Welcome

Welcome to my new blog! This is your main stop to visit the world of Dawn Earles Photography. Hi, I’m Dawn Earles! That’s me on the right. Well half of me anyway, I sometimes like to be mysterious……

I live and breathe photography every single day. I’ve been shooting weddings for the last 5 years. But weddings aren’t the only thing I shoot. I’m also a children’s portrait photographer, and I’ve just begun work on a few other projects that I will reveal soon! If your looking for my main website, it's the blue link at the top of this page. BUT - if you would like to see what I’ve been up to lately, this blog is the place to be! It’s like my open diary to the world. I post a preview of every job I shoot on here and talk a little bit about it. I also post important news and updates here too! So for all things Dawn Earles, this blog should be your first stop. Feel free to look around. I have a couple years worth of blog posts on here, enough to keep you busy for hours if you wanted to. Just scroll down for my most recent posts, or use the archives link at the top to browse by month! And if you decide to stay a while and look around, be sure to leave a comment or two – cause I just LOVE LOVE LOVE getting comments!

Huge Announcement!

June 27, 2008 – 1:21 pm

First I would like to apologize for my lack of keeping up with the blog lately. I never meant to go this long without updating. But i do have a big announcement, and it’s the reason i have been ignoring my blog all this time. Now that I’m in my third month, I’m ready to announce that I am in fact pregnant. I’ve had very severe morning sickness so far and I’ve just been concentrating on keeping up with work, but the blog has sadly been left in the dark so that I can use any time that I’m not shooting or editing, to catch up with rest. I have lots of posts that need to be made, and I’ll get to them as soon as I am able to. Right now I just want to finish getting though my first trimester and hopefully I’ll start feeling myself again very soon! Then I’ll be able to finally give my blog the attention it needs.

By Dawn Earles | Posted in News | 13 comments         Hide Comments | Add a Comment
  1. sinead   -  

    Hi Dawn! Don’t know if you remember me, but I wanted to stop by and offer my congratulations, anyway!
    I’m so thrilled for you. And what a lucky child your baby will be. You’re going to be a fabulous mom.
    Sending all good wishes your way from the Motor City!!

  2. Courtney   -  

    Congratulations Dawn!! If you decide to have your baby at Womens and Childrens, I will definitely take care of your little boy or girl!!! =)

  3. Ulysses   -  

    OH BABY!!! And I mean that quite literally! LOL!

    Dawn, I could NOT be happier for you. This is just awesome news to hear! I can’t wait to see images from your first sono (if you decide to get one). And if you are EVER in NY at some point during your pregnancy — of if I’m visiting my family there in Louisiana — you’re getting a maternity session from us, for sure. :)

    Big hugs to you and the family. Very happy for you guys. CONGRATS! :)

  4. Dawn Earles   -  

    Thanks everyone! I finally get to hear the heartbeat in a few days, can’t wait! This is going to be such an amazing journey!

  5. Lauren Dore   -  

    Well a Huge congratulations to you!! thats so exciting!! hope your little bundle of joy is everything you hoped for!! i love babies!! hehe!! congrats girl!! cant wait to see what you do with that!! loving the new site by the way!! You Rock!!

  6. Heather Lassell   -  

    Congratulations!!! :)

  7. Valerie   -  

    CONGRATS!!!! But I already knew. lol :)

  8. Michelle   -  

    CONGRATULATIONS!!!! THAT IS AWESOME!!!!! I am sooo excited for you and good luck with the morning sickness. Many wishes for you and your family!!

  9. MsB   -  

    OMG, I knew it!CONGRATULATIONS!!!

    Your unborn child is going to have AWESOME portraits throughout his/her life! ;)

  10. Dusti   -  

    CONGRATS AGAIN!! IM SURE IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO IS MISSING YOUR AMAZING WORK! YOUR BABY WILL BE SO LUCKY TO HAVE SUCH A TALENTED MOTHER! BUT OF COURSE, YOU DO HAVE A GREAT EXCUSE FOR NEGLECTING THE BLOG. I KNOW EXACTLY HOW YOU FEEL! IT ALL GETS BETTER THOUGH. CAN’T WAIT FOR OUR SESSION IN SEPT. HOPE YOU’RE FEELING BETTER BY THEN! GOOD LUCK! :)

  11. Heidi   -  

    CoNgRaTuLaTiOnS!!! i hope this baby knows that he/she will be your model for life now! lucky little stinker. ;)

  12. Lucky Red Hen   -  

    CONGRATULATIONS! Hope you’re feeling better quickly :)

  13. S&M   -  

    Congrats! babies are super fun! And of course we can’t wait to see what you have been up to! HOPE YOU FEEL BETTER SOOOOON! Yacking is never fun!

The Secret’s Out!

June 4, 2008 – 10:18 am

I’ve had to keep quiet about this for some time now…. but on news stands today, the new Lafayette publication, FACE magazine, is making it’s debut. Definitely like no local magazine you’ve ever seen, FACE rivals the national magazines you’ll find in the grocery lines. Packed with tons of pictures, stories, products and advice, and everything in it can be found here, in your own home town! Every month, there is a cover story and a fashion spread, which I will be shooting. The fashion spreads every month will feature REAL women from acadiana, as it’s models. This month I did an extra shoot featuring one of my brides, Robin! So look for her in “Forget the Bride”. And next, keep an eye out for Britney, (featured just a few posts ago) who will be one of the 3 models in next month’s fashion spread!

The Cover Story for this month is a must read. It’s about a young woman who has been through the unthinkable. A widow at only 24, her story reminds us to be thankful for everyday we have with our loved ones. It was an honor to shoot her, and it’s her face of strength that graces the cover of this months issue.

Run out and go get your copy today! They can be found all over acadiana. And be sure to visit the Face Website to find out more about the magazine, and to read the cover story!

By Dawn Earles | Posted in Blogroll, News | 7 comments         Hide Comments | Add a Comment
  1. Dusti   -  

    UMMM DAWN!! ITS BEEN WAY TOO LONG! WHEN WILL WE HAVE NEW PICS?? IVE BEEN LOOKING AT THESE OVER & OVER AND THERE JUST AS BEAUTIFUL EVERYTIME!! BUT,WE NEED NEW ONES, IM RUNNING OUT OF THINGS TO DO AT WORK!! LOL

  2. Dawn Earles   -  

    Dusti, it does happen, I’ll go check on it for ya!

  3. Dusti   -  

    CONGRATS DAWN!! IM SURE YOU’RE SUPER EXCITED! ARE YOU HAVING TROUBLE WITH YOUR E-MAIL? I E-MAILED U A WK AGO AND NEVER GOT A RESPONSE!

  4. Valerie   -  

    They couldn’t have picked a better photographer. Congrats!!!

  5. melonie   -  

    how amazing!! congratulations! awesome cover

  6. Stephanie Williams   -  

    That is such a cool concept - I wish I knew of something like that where I live…Congrats!

  7. Katie Prather   -  

    What an awesome idea….the secret is out! I LOVE the name of the magazine. What a pretty girl for the first issue! Can’t wait to read her story. Have fun shooting!

Ashleigh’s Wedding

May 21, 2008 – 10:20 pm

So what happens when two RockStars get married? They play a concert at their own wedding of course! Ashleigh and Manish from the California band Ride on Rides were married in Jefferson Island last month. It was a beautiful mix of color, culture and music for this Christian/Hindu wedding! Check out the wedding slideshow below featuring one of their hit songs. (You know I couldn’t resist building a slideshow around their own music!). You’ll see pics of them playing at their own reception, still in full wedding gear! The energy was intense and the crowd couldn’t be more into it!

When your done watching the show, be sure to check out their myspace page where you can hear more of their tunes, and even purchase them right there from that site! (I did!)

By Dawn Earles | Posted in Weddings | 14 comments         Hide Comments | Add a Comment
  1. Deepika   -  

    Hey You Guys.. WOW!! The video is amazing!! Great Pictures.. You guys sang it? If you did Great Job,Im sad I misssed the wedding.. must have been Pretty Great!!!
    ~Deepika =D

  2. sonali(sonu)   -  

    fantastic pics.wanne see more video..good job Dawn…….

    Ashleigh you look beautiful… waiting for you both in India..

  3. ashwini shinde(ashu)   -  

    the slideshow was a wonderful walkthrough for us who so desperately wanted to attend it but couldn’t . seeing our little brother manish with his beautiful wife was a pleasure the background scores only added to the lovely wedding pictures making them very meaningful.
    we wish to see both manish and asleigh in India very soon. our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the married couple.

  4. Joe Giglio   -  

    A wonderful wedding of a wonderful couple! I am so happy for you!

    Joe Giglio

  5. Valerie   -  

    How exciting to have the brida and groom preform at their own wedding. Im sure you’ll never experience that again. The wedding looked like so much fun.

  6. Erica Broussard   -  

    Dawn…I loved viewing these slideshows! Your pics are amazing and you have a knack for capturing like every single detail! So talented! All the couples are beatiful and these moments are priceless and they now have that to cherish forever!

  7. Dawn Earles   -  

    Hi Sarika - the pictures are not ready yet, but when they are, they will be viewable from the client login link at the top of this page (under “links”).

  8. Sarika Paranjape   -  

    Great video! Congratulations Ashleigh! I wish I was there! Where can I find more pictures of the wedding? the video makes you want to see many more pictures :)

  9. Kalpana Gokhale   -  

    What a classy and artistic video! Great memories to share and behold.

  10. Debbie Giglio   -  

    What a great video. The pictures are beautiful. What a great way to remember a most special and perfect day! Thanks for sharing.

  11. Ashleigh   -  

    Dawn- you are amazing! Thank you so much for putting this together- I love it!!!! You did an incredible job and we were so lucky to have you as our photographer! For anyone interested in our songs they are also available on itunes!

  12. Elise DeJean   -  

    It is 7:15 AM and this brought the biggest smile to my face!! The music is excellent and the photographs are beautiful. They really captured all the emotion of the day!! I wish I had been there!! Boo hoo. I might go buy some music now!

  13. Dawn Earles   -  

    I don’t know about a disk, but you can buy and download the songs right off their myspace, that’s what I did. It was easy and instant.

  14. s&m   -  

    awesome, i remember thier engagements they rocked! I had checked out thier myspace back then, I want thier CD where to get is the question!?!

Chally’s Wedding

May 21, 2008 – 8:50 pm

Probably one of the most beautiful weddings I may ever see, and definitely the funniest couple I have ever met!! What a fun mix! Chally got ready in an incredible Chateau. Wow, you could get lost in it. I wish I would have had more time to explore it! And pay attention to the lights used at the reception, they make a huge difference and I can’t recommend them enough. I know most people want to create a mood at their weddings which usually results in someone turning off all the lights in an already dark venue, which isn’t the best thing for pictures, but with Colorado lights, you can create mood, without sacrificing your pictures! Woo-Hoo for visible backgrounds!!

The beautiful flowers and decor were from flower’s etc, and go see the video trailer at the Focus Productions blog! (Boo-hoo, we are loosing Jon, he’s running off to become a famous Hollywood director! (Gonna miss you!) :)

By Dawn Earles | Posted in Weddings | 5 comments         Hide Comments | Add a Comment
  1. nikki   -  

    where was this wedding? it is beautiful!

  2. Chally Aalbers   -  

    Wow Dawn, just when I thought you couldn’t get any better, you come up with this! Great slideshow, thank you for capturing the happiest day of my life!

  3. Valerie   -  

    This couple has so much energy, they look like a load of fun. I dont know if its cause im pregnant but it sure seems like the food was supa delish!

  4. Dawn Earles   -  

    Yeah, slideshows are fun, but they take up lots of time. That’s why I was so late posting, i didn’t have time to make them until last night. And finding music is hard. I have to buy royalty free music for these things (photographers are huge targets of the music industry for some reason) and it’s hard to find music that is good.

  5. Elise DeJean   -  

    This was the funnest wedding that I have ever been to and I wasn’t even a GUEST!! This couple is amazing and they made these photographs look amazing and fun and easy!! You made them do that too!! But, it sure must have been easy to work on photographs with a constant smile on your face!!! The photographs are beautiful as well as the couple! I like this video thing that you are doing by the way! The music in the background adds atmosphere!

Raven’s Wedding

May 21, 2008 – 7:30 pm

I know it’s past time to post some weddings. I’ve been waiting because I’ve been trying to get this wonderful new feature that comes with my new blog to work. Slideshows!! I used to love making slideshows, but they can be so time consuming.

Below is my first slideshow - Raven’s wedding. (Sorry Raven, you have to be the guinea pig on this project!) In the software it works fine, but after playing it from the blog, i notice the music starts a little late, stops too early, and then restarts. It will probably play a little different on each computer, so let me know how it’s working out there and I’ll try to tweak what I can to get it to look decent on as many computers as possible. It may take a few tries to get it right.

BTW, one of the COOLEST couples I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with! Raven, thank you for making me love my job! (Ok, try to spot the fork in the video, and no, I didn’t put it there, but i thought it was funny!) The Ceremony took place at St John’s and and the Reception at A La Carte. The amazing flowers and details were done by Flower’s Etc.

By Dawn Earles | Posted in Weddings | 4 comments         Hide Comments | Add a Comment
  1. Valerie   -  

    I love how you mixed the detail shots with the candids. And oh my those cakes and candies looked yummy.

  2. Raven Lemaire   -  

    Thank you Dawn!! We had so much fun through the whole process. I’m so glad that you were a part of it; you are the best! Everybody said that our photographer was really on top things and that you didn’t miss a beat. They were right!

  3. Dawn Earles   -  

    Good to hear it plays well on someone’s computer! Of course, you have a mac…. ;) Yes they were so much fun, and that jumping pic was all them, they were some silly beans!! Most guys aren’t like that just before the ceremony, they are usually quiet and hiding. But not these guys!

  4. Elise DeJean   -  

    I found the fork!!! The music plays perfect on my computer. It starts right at the beginning and ends right at the end. Maybe it is because I have the best computer!! Kidding! This looked like a fantasic wedding and I am sorry that I missed it! Looked like it had bright, beautiful colors and was a blast to shoot! My favorite is the groomsmen jumping. Remind you to tell you about a funny photo I saw. Beautiful Job! Oh and how was The Juliet? I hear all their rooms are different!

…News…..November 08 - February 09….

May 21, 2008 – 6:24 pm

Just a note that I will not be booking any weddings between November 2008 and February 2009.  I will still shoot portraits in November and December, and will be on leave in January and February.  I will be back to business as usual starting in March 2009.

By Dawn Earles | Posted in News | 5 comments         Hide Comments | Add a Comment
  1. Dawn Earles   -  

    Actually i’m taking 4 months off of weddings and 2 months off of everything, and as for your question……no comment… ;)

  2. MsB   -  

    Hm, taking three months off … is it because of something that will take you nine months to do beforehand? ;)

  3. s&m   -  

    YEAH!!!!!!!!!!Awesome!

  4. Dawn Earles   -  

    Oh I’m sure I’ll still be blogging, they’ll just be more “personal”. ;)

  5. s&m   -  

    well have a great break, we will definately miss your bloggggings……..:-)

Just a reminder to those who use the contact form on my website.

May 8, 2008 – 10:53 pm

I’ve gotten a bunch of these recently, and some people out there are probably wondering why they haven’t heard back from me.

1. When you fill out the contact form on my website, the email address line must contain your email, or I can’t reply. People have been putting their street address by mistake.

2. Now, if you do put your email address, you need to make sure you spell it properly, or I can’t respond. It will just bounce back to me after 4 days saying the email doesn’t exist. Again, leaving me with no way to contact you.

3. It is also a good idea to leave your phone number in case one of the two above happen. I received several emails this week that I can’t reply to because the contact form wasn’t filled out properly. And the sad part is, I’m open for your dates but I have to way to tell you!! So if any of you are reading this and have noticed that I never replied to your email, that’s probably why, and you may want to resend it. ;)

By Dawn Earles | Posted in News | no comments         No Comments | Add a Comment

Camille’s Bridals

May 6, 2008 – 11:46 pm

Photographer’s LOVE when a bride asks them for something edgy and different. And we LOVE, LOVE, LOVE when they have no interest in common traditionalism, even for the newspaper shot. Camille was one of those brides. She honestly blew me away. I was so worried about the weather, (it actually rained a tiny bit before and during the shoot), but we had no choice because she flew in all the way from Dallas, and rescheduling was not an option for us. Luckily, the weather held out, and we got some killer shots from the gloomy scene we were working in. The wedding is only a few weeks away, so check back later!

beautiful rain clouds in the background

believe it or not, this flawless closeup is strait out of the camera, no retouching at all, not even a the tiniest bit, her skin was perfect, and she’s in her 30’s!!! (anyone feel like throwing up yet?)

couldn’t decide which one to post, so I decided to post them both!

By Dawn Earles | Posted in Bridals | 13 comments         Hide Comments | Add a Comment
  1. Camille (the bride)   -  

    Dawn….For the first time this week, I’m slowing down to actually look at the your blog! I chose you, because you capture the essence of emotion in each and every setting you choose. I had an exhilerating time and am very proud to have been made a part of your art work. Can’t wait to do it again! (shoulder down….eyes up, face …)

  2. Tawny   -  

    These are damn fabulous! Rock on!

  3. Elise DeJean   -  

    Dawn! I love these! Must be so relieving to work with someone who wants to do these kind of photo shoots. Not that I don’t like your other photos b/c I love them but it is so refreshing to see new and exciting photographs like these. I can’t pick a favorite; they are all wonderful. But, the first 4 are eye catching!

  4. heidikins   -  

    gorgeous! gorgeous! gorgeous! that word sounds strange if you say it too many times… you have incredible talent and absolutely stunning brides. keep it up!

  5. Dawn Earles   -  

    thanks everyone!! she rocked!

  6. melonie   -  

    umm yes mam! you are officially the definition of AWESOME!! these kick some serious butt!! great work!!

  7. Michelle   -  

    OOOHHHH MMMYYY GGOODDDNNEESSS!!! These are so amazing. The best so far I think. I love different and edgy. She is a very beautiful girl. Your the best.

  8. Dusti   -  

    THE ONLY THING COMING OUT OF MY MOUTH RIGHT NOW IS “WOW”. THESE ARE AMAZING! DAWN, REMEMBER THIS TYPE OF THING WHEN ITS MY TURN! I DEFINATELY DO NOT WANT “TRADITIONAL”. THIS IS EXACTLY THE KIND OF PICS I WANT! THIS GIRL IS GORGEOUS!!

  9. MsB   -  

    She’s a STUNNER! Awesome work as always, Dawn!

  10. matt landry   -  

    oops! the ones with the back light are killer! LOL!

  11. matt landry   -  

    DAWN you are the POO Poo! These pictures are the most awesomest coolest! You freakin’ rock! The ones with the back like a killer! LOVE them allll!

  12. Robin DePaula   -  

    Gorgeous as always . . . she’s gonna love them all!! Can’t wait to see the wedding images!!

  13. Valerie   -  

    very edgy!! I love the second to last one with her slip shoes showing. The pose is different and I love different.

Thank You!

May 5, 2008 – 3:25 pm

So the votes are in and I have been nominated along with 5 other wonderful photographers! Thank you for voting for me!! Now that the nominations are over, the race for the win is here! Make sure to go to their website (click on the pic above) to vote for your favorite! Don’t forget to vote for all the other wonderful local businesses out there too! I didn’t win the top 3 last year, we’ll see if I can make it there this time!! :)

Voting ends on May 20th!!

By Dawn Earles | Posted in News | 5 comments         Hide Comments | Add a Comment
  1. Dawn Earles   -  

    thanks guys!! :)

  2. matt landry   -  

    kudos as usual we voted!

  3. Misty   -  

    Hey Honey…I voted for you! :) You’re it this year, I can feel it! And you totally deserve it. Good Luck and see you soon. xx

  4. Dawn Earles   -  

    thanks val!!

  5. Valerie   -  

    I voted for ya!! Yippie!

Brittany’s Bridals

May 2, 2008 – 5:53 pm

Words can’t describe how fun it was to shoot Brittany. She looks amazing, and I had so much fun, I will even be willing to forgive them for the kidnapping and trespassing stunt. ….ok well, maybe it wasn’t actually considered kidnapping…. ;)

By Dawn Earles | Posted in Bridals | 11 comments         Hide Comments | Add a Comment
  1. katie   -  

    that is some very amazing pictures…. brittany you are so pretty…

  2. Sunnie   -  

    Absolutely Stunning!

  3. Tawny   -  

    These really raise the bar for us others out here. Awesome job, groovy tones and hot images honey~! Woo hoo

  4. Kayla LeBlanc   -  

    BRITTANY..O my gosh….you will be such a BEAUTIFUL bride!! Your pics are AWESOMe!! Great job done I love checking you blog each week to see your work!!

  5. Dawn Earles   -  

    Hey Brittany! So happy you love them! You were fantastic!
    Robin, sorry but that is top secret info!! ;) (i’m such a tease aren’t I)

  6. Robin DePaula   -  

    Absolutely beautiful, Dawn!! Love all of them . . . now tell us about the kidnapping / tresspassing stunt! You know how nosey we all are ;)

  7. Brittany   -  

    Dawn….I LOVE them!! I had a BLAST shooting them with you. You are AMAZING and I can’t wait to see the rest of them…..Thanks again :)

  8. Dawn Earles   -  

    Thanks Val and Heidi!
    Meloni - I shot the IR’s in both direct sunlight and backlight. The all white background pic was shot the same way, just blew out the background with spot and no flash.

  9. melonie   -  

    umm these are AMAZING!! did you shoot these is BROAD day light! i dont know how you do it! you are officially my IDOL :)

  10. heidi   -  

    Hey Dawn! I’m such a huge fan of yours! I think you have so much talent and i wish i lived closer to you so that i could pick your brain and figure out the stunning techniques. Keep it up and congratulations on the new website. ;)

  11. Valerie   -  

    Is it me or does the fact that you can post them larger make then sooo much more fantastic! I am just loving em all. Those infrared are to die for. Great day/sky for that!