Hey there, Everyone! 

Welcome to the heart-centered world of Erika Rene Photography, where every click of the shutter is infused with love, purpose, and commitment to empower and uplift others! 

Based in the vibrant city of St. Louis, I specialize in high end wedding and senior photography, artfully and intentionally immortalizing all of the moments that comprise your unique story. 

At Erika Rene Photography, my mission is deeply rooted in my faith and passion for serving others. Jesus is my reason for everything. He is my reason for living, for loving, for my art, for all that I pour into my couples and seniors, for all of my relationships…literally…everything! I haven’t always known Him. But since He has made Himself known to me and saved me, He has transformed every part of me from the inside out and it is my wish for the entire world to know His love for them and to receive the eternal life that He alone offers all of humanity. 

With a genuine love for the Lord Jesus Christ, I strive not only to capture stunning images but also to create an unparalleled experience that celebrates the unique stories and journeys of each individual I have the privilege of working with. My philosophy is simple: to champion and lift up my seniors and couples, ensuring that every session and wedding is an opportunity for them to feel seen, heard, known, cared for, and empowered. Whether it’s capturing the intimate moments of a couple’s special day or commemorating the milestone achievements of a graduating senior, I approach each person with the same level of dedication, creativity, and genuine care.

Behind every photograph lies a story of love, grace, and the beauty of human connection. I believe photography is SO much more than capturing images; its about making you FEEL something and preserving precious memories that will be felt by you and others for generations to come- creating lasting legacies that will be cherished for a lifetime.

One of my core values is CONNECTION. It is our connection that will allow you to have a stress free day and feel completely at ease in front of the camera. Vulnerability is where connection begins and I don’t mind being the one to be vulnerable with you first. I will openly share my heart with you and invite you to do the same with me as you feel comfortable…

I spent the majority of my life severely depressed and stewing in self-hatred, shame, and insecurity. I only tell you that because that is NOT what you will see if you look at me today. In fact, I have to tell every new person I meet about the past that used to plague me because they wouldn’t believe it otherwise. And I tell the story of my past for no other reason than to show you how real Jesus is and what He is capable of. No one is too far gone to be redeemed by Him. No one has fallen into too much sin, too much shame, too much anything…He can and WILL (if we let Him) help us to overcome ALL that threatens to take us out. He allows us to rise above it and even uses what was intended to destroy us for our good! This is why Romans 8:28 is my favorite verse:

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” KJV

Jesus has taken the ashes of my life- all the days I did nothing but cry, all the days I longed for nothing but death, all the days where I felt my life was a mistake- and has transformed them into something beautiful…

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them BEAUTY FOR ASHES, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.”

Isaiah 61: 1-3 KJV

I’ve heard that those who are called to empower, to champion others, to lift others up, to encourage, etc. will be challenged in all areas concerning one’s own self. And I can attest that this is absolutely true. My mission in life through is to empower, champion, lift up, encourage, love, and serve those the Lord puts on my path. Photography is so much more than a job to me…it is my ministry, my art, the way I can best love and serve people, the way I get to encourage and empower people, and let me tell you, every single one of those areas has been brutally attacked by the enemy throughout the course of my life. 

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour…” 

1 Peter 5:8 KJV

There are no words to adequately express how completely broken I have been. And while I will always be some degree of “broken” until I see Jesus face to face on the other side of eternity, He has put SO many of my broken pieces back together and given me so much joy, peace, hope, and LIFE. It is my wish to be a vessel that pours all He has given me into others. 

How do I do that?

By spending time with you. By listening to you. One person at a time…

 I will listen to you. When I say I want to hear your story, I mean it. And not just from a surface level. I want to know what makes you uniquely YOU. I want to know why you have chosen your future spouse. I want to know what you have suffered and overcome. I want to know what breaks your heart and what lights you up with joy…what makes you angry, and what makes you come alive. I want to know what marriage means to you and I want to be there to remind you of that when it seems like things have gotten too hard to honor your lifelong covenant. I want to be your cheerleader, your advocate, your confidante, your comic relief…my goal is for you to leave our time together feeling more loved, more beautiful, more cared for, more seen, heard, and known than ever…and more in love with Jesus…or maybe fall in love with Him for the first time! 

I will share everything with you one story at a time. My presence here is meant to encourage you, help you, give you resources not only for planning your wedding or senior session but also for your MARRIAGE and life after graduation…its meant to make you feel less alone, to help you to know that someone is on your side when you feel the whole world is against you…I share my heart and my life so that you know you’re not alone in your struggles and heartaches, and to give you hope for your future…I am living proof that depression does not have the victory, that death cannot triumph when God still has plans for your life here on Earth, that temporary setbacks and failures are not what define us and not what dictate our future or our ability to find success later in life…and that no one is too lost to be found by the One who created us and loves us with an everlasting love that our finite human minds can’t even begin to comprehend. 

Please feel free to reach out any time to share your story with me. You can write me here, or find me on facebook or instagram. I can’t wait to share more with you and I can’t wait to learn about YOU!