Welcome.

For the past 22 years photography has allowed me to live with passion and purpose.  From nothing comes an idea; from that idea comes a client; to that client I present a portrait; from that portrait comes a lifetime of enjoyment. This is my creative process.

Solaris is the name of my studio. Beth, Jennifer and I are here to serve your needs and provide you with a product that is so much more than a simple piece of paper.

As basic as it sounds, you can look at a photograph as many times as you want.  Because of this, a photograph can literally give you a lifetime of enjoyment.  That’s why photographs are so valuable.  That’s the power of a good photograph.

As you look through my portfolios you may begin to notice a style. A philosophy.  It is my hope, that when my clients look at the portraits that I have created for them, they feel a deep sense of gratitude.  Gratitude for their relationship to their spouse.  Gratitude for their beautiful healthy family.  Gratitude for their career.   Gratitude for their pregnancy. Gratitude for life. Gratitude. 

When a portrait is taken, and the main concern of the artist is simply to extract a smile from the subject, then the final image is judged by the quality of that expression and not much else.  It lacks depth.  However, when the subjects are placed into a mental state of gratitude when the portrait is taken, where thoughts of things they are grateful for are evoked, the final portrait will be one of immense depth.  The final portrait becomes something that you want to treasure because it reminds you of what’s important to you.  It reminds you of what you were thinking of when the portrait was created. It should remind you of what gives you meaning and joy in your life.

My name is Aric Hoek, and I’m a professional photographer.  It has taken me 22 years to develop my own unique style of artistry, and it’s one that I'm proud to put my signature on.  I'm grateful for the talent that has been given to me and the knowledge that a portrait is not merely a physical product, nor a simple piece of paper, but an emotional product that is meant to be treasured.

No corners are cut in the production of my original works. Each portrait is created with passion and signed by hand.

Respectfully,
Aric C Hoek - BFA, CPP
The Master of Shadows.

Contact.

Accolades

Aric Hoek photographs his clients all over the world, including Venice, Paris, Versailles, Las Vegas, Scottsdale and Banff.

Aric’s photography is about capturing the moments, and the essence of the person in those moments. His work redefines wedding photography, and has been described as Fine Art by his clients. Aric has become a teacher in the photographic field and his seminars have taken him to multiple professional photographic organizations in the United States.

Aric has been interviewed by Photo District News Magazine (PDN), Premier Bride Magazine, Weddings in Houston Magazine and the Bellaire, Memorial, West University, and Tanglewood Buzz Magazines.

In 2007, Aric was awarded Photographer of The Year by The Professional Photographers Guild of Houston.   The PPGH currently has 225 members and membership is available to professional photographers only.

Additional awards earned by Aric in 2007 include Best Bridal Portrait and Best Illustrative Portrait from the PPGH, two merits from The Professional Photographers of America and two merits from Texas Professional Photographers. Past PPGH awards include Wedding Album of The Year and First and Second Place overall entries.

Aric has served on The Board of Directors for The Professional Photographers Guild of Houston, and is currently active member adhering to their code of ethics.  Aric frequently sits as a judge during monthly PPGH print competitions.  Additional professional organizations that Aric holds memberships in, and is in good standing with, includes the Professional Photographers of America (PPA), Wedding and Portrait Photographers International (WPPI) and The Texas Professional Photographers (TPPA).

Aric has achieved his Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in Photography, and a Minor in Business, from Northern Arizona University in 1993.