Meet Trailblazer Erika Overholt

Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Overholt.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I guess it all started back in middle school. I really enjoyed taking photos of my friends and family on my sister’s Pentax K1000 but I never had a camera of my own. For my birthday in 2013, my husband bought me my first DSLR camera. I took a small class at a local photography studio on the basics of how to use my camera and then I self-taught myself everything I needed to know in order to start this business. I have had both amazing opportunities and plenty of hard times throughout the past years of being an entrepreneur. Through an enormous amount of work, stress, tears, and God leading me, I am now in my 6th wedding season. I continue to learn and educate myself in order to provide an amazing experience for my clients.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Running a business is one of the most challenging things I’ve done in life. My hardest year was in 2014 when my father passed away. It was also less than two months after my husband and I got married. I experienced such joy and excitement at the beginning of that year as I was planning my own wedding and running a new business and then it just sunk to the lowest of lows. When my dad passed away, my world just collapsed. I lost my hero. I had to photograph three weddings the week following my dad’s passing, one of them being at the same venue where I got married. The same place that my dad walked me down the aisle and the last place we danced together. To deal with the pain, I became somewhat of a workaholic. It was easier for me to constantly be working than to deal with the grief I was experiencing. I would work 16 hour days, 7 days a week. It took years for me to finally set some restrictions on myself as to how much I should work in a day. Although it’s been five years since my dad passed away, I am currently experiencing so much healing through sharing my story with others. So, throw all that into running a business and it’s been anything but a smooth road. It’s been a road with cracks and brokenness, but I am the person I am today because of it.

The biggest piece of advice I would give for others starting a business is to find a community of like-minded people to help you through your journey. I wholeheartedly believe in community over competition and there are so many wonderful friends I’ve found because of my photography business.

We’d love to hear more about Erika Overholt Photography.
My photography business focuses on weddings and intimate elopements, but I also offer other kinds of portraits. Through my photography, I celebrate people in whatever stage of life they are in. Getting engaged, getting married, having your first child, and all the moments that come after; these are all worth having photographed.

I am most proud of the experience I give to my clients. Deciding on who will photograph your wedding or having your photo taken, in general, can be a stressful process. I strive to create an environment where my clients can be themselves and that is when I can provide images of authenticity. Images that show uncontrollable laughter, real tears, and all the emotions you want to feel ten years later when you look at your photos.

Which women have inspired you in your life?
My mother continues to inspire me day after day. She is the one who I call for just about everything in life. She keeps me grounded and always reminds me to keep my eyes focused on God even in the lows of life.

Pricing:

• Wedding collections begin at $3000
• Elopements begin at $1200
• Portraits – $500

Contact Info:

• Website: www.erikaoverholt.com
• Phone: 7209995493
• Email: erikaoverholt@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikaoverholtphotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erikaoverholtphotography
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/erikaoverholt/boards/

Image Credit:
Portrait of Erika by Casey Miller

Getting in touch: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.