We are proud to announce that Solaris has been rated by local brides and voted The Knot Best of Weddings 2008 Pick. Please pick up a copy of The Knot Best of Weddings 2008 magazine and check out our listing.
In fact we are one of only seven Houston photographers selected for this recent accolade.
Real brides know best. Straight from the source, The Knot Best of Weddings is an insider’s guide to the top-rated wedding professionals across the country, including bridal salons, reception sites, cake bakers, and photographers. With 360 pages worth of gorgeous photos, unique ideas, and advice from real brides, The Knot Best of Weddings is the ultimate planning resource for the bride-to-be who expects nothing less than the best for her wedding day. Published by The Knot Inc.
"he's truly an incredible artist!" raves one bride. "He manages to turn the most ordinary image into something special," notes another impressed Knottie. "If you want something unique and incredible, he's worth every penny spent!
Normally, there is one glitch at every wedding. At Jessica and Derek’s wedding the glitch happened just before I arrived. One of her ear rings had fallen down the drain!
The Coordinator with Envogue Events rushed to find the manager to The Chateau Polonez. Moments later a member from the staff arrived with a wench and saved the day.
The rest of the evening was beautiful and was as smooth as one could want.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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Hedi, featured in this blog entry, is the Catering Director and General Manager of The Courtyard on St. James Place. If you are getting married in Houston, and are still in need of a reception location, or ceremony location, or both, then I would highly recommend that you give her a call. She and her talented staff will give you a night you will never forget!
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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Do you ever feel as if the answer to a problem is staring at you square in the face, however you are just unable to solve the problem. For the longest time I have been frustrated with my outdoor lighting, but after lunch with a good friend and photographer the problem was solved!
What was the problem you ask?
The problem was how to light an individual outdoors, if they were standing in front of a large object, and the surface of that large object was covered in direct sunlight. For most photographers, when this happens, they expose their image for the subject which is considerably darker than the background, which causes the background in the final image to lose all detail.
Yuk!
Now armed with my new education from my friend David, I no longer have that problem.
Please enjoy this bridal session taken just last week. Take notice of the outdoor images.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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Things are really busy around here right now, and I love it! Production is in high gear as are the studio sessions.
Let me share one my recent Engagement Session sessions with. A fabulous couple, and great clients!
Enjoy!
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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Please enjoy this collection of images taken at The St. Regis.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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My senior photography is coming along very nicely, and the images that we have been creating are really exciting. I just know that I am on to something big here!
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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My wife had a fabulous idea last week. After looking at the weather report, the suggestion was made to take the kids to the beach, as we both had the day off.
It’s only a bit longer than an hour from the Hoek Casa, so the car ride wasn’t two bad for our two year old twins… once you get used to the kids kicking the back of your chair.
We pulled into Galveston only to discover a fog bank covering the entire island. As a photographer, I really find that sometimes great images can come from the worst weather.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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It was my first time photographing at Beth Yeshurun. That tends to make clients a bit nervous when I have never photographed at their location before. Logically though there is/was a first time for every place I have ever shot in. My professionalism and skill never decreases though.
Judi and Roger’s ceremony was perfect and went without a single glitch. Their reception was held at the Houston’s historic Rice Hotel in The Crystal Ballroom. Just breathtaking.
Enjoy.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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Katy and Joshua found me here and were without a doubt some of my favorite clients to date. They were so kind and so generous. And their wedding was out of this world! I don’t fully understand what Joshua does for a living, but I do understand that it involves professional stage lighting.
At their wedding they had a crew of workers install lighting everywhere. And I mean everywhere! In every tree, under every bridge, and even in the middle of the lake. The West Lake Club will never look that amazing again.
It was beautiful. I do have to admit that it really challenged me when creating my images. Without my years of experience in photography, I don't think that I could have pulled this one off as well as I did.
If you would like to see them, here is Katy's Bridal Session and their Engagement Session as well.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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From her Bridal Portrait to her reception. Elegance. In a word, that is really the best way to describe here choice of facilities as well. The Corinthian is by far one, if not the finest location in Houston to have your wedding.
View Her Bridal Portraits Here.
Enjoy.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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When you first start out as a wedding photographer, you ask yourself how you can book more weddings. Once you have accomplished that goal, and most if not all of your weekends are booked, you have to ask yourself how you can raise the average sale per wedding. This is the logical progression of the business.
And now I’m on my next question. How do I fill up the rest of my time during the week?
The answer? I have an idea. If it works or not is a completely different story.
I need to define what I mean by “if it works”. One has to define what success looks like and you have to have a means of measurement, because you really can’t improve on something unless you have a way of measuring it.
The idea is Senior Photography. I am going to attempt to create a line of senior photography that is far off from the norm that it will be totally identifiable and unique.
Keep watching for new works being posted.
I am photographing a few lucky volunteers now, each of which will be receiving complementary portraits for their time. Here are a few from my most recent session.
A senior from Lamar. Thanks Gretta.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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Carrie found me on The Knot just about a year before her wedding. They chose The Resurrection Lutheran Church in Spring as their ceremony location, and their reception was held at Shirley Acres. I can say one thing for Carrie though. She sure did have great color coordination during her event.
Enjoy.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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Unfortunately I’m not available to photograph Juan and Maria on their date as I am already booked. However, they still wanted me to create a unique Engagement Portrait for them.
Here is my last shot in the studio for this week.
Enjoy.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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Laura and Will’s wedding was a beautiful event, and as you can see from their album, Laura has enough charisma for both of them!
Their services was held at Memorial Dr. Baptist Church in Piney Point, and the reception hall was the famous Houston Country Club. Jacket required.
Enjoy.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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Christina and Coby were married late last year. I have been going back and forth on the design of their album for some time, and I have finally come up with the perfect design. In fact, it is due back from my binder early next week.
The flow of the images will show you Cristina and her Bride’s Maids getting ready at home, to The New Hope Lutheran Church, to The Sweet Water Country Club. A great reception location.
Christina and Coby’s album will be hand made with the finest leather. They care as much about hand binding their books as I do about creating images. If you ask me, they are one of the best book binders on the planet.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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I’ve been bitten by the Blog Bug again!
Let me share a wedding album with you today. This was the first time I had ever photographed at The Vineyards of Waverly Manor before. Mary Elliot owns the facility and she has really done a fine job with the location.
April and Patrick were fantastic and easy going clients. Their outdoor wedding took place right at sunset which made for some great images. The bagpipe processional made for some interesting images as well.
Enjoy.
Houston Photographer- Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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I just finished reading a book by Seth Godin called Meatball Sundae. For me, Seth is a marketing Guru, and without a doubt I will be reading his book a few more times to make sure that it all sinks in. At the very least I am now an avid reader of his blog.
Welcome to the new age of marketing. If you own your own business, read his book. Run, don't walk. Get a copy now.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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There is no perfect wedding album, there are only perfect wedding albums.
Watch this video and you will understand why Solaris offers it's clients seven different packages, with 6 different albums to chose from, consisting of four different styles of album design.
By embracing the diversity of our customers, we can provide a better service.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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I wanted to share a few individual portraits from a session I did yesterday in the studio. I have been using a new photographic process as of late that allows me to highly manipulate my backgrounds.
You would think that it is done with a green screen as a background… but it isn’t.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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