Erica Leman

Avon Old Farms Hotel Wedding in Avon, CT // Mallory + Josh

Avon Old Farms Hotel Wedding in Avon, CT // Mallory + Josh

I met Mallory and Josh at a wedding I photographed way back when (shout out to Nikki and Sean 💛). They were both in the wedding party, and as soon as I met them, I knew I wanted to keep in contact with them. They are fun, funny, warm, empathetic, and kind - my type of people…

Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa Wedding in Milton, NY // Christine + Lou

Buttermilk Falls Inn and Spa Wedding in Milton, NY // Christine + Lou

There is something so incredibly endearing about Christine and Lou. From the moment I met them, I felt like our hearts just matched. They were dog people, loved the outdoors, and were getting married in one of the most gorgeous locations in the Hudson Valley.

On the day of their wedding, Christine’s warm and even presence was an anchor; for someone getting married, she showed no nerves - just sweet anticipation. And Lou’s fun-loving personality was the perfect compliment to Christine’s soft demeanor. Their first look is one of the most beautiful and heartfelt I have ever captured…

Old Adriance Farm Wedding in Staatsburg, NY // Kimberly + Dominick

Old Adriance Farm Wedding in Staatsburg, NY // Kimberly + Dominick

Something that I desperately desire is to be funny. I mean, sometimes I’m able to pull out some funny quips and sayings, but I feel that being the funniest person in a room is such a gift, and any time I meet someone funny, I just really want to be their friend (this has been true for forever, and is how I met my college bestie).

Kim is one of those people that is just funny. She has an excellent sense of humor, and brings such light and playfulness to any conversation and interaction. So, naturally, we got to work together because, like I mentioned, I will do anything to be able to hang out with people who are funny…

Lake George Wedding // Meighen + Chris

Lake George Wedding // Meighen + Chris

Some wedding days are so good, I have to pinch myself to remind me that this is actually real life. Meighen + Chris’ weddings was one of those days. From the moment I walked onto Chris’ family property in Lake George, NY, it felt like home. Cultivating that type of an atmosphere is a gift, and Meighen, Chris, and all of their family members and friends had it - and gave it freely… 💛

Judith + Bryant // A Sweet Alice Studios Summer Wedding at Locust Grove in Poughkeepsie, NY

Judith + Bryant // A Sweet Alice Studios Summer Wedding at Locust Grove in Poughkeepsie, NY

You all know I like to reminisce, and when I think back on planning for Judith + Bryant’s gorgeous summer wedding, all that stands out for me are the little meet-ups that Judith and I shared at the cutest little coffee shop, and her gorgeous smile as she told me all about her life with Bryant, and her dreams for her wedding day with her family and friends…

Kate + Erick // A Sweet Alice Studios Wedding at Diamond Mills in Saugerties, NY

Kate + Erick // A Sweet Alice Studios Wedding at Diamond Mills in Saugerties, NY

I have been photographing weddings for over a decade (yes, I'm old; no, I don't look it #goodgenes), and I've seen a whole lot in the wedding industry between 2010 and today. Most of what I have witnessed has been lovely and given me the warm fuzzies, but one of the least cool things I have seen in the industry has been the lack of care that wedding photography clients have gotten from photography teams, in particular.

I think we all know the studio photographer stereotype: an egotistical individual that continually gets in the way, wants to do weird old-school poses, is rude to the family, gets stressed about the timeline, and creeps on the wedding party.

I deeply desire to turn that stereotype on its head.

It's my dream that the Sweet Alice Studios team of womxn wedding photographers embodies a new incredibly intentional and especially kind boutique team wedding photography experience for clients. More than taking your photos, we want to take care of YOU. Every Sweet Alice Studios team photographer has been personally chosen and vetted by me, not only for their ability to take gorgeous photographs, but also for their ability to treat you and all those around you as the beautiful souls that you are on your wedding day. For us, it's not about building our portfolios or gaining more Instagram followers - it's about the honor of documenting your story and supporting you throughout your journey. We consider it a joy and a privilege to photograph every single wedding that we are contracted for…

August Hollow Brook Golf Club Wedding in Cortlandt, NY // Tara + Stephen

August Hollow Brook Golf Club Wedding in Cortlandt, NY // Tara + Stephen

When I think about Tara + Stephen’s wedding day, it’s all lace and smiles and laughter and comfort. It’s Tara smiling at Stephen to keep him comfortable. It’s Stephen responding to her offers of comfort with his sweet easygoingness.

It’s a beautiful August day, and it’s all kindness and ease…

The Barns at Wesleyan Hills Wedding // Kari Jo + Andrew

The Barns at Wesleyan Hills Wedding // Kari Jo + Andrew

When choosing images for this blog post, I couldn’t stop smiling and tearing up.

Y’all, this day was just SO GOOD. Incredibly romantic, unbelievably authentic, beautifully intentional. It had everything precious included in it: ducks as ring bearers, a donut wall, the most meaningful chuppah. Not to mention the love between Kari Jo + Andrew, which felt almost tangible. Moving in their midst to photograph them felt like walking across clouds. Easy, soft, kind. I was completely taken with them…

July Wedding at West Hills Country Club Wedding in Middletown, NY // Anna + Brian

July Wedding at West Hills Country Club Wedding in Middletown, NY // Anna + Brian

I believe one of the most generous things a wedding photographer can do is to treat every wedding as if it were brand new - because it really is, if we think about. Brand new to the couple. Brand new to the guests. Even though us wedding photographers capture dozens of weddings a year, that shouldn’t mean that we don’t capture every single one with heart eyes as if we had never seen a wedding before. To me, that is loving our clientfriends well; it is cherishing what they cherish, adoring what they adore, getting excited about what they are excited about….

Rainy Wedding at West Hills Country Club in Middletown, NY // Erika + Aaron

Rainy Wedding at West Hills Country Club in Middletown, NY // Erika + Aaron

When I think back on my journey with Erika + Aaron, all I can think of is: all joy and pure heart. Erika’s smile is contagious, and her sweet spirit is infectious. Aaron’s kindness feels like a warm hug whenever you’re around him. Being in their presence feels like a privilege. They are an excellent match….

Summer Wedding at Whitby Castle in Rye, NY // Christina + Jonny

Summer Wedding at Whitby Castle in Rye, NY // Christina + Jonny

The first time I met Christina + Jonny in person was at their engagement session - Christina clad in an adorable floral dress and Jonny smiling wide. They had their precious pup Murphy in tow, and the trio instantly had my heart…

Memorial Day Weekend Wedding at West Hills Country Club in Middletown, NY // Jess + Ricky

Memorial Day Weekend Wedding at West Hills Country Club in Middletown, NY // Jess + Ricky

My wedding season typically begins in April with a few smaller events here and there, but then really kicks off in May, especially taking into account Memorial Day Weekend. While it’s nice to have the weekend off sometimes, I do love photographing weddings on this weekend, since everyone is already in a celebratory mood - it just feels even more exciting to add a wedding to the mix…

Krissy + Joey // A Warm May Microwedding at the Country Club at Otterkill in Campbell Hall, NY

Krissy + Joey // A Warm May Microwedding at the Country Club at Otterkill in Campbell Hall, NY

Some days I have a lot of words for these blog posts, and some days I don’t. Sometimes I feel that words enhance the story, and sometimes I feel like they detract. And sometimes I think that pictures can just very obviously speak for themselves….

Whitby Castle Wedding in Rye, NY // Jamie + Fern

Whitby Castle Wedding in Rye, NY // Jamie + Fern

When I think about good days, Jamie + Fern’s wedding day is one of my favorites. I am consistently blessed with amazing clients, and Jamie + Fern were no exception. 💕

Like most weddings I photograph, I reminisce on their wedding day often. When I walked into the suite where Jamie was getting ready, and she said, “Erica, it’s RAINING,” I shrugged and said, “Yeah, it is,” because I knew rain never makes for bad pictures - it just adds a little bit more to the logistics. Truthfully, the overcast skies and slight drizzle gave the wedding a feeling of being enveloped; it was like the gray gathered us together and offered us the opportunity to put a magnifying glass on all of the love involved in the day.

Elopement in Rhinebeck, NY // Kristy + Justin

Elopement in Rhinebeck, NY // Kristy + Justin

Kristy + Justin had the sweetest, smallest wedding day that was so perfectly theirs. From the little ceremony in a historic library to the most beautifully simple wedding bands to the pure, contented joy that they exhibited throughout our entire time together - it was so darling, and so THEM…

Queer Winter Elopement in Rhinebeck, NY // Ivonna + Brenna

Queer Winter Elopement in Rhinebeck, NY // Ivonna + Brenna

Overcast winter days always remind me of this precious elopement: chilly, gray, and absolutely perfect.

The day before New Years Eve in 2018, I had the honor of capturing this incredible elopement in Rhinebeck, NY. While our time together was only 2 hours, the adventure we embarked upon felt like I was witnessing an entire lifetime of love curated…

Pinehills Golf Club Wedding // Emily + Micheal

Pinehills Golf Club Wedding // Emily + Micheal

What has always struck me about Emily and Micheal is how effortless they are with each other. Maybe it’s because they’ve been together for a long time; Maybe it’s because they are just a good pair…their comfort with each other creates a softness in the air around them. If you’re uneasy before you spend time with them, their comfort in each other can’t help but to reach to you. It will calm all your nerves, settle your heart palpitations, make you feel like things really aren’t as bad as you may have thought they were just 10 minutes prior…