I am the chaos.

A truly happy creature with a camera, a little goblin happy to lurk on the outskirts of life's moments to capture them and make them last.  The misfit kid, always hoping to fit in but skirting the edges, watching and admiring. I learned to embrace my weird, live authentically, and just be me.

Hi friend, I'm Erika 

I like open windows,  especially in cool weather and the rain. I love to celebrate other people’s triumphs more than my own. I try to stay humble, and laugh big, and self-deprecate to cover the bashful. 

I believe everyone has good in them, and look for that first. I have a big heart, and I love the things that I love in a big way. I will show up for my people without hesitation. I am passionate about the things I love, and about the things I hate.

I like lots of cream in my coffee, because the colour makes me think of warmth and hugs - but I love GOOD coffee and have barista know how (thank you R+G). I like to pick up beautiful, unique rocks and admire the way they fit into my palm. Think about where they’ve been and how time has carved them.

Person wearing sunglasses and a denim jacket, standing joyfully outdoors in a snowy forest, arms stretched wide.

There are cuss words sprinkled in all conversations. Cunt and fuck and slut, dropped casually into spots where they ought not be - like thinking words to buffer my little noggin through the chaos within - and I’m unapologetic about it.

I like to drive in the quiet sometimes, and let my mind wander over the way the light is touching the world around me.

I show my love through acts of service, kind actions, and quietly trying to do nice things. I am a good person, and forget that sometimes or believe that people think the opposite.

I like spooky tales and dark ideas, and things that send chills down your arms

Every single night, since the day it was gifted to me, I’ve slept tucked under a fuzzy pink blanket. A twin to one my sister also has, the only difference between being the embroidered name along the seam; lovingly stitched by a tough old bird who showed affection in ways I didn’t see until she was gone.

I find myself facing west and following the sun, to the point that I completely threw comfort to the wind and moved provinces to experience living in the mountains.

More than anything, I love light .

Close-up of a person wearing blue jeans with white flowers in one back pocket and a black camera lens cap in the other. Hands are adjusting the pockets.
Couple sitting inside a parked truck, holding hands and smiling at each other.
Person taking a selfie in a mirror, holding a camera with flash, next to the text 'Brittany + Russell 09.08.23' reflecting on the glass. They are smiling and wearing a maroon top and black pants, standing near stairs.

I love the way it dances through shadows and cuts though dark. I like the harshness or the softness it adds to everything. I love its absence.

Controlling it with a camera has become a huge part of my life, painting the world around me and using it to speak stories and evoke emotion.

I like to make it stand still, capture a moment where it’s touching and shining - and document the moment forever.

My whole life has been driven by painting with light, from little wind-up cameras to the way digital runs the world today.

I believe wholeheartedly in connecting with my subjects. Really connecting. 

I want to love your moments, be there and experience them with you. I want the real, the raw. 

I want to wander, far and wide, meet people and learn their story, then document the chapter they currently exist in.

Painting moments with light, showing up big for my people.

So buckle up if you want to join, Love Butt.

Heart-shaped sunglasses on intricate white lace fabric outdoors with grass visible.
Person with blonde hair crouching near industrial stairs, wearing a black leather jacket.

  • Erika is an absolute joy and so amazing to work with. She makes you feel so empowered your whole session and helps you with posing. Her photos are absolutely stunning. I love the way she is able to display the mood of the sky in the pictures she captures. I would highly recommend Erika to anyone who is looking to have a blast during the shoot and come out with amazing results.

    - Ashley Greenwald

  • I’ve worked with Erika multiple times for family, creative, and business shoots, and every session has been nothing short of amazing. Her ability to capture genuine moments with such creativity and professionalism keeps us coming back. Whether it’s a heartfelt family session, a unique creative project, or artistic product shots, Erika consistently delivers stunning results. She makes every shoot comfortable and enjoyable, and her attention to detail ensures that every image is perfect. I couldn’t recommend her more highly!

    - Kaitlyn Wallace

  • We have used Erika numerous times over the years. She did our engagement, wedding and maternity photos and this woman kills it every single time. She has a way with making you comfortable in front of the camera no matter how awkward you may be. Beautiful human being inside and out. Every session was full of giggles, 10/10 recommend.

    - Karleen Gulka

GET TO KNOW ME

  • "Life is tough but I am tough too" — because I prove it to myself again and again.

  • A good cup of hot coffee, craft beer, collecting interesting rocks and being kind above all else.

  • My personality and shooting style are centred around chaos and the celebration of good. Authentic, true emotion and feeling in the moment. Messy and textured, and imperfect — just like real life.

    I’m a firm believer that imagery should evoke emotion for years to come.

  • Safety, inclusivity and individuality are all things I really value and hold space for.

  • I maintain that ALL moments are beautiful in this life. The simplistic, the momentous. All of them are

    relevant — and photography is the way we preserve them by manipulating the light around us. How cool is

    that? Capturing the light and good for years to come.

A couple sitting in the open doorway of a vintage green truck under a clear sky, with the man wearing a black hat and the woman in a graphic T-shirt.

the love of my life + my very best friend.

A dog standing in a field during sunset with tall grass and a cloudy sky.

my inspiration...