Context and Lore
We're going to do a little fourth wall break here. Hi! I'm Erin Murray, the E Murray in EMurray.Art. I'm a queer event and concert photographer based out of central Virginia. I've been observing, documenting, and exploring both film and digital photography since I started high school in 2014.
Tumblr Veteran
Look, I was a teenager in 2014-2016, I won't pretend I wasn't fundamentally altered as a person by the neon lights, pop punk, midwest emo, knee-high socks, and skinny jeans phase. Even though I can no longer maintain the long blue hair, and beat up converse aesthetic doesn't mean I've left my old ways totally behind.
On the Road
Learning to drive was huge for me. I had a trusty stallion, a 1996 Subaru Outback that was a beloved companion for many years, and we traveled coast to coast together several times before it broke down in Arizona during my senior thesis road trip in 2022.
Travel
I love to travel! I'd love to come to you, no matter where your event is, if I can drive, take a bus or train, even better! Wherever you find home is I am always willing to meet you there.
Looking back, there were definitely signs (iykyk). I grew up scrapbooking with my mom and her family, which got me comfortable and interested in photography early in life. Another huge influence for me growing up was music; my mom always had the radio on, and my first concert was Daughtry in Charlottesville. Music, people, love, and documenting all of the above have consistently been a passion and gift of mine.
In the past, I never really saw myself doing wedding photography, in part due to the pressure and in part because of how crucial it is to find people with similar tastes and styles. I've never been a traditional person, and traditional weddings are beautiful, but not really my scene. I hadn't even been to a wedding that I remembered until I was working my first one with Dan in the summer of 2025! So much goes into a wedding or event, and I'm always along for the ride and honored you would consider me for your special day :)
Inspired by Life
I've found so many elements that carry over in event spaces, whether it's a concert or a wedding; there is so much going on, and everyone is experiencing different and heightened emotions. I've always been perceptive, but following flashes of emotion, the big feelings, the grandiose personalities, is really where I shine.
Art School
I knew going into college I wanted to do photography and suffered through just enough traditional art courses like drawing and painting until I got to graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography and Film in 2022. My senior thesis was a photo book I made called One Way Ticket, which documented my driving my first car on a cross-country road trip until it broke down.
Self-Aware
I'm not going to beat around the bush. I know stuff is rough right now. I have a day job in customer service, and I see the impact current events have on people's ability to ball out on occasions. I am here to work with you and make a safe and respected place for us all. Mutual respect and kindness go a long way, and I will keep it real with you.