Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Smith Brittany Hymes.
Hi Erin Smith, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Serindipity began with two separate cameras and one shared passion. In 2010, Erin purchased her first DSLR and began teaching herself how to shoot, with the simple goal of capturing beautiful images of friends and family. Around the same time, Brittany—fresh out of school—was also leaning into her creative instincts, developing a deep affinity for photography as she also captured meaningful memories for loved ones.
As word spread, friends, acquaintances, and eventually people we didn’t even know started asking us to take their photos—and offering to pay us for it. Our beginnings were very similar, but at the time, we hadn’t even met yet.
In 2011, we became acquainted through mutual friends, and after connecting on social media, Erin was immediately drawn to Brittany’s natural eye for composition and creativity. When Erin was hired for her first wedding in 2012 and needed a second shooter, Brittany was the first person who came to mind—and she didn’t hesitate to bring her on. That first day of working alongside one another was a success, both professionally and personally. A natural shooting rhythm formed, and so did a deep friendship. Erin encouraged Brit to pursue photography more seriously, and from 2012 to 2019, we supported each other—operating as two separate businesses but regularly hiring one another as second shooters and cheering each other on in our craft.
The name Serindipity Photography originally belonged to Erin. A special play on the word “serendipity” that her dad came up with, creatively changing the spelling to incorporate her name. The name was sentimental and meaningful to Erin, and when we officially merged our businesses in 2019, Brittany loved it so much that she insisted we keep it exactly as it was. That moment reflected everything about how our partnership works: mutual respect, shared vision, and a deep appreciation for where we’ve been and where we’re going.
So in 2019, we became Serindipity Photography by Erin & Brit—a name that reflects our roots and our creative bond. And, in true serendipitous fashion, what began as a collaboration turned into one of the most meaningful friendships in both of our lives. We are more like sisters at this point, and our journey together was sparked by one simple wedding inquiry that changed everything.
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?
One of our biggest, ongoing (and welcomed) challenges has been growing into the next phase of our business. We’re incredibly proud of the quality and experience we provide for our clients—from the way we communicate and plan, to the imagery we deliver. Over the years, we’ve been honored to receive the “Best of Weddings” awards from both The Knot and WeddingWire, and we’ve built a loyal client base that often returns to us for life’s milestones after their wedding day.
At the same time, we recognize there’s always another level in the industry we’d love to grow into—whether it’s diving into another niche, or working with more high-end clientele and photographing in elevated, more luxurious venues. We’re always looking for ways to challenge ourselves creatively and expand our reach. That said, we hold deep gratitude for every person who has trusted us with their most important moments. Many of our past brides have become lifelong clients and dear friends, and their weddings have shaped the heart of our business. It’s not about leaving those roots behind—it’s about building on them as we continue to evolve as artists and professionals.
Another challenge has been learning to run a business in a way that doesn’t cause burnout. When your passion is also your job, it’s important that you continuously find ways to maintain work-life balance. When we operated solo, we both wore every hat—and while we’re capable of doing it all, we’ve learned that as a team we don’t have to. We often say we’re yin and yang in the best way—and we trust each other fully to show up and give our best in the particular areas we shine in. This makes all the difference.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
We specialize in wedding and engagement photography, and our style is best described as light, bright, and timeless. We want our clients to look back on their wedding photos decades from now and still feel the elegance and authenticity of that day. Classic imagery never goes out of style, and that’s exactly what we aim to create.
Our process is all about connection and personalization. It begins with a consultation where we get to know our clients, their personalities, and their vision. Once they book, we send a detailed questionnaire to help us build a customized timeline based on their priorities. We work closely with every bride on logistics, and Brit handles most of that part from emails and timelines to ensuring the day flows smoothly. She also helps to photograph each wedding as one of our two primary shooters. Erin photographs every session we take on and handles all of the post processing and editing, bringing the final artistic vision to life, as well as helping behind the scenes with blogging and social media. This is just a small glimpse into what we do as a business, both front and center and behind the scenes as there is so much that takes place to maintain this well oiled machine. Our combined approach allows the day to unfold with a sense of calm and confidence. With Brittany managing the moving pieces and Erin capturing the moments with an artistic eye, our clients get the best of both structure and creativity. But photography is just part of what we offer. We’re also cheerleaders, problem-solvers, support systems, stress diffusers, and by the end of it all-friends. We often walk away from weddings feeling like we’ve made genuine, lasting connections—and it’s not uncommon for clients to come back to us when they need a photographer for the next milestone in their lives. That in itself is so rewarding.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
“Serindipity” is more than just a creative name—it’s the heartbeat of our story, capturing the idea of something truly beautiful unfolding by happy accident: an unexpected discovery that feels meant to be. In many ways, it mirrors the very love stories we’re honored to capture. Just as our journey began with a chance connection that led to something lasting, our couples often feel the same way about one another—two paths crossing at the perfect time, creating something truly beautiful.
The word serendipity speaks to those magical moments when the right people cross paths at just the right time; when something ordinary turns out to be life-changing. And while it might look like luck from the outside, we’re both believers—and we know in our hearts that it was God’s providence that brought our paths together. This journey has been full of blessings, far beyond what we ever imagined when we started. And while luck and blessing have played a huge role—we also know that the intention behind our growth is no accident. The success of Serindipity Photography by Erin & Brit comes from years of refining our craft, learning to run a business with heart, and showing up for our clients again and again. The name honors the magic of how it all began, while the work reflects the meaning we’ve poured into it.
Serindipity honors not just where we started, but how the most meaningful things in life often come when you least expect them.
Pricing:
- Our collection prices are available upon inquiry!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.serindipityphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/serindipityphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SerindipityPhoto/
