As you scroll through Erica’s feed, you are treated to a diverse array of visuals. From delicate pastel flowers, to creamy bokeh, to evocative portraits, Erica seems to humbly and effortlessly weave story, emotion, and form, into every frame.

-Yosef

Name: Erica Butler

Current All-Time Streak: 266

Joined 52Frames: January 2018

Your “walk-around” gear right now:

Nikon D850 and Nikkor 105mm Macro or my Lensbaby Twist 60

The place you call home:

Louisville, KY

Your life in 30 words or less

I am a first grade teacher and dog/cat mom who dabbles in photography when something strikes my fancy and I have free time. I’ve been a Framer since 2018.

Can you share 2 images, one from your past, and one more recent, that shows your evolution as a photographer?

What has been your favorite style of shooting lately?

I’ve been told that people usually know my photos are mine, but I haven’t decided if that’s a good thing or if I have become predicable? I would say my shooting style is definitely detail oriented. If I didn’t do 52Frames, I’m pretty sure my macro lens or my Lensbabies would never leave my camera! I love photos with a shallow depth of field, soft lighting, and great bokeh. I really love shooting nature- flowers, leaves, rocks, water… I’d rather shoot the door handle than the entire building, and I’m that person who will find the flower in a field and shoot it in addition to, or instead of, a beautiful landscape. While I love looking at other people’s landscapes, I am not much for shooting them myself very often. I am a sucker for a beautiful sunset or some golden hour light, though, and I often use that lighting to my advantage.

What was the first photo you ever submitted to 52Frames?

How did you find out about 52Frames?

A friend of mine found out about it from a friend of his. He suggested we do it. 5 years later, I’m submitting every week. He quit after just a few because he “didn’t like to be told what to shoot.”

What submission are you most proud of and why?

This photo is really nothing special. It’s a photo of a grape hyacinth/muscari that was growing in my mom and dad’s front yard. I shot it using an in-camera double exposure effect, creating the softness around the image that I really love. I do like the image. It’s very much my “style.”

But the reason I’m proud of this photo is not the picture itself. It is because I took a photo for the challenge that week when it would have been really easy to skip. 5 days before I took this photo, I had a major knee surgery. I was not allowed to bend the affected leg or put any weight on it at all for 6 weeks post-op, and no driving because I was on pain medication. But I managed to get myself- on crutches- down the steps, out to the yard, and used a dining room chair my dad brought out to somehow get myself and my camera on the ground to get this photo. I think my parents thought I was crazy for even attempting it. It was painful and difficult. But I persevered for another week, even when it was REALLY hard, and I’m proud of myself for that.

One tip you’d like to share?

Every photo you submit is not going to be a masterpiece- and that’s OK! It took me a long time to accept that myself, and it was difficult because I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist (ok, a huge perfectionist). But sometimes life gets in the way, or something doesn’t work out the way you thought it would. And then you have to come to terms with the fact that your photo that week isn’t exactly what you wanted, and just hit that submit button anyway!

Why is 52Frames meaningful to you?

52Frames keeps me shooting consistently- even when I wouldn’t necessarily have picked up my camera. My hard drive is full of photos I wouldn’t have taken had it not been for that week’s looming deadline or current theme. And 52Frames pushes me out of my comfort zone. I have discovered different types of photography I enjoy that I never would have discovered had it not been for the challenges each week. I have also grown as a photographer over the last 5 years, and I don’t think I would have done so had it not been for this challenge. I have also met some amazing, supportive friends through 52Frames.

To view Erica’s profile on 52Frames, click here: