About The Photographer
Hi! My name is Erika Blackwell and I am photographer of Center of Attention Photography. Located in Northern Michigan. My blog is a way for everyone to view some of my favorite images from recent sessions and get to know me! I am the very VERY proud mommy to Braylan. I LOVE what I do and I hope you can tell! These are not JUST take pictures I take. I create memories... I pour my heart into my work. I genuinely care about my clients and get to know them and learn what they like and dislike. I am an artist. A business woman. I love to have fun. I love to sing. Dance. Make crazy sounds to get those smiles. I am very open! I work into the night even though my son hates to sleep. I LOVE oreos and soymilk. I dream big. I have tons of ideas. I cry during touching ceremonies and awesome reception speeches. I try not to be messy but it happens. I have so many new faces to meet this year and just thinking about it makes me excited!
Castle Farms has a photo contest for this week only! The photo with the most likes by Friday, March 9th at 5:00pm will be the new cover photo for both the 2012 Castle Farms Wedding Planner and the 2012 Grand Bridal Expo Program! They asked each of the photographer’s on their vendor’s list to submit they fave. Thank you for the help!!
Here is the link directly to the picture:
PICTURE LINK
My son has not been the biggest fan of snow. He likes to say, “snowwwwwwww” but when it comes to the cold stuff no way! We got him all dressed warm took him out and the second he got some on him he balled. So we waited a while and let him get used to the idea… took him out again a couple weeks later and still not a fan. We have a super hard time finding any type of footwear for him because he has a chubby wide big foot for a baby. He is now walking and someone suggested rainboots. We went and found some at a local store and they didn’t have his size… I try as much as possible to shop locally and I hope everyone else reading my blog does too. I could go on and on about that subject but I think we all know why it’s important. Long story short I had to order some online. We got them in last Friday and I had the bright idea to take him back out. It was before we got a the huge snow storm and the roads were bare. He loved it! Now I think it’s time to try again with actually playing in the snow and maybe he will keep his mittens on.
First off I would like to say Thank You to McLean & Eakin Booksellers and Symons General Store in Petoskey for letting us use their beautiful stores. I was excited when Maggie told me where she wanted to go. I don’t usually shoot in places like this but I’m def. going to start looking around and doing more of these type of shoots! They wanted more candid feeling engagement photos. They were so playful and loving and I’m really happy with how the turned out! We shot a few with their cute pie baby Easton. She also love pinterest just as much as me and we’ve seen a couple of these on there… I love the inspiration!
Here my bestfriend Jessi-Jo was still pregnant…. she had her little man Westyn 5 days ago and today we did his newborn session. Beau is just so excited to be a big brother her can’t stop kidding his baby bro. So CUTE! You can see here before he even came out he loved his little brother so much! I can’t wait to post some pics of Westyn soon.
There is nothing better than a brand new baby! They smell amazing… make the cutest little noises… snuggle right up with you. Ahhh…. Cooper’s parents brought the pumpkin and hat to match along with some of the other props. I adore this session. I can’t wait to hang a couple of these in the studio. 
Such a modern family with great ideas!
I thought it would be fun to start showing some before and after photos. I know I love looking at other photographers post-processing. It’s a great way for you to see the “love” I put into my work.
I live in such a wonderful place and I never show it off! I rarely take pictures of scenery… I should do it more often but I LOVE photographing people, relationships and moments. Here are a few around where I’m from!
I have the best time being a mommy! Anyone who has children hopefully get the same little butterfly feelings, happy goosebumps, huge smile and grab your cheeks, high pitched squeal like I do when your kids so somethings awesome. Because even when it’s not awesome and he just does something that is funny, smart, kind, loving… I still can’t get over it. My husband works nights so the only time we spend together are on the weekends that I don’t have events. I no longer take portrait sessions on weekends UNLESS I have a wedding booked and down state U.P. couples need to do their engagement session. It’s the only time that I get to spend with my family.
Braylan will be 14 months on Friday (Feb. 10th.) He is trying so hard to walk and just needs to get a little more balance. He is going through a little stage right now… it comes and goes but I have been asked a few times if he is going through his terrible two’s early. He’s learning what he likes and doesn’t like. He copies noises and some words we say. Waves. Kisses and blows kisses. LOVES animals. Laughs when you actually scare him. SHREK in the car. Veggie straws. Playing with his friend’s. ELLEANA. Brushing his own hair. Just this week picking his nose… yeah I know right? He also either shuts the computer or bites it right when I’m in the middle of emails. He gives flity eyes. Climbs on everything. AND tons of other fun stuff.
Also my second Boudoir Mini Session Event sold out the 6 spots in less that 24 hours again. YAY! I’m so glad that people are booking and I have to say I LOVE these sessions! I have a sample password protected gallery for all interested ladies! I will be planning another one for May so if you want on my waiting list contact me.
Contact me here: http://coaphoto.com/index2.php#/contact/