Who We Are
"There is no such thing as perfect,
but we are perfect for each other."
Becks + Anna
Hi, I’m Erica "Becks" Beckman. My wife Anna and I love weddings so much that we got married twice. Once in New York, where our friend officiated the ceremony under a homemade chuppah, and then again in a classic London pub, with a cake made by Anna’s sister. In our vows, we affirmed that there is no such thing as perfect, but we are perfect for each other. And most days we still think that’s true. The same things make our worlds go round: road trips, dance movies, intersectional feminism, game nights, queer memes, and building a creative life together, which now centers around raising our two little girls.
A New Yorker born and bred, my whole career has been devoted to photography: from college days shooting punk bands to my many years as a Wall Street Journal photo editor. After photographing a few of my friends’ weddings in the late-2000s, I knew making memories for people in love was what I wanted to do full-time. Clean Plate Pictures was born.
Over 15 years and more than 500 weddings later, Clean Plate Pictures has grown into a close-knit creative team. Alongside me are our incredible associate photographers, Elle and Lee; videographer, Max; video editor, Joe; and second shooter, Ryan. We work out of a sunny yellow studio in upstate New York—where we’re often interrupted by my young daughters and my tiny poodle, Goldie.
Our brilliant Associate Photographer, Elle, photographs her own Clean Plate Pictures weddings and frequently second shoots with Becks. Elle excels at capturing the energy of a wedding day—the unabashed, unfiltered love, laughter, and emotion that make each celebration feel alive. She’s always ready to catch reaction shots as you exchange vows or grab joyful candids while your friends and family light up the dance floor. Elle’s keen attention to detail and warm, personable approach make her a valued and trusted presence on any wedding day squad.
Our go-to second shooter turned Associate Photographer, Lee now photographs his own Clean Plate Pictures weddings while continuing to support the team. With a formal degree in photography and an infectious, upbeat attitude, Lee brings both technical skill and great energy to every wedding day. His sharp eye for detail and calm confidence mean he’s always catching meaningful moments—often before anyone else even notices. Lee’s positive presence makes him a valued part of any wedding day squad.
Max, our resident videographer, is a wonderful addition to the Clean Plate Pictures team. He brings a candid, unobtrusive approach to filming, allowing wedding days to unfold naturally while capturing them with care and intention. With a strong instinct for visual storytelling, Max focuses on the real moments—the quiet in-betweens, the big emotions, and everything that makes your day uniquely yours. His work pairs beautifully with our editing style to bring your story to life in bright, moving color.
Joe, our resident video editor, has been making movies since his college days. With a deep love for visual storytelling, he carefully edits each highlight reel to capture the heart of your day—your people, your moments, and your love—rendered in bright, moving color.