Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Fluchel.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always been drawn to photography. I got my first camera, a film one, in high school and spent years photographing architecture and places, especially as I started travelling as a young adult. When I had kids, though, I became really obsessed with capturing every little detail of their lives. It wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic, however, that I really thought about taking the leap and pushing this into a true business. Part of it came from my kids being a little sick of being photographed, and part of it came from the restlessness I think a lot of us felt during lockdown. I tried all the things — gardening, composting, sourdough, sewing — and I ended up landing on this in December 2020. It felt like a way to get out of my house, do something meaningful, and interact with humans, but still in a way that observed pandemic protocols. So I showed up wearing a mask, stayed six feet away, and found a way to do what I loved within those constraints.
From there, things really took off. I started by photographing people I knew, then did some model calls to build my portfolio. And now, five and a half years later, I have a thriving business where I get to photograph all the stages of family — maternity, newborn, family sessions, senior photography,
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Some of the biggest struggles were establishing a client base and pushing myself out of my comfort zone in a lot of ways. I had to learn all aspects of running a business — the finances, building a website, understanding SEO — skills that didn’t come naturally to me. I still struggle with some of it, especially posting regularly on social media. And like a lot of people in creative fields, I find myself falling into the trap of comparing my work to others online. That can really get in your head. But I’ve also built some phenomenal client relationships that remind me exactly why I do this — and that makes all the difference.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in natural light photography — families, maternity, newborns, seniors, and couples — with a style that’s warm, golden, and candid. I want my images to feel like you, not like a posed picture you’d find in a frame at a home goods store.
What sets me apart, I think, comes down to two things. First, I genuinely love people — especially kids. As a mom of a 10- and 12-year-old and an educator for over 20 years, I’ve spent my entire adult life understanding how kids think and what makes them tick. I know how to make sessions feel low-pressure and fun, and I know how to get a real smile out of a kid who walked in with their arms crossed. The feedback I treasure most is when clients tell me the session felt nothing like they expected — easy, relaxed, and actually enjoyable — and that when they got their images back, they thought, that’s really us.
Second, I’ve built my business around simplicity and transparency. My pricing is clear and the session and a selection of images are included up front. I want the experience of working with me to feel as good as the photos themselves.
I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built with my clients — many of whom come back year after year to document their families growing and changing. That kind of trust means everything to me.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
This is something a lot of people in my industry are thinking about. With the rise of AI-generated images and AI-assisted editing, there’s understandable nervousness about what it all means for photographers. But as a mom, I know that nothing is more precious to me than real images of my kids when they were little — and I don’t think any algorithm can replicate that. I think we’re safe from the AI revolution in that sense.
What I do think we’ll continue to see is a shift toward authenticity and candor over curation. Less posing, less production, more this is actually who we are. In my own business, I’m already seeing this play out — clients are showing up in clothing that feels like them rather than perfectly coordinated outfits, and more families are requesting sessions at home rather than in a public park or garden. There’s something really beautiful about that. The images that last — the ones that get framed and passed down — are the ones that feel true.
Pricing:
- Pricing at Erin Fluchel Photography is all-inclusive and flat-fee — no confusing packages, no surprise costs, no pressure to upgrade. Every session includes hand-edited high-resolution digital downloads, full printing rights, a styling guide, and personalized wardrobe assistance
- The Novel — Full Session | $495 — A relaxed, 60-minute session at a location of your choice within 30 minutes of Chesterfield. Includes 25 hand-edited images. Ideal for families with multiple kids, littles who need time to warm up, or seniors looking for outfit changes and varied backdrops.
- The Short Story — Petite Session | $295 — A 20-minute session at a photographer-selected location. Includes 10 hand-edited images. Offered in limited quantities during select times of year — snag a spot early!
- The Nursery Rhyme — Newborn Session | $595 — A slow, gentle 1.5–2 hour in-home session when baby is 1–3 weeks old. Includes 25 hand-edited images blending posed portraits with lifestyle moments. Petite maternity and milestone sessions available at a discounted rate when booked alongside a newborn session.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://erinfluchelphotography.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinfluchelphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinfluchelphoto/
