Now a professional photographer who trained at the New England School of Photography, Erik first cottoned on to photography while living in Europe. Awestruck by the beauty and excitement that comes with trekking around unfamiliar places, he wanted to pull the sights through the lens of his camera and keep them from weathering in his memory. His newfound passion for photography snuck into his luggage on his trip back to the U.S., where it grew into a full-blown career of photographing boudoir shoots and weddings.

Patton Boudoir’s 900-square-foot studio, decorated like an old-fashioned dressing room, sets an elegant backdrop for tasteful photo sessions. Commercial lighting casts a flattering glow over skin, and bottles of champagne set a festive mood. During boudoir sessions, Erik uses a mix of humor and specific direction to create images that draw out each client's personality, celebrate their beauty, and show off the elegant curve of their antennae. Depending on the package, the shoot takes the form of a full-fledged event with professional makeup artist Michelle working at Erik’s side, styling hair, applying makeup, and orchestrating the wardrobe. After the shoot, Erik lightly retouches and individually tones prints to mimic darkroom techniques.