capture the way things are, and the way the family behaves, as candidly as possible. I never expect a home to be “perfect” and actually prefer that they aren’t. This way, the photographs have a real sense of familiarity and realness to them. It is a huge perk of having an in-home session. I may open up some curtains or move some distracting things out of a backdrop, but I want to keep the home feeling like what it is – yours.

Newborn baby girl with family and nose to nose with dad during photography session

We finished off this holiday in-home Carolina Beach newborn photography session with some darling shots of Ellerie and her parents (and dog, of course!) snuggled up enjoying the coziness. I adore the way these parents gushed over their new baby. This session had a real softness to it. From the Christmas-time themes, to the textures and colors of the cozy home, to the sweet and loving expressions on these parents’ faces, capturing baby Ellerie was an absolute joy.

Family cudding with newborn baby girl in bed and on the couch

Since this shoot, I have returned for a family photo session and another newborn session with this wonderful family. It has been an honor to watch them grow.

Are you expecting? Now is a great time to book your newborn session to be sure you’ll remember the blur! Contact me for details.

Give Unique Photo Gifts for the Holidays

October 15, 2022

When it comes to holiday gift giving, portraits are a shining star. But how many pictures can you display in one house? Give unique photo gifts for the holidays, and combine the magic of portraits with a gift your relatives can use and enjoy.

Family Portraits Through the Years

Personalized family photo ornament for the holidays — Photo sourced from ht tps://www.mpix.com

Do you have a family portrait taken each year? Turn that session into a beautiful unique photo gift. You can have those photos made into ornaments for friends and family, for instance.

Mpix offers several different designs to choose from, and you can have your ornaments personalized with the year.

Your family will enjoy a collection of ornaments showing how you and your children have changed through the years.

Photo Gifts to Brag About

Personalized mini accordion photo album holiday gift — Photo sourced from https://www.mpix.com

What’s the best gift you can give to proud grandparents or doting aunts and uncles? You can give them the gift of being able to show their families off to their friends, acquaintances and even strangers on the street. Any one of these unique photo gifts will give a great excuse to brag about the family:

Pocket sized accordion books with several different photos
Keepsake boxes for holding treasures and trinkets
Calendars to place front and center in a spotlight space on the wall
A button to wear proudly around town

Small and Unique

Fridge magnet personalized with family photo for holiday gift — Photo sourced from https://www.etsy.com

Sometimes you need a small gift to stuff a stocking to give to a teacher, babysitter or other important people who are close to your family. Take a break from the classics and add in a unique photo gift for them to enjoy. Try one of these useful items:

A photo magnet to hold refrigerator art
A deck of cards for when it’s time to play
A photo statuette perfect for placement on a desk or shelf
A personalized photo coaster for a coffee table or side table

Give unique photo gifts for the holidays, and provide someone you love a treasured item that they can cherish for years to come. Are you in need of a refresh on your family portraits? Contact me or book now to schedule a session!

COLORFUL FALL FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHY AT THE ARBORETUM IN WILMINGTON

October 7, 2022

Family under gazebo at the New Hanover Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

Fall is here! And with the end of summer comes the perfect time of year for family photo sessions. This colorful fall family photography at the Arboretum in Wilmington showcases all the perks of autumn. From the changing leaves, to the shots of family snuggles, this family photography session truly has it all.

I was introduced to this gorgeous family through Rainbow Garden preschool in Hampstead. My children attended this school as well, and absolutely adored it. Once a year in the fall, I visit to do school pictures. This allows me to get to know the families a bit, and sometimes they book a family session afterwards.

NEW HANOVER ARBORETUM IN FALL

One of my favorite locations for this time of year is the New Hanover Arboretum in Wilmington. This gorgeous and scenic botanical garden is full of beautiful shrubs and trees that create the perfect backdrop for fall family photography sessions when their leaves begin to change. The Japanese Maple trees always end up being the star of the show with their gorgeous orange and red hues.

This family chose the perfect wardrobe for their colorful fall family photography session. The white outfits against the moody colors of the arboretum shined beautifully, and gave all three of them a gorgeous glow.

COLORFUL FALL PHOTOGRAPHY SESSIONS

Autumn serves as a breath of fresh air after the sticky, hot days of summer. This change is always welcome, especially in my fall photography sessions. The ability for children to run, for partners to snuggle, and families to enjoy getting close and cuddly, creates gorgeous and heartwarming shots. The love and adoration that pour from these photos is so easily achievable this time of year. The smiles on this family’s face say it all.

Creating a fun, relaxing session comes easy with the change of seasons. This colorful fall family photography at the Arboretum showcases the beauty of not only the gardens, but these three wonderful humans as well.

I am looking forward to capturing this family and all their love again, as they are expecting a new arrival soon! It warms my heart to watch these families grow, and photographing them throughout their journeys.

Mom dad and son at the New Hanover Arboretum in Wilmington

Family enjoying walk in the fall during photography session

Son running and playing with parents at the Arboretum in Wilmington, NC

Loving family during fall photography session

Fall is here and now is the time to book your family sessions! It is the perfect time of year to update your family photos for your holiday cards and gifts. Contact me or book now!