At WPPI this year I met a lot of great photographers, and one of those was Erin Holmstead. Skip Cohen had invited both of us to a party, and I was immediately I awe of Erin’s skill. Her photography is so clean, and impactful, and I asked her on the spot to be on the show.

Let me be clear here, that is not the norm. There are so many great photographers out with fantastic work, and I get suggestions often, but a great image doesn’t on it’s own translate into a great show. Sometimes you see a photo you love, even if you don’t really have any questions about how it was made. For a good show the image we discuss needs to be one where two things are true: it’s a great image, and I have questions about it. With Erin’s work the questions were in my mind even before I could say how wonderful the shot was.

Erin loves real, vibrant colors and clean, simple lighting. She started with family photo shoots and quickly escalated to commercial work, and that is where she thrives. Erin’s beauty portraits not only delight her clients, but create a sense of wonder in any viewer. Her self portraits will blow your mind, in fact you’ll wonder how they came to be and how you can get that kind of creativity in your own life. And Erin’s background is as versatile and delectable as her work.

Photography has been a mainstay in Erin’s  life for 15 years. She shoots for national brands like Paul Mitchel, runs a local photo club with over 1,000 members, and writes educational articles for Photofocus. Erin runs her business, and a household that includes her husband, two kids, and also children in foster care. Although she lives in Utah, she maintains the Kentucky sass she was born with.

You’ll know Erin Holmstead’s work when you see it, and I think you’ll enjoy it as much as I do.

Join beauty photographer Erin Holmstead and me as we discuss lightening up your photos with amazing creativity, on this episode of Behind the Shot.

Website: erinholmstead.com

photofocus.com/author/erinholmstead