Let’s Talk Photos! Answering Your Most Frequently Asked Questions

Hi, I'm Erica Cameron. I photograph people and events with heart, honesty, and a lot of creativity, whether it's a wedding, a portrait session, or something in between. To make things easier from your first inquiry through final delivery, here are answers to the questions I get asked most.

What's your pricing for events and sessions?

Event coverage is $350 per hour, which includes shooting, editing, and delivery of high-resolution images, with a 2-hour minimum. Portrait sessions vary by length and what you're looking for, with mini, standard, and extended options available. Full details are at ericacameronphotography.com/pricing-information.

How far in advance should I book?

For events, two to four weeks out is usually fine. For weddings or peak dates, three to twelve months is ideal. My calendar fills quickly, especially in spring and fall, but it never hurts to check, there might be an opening.

Do I need to sign a contract?

Yes. Your date is only reserved once you've signed the agreement and paid the non-refundable retainer. The contract protects both of us and spells out all the details.

What are your payment terms?

A non-refundable deposit holds your date, and the remaining balance is due 14 days before your event. I accept cash, check, or Venmo, and payment plans are available for weddings and larger bookings.

What if I need to cancel or reschedule?

If you cancel, the deposit is non-refundable and kept as liquidated damages. If you reschedule, we can move your date as long as I'm available, though a new date during busy season or one involving travel may carry an additional fee. If I'm not available for your new date, the agreement becomes void and any fees beyond the deposit are refunded per the contract.

How many photos will I receive, and when?

For events and weddings, expect sneak peeks within two weeks and a full gallery in eight to twelve weeks. Portrait sessions get a full gallery in four to six weeks. Most clients receive 30 to 75 or more edited images per hour of coverage, delivered through a private, high-resolution online gallery you can download, print, and share from.

Will I get the RAW files?

No. I hand-select and edit the images that tell your story best, and the rest get removed during culling so you're left with the strongest gallery possible.

Do you retouch the photos?

Yes. Every final image is edited for color, light, and tone, and I remove temporary blemishes like acne.

How long will my gallery stay available?

Your gallery stays online for 12 months. If you need more time, you can extend it for another 12 months for a $250 reactivation fee, so it's worth downloading and backing up your images once you get them.

Can guests take photos at my event?

Absolutely, casual guest photos are welcome. During posed moments, though, I'll ask guests to pause so we don't miss expressions or end up with someone's flash in the frame. I'm not responsible for shots missed due to guest interference like flashes or crowding.

Do you travel?

Yes. Travel within 75 miles roundtrip of Broomfield is included. Beyond that, it's $1 per mile roundtrip, and destinations requiring an overnight stay or flight get a custom travel invoice.

Do you need meals at long events?

If I'm photographing for more than four hours, I kindly ask for a vendor meal for myself, and my assistant if one is on site. We'll eat quickly during your dinner hour so we're ready for everything after.

What should I wear for portraits?

I don't send a formal style guide, but a few things help. Solid colors or subtle prints photograph best. Sleeveless tops, especially for women, can be unflattering in certain light. Red can sometimes make skin tones look flushed, and anything glittery or high shine, including shimmer lotions, tends to reflect light unpredictably and can make skin look oily in photos. Most important: wear something you feel comfortable and confident in. It genuinely shows.

Will you share my photos online or on social media?

Only if you're comfortable with it. I sometimes post sneak peeks or portfolio images, but only with your permission, and your contract lets you specify exactly what you're okay with, sneak peeks, social media, promotional use, or none of the above. You can even ask to approve images before anything gets shared.

What happens if you can't make it to my event?

If illness, an emergency, or something truly unexpected keeps me from attending, I'll do everything I can to secure a qualified backup photographer. If no substitute is available, you'll receive a full refund. Your coverage always comes first.

Still have questions?

Reach out anytime, I'm always happy to help. You can find me at www.ericacameronphotography.com/contact

Why Photography Costs What It Does — And What You’re Really Paying For

I love what I do. Capturing moments, building emotion, telling stories. But I know pricing can feel confusing, sometimes even steep. So I want to pull back the curtain and show you exactly what goes into that cost.

The work you don't see:

When you book me, the shoot itself, say three to five hours for an event, is only one piece. Before that comes planning, communication, travel, sometimes scouting a location, and setting up gear and lighting. After the shoot ends, the real work starts: downloading and backing up every file, culling to the best shots, editing for skin, color, and artistic tone, retouching, resizing and formatting for print or web, uploading galleries or preparing USBs, and handling any revisions you request.

For a five-hour shoot, I typically spend an additional 30 hours or more on everything above. That puts the real time invested closer to thirty-five to forty hours, not just the time we spend together on the day.

What it costs me to do this right:

Running this business means incurring costs most clients never see but that absolutely benefit them. High-end camera bodies and a full range of lenses so I can adapt to any condition. Flashes, strobes, modifiers, stands, and backups. Software subscriptions for Lightroom, Photoshop, and specialized retouching tools. Fast computers, color-accurate monitors, and multiple backup drives or cloud storage. My website, galleries, and branding. Equipment and liability insurance. Ongoing upgrades as gear ages and technology moves forward. And overhead that doesn't pause during slower seasons, even when fewer shoots are booked.

Why Colorado's cost of living matters here:

The average cost of living per person in Colorado runs around $53,374 a year, about 13% above the national average, driven mostly by housing. Median home values in many areas are well over $450,000, and both rent and mortgage costs reflect that. Running a business here means those baseline costs are simply higher than they'd be almost anywhere else.

What my rate actually breaks down to:

My event coverage starts at $350 an hour. A five-hour shoot day comes to $1,750. But that fee covers roughly thirty-five hours of total work once you add in editing, culling, and delivery. Divide it out and my real hourly rate comes closer to $50 an hour. And a portion of that fifty still goes straight back into overhead: insurance, hosting, software, storage, and gear maintenance. Once those are paid, my actual take-home is lower still.

What you're actually paying for:

Beyond the hours themselves, you're getting consistent professional quality. Photos that tell a real story and work across print, web, and social. Peace of mind knowing your images are backed up and handled with real expertise. Someone in the room who manages lighting, posing, and whatever comes up, so you don't have to think about any of it. And the reliability of working with someone insured, professional, and committed to delivering on time.

Photography isn't just pointing a camera and pressing a button. It's preserving memories and creating something you'll actually want to keep. When you invest in a photographer, you're investing in a lot more than the few hours we spend together on the day.

I'd love to work with you and create something worth keeping.

Get Ready for Fall Photos That Make a Difference

Each fall, I'm honored to be one of several volunteer photographers who donate their time to help raise funds for the Rose Andom Center, an organization dedicated to supporting survivors of domestic violence. Through our annual Fall Mini Session Fundraiser, we get to do what we love, capturing moments that matter, while making a real impact in our community.

What it's all about

Families, couples, professionals, and yes, sometimes pets, join us for quick 15 minute sessions in scenic spots around Denver. Washington Park has been our most frequent location, but wherever we land, the spirit stays the same: update your family portraits, refresh your headshots, capture a seasonal moment, and give back while you're at it.

All proceeds benefit the Sierra Russell Fund through the Young Professionals Council of the Rose Andom Center, directly supporting survivors with housing, counseling, and legal aid.

Highlights from past years

What makes this event special is the joy it brings. I've had the privilege of photographing families marking each passing year with tradition, couples cozying up beneath golden leaves, and professionals stepping confidently in front of the lens. It's always a morning full of laughter, warm light, and shared purpose.

Looking ahead to 2025

This year's Young Professionals Council Fall Photo Shoot is set for Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 9 AM to 1 PM at Washington Park, 701 S Franklin St, Denver, CO 80209. Each session runs 15 minutes with a professional photographer, perfect timing as the season starts to turn.

Rates increase after September 14. Beginning September 15, an individual session costs $60, a couples session $90, a family session $120, and educators and students receive a discounted individual rate of $50. Every participant receives at least two edited photos, often more depending on the photographer. As much as we love furry friends, pets can't join this particular shoot.

Why it matters

Every photo we take does more than preserve a moment; it helps fund real, lasting change. Your participation means survivors have access to the resources they need to rebuild their lives. To everyone who's supported this cause in the past, thank you. Your trust and generosity are what make this possible year after year.

Here's to another year of creating portraits with purpose.

Below are some portraits from the past few years

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Senior Portraits for High School & College Graduates

Senior portraits are one of my favorite sessions to shoot. Whether it's celebrating the end of high school or the transition into life after college, these aren't just pictures. They're milestones.

Senior year is full of anticipation, hard work, and big decisions. A portrait session is a chance to pause and celebrate everything it took to get here. For high school seniors, it's about capturing the energy of youth, the pride of getting to this point, and the excitement of what's next. For college graduates, portraits become a lasting reminder of the persistence, late nights, friendships, and growth that got you across that finish line.

What I love most is making every session feel like you. No two seniors are alike, so no two sessions should look the same. We'll talk through what matters to you, favorite spots around campus, meaningful props, anything tied to your hobbies or interests. The session should tell your story, not a generic one.

Lighting, location, and styling are all part of the fun. Some people love the classic golden-hour glow; others want something bolder and more modern that suits their personality. Either way, the goal is photos that feel authentic to who you are right now.

Props to consider

School spirit items like a letterman jacket, hoodie, or favorite sports gear. Sports equipment, a glove, a ball, dance shoes, an instrument. Books or a laptop, especially for college grads, to reflect the academic side of things. Hobby items like a camera, skateboard, art supplies, or gaming headset, whatever actually represents you. Meaningful accessories like a class ring, jewelry, or a favorite hat or scarf. And for something more playful, confetti, balloons, or sparklers.

Outfit ideas

A dress, suit, or blazer works well for classic, polished portraits, the kind that make great family keepsakes. Jeans, sneakers, and everyday tops capture your actual day-to-day style. School colors, jerseys, or college merch bring in some spirit. If you want something more current, bold colors and statement pieces work great. And season plays a role too, cozy sweaters in fall, flowy dresses in spring, lighter fabrics for summer. College grads can absolutely still include cap and gown if you want that shot too.

Senior portraits are an investment in memory. Years from now, when you look back on this season of life, you'll be glad to have photos that captured exactly how confident and ready you felt stepping into what came next.

If you're a high school senior gearing up for graduation, or a college student about to walk the stage, let's connect. I'd love to help you create portraits that feel like you.

Before You Book: What I Want Every Client to Know About Hiring a Photographer

As a professional photographer, I've worked with all kinds of clients: families, couples, small business owners, and event hosts. One thing I've learned is that finding the right photographer can completely change how you feel about the experience, not just the photos.

Whether you're planning a big event, launching a brand, or just want some updated portraits, here's what I want you to know before you hire anyone, including me.

Start with clarity. Before reaching out, it helps to know what you're actually looking for. Is this a wedding, an event, a portrait session, a brand shoot? Do you want formal, posed photos or something more candid and natural? Will you need digital files, prints, or both? Knowing your own goals helps me, or any photographer, figure out if we're a good fit, and it makes the whole process smoother from the start.

Look beyond the pretty photos. A portfolio matters, and you should genuinely love what you see. But look for consistency too. Do the photos tell a story? Does the tone and style match what you're actually drawn to? When you look through my portfolio, I want you to feel something, not just admire pretty images, but picture yourself in those moments.

Ask about the process. Every photographer works differently. With me, you can expect a clear path: a quick phone consultation to talk through your vision; a detailed quote and contract; guidance through prep, styling, and location choices; and, after the session, beautifully edited, high-resolution images delivered through a private gallery. Photography should feel effortless, not overwhelming, and that starts with good communication.

Connection matters more than people think. You're going to spend real time with your photographer, sometimes in vulnerable or emotional moments. That's why personality matters. I want my clients to feel comfortable and fully themselves in front of my camera. That's part of why I always suggest a quick call before booking, not just for logistics, but to make sure we actually vibe. Your comfort shows up in your photos, every time.

Budget matters, but so does experience. I truly understand being mindful of cost. But hiring a professional means more than paying for a few hours of shooting. You're investing in creative direction and real experience, professional gear and editing, backup systems that protect your images, and someone who can guide you through the whole process, start to finish. My goal isn't just to hand you photos. It's to give you peace of mind and a collection of images you'll actually treasure.

Whether you're planning a big celebration or just want to capture your everyday life, I'd be honored to be part of it. If my work speaks to you, let's connect and talk through your vision. Your story is worth telling well.

Erica Cameron
Erica Cameron Photography
Broomfield, CO
www.ericacameronphotography.com

Rage Against the Regime: From Alligator Alcatraz to the Golden Palace

They are betting we will be too distracted to notice the walls closing in.

They are wrong.

On August 2, I joined hundreds in Denver for the 50501 "Rage Against the Regime" protest, one of 50 held nationwide. The mood was not just resistance. It was reckoning.

Trump's "big, beautiful bill" passed weeks ago. What once read like political fiction is now law, stripping away rights in plain sight while his allies flood the news with distractions. One of the latest was "Alligator Alcatraz," a media stunt that buried questions about Trump's ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Even in the last few days, he ordered Texas to redraw voting maps to lock in Republican power.

Meanwhile, ICE has detained U.S. citizens in raids, public broadcasting has been gutted, environmental protections shredded, and detention centers expanded. The White House is being turned into a golden palace for one man.

What we are raging against

This bill and the long list of executive orders behind it are built from Project 2025, a plan to dismantle democracy from within. It gives Trump sweeping powers to remake government in his image, and we're already seeing the results: the DOJ purged and replaced with loyalists, the FBI placed under direct presidential control, protesters surveilled and prosecuted, national abortion restrictions, LGBTQ+ protections rolled back, the Muslim ban expanded to 14 countries, censorship of educators and journalists, mass deportations including U.S. citizens, environmental rollbacks, homelessness criminalized, the civil service gutted, insurrectionists pardoned and reinstated, deep funding cuts to NPR, PBS, and cultural programs, and Texas ordered to gerrymander its voting maps.

This is not theoretical. It is happening now. In Denver, we said: we see you, and we reject you.

Why I keep showing up with my camera

Photography is not neutral. I photograph protests to preserve proof that people stood up, spoke out, and refused to normalize tyranny. These images will outlast headlines and speak for those who are silenced.

The movement is not over

Yes, the bill passed. Yes, damage is unfolding. But the resistance is organized, visible, and growing. We will fight in courts, communities, and streets, because silence is what they want, and we will not give it.

They want us to look away. Our eyes are wide open.

The images from the Denver protest are shared below, echoing what we stand against and what we stand for.