.....hello.....
Welcome to the :e: picture journal. Within these walls you'll find a mix of commissioned and personal work so feel free to subscribe or to just swing by whenever you're seeking... [hint: click on a big image and then use the L and R arrows on your keyboard to navigate through the rest]
So in the words of one of my favorite man crushes [yes, that's plural], Kai Ryssdall, "Let's do the numbers." [start: We're in the Money, jazz trio/piano melody, med swing]
- couple's wedding night was their first time. Yay! It's awesome, right?
- of this year's grooms had lovely English accents. Wot, wot. Jolly good, old man.
- of my 2011 couples saw each other before the ceremony. I love that this number is so low!
- grooms were younger than their bride. Damn cougars.
- Number of my 2011 couples that didn't live together before they were married. 'Honey, is this soap or deodorant or toothpaste? All your stuff looks the same...'
- brides walked down the aisle with their bouquet but up the aisle without it. Flowers. Zzzzzzzzzzzzz.
- drunk bridesmaids tried to make out with me. Take a number, ladies. yeesh.
- is how many minutes my shortest ceremony was this year. Do you? Yes! Do you? Yes! Good! You're married. Kiss her.
- handmade chuppot this year. Mazel Tov! May you have many babies. Or something.
- receptions that played Lady Gaga and Don't Stop Believing BACK TO BACK. I'm hoping this number shrinks to 0 next year. Better yet, -10 so I get some redemption from the punishment I suffered.
- rainy wedding days this year. Call me awesome, but I love rain. Rain is only liquid sunshine. The wetter the better. That's what sh.... never mind. This is a family friendly blog.
So now, without further ado, I humbly and most graciously present to you...
Be Joyful. Seek the joy of being alive.
eric
Tweet
7 comments so far
Tweet
When I started shooting, I didn't really know what to do. I was almost 100% self taught and and knew that documenting celebrations of love felt right, but I couldn't really articulate why. It was a calling that I answered but lacking effective language for communication, just had to sit back and listen. I had been shooting for a little while, floundering around without any clear direction and then I found the Roots Workshop - my entire life and career changed [read about my experience HERE]
At its core, Roots is a storytelling workshop lead by some of the most incredible teachers in the country. It will challenge the way you think, see, and document and blow every single one of your assumptions out of the water while at the same time meet you exactly where you are and start from there. In one year at this workshop there have been participants who have been shooting for 6 months and others that have been shooting for 13 years and each grew leaps and bounds from where they started from - largely due to the ridiculous 2-1 student to staff ratio. There isn't any other experience around that has seasoned journalists accompany you into the field to mentor, critique, and instruct you on site, and then sit down with you back at home base and walk through that day's images - learning how to view and edit your own work is, I believe, the single most uncultivated skill in the field of storytelling today. Also, we have one frickin hell of a good time.
Roots is not about the business of running a studio, but I would be remiss if I did not mention that by employing the new way of thinking and seeing that I learned there, my business exploded. I finally discovered my vision and how to articulate what was important to me while documenting weddings. It's funny, because there is actually no real discussion at all about running a photography business but this workshop was hands down the best investment for my business I've ever made [and I have made a crapton, seriously.] In a recent blog post, Roots founder Emilie talks about spending at least one wedding's income on education each year. I will tell you right here that I spend almost 45% of my income on professional development every year. I owe it to myself and to my clients to keep challenging myself and pushing/honing my craft as much as I possibly can. I hope it's obvious that I just adore what I do but don't take it lightly. How many times in your life are you surrounded by all your friends and family in one place? When I am presented with the task of documenting the memories being made that day I know that I have put in the time and I can do it confidently.
Roots launched me on the path that I'm on now and I am very proud and excited to now be an instructor/mentor there so I may give back and help you to sharpen your skills and see the world in a better way. This is one of the only workshops that I teach at [and trust me, all the other instructors there put me to serious shame...] so if you are interested in learning from me and an absolutely mind blowing group of mentors, I urge you very strongly to take the leap. It will change your life and you will wonder what on earth you were taking pictures of before. Hands down. It changed my life in ways I am still discovering. Read about my experience as a student here: Caged Birds.
seek the joy... and see you on the Cape :] You can inquire HERE [yes, that's me with the mussels]
eric
Tweet
0 comments so far
Tweet
I'm still here. It's been one heck of a season - and it's not even over yet [8 weddings in October alone]. The reason I haven't been posting is because I'm in development of a new blog. It's looking pretty great, the design process was awesome and full of lots of really wonderful collaboration, I'm thinking you'll love it. We finished the design stage a while ago but the developer is just sort of dragging feet but I'm hoping it'll be ready to share with you all soon.
I have over 50 posts to share so there'll be no shortage of great stories to delve into... stay tuned! Both my wedding and headshot portfolios will be getting a thorough updating after the season is over as well - it'll be fun fun!
in the meantime...
seek the joy
eric
Tweet
1 comments so far
ralph says:
What a fantastic moment, and shot. Ha. Love it.
(11.11.11 @ 07:59 AM)
Tweet
So the two ended up getting married in front of this gigantic window overlooking the vineyard which made for lovely silhouettes and clean photos [you all know how anal I am about photos either being purposefully busy or otherwise keeping them clean]. Anyways, these two are pretty serious music badasses - Jess with her pipes, Mike on the 'Bone. Expect to see their names in orchestras and opera billings sometime in the not too distant future...
We seek the joy in the each others company. We love to experience new things together, but we also love the comfort of known things and the simple things. We find joy in music, delicious food and drink, laughing, and loving,We seek the joy in each other and are made better and more joyful because of it.
seek the joy
eric
Tweet
1 comments so far
sally says:
love the second shot.
(09.18.11 @ 08:51 PM)
Tweet
I wanted a glass of wine to sip while watching that.... a wonderful reprieve, powerful reminder of how important this job is. Gorgeous. You rock.
(01.05.12 @ 06:52 PM)you never cease to make me laugh and cry simultaneously. I love how you see love my friend.
(01.05.12 @ 07:35 PM)Eric. You are so silly! That's what sh.... YOU inspire me ALWAYS to be my greatest self as an artist and person. Thank you for your love!
(01.06.12 @ 11:56 AM)i. love. you. and your numbers. and #7. you are such a charmer, it's ridic.
(01.10.12 @ 05:41 PM)Hi Eric, I'm a just a beginner photographer who run into your site throw some link on twitter. And I have to say your work is amazing and really inspiring to me.
(01.22.12 @ 12:27 PM)Thanks for sharing it!
Um, an NPR ref, a thats-what-she-said joke AND all of your amazing images? Pretty sure I'm in love with you.
(01.25.12 @ 04:55 PM)you are too funny...too bad we can't work together on my wedding day..oh well. 1+ bride has serious crash on your photo! Keep up the good work!
(01.28.12 @ 07:41 AM)