.....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]
I am a working photographer. I am not a rockstar, my blog is not a resource for brides or for other photographers or for anyone really, and I don't roam the country giving seminars and workshops. I shoot. I wake up every day and hustle my ass off and it feels great. Some days I have highs, some days I have lows. Some days I worry about money, some days I do not. It's part of what we do, us who are in the craft. That's what this is - it's a craft - and I am craftsman first, small business owner second. If I wake up one day and have no money, I can still make powerful imagery for people but if I wake up one day and can't make images that make people feel anything anymore, it doesn't matter how successful my business is or has become or how much money I have in the bank, I am a failure. I am breaking the hearts of couples that have trusted me with documenting the creation of their family, with all their friends and loved ones there to pat them on the back and whisper, 'We are so proud of the people you have become.' Because of this, my work comes first, before my self, when it comes to promotion and getting the word out. I could be the nicest guy in the world [which I am not... but I am brutally honest, so that has to count for something, right?] but if my images were garbage I could never stomach shooting something as important as a wedding celebration. That's family history you're messing with...
The road I am on is not a shortcut or a path to something bigger or grander... there really isn't anywhere I'm dying to get. All I want at this point is just to improve myself and the imagery that I create a little bit every day. I want to improve the soul of my images. I'm not looking for new post processing techniques, different ways to market and sell, the latest gadgets or software, or the brand new absolutely must see resource blog. Not interested. That doesn't enrich my perspective nor does it make grow. I want the heart and depth and internal life of my images to continue to get stronger and stronger. I know that I am standing on the shoulders of thousands and thousands of brilliant shooters that have influenced every single aspect of my craft, from the mundanely technical to the beauty and art of delicate composition. I may never attain their influential status or popularity, but that's OK. The grandfathers of this incredible medium set a pretty high bar, after all. I don't really pay attention to what my peers in this industry are doing because, well, it doesn't inspire me nearly as much as the documentary shooters of yesteryear... and some of the one's working today, too. It is so easy to make wedding imagery mediocre and I refuse to fall victim to it! I grow by studying the greats, not the populars.
This journal entry is coming off 6 weeks of straight travel to DC, Ohio, England, New Jersey, Virginia, California, Colorado, and of course, my beloved New England. I have seen both coasts, the middle of the country and the motherland across the pond. Traveling always gives me pause because the normal exploring that I occupy my time with at home - whether it's the bari, bass, guitar, bike, the farm, the pup - are not with me so my patterns and habits are broken, and that frees my thoughts. Today I went for a lovely 15mi run through miles and miles of Ohio cornfields just starting to awaken and stretch a little bit before their work for the season begins. It got me thinking about the differences between polishing an established craft and destroying and reimagining it. I see merit in both and to each his own until twos each own.
I've never claimed to know a whole lot. In fact, I think that in the grand scheme of things I know very little. One thing I'm sure of though, I am a working photographer and that's right where I want to be. I am always happy to lend a hand or offer any advice if anyone wants it, but creating important images for those amazing people that trust me to do my thing, that is what I cherish. I don't have appropriate words or an appropriate venue to let the world know how grateful I am, but if you are one of the three people that follow along on my adventures via this journal, thank you. Your support means the world to me and I hope I can make an important image for you someday.
seek the joy
eric
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14 comments so far
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Here's the kicker - I don't care. I don't give a shit about pretty because pretty doesn't make me feel, It makes me bored. It's shallow. You cannot see who is in pretty, you can only see what is in pretty. What is boring but who is fascinating. I do not waste my time with pretty.
I do honest. It isn't making or creating, there isn't a creative bone in my body. I observe and I fall in love. I wake up every day and I fail just a little bit more than I did the day before. My failure rate increases exponentially as I grow and every single day I struggle to the point of exhaustion and though in the end I emerge trampled, I have just enough strength to forge ahead because I believe in what I do with the utmost conviction. I believe in the power of honesty and truthfulness to show us a reflection of individuals' actions [and thusly of humanity as a whole] that fundamentally asks us to question who we are and why we behave the way we do. Behavior defines character. Environment shapes behavior. Don't be a lemming. We have enough of those.
Plus I like cake. Actually, that's a lie. I'm a pie man.
seek the joy
eric
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scott williams says:
Great post, agree with everything you said except the pie bit. I'm a brownie guy.
(03.13.12 @ 10:50 AM)
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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
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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
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1 comments so far
ralph says:
What a fantastic moment, and shot. Ha. Love it.
(11.11.11 @ 07:59 AM)
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GREAT POST e... THIS is so real and this motto! says I will be around for a while just like Ralph Lauren classics never die.
(03.28.12 @ 10:16 PM)brilliant. you are an amazing photographer and your work speaks for itself.
(03.28.12 @ 10:31 PM)i can't wait for you to shoot our wedding in 80 days!
(03.28.12 @ 10:33 PM)As always you remind me what it's like to live truthfully and fully. Love u!
(03.28.12 @ 10:36 PM)Well, I'm sure there are more than 3 of us following your adventures here - and posts like this are exactly why. I love every word of this, Eric - and I admire your dedication to authenticity in what you do, it's the first thing I noticed when I discovered your work. I'm not a full time wedding photographer, but I do a lot of 2nd shooting and I always stop here first for inspiration. You're right, it's family history we're dealin' with - and it's no small thing. Keep doing what you do man. And p.s. - 15 miles, damn! ;)
(03.28.12 @ 10:37 PM)The wedding world could definitely use a dose of :e: about now. Thanks!! xo
(03.28.12 @ 10:39 PM)Great post!
(03.28.12 @ 11:04 PM)Hello fellow traveler of life and the world at large. Good to hear from you again. Wish we kept in touch more. Sometimes it's our connections to each other that make the journey even better along the way- the shared smiles, the shared laughter, the shared meals and moments. ;-) Since the only end I see to this journey is death, enjoying every little step along the way becomes even more important. Thanks for living it and reminding others what it's all about. (((((( HUGS )))))))
(03.28.12 @ 11:09 PM)It would be criminal if your stories only were to reach 3 people, as the whole world would benefit from your inspiring and refreshing view on your art and on life. It wouldn't be characteristic of you to give yourself that credit, so I'm glad to see that there are many more than 3 people to do it for you.
(03.28.12 @ 11:14 PM)seek the joy ... not sought; not seek later. I'm grateful for your intent to be in the present. I'm looking forward to your 2012 stories Eric.
(03.29.12 @ 09:39 AM)refreshing to read this Eric. Been such a pleasure to view your photography. Strong work will always endure longer than frills, gadgets, photoshopping.
(03.29.12 @ 12:03 PM)Love to read your posts. So thoughtful and well written.
(03.30.12 @ 02:35 AM)This one made me pause and consider my own path and reasons for photographing... I'm happy to say it was a positive reflection looking back at me.
Also, too true about traveling. The breaking of habits is what we all need sometimes.
Karen
this is such a fantastic post and true blue, through and through. i couldn't agree more! i love that shooting is more important than making money. you do it because you love it and you want to make a difference. i would rather be doing than watching any day. it's like watching sports on tv rather than out in the fresh air getting your heart rate up. peace. enjoy the journey.
(03.30.12 @ 09:44 AM)You look through the camera and capture the soul--that in itself is pretty freaking spectacular, never mind that you are an amazing artisan!
(04.01.12 @ 12:00 PM)