Elm Photography

Asahi | Class of 2026 | Graduate Session

Who knew Lompoc High School could look this good? Well, Asahi certainly helped. Her bright smile, kind personality, and joyful energy made this graduate session one I'll always remember.

Today is her last day in Lompoc before she heads home to Japan, and I kept thinking the same thing throughout her session: "What a brave girl." I suppose it makes perfect sense she was a BRAVE this year. I know, cringe mom moment there. Leaving your family, your friends, your language, and everything familiar to spend an entire school year in another country isn't something most people would ever do. Yet she embraced the experience with so much grace, kindness, and curiosity. She got to experience all the fun of an American senior year, and I feel so honored that I could help document this chapter before she heads home.

Thankfully the Lompoc High campus was open, so we were able to photograph her session right at the school. Years from now, she'll have these photographs to remember not only her graduation, but this incredible season of life spent halfway around the world.

Good luck, Asahi. Thank you for letting me be a small part of your American adventure. Wishing you safe travels and all the best as you head home.

Hi, I’m Erin, the face behind Elm Photography.

For all the new followers, the longtime supporters, the clients who keep coming back, and the people quietly lurking because they know they need updated photos but would rather do almost anything else first... welcome. I’m glad you’re here.

I’m a portrait photographer based on California’s Central Coast and I’ve been photographing people for over 15 years. I specialize in seniors, couples, families, branding, and all the in-between seasons that somehow move way too fast while we’re living them.

My style is natural, warm, candid, and true-to-life. I love movement, personality, connection, awkward laughs that turn real, and the little moments people usually don’t realize matter until years later.

One thing about me, I’m not a “15 minute mini session every weekend” kind of photographer. Nothing against them, they absolutely have their place. But I’ve always cared more about connection than quantity. I like slowing down enough for people to relax, breathe a little, and stop feeling like they have to perform in front of a camera.

Most of my clients show up nervous and leave saying, “That was actually fun.” Honestly, that might be my favorite compliment.

Senior season is officially starting up again, which is always one of my favorite times of year. There’s something really special about photographing someone right in the middle of becoming who they’re going to be. It never gets old for me.

If you’ve been thinking about booking a session, this is your sign to finally do it. I promise you do not need to know how to pose, what to do with your hands, or how to “be photogenic.” That’s my job.

I’m really grateful you’re here.

Marianne & Rianna Best Friend Graduate Session

You know, having a mom as a photographer is actually pretty cool. At least I like to think so. My kid has had photos taken through all the big moments, big events, big sports seasons, and all the milestones along the way.

Friday, these two girls, along with hundreds more, graduate from high school.

They’ve been friends since 3rd grade, and as a mom, there’s something really special about seeing a friendship last through all the awkward stages, growing pains, school drama, and life changes that come with growing up. I pray Marianne and Rianna stay friends for a very long time.

Watching them go from little girls to young women has been equal parts beautiful and bittersweet.

I’m so proud of these two for making it to this milestone. Graduation is a huge accomplishment, and I know there are so many parents this week sitting in their feelings a little bit too.

The Joy Family Session

When I was around 7 or 8 years old, my family hosted two Japanese exchange students during the summer. They were only with us for a couple of weeks, but it stuck with me all these years later. So when Sarah told me they wanted to include their exchange student, Asahi, in their family session before she heads back home to Japan, I was immediately excited about it.

This session was such a good reminder of how meaningful these experiences really are. Hearing them talk about life with Asahi, the memories they’ve made together, and the relationship they built over the past year was honestly really special. And Asahi herself? Absolutely sweet as can be.

I told them how much I remembered my own experience growing up and how something that seems temporary can stay with you forever. So if you’ve ever thought about hosting an exchange student, this is me gently encouraging you to do it. It’s a pretty incredible thing.

Also, their last name being Joy feels extremely fitting because this family was exactly that.

And somehow, after all these years photographing around Lompoc, this was my first time shooting at River Park. Between the relentless wind and everyone trying not to become airborne, we still found some really beautiful little pockets of filtered light tucked into the trees. Honestly, River Park surprised me a little.

Rivers Cap and Gown Session

Time for the tissues, parents. We are officially down to the final week before graduation and I don’t think any of us are emotionally prepared for it.

I photographed Rivers for her senior session back in the fall, so I was so excited when she asked me to do her cap and gown photos at Babcock too. Rivers is one of those people who is effortlessly fun to be around. Playful, sweet, full of personality, and somehow still graceful while walking through uneven grass in heels, which honestly deserves its own diploma.

And her mom? Holding the props, helping with the little things, smiling through it all... but I could feel it. That quiet ache so many of us parents are carrying right now. The realization that this chapter is almost over and our babies are stepping into the next part of their lives whether we are ready or not.

As a mom of a graduating senior myself this year, these sessions are hitting differently lately. I find myself standing behind the camera trying not to cry right alongside the parents. It’s such a strange mix of pride, joy, nostalgia, and heartbreak all wrapped together.

I’m really grateful I get to be part of these moments, not just for my own child, but for so many families walking through this season too.

Here’s to you, Rivers. You did it.

One of my favorite things about branding photography is getting to step into someone else’s world for a little while and document the thing they’ve built with their own hands.

This weekend I had the opportunity to photograph Adrie of while she worked her magic creating the sweetest setup for her son’s 5th birthday party. And honestly, watching someone operate so naturally within their craft is always inspiring to me.

Adrie plans beautiful events for clients throughout LA and Orange County, all while balancing motherhood, a full-time job, and the thousand moving pieces that come with owning a business. The amount of work that happens behind the scenes before guests ever arrive is something most people never fully see.

I’m always grateful for opportunities like this, not just to photograph beautiful work, but to support another hardworking local businesswoman doing what she loves.

Thank you, Adrie, for trusting me to capture what you do so well.

The VonProtz Family Session

We had to reschedule this session from Saturday because of the wind. The first time I’ve ever done that and honestly, if I rescheduled every time we had wind on the Central Coast, I’d never photograph anyone. Now, wind alone is not usually a reason to reschedule, but when the gusts are hitting “small toddler may become airborne” levels, it had to be done.
..and I’m so glad we did.

We ended up with the prettiest filtered light, just enough breeze to keep everyone comfortable, a shy toddler who slowly decided I was acceptable, and one very spirited one year old who, honestly, might already be cooler than all of us.

This is one of the reasons I love photography so much. It freezes time for just a second. It lets us hold onto the good moments a little longer, leave the messy ones behind, and keep moving forward with life.

Ellie Newborn Session

Last Tuesday I had the pleasure of hanging out with my nephew and meeting their newest addition, little Ellie. I was there to meet Ellie, but I was completely entertained by Emma, who has already fully stepped into her role as best big sister.

I’ll be honest, toddlers are usually very interested in my camera. They want to know what it’s doing, if we’re almost done, and whether snacks are involved. They are rarely interested in me.

But the last few years, that’s changed a little.

And Emma? She just wanted to hang out with me all night.

Honestly, it made my whole evening. She showed me every toy, every trick, and every important toddler detail while Ellie was being fed, soothed, rocked, cuddled, and lovingly convinced that sleep was a good idea.

Ellie disagreed.

She had absolutely no interest in sleeping. She wanted to know what was happening at all times, which honestly felt fair considering there was a whole production crew standing around her with cameras and lights.

But somewhere between the toddler tours, the baby snuggles, and all the beautiful chaos that comes with bringing home someone brand new, we captured this sweet little season exactly as it is.

And that’s always my favorite part.

Happy Mother's Day to all the momma's out there.