April Featured Photographer: Erica Leman

Date Published: March 24, 2021

Each month Dutchess Tourism features a local photographer to help showcase Dutchess County. This month meet Erica Leman of Sweet Alice Photography! From quaint and colorful elopements on the streets of Rhinebeck to stunning valley views in Beacon, Erica shared with us some of the love-stories she captured in Dutchess! 

Elopement photoshoot at Rhinebeck 

What is your name and where can people find your work?

Erica Leman, Sweet Alice Photography  sweetalicephotography.com

Describe your perfect staycation in Dutchess, or your idea of a fun weekend in the County. 

My favorite thing to do on weekends in Dutchess County is to find new places to hike and explore. My husband and I actually did do a staycation this past summer, and one of my favorite things we did that week was go for a hike; it was one of the hardest I've ever done - Bull Hill. I also hope to one day get to the Hobbit House of Pawling for a weekend getaway, as well - it looks like such a cool place on Instagram!

Wedding at Lambs Hill in Beacon

What equipment do you use in your photography? 

I am partial to the Canon equipment brand. I primarily shoot with R6 and 5D Mark IV camera bodies, and my favorite lens is my 35 mm.

Wedding at The Round House in Beacon. 

What is your favorite place to photograph in Dutchess and why?

There are so many! I am obsessed with the Rhinebeck area, and Dover Stone Church in Dover Plains. I love the variety of all of those locations - you can go from fields to rivers to mountains to creeks to small-town vibes. I grew up in the Boston area, which was lovely but didn't have all of the variety that the Hudson Valley has. This area will forever have my heart.

Wedding at The Preston Barn at Old Drovers Inn in Dover Plains.

Do you have somewhere on your list that you want to photograph in Dutchess, but haven’t gotten there yet? 

Give us a few photography tips:

- Know that if you're nervous to be the subject in professional photographs, you're not alone. If you hire a good photographer, they'll take great care of you, and make you feel natural in front of the camera. :)
- If you want to get into photography, YouTube is a literal wealth of knowledge. It wasn't as established when I first started, and I wish I had had such an amazing resource.
-  Plan sessions within 2 hours of sunrise or 2 hours before sunset to get the prettiest light. 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                Engagement photoshoot at Vanderbilt Mansion

 

If your planning your big day in Dutchess, check out Wedding Venues in Dutchess.