Archive for 2006

After 21 years I have come to realize that photography isn’t a visual product, it’s an emotional one. It’s a product of personal identity and the ultimate symbol of undying love, time, passion, elegance, and achievement. For many, their photographs become their prized possessions. With cameras so accessible, how do you chose a photographer to [...]

Even if we are alredy booked for your wedding date, that doesn’t mean you can’t have me photograph your engagment or bridal portraits. Continue reading to see images from an engagement shoot done just this morning.

Last week, I was given the opportunity to photograph my first Bar Mitzvah. I loved it! When I got to the shoot, I was nervous. This was my first time photographing a Bar Mitzvah!

I have found the secret to the ultimate good time at a reception. All you need to do is add some Marines and an open bar! Last Saturday we had a good amount of Lieutenants at the wedding and reception. The ongoing punch line was “Lieutenant Dan”. Turns out, this more than pleasant couple will [...]

Aric C. Hoek The Master of Shadows Houston Wedding Photographer Houston Family photographer Want to receive notification of updates to my blog? Look to the right of this post and subscribe. Do you appreciate this BLOG on any level? Want to support Solaris? Help us spread the word and add a link from your site [...]

/Begin Shameless Promotion Warning… this is a shameless attempt at self promotion. Stop reading if you are not interested in helping out this blog. If you would like to support this blog, then I would like to ask if you would read a short story and click a link. The link is not an advertisement [...]

My neighbor is getting married soon, and she is really planning a beautiful wedding. In fact, she is planning a destination wedding outside of the U.S. Solaris is not shooting their wedding as I have a family and friends policy. At any rate, my neighbor stopped by yesterday because she wanted some advice about what [...]

After two months of photographing families of The North West Houston Mothers of Multiples, the day of the unveiling was here. From 10 – 12 today families came to pick up their portraits and the party was a big hit.

Ah yes. Dorothy’s famous line in Jerry Maguire. I kind of felt like that yesterday. Normally, when I make an entry into my blog, I try not to toot my own horn…. I got back form lunch to find my next appointment already waiting for me at the studio. They were early, and so was [...]

Let me start off by saying…. I don’t know. Toni came home from the NWHMOM meeting with a good amount of questions people have about the party this Saturday, and here are my thoughts….

This entry is a bit more on the personal side. As you may or may not know, my wife and I have one year old twins, and their birth day party was last Saturday! Just over 40 people attended. I thought I would share some of the images. The cake was flying, and my boy [...]

It’s Monday at 4:25 pm, and I am in The Woodlands, which is North of Houston. I am here to give a talk tonight to the Woodlands Photography Club. My talk doesn’t start until 6:30, so I have a few hours on my hands. I got here early to avoid traffic. Beth and I spent [...]

It’s Sunday, November 12th, and I am at the studio getting ready for tonight’s wedding. I just got off the phone with my bride for tonight’s wedding to giver her some added assurance that her photographer will be at the church on time. My equipment is packed, and I have about 30 minutes before I [...]

I should be retouching right now, but this message is important.

  Strong.  Great directional light.  Additionally, this image was shot at a high ISO to increase the amount of grain in the image for effect.

What is a wedding? After years and years of professional photography, I have come to the conclusion that it is a language. Every planned detail is a statement. Each statement prepared and presented.

I went to this small par 3 course this morning after dropping the kids off at day care. I got paired up with a guy named Garry. He is a bit of a beginner like myself. At any rate, I got the question. “What do you do?” Aric C. Hoek BFA, CPP Professional Photographer

Holiday Cards Now Available! It’s Monday, and as promised I am launching a complete line of holiday card designs! Pricing is as follows: 1-20 are 2.99 each 21-50 are 1.99 each 51-100 are 1.75 each 101-up are 1.50 each

OK. It was last Friday and I was doing my thing in the studio photographing a family. I was in a zone. Moving from my camera to my clients to arrange the composition of the image I noticed some people standing in my studio. I didn’t pay them any mind because I had worked so [...]

What Is That? Is that light at the end of the tunnel? Not a problem, I’ll just snuff that right out. A quick review. Over the past two weeks Beth and I have successfully photographed our first 16 families! WOW! Not to mentinon two weddings. And according to my schedule, we have another 8 families [...]

I had an idea last night. I love those A Ha moments. The special that I am running for The North West Houston Mothers of Multiples involves printing a wall portrait for each of the families. Because the special was free for the families, I need to find ways to save money while producing all [...]

I know the world of wedding photography. I live it. But family portraiture, now that’s a different story. I have worked for many many portrait studios in my life, and I was very selective in the studios I worked for. But until now, I have not attempted to run a family portrait business on my [...]

Every so often I take an image and I just know that it is going to be good. I took this last Saturday, and all weekend I have been chomping at the bit to get to work on it. Without a doubt I will be adding this to my website. Normally, when a bride is [...]

I took these in the studio a few days ago now. I have since learned that she is a pilot and he is in law enforcement. Way cool. Aric C. Hoek The Master of Shadows Houston Wedding Photographer Want to receive notification of updates to my blog? Look to the right of this post and [...]