Filling The Void.

Prior to the big day, I found myself studying images from other photographers all over the country, and here in Houston. A lot of what I found surprised me. I found that a good amount lacked imagination. A lot of what I found I could see as a daily routine for the photographer. A lot of what I found was not very exciting or artistic. As an artist, I find that you do yourself a huge dis-service if you fall into routine. You must always expand and grow.

I wanted to give my clients a fresh perspective. I wanted the images that I created to be so different from my competitors that people would want to know who took them. I wanted my clients to be excited about showing off their images.

The most important photograph in a wedding is the kiss. It is the moment of transformation from single life into a married couple. After all of my research, I believe that the most important shot is of the Rabbi and the boy or girl with the Torah. So I focused my studies around this image. I soon began to learn that the images I was looking at in my studies were all taken before the ceremony. Evidently, in Houston, no photography is allowed during the ceremony! Yikes!

Did you know that weddings are different all over the country? There are cultural nuances. When I began studying how to photograph a Bar / Bat Mitzvah, I made sure only to get advice from people here in Houston.

This kind of put a twist on things for me, and I was beginning to understand why so many of the images from so many of the photographers in Houston were looking alike. I noticed that there was a sequence of photographs that happens before each ceremony to ensure that everyone gets in at least one group shot. There seems to be more of an emphasis to get the family group shots, and not as much focus on the main subject. Over many years this routine from the photographers has created an expectancy from the customers.

I found that I wanted to follow suit at first. Making sure to get all of the group shots. In fact, I received a list from my clients with a list of the group shots that were important to them. Sigh…. I had quickly found myself in the same box as everyone else.

We buy what we buy because we want to scratch an itch. We are dissatisfied in some unspoken way. When we are educated to the fact that there is another way, we can be motivated to that movement if it fills an existing void. We think that perhaps, there is a better way. I wanted the final images that I created to show that there is a different way to do this. Perhaps a better way. I wanted my images to excite! I wanted to create something new.

As a business owner, I must identify the dissatisfaction that lurks in the heart of customers. And while one of the hallmarks of the Jewish community is tradition, it is my guess that there is a huge void of fresh photographic art deriving from a Bar / Bat Mitzvah. A void creadted by time limitations before the ceremony. Time limitations that create routine, which kill spontaneity and creativity. I like to think on my feet when I am shooting.

Here is the thing about art. As the viewer, you look at something and think that this is all there is… until something else comes along that is radically different. But, just because it is different doesn’t mean its good, or that the public will like it. Some will think it is good, while some will not let themselves think outside of the box. Change is bad.

If you have read any of my previous blogs, then you know that I have a basic need to excel. I just can’t let my work fall into any category of normalcy. I don't want to be in the box.

So my solution was simple. Show up early! :) Get the group shots done quicker than normal, and spend the rest of my time creating a new way of looking at a Bar / Bat Mitzvah so fresh that people will talk.

To see a slide show of the images, visit the Weddings Division of the Solaris site. There you will find a new permanent gallery, declaring to the world, that Solaris Studios is now available to photograph Bar & Bat Mitzvahs.

Aric C. Hoek
The Master of Shadows
Houston Photographer

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