A little about Eric Butler
I was born at a very young age in Fairbanks, Alaska. Growing up, my parents taught me how to fillet salmon and wrestle grizzlies. And I did my own laundry! By age 15 I got bored with all that and retired to sunny San Diego to finish high school. San Diego’s weather was too nice for me so I returned to my homeland to attend the University of Alaska. I changed my major like 27 times and finally ended up with a BA in Economics and a plethora of minors. Yes, I said had a plethora (name that movie!). It was at this time I met my amazing wife, Michelle. I won’t make any jokes about our meeting other than it was at a bowling alley while drinking Kilian’s Irish Red. We just celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary and have two beautiful children, Adam and Sarah. I truly love my family and look forward to watching my kids grow.
In 1995, Michelle I and moved to Nashville where I attended Vanderbilt University and received a Masters in Business Administration. Over the next decade I worked at a few great companies including Blockbuster (yes, THAT Blockbuster), Pizza Hut, and Elizabeth Arden Red Doors Spas. It was a lot of fun and I made good money, but it wasn’t my true calling. I was always dreaming of being my own person and doing what I love.
Which is why I’m with you today. I started Pixel Dust Photography in 2010, and worked my first weddings in 2011. Later this year I'll celebrate my 300th wedding. I’m so happy to be able to celebrate such a special moment with my couples!
“Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life!”
That’s my mantra. When I’m behind a camera at weddings I’m in my Zen moment, like a kid in a candy shop. Weddings are EXACTLY where I want to be. I'm looking forward to sharing my passion with you!
My Photographic Style
My style ranges from fun to romantic to traditional and classic, with a smattering of the edgy stuff mixed in. As we plan your special day we’ll talk about the types of pictures you prefer. Some couples want a more traditional style, while others ask me to do some fun stuff. Most like a mix of everything. It’s your wedding! Don’t be surprised if I ask about jumping and goofing off. Whatever you would like to do. And if you bring sparklers for your grand exit, we should definitely spend a few moments making sparkler swirls or my famous LOVE picture.
Regarding colors and styles: I’m big on natural light and neutral skin colors, with a few of those light and airy photos mixed in. My online galleries will give you a good sense of the styles used at my weddings.
The Wedding Photography Experience
Three things are important to me. Communication, planning, and details. As we get to know each other you’ll find that I excel at communication. I’ll send simple texts to let you know I’m on my way, and will always provide quick responses to your questions. My couples give me high marks for being responsive and timely.
As we get closer to your wedding we’ll get together at your venue to start the planning process. I'm a stickler for the details and work from a detailed photography plan throughout the day. Key details include the wedding day timeline, the vendors that will make your day special, and a concise list of family, wedding party, and newlywed formals. Having a solid plan ensures we won't miss a thing!
I believe the quality of pictures is a function of three things: time, light, and enthusiasm. Here’s what I mean:
Time: for most weddings I need between an hour and an hour and a half for wedding formals. It generally depends on whether or not you would like a “First Look” picture and if we can take family and wedding party pictures prior to the ceremony. It’s my hope to allocate 15 minutes to family, 30 minutes to wedding party, and 30 minutes to the bride and groom. I will always work with my couples and the venue, DJ, and caterer to meet the evening’s timeline. My #1 goal is to get you to the party on time.
Light: the best light is in the hour leading up to sunset. Arizona’s light can be harsh, so pictures taken mid-day will not have the same look as those taken twenty minutes prior to sunset. Cloudy days help, but those are generally more in the winter months. Spring weddings, especially April to June, will be clear and bright. As you plan your day and set a time for your ceremony, consider how light will impact your wedding formals. For most weddings, a scheduled ceremony start time two hours prior to sunset is ideal. As I go through the planning process with my couples, we'll put together a solid timeline to ensure we're at the right place for those beautiful formals.
Enthusiasm: It’s all about people being there and being ready. And, happy to have their picture taken. Let’s have fun!
Frequently Asked Questions