A little bit ago I made the drive out to Ithaca, NY along the winding back roads, farms, horse and buggies... such a wonderfully quaint area of the country. Did a little dining at Moosewood, did a little dipping in the water. Good times were had by all. The highlight of the trip, of course, was a wonderful celebration of Bridget and Brian at Cornell.

Currently split between Providence, RI and NYC these two have pretty much kept Amtrak in business while Bridget has been in residency [internship? one of those med-school things]. We shot their Together Session in Providence and I was wonderfully excited to join them in Ithaca a few months later. It's very obvious from spending time with them that they are just two peas in a music filled, sing along with the radio pod. Wonderful friends and families - Brian's dad and brother sang a beautiful number during the ceremony. All in all a merry day. A merry day, indeed. I now, very humbly, present to you...

the most beautiful story of Bridget and Brian [click me click me!]

seek the joy

eric

In Ipswich a little bit ago I was fortunate to spend the day with a charming pair - Michelle and Dave. Michelle has this awesomely infections laugh and Dave has this hysterical, somewhat devious, grin - both of which were in abundance that day. The day itself was absolutely beautiful and as all the guests rolled in to Turner Hill it was evident that they both come from incredibly strong and beautiful families that welcomed me in with open arms. It's always such a treat to be there with people watching beauty unfold and the creation of a family.

You all may see some familiar faces in their story... :: Brian and Natalie [and Pappa Joe who did their flowers!] who got married on the exact same date last year :: Andy and Jackie who are awesome - Andy officiated Bri and Nat's wedding ast year and he and Jackie run my most favorite place on the planet. Andy is also this guy.

I now most humbly present to you

the most beautiful story of Michelle and Dave [click me]

seek the joy

eric

The Roots Workshop. I've been back in the real world [well, if you can call what I do the 'real world'] for a handful of weeks now but my experiences down on the Cape still resonate with me deeply. Every year I've been there I have come away so inspired and this one was no different at all. Listening to people speak so passionately about what they do and what they believe in, seeing light bulbs going off left and right, listening to the ocean underscore the evening critiques and presentations. The word idyllic comes to mind but not just because of the incredible setting that cradles the workshop experience each year - it's all about the momentous energy and enthusiasm that we collectively create.

I was out in NYC a few days ago hanging with a fabulous pair... Sarah and Jonathan. These guys know how to seriously pack in the punch. I literally flew in, started shooting, and didn't stop until I had to get in a cab back to the airport. Fun times.

Sarah is a nutritionist of sorts - though to hear her eloquently speak of what she does, it sounds like it's a lot more about helping people tear down their walls and get their life back on course. You may want to take a gander at her site. Very cool lady. Jonathan is in the middle of internships or residency or something... all I know is that he's a doc in the ER right now and has some intense stories about trying to figure out what language people are speaking so he can find the right translator. Good times. Two awesome people doing their part to make this world we live in better for all of us.

Thanks, guys. You rule times ten.

seek the joy

eric

Not too long ago I was down in NYC for a little adventure I thought I'd share... a while back I got an e-mail from a lovely little airline, JetBlue requesting some info from me - they told me I'd been nominated to be profiled on their TrueBlue [customer loyalty] website, on the TVs on their planes, and on posters in the airport. I was humbled indeed, and the truth is I never shy away from an opportunity to talk about what I do and why I think it is important. So I was flown down to Chelsea and spent a day being shot and interviewed by British phenom, Alan Mahon. He was great, the folks from the production crew and ad agency were gracious, mellow, and witty - just my style - despite being in a city that I clash with something serious. I felt like I could actually breathe and relax, which is more that can be said about when I used to live there.

So the campaign has finally launched - I've been getting little notes from random people that saw me on the back of their airplane seat just saying hi, or telling me that in a world where it seems like people's relationships are being turned into commodities it is so refreshing to hear someone not talking about table linens, flowers, and silly vintage typewriters. That warms my heart. I don't do this because of the stuff. Lord knows I don't do it for the money.  It seems like people are constantly being told by magazines, billboards, and tv commercials that they aren't beautiful enough, thin enough, cool enough, or anything enough.  The truth is, you are. I love that about you. You are perfect just like you are.

I do what I do because I honestly feel that the preservation and aid in establishment of family legacy is of the utmost importance. We are who we are because of the people that have come before us and paved the way. We seem to live in this crazy weird society where everything is so focused on youth, staying young, looking young... forget it. Sage and wisdom comes with years and with experience. Be silent while your elders are speaking and otherwise show them deference.

So here are the two videos I'm in. THIS ONE is the intro and I close it out. THIS ONE is the little interview piece that you'll see on the airplanes. Fun times. Thanks to everyone involved - it was an absolute blessing to share some time with you.

Be Joyful. Seek the joy of being alive.

eric

Texas invades Beantown for a weekend - a lovely lovely May weekend with a wonderful breeze jam packed with boots, country music, and kind folks. Laurie and Dennis made a quick trip up from the south to share a beautiful day with their nearest and dearest. I always enjoy my time with them.

Much thanks to heather from Simply Inviting Weddings for keeping things organized and running flawlessly. I was talking with the officiant and he was telling me stories of the last time he was at The Liberty Hotel - the last time he was there it was to council the prisoners... that's so cool.  You can almost feel the old souls wandering around that place... well.. almost. I now, very humbly. present to you...

the most beautiful story of Laurie and Dennis [click clock click clock]

seek the joy of being alive

eric

The weather had a complete mind of it's own - bright sun, torrential downpour, lovely evening and sunset. Someone must have been messing with the dials. We had a lovely time at the ICA, Jean-Pierre Salon, Renaissance Hotel, and the Korean Church of Boston. Much fun. Much fun indeed. I now very humbly present to you...

the most beautiful story of Laura and Bryan [caaaaalick]

seek the joy

eric

first star to the right, straight on 'til morning. That's kind of where I felt like I ended up while sharing a beautiful morning sunrise with Kristan and Todd down in Plymouth, MA - home of so much American lore...

My day began at 330a with prep and though there wasn't a clean sun breaking the horizon, the three of us enjoyed basking in the morning stillness that comes only at time of day. Wandering through the dunes, rocks, beaches, old shacks... life just seems more beautiful and interesting when you are playing with the fringes. I really can't wait to spend some more time with these two - come on November!

seek the joy

eric

We just had a wonderful premiere, complete with chocolate covered strawberries, so now I'm happy to share with you the imagery from beth and Conor's celebration up in Cape Elizabeth, ME. I always love shooting in Maine. Kind of feels like home. Always has. 

Conor and I have a long history dating back to summer swimming competitions and high school soccer state champs - he and my brother were the same class and ended up going to college at Bowdoin together. I'm sure you recognize his pretty face from my bro's images... I have only recently had the pleasure of meeting Beth, anesthetist extraordinaire, and general awesome awesomaire. They are just delightful.

the most beautiful story of Beth and Conor [click click click]

seek the joy

eric

This is Sam and Austin. Last time we hung out we were ice skating at sunset and it was wonderfully frigid. This time out it was an absolutely impeccable May day. Sam runs a fun company called 9 Tailors which outfitted a whole bunch of folks that day. These two are so chill and hilarious, if you ever get the chance to hang with them, I am a staunch advocate of their presence.

Much thanks goes to Linnea and Francie of Tangorra Wedding Planning for just being rockstars and making this celebration at the Boston Harbor Hotel fly without a hitch... plus, it was Linnea's first wedding back since her little one arrived. Awesometown. Also, be on the lookout for a kickin' video from a chap named Morgan who was there documenting as well. You can click here to read all about his and emilie's philosophy towards shooting weddings and click here to see some of his sweet personal projects. I'm totally looking forward to checking that out and I'll be sure to brief you when it's up. Finally an awesome shooter that isn't in all my shots :] For now, I very humbly present to you...

the most beautiful story of Sam and Austin [click me!]

seek the joy

eric

My brother got married to a lovely lady named Beth in March... and we finally had our premiere on Sunday so I can share the images with you all now ;] most of the photo credit goes to Shyla while I was tied up with best man duties.

 You may even get a glimpse or two of yours truly in there somewhere...

the beautiful story of Beth and Brian

seek the joy

eric

I had a lovely recent trip out to Santa Barbara to spend some time with Danielle and Erik [and crazytown maid of honor Shyla] and, dare I say it, fun was had by all. While I've never been all scream and shout 'go west or go home,' I will say I did enjoy hanging out on a bluff feeling the warm air from the mountains and the cool air from the ocean doing a little dance around my face while I was exploring with my camera. Not quite the northeast but pleasant nonetheless :]

Above are a few from the day - Shyla will probably put some up on her blog, so you can head over there and take a peak if you want the full story. So for now, enjoy the few above.

seek the joy

eric

Sometimes I think of storytelling as a movie poster. You've got the names above the title, the title, the rest of the cast and crew... I like to think of where people fit in that hierarchy and spend the appropriate amount of time exploring their starring role or investing in the way that their relationship supports the storyline and how they interact with the main subject and throughline.

Sometimes I think of storytelling as a tree. There's the big trunk and roots that support everything and all sorts of branches that offshoot from the main body. What's so great about this thinking is that, if you pay attention, you'll notice that every branch, like the tree itself, has a beginning-middle-end as well. Those branches are gold - you can learn so much about a tree just by exploring its branches, buds, and even the fallen leaves. If every tree out there just had a trunk, the forests would be bare. Don't forget to explore the branches. I very humbly present to you one of those branches from a recent celebration in Boston...

Throughline of a Flower Girl [Click me!]

seek the joy

eric

On a brisk and windy Sunday I made the trek down to providence, RI to spend some lovely time with Bridget and Brian who will be getting married out in Ithaca, NY this summer. Despite the gale force winds, sub-arctic temps, and noontime sun, it proved a marvelous day. 

There are some times when you just sort of smile just because. No real reason... or no real reason can be articulated. Just because. It's not a smile of hiding something, not a smile of over enthusiasm, just because. It's not something you do, it's something you notice. I have always believed that a smile should never be something that you consciously do, it's something that you notice you've unconsciously been doing. Just because.

seek the joy

eric

Just as the spring breeze started toying with the buds on the slowly waking giants here in the Northeast, I was paid a visit from a charming couple in town for a high school reunion. Hayden and Ryan are currently living life out on the West Coast but will be returning to Manchester by the Sea in October to officially become one family. I'm really looking forward to spending some more time with them - they have a wonderful energy and a character that brings a smile to my face.

Mehldau is coming through my speakers right now - a tribute to Elliott Smith, actually. It's the type of melody that just sort of dives in and goes wherever it's going to go... you can't hear the finish point at the beginning of the piece.  Joshua Redman hops on board for a spell, throws in his two cents, guides it on it's path then delicately fades away with a grin on his face. Just there to support what's going on really. I think good storytelling is kind of like that. The story is already there and the true task of the storyteller is to observe that and help present it in a way that is understandable to people who couldn't be there as the story was actually unfolding. Journalists talk a lot about being witnesses for the world. I guess it's kind of like that... 

seek the joy

eric