Erica Tipton- Colorado Springs Newborn Photographer

Meet Erica

Hi there! I'm Erica, the photographer at Puddles and Pearls! I am a Colorado Springs based newborn and family photographer. My ultimate goal as an artist is to help you create beautiful, timeless artwork that you will be proud to display in your home. I strongly believe in building as many memories as we can and documenting life as we go. Many years from now, one of the things we'll cherish the most is the ability to sit on the couch with our grandkids and flip through albums and boxes filled with photos while we share all of our wonderful life stories and adventures with them! I like to create styled setups that will not only compliment your home, but will also have a timeless feel that will still look beautiful for generations to come. I love to use colors and textures that give an earthy, organic feel to the portrait.

Let me tell you a little about me and my journey with photography! I am first and foremost a wife and a mother to three beautiful children and a yellow lab. My husband and I went to high school together but didn't start dating until my senior year of college after he moved back home with a military transfer to Fort Carson. We were married only a year later on a secluded little beach in Maui during his 2 week R&R break from an Afghanistan deployment. We started a family a few years later after he separated from the army. Our oldest and only son Silas is now 6, our daughter Acacia is 4 and our youngest daughter Hazel is 2!

Art has always been a big part of my life. I graduated from college with a degree in art education. Painting was my emphasis, and while I loved photography, I didn't really take the time to learn it while I focused on painting. After college, I taught art at three different schools, from kindergarten to 8th grade. I dabbled in the art of photography when I taught an 8th grade unit on the history of photography. I taught my class how to build homemade cameras out of oatmeal boxes and how to develop the photos they took. I'm not sure if it inspired any of my students to take up photography, but I was hooked!

When I'm not behind my camera, I try to spend as much time as I can with my kids building memories. We are often out adventuring and exploring. We enjoy hiking and camping and we LOVE to travel whenever we can! Thanks for taking the time to get to know me! I'm so honored you are considering me for your portrait photography!

Want to learn more about my credentials as a newborn and family photographer?

What safety precautions do you use for newborn sessions?: When looking for a newborn photographer, this should absolutely be your first question. A lot of popular newborn poses and images are quite dangerous if executed incorrectly. There are currently no formal regulations in place for determining whether a photographer is qualified to photograph newborns; Anyone can self proclaim to be an expert. It is very important to ensure your photographer has had formal training in safely posing and handling a newborn in a safe studio environment. I have taken several online courses in safe posing and studio practices as well as in person workshops and mentoring. I am trained in infant CPR and fully vaccinated to ensure your baby's safety. I keep the studio very warm and clean to provide a comfortable environment for your newborn. I always utilize a spotter in the studio (typically mom or dad), and when incorporating popular upright poses, the baby is never left unsupported. I am very proficient in photoshop and often use composite techniques to merge images together and remove supportive hands from the frame.
What are your credentials as a photographer?: I have trained and mentored under several highly qualified newborn photographers and have 4 years of experience in the field of newborn photography. I am also a certified professional photographer through the PPA (Professional Photographers of America). I have a bachelors degree in fine art with a focus in painting. I taught middle school art for 6 years where I spent a lot of time painting and photographing as a hobby artist. When my second child was born in 2015, I quit teaching to stay home with my kiddos and pursue newborn photography.
When should I book my session?: Booking early is always preferred to ensure there is availability in my calendar, but I can typically accommodate a short notice session as well. Maternity sessions are typically done at 30-36 weeks, and newborn sessions are typically done when baby is between the ages of 6 and 14 days.
What should I wear for my session?: I recommend wearing solid neutral colors for the family portion of the session. The focus of the image should be about the baby and the emotional connection between the family. Busy patterns and bold bright colors will draw the attention away from the baby. I have a collection of outfits, wraps, bonnets, and headbands for the baby. Maternity gowns are provided; I recommend neutral solid colors for family members. Maternity gowns are also available for non maternity mamas who'd like to use them for family images.
When will my images be ready?: 1-2 weeks after our session we will meet again to view your final image gallery. I'll walk you through the process of selecting the printed artwork for your home. You'll leave the ordering appointment with your digital files. Printed artwork will be ready for you to pick up at the studio 4-6 weeks after the ordering appointment.

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