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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!
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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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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Another very busy day here at the studio. We received just over 400 leads from the bridal show last weekend, and we just sent out an email to all of them!
I sent out this week’s Weekly Escape.
Plus, today I was able to accomplish something that I have been trying to find time to do for quite some time. I sent in an application to Trade Mark “The Master of Shadows”! It is going to take about 6 months to hear back, but at the time I send in the application, no one in the US has submitted a trade mark for that tag line.
Keep your fingers crossed!
Now it's back to album design.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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Well, it’s time to get back to work! The holidays are over, and we just finished the largest bridal show of the year last weekend. Don’t get me wrong, that bridal show was nothing but work…. And fun. But when I say time to get back to work, I mean the work of producing wedding albums and the such.
I am so pumped up for 2008! The business is growing by leaps and bounds and I have just hired my second employee! With any luck, she will be able to help with my album and wedding production.
I have been getting quite a few requests, five to be exact, to keep up with the blog. I never realized I had so many readers! I plan on making a huge effort with my writing, and if my new employee fits in, I will have more time to do just that. I do have to admit that I enjoy blogging. It really allows me to vent.
I was in Florida for the past few days, at the PPA convention. I took just over 10 photography classes and I was loving every minute of it. Continuing education is a big thing with me, and my customers benefit the most from it.
OK. I am off to put a wedding online and get two albums to the binder today. After that I have a consultation and then I am off to a board meeting for the PPGH. I'm Librarian this year, which means I get to read all the photography books I can get my hands on.
2008 is going to be the year of education for me!
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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The Ison family is are personal friends of Toni and I, so it was a pleasure having them into the studio. It seems that their family keeps getting bigger and bigger!
Theirs was the last holiday session of the season. Everyone’s holiday cards will be back from the lab and here at the studio on Monday. I was expecting them to arrive today, but it looks like they are going to be a day late.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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My wife really loves to go all out when throwing Birth Day Parties for our twins. The last one happened only three weeks ago now. There were a good amount of kids and parents there, and I have come to the conclusion that one or more of those parents we’re actually aliens from outer space!
The party went smoothly. Nothing out of the ordinary, although it was only their second birthday party. It wasn’t until about 48 hours after the party that I began to suspect something. Our twins had changed somehow.
I now believe that our babies have been replaced with alien spies! Spies planted that look exactly like our children, here to run experiments on my wife and I! It must have been one of the kind parents at the party that swapped our kids with the aliens, or even the owner and operator of the facility where the party was held! To the normal observer, it would be easy to come to the conclusion that the facility was family friendly and run by an individual with a passion for what he does. He was so nice to everyone. He must have been in on the abduction from the beginning!
My guess is that the aliens abduct the children of the world and insert the replacements just as the children turn two, thus keeping the parents of the world preoccupied with what they think are their kids. This of course gives them time to take over the world!
The conspiracy… yes conspiracy goes much wider and deeper than I anticipated! Tonight for example, my commute home from the studio took over 1.25 hours, and I really didn’t feel like cooking dinner. So when I got home I called my beautiful wife to see if she would entertain the idea of going out to dinner with the kids.
When we got to the restaurant of our choice, we were immediately taken to the darkest, deepest, corner table to be found. Far away from the other patrons. As if the hostess knew something we didn’t. And that’s when our two year old babies babies started their evil experiments!
I first found a green bean in my adult beverage. How strange is that!?!? The drink tasted fine however, even with the bean at the bottom of the glass. Placed there to throw me off no doubt. I didn’t flinch, acting as everything was normal. Then the psychological experiments began. Each baby craving some item of food on the table, demanding it through ranting and raving, then only to through the item onto the floor in disgust once they had acquired it. Obviously in some futile attempt to frustrate us.
There were people all around us, glancing briefly to apply pressure on us. Testing us. It was then I realized that the entire restaurant was filled with aliens! We got our food to go and headed home, our little adorable aliens in tow.
My adult beverage empty, the green bean resting on the ice. My wife at the wheel.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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Well, our holiday season is winding down, and we only have one more holiday session left to shoot. Here is one of our shots from last week that I thought you might enjoy.
This particular shot will be turned into the families holiday greeting card, which will be printed on a fabulous linen paper, the return address will be printed on the flap of the envelope, and everything will be sent Fed Ex to the customers home this week.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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The moment is here, now. I’ve worked hard to achieve a goal. Others have sacrificed to help me on my way. A lifetime of education, and a year of competing against some of the finest photographers I know, to achieve a goal, to earn the title “Photographer of The Year”.
It may seem trivial to others, but to me, it’s a really big thing. It’s part of my personal definition of success.
But now that the moment is here, there is a danger. A danger of just soaking it in and letting the moment pass, when there is serious work to be done. It would be a shame to just sit back, and let the moment pass without taking full advantage of it.
Here are my plans…..
1) Contact every wedding planner in the city of Houston, and make sure that they have they are all aware who the 2007 Photographer of The Year is, and give them the opportunity to pass this information on to their perspective clients.
2) Contact all of the best wedding facilities in Houston, and make sure that they have they are all aware who the 2007 Photographer of The Year is, and give them the opportunity to pass this information on to their perspective clients.
3) Join a national organization of Wedding Planners, and make sure that they have they are all aware who the 2007 Photographer of The Year is, and give them the opportunity to pass this information on to their perspective clients.
4) Contact Nikon, my photo lab, the companies that sponsored the awards, and anyone else I can think of, and ask if they would like to create a link to my site. This more than likely will not happen, but I might have a better chance if I pre-write an article to submit for them to post on their sites.
5) Generate a new page on my site displaying the award.
6) Higher a company to submit a press release locally, and nationally.
7) Change my business cards.
8) Change all of my advertising.
9) Change the graphics of our booth for bridal shows.
10) Change the signature of my email, blog entries and The Weekly Escape.
11) Send out an announcement in The Weekly Escape.
Finally, if you have any ideas on how I can use this opportunity to further promote Solaris, then I would love to hear from you, either in a comment to this post on in an email.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
2007 Photographer of The Year
713-524-3303
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Read Customer Reviews
We’re looking to bring a part time Photoshop production type person on board at our cushy little studio. If you ‘re a Photoshop guru and are looking for some part time work, then you are at the right place at the right time. As our team is small, entrepreneurial spirit and a willingness to learn new things are also a requirement. A healthy enthusiasm for everything photography is a BIG plus, as we’re a small team where everyone has a voice and a chance to effect the direction of our service.
Perks are vast and too numerous to spell out here, but include free air conditioning, infinite coffee, the opportunity to learn have fun, and change the world.
Please send your resume to parttime@solarisstudios.com along with a cover letter describing why you think you’d be a great addition to the team.
Initial Requirements:
Familiar with Mac Platform
Good with Photoshop
Experience Editing Weddings
Job Description:
Edit Weddings using Adobe Light Room.
Album Design using Adobe Photoshop.
Digital Retouching / Enhancement using Adobe Photoshop.
Archiving of captured images.
Blog Entries.
General Data Entry of customer inquiries.
This position could develop into a Photographic Assistant.
Part Time, 20 hours a week.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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Allison,
Thank you for booking your May 08 wedding with Solaris! Beth will be contacting you soon to schedule your Bridal and Engagement sessions. We look forward to serving you!
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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Comments have now been turned on.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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Things a re moving along rather nicely. New features are being added as we find the time to learn more about our new software and the features it offers.
For those of you here looking for examples from specific venues where you may be planning on having your wedding, please look through the categories list to the right. As we are adding all of our old entries, and creating new ones, we are trying to add locations as category tittles to make it easier for readers to see examples of specific locations.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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All back-up systems were in place and running at the time of the crash. Everything has been restored and production is starting again.
First order of business is to get the Brownn wedding online.
All appointments and portrait review sessions for the week are still good and there is no need to reschedule.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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Too bad they don't have a bride and groom dance that I could send to my clients on their honeymoon!
Aric C. Hoek – The Master of Shadows
Solaris Studios
713-524-3303
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And what did they steal? A baby bag. Yes, an individual risked time in prison over two pairs of baby shoes, diapers, and sippy cups. The silver lining is that a security guard gave chase in his car, but had to stop when the thieves started running red lights. The security guard actually got the license plate!
At any rate, we were both a bit mad last night. Toni, my most beautiful wife, got home from work about midnight. This morning, I woke up to find the following email from her and I can’t stop laughing!
The other person in the video is my son. Enjoy! I know I did as it was just what I needed.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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So, I have decided to Zig, while my competition Zags. Standard operating procedure for a photography studio is to create a website displaying their best work and not much else. This is done so the viewer will become emotionally attached. However, there really is not much else. What would happen if I provided as much information as I could?
My guess is that people would like to see more! How much more confident will people be in purchasing my services when everything is out in the open? So I have decided to make my company as transparent as possible. Visit the new site! A few bits here and there are still being worked on, but for the most part it is ready to go. The new front end to the Solaris Site was produced by Houston Website Designers - Major Websites.
PLEASE! Let me know what you think by taking the Site Survey, also located as the last link on the right of the new site.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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Top Gear is smart and fast, and it’s all about cars. Cool cars. Guy stuff. And because it’s British, it really takes a different twist on things, which I like.
Well, I was surfing through past episodes today, and I came across this. If you are tired of planning your wedding and you need a bit of comical relief, then have a look.
Houston Wedding Photograhy - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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We first meet at the Café Express located on the bottom floor of the newest building, and after lunch we don our iPods and walk through the museum looking for inspiration and insights into how we can develop our own work.
Well, David and I thought that we would give an open invitation to any other photographers or artists out there that would like to join us on our next outing. I haven't talked to Mitch about this yet, but zI amsure if he is aailable he will be there too.
Come join David and I at Café Express on October 19th at 11am. After lunch we plan on taking an hour or longer to meander around and brain storm. If you are interested, then please email or call the studio at 713-524-3303.
Hope to see you there!
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People Attending
1) Aric Hoek - Solaris
2) Houston Wedding Photographer - David Jones
3) Jennifer Schafer - Publisher of Premier Bride
4) Mary Beth Touchstone
5) Andie Smith
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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I knew that when I graduated college I wanted to be able to photograph absolutely anything with some level of professionalism. Someone could ask me to photograph a car, a building, food, or an executive, and I wanted to be able to answer with a resounding “YES” to the opportunity.
At Salem State College I began to study commercial photography, and my skills were really put to the test. Two years later I found myself in Florence, Italy taking advanced black and white classes as well as some beginning cinematography. I finished my college career at Northern Arizona University studying under Dr. Gene Balzer pushing hard to learn additional commercial photography skills. I finally graduated in 93’ earning a BFA with an emphasis in photography and a minor in business.
After graduation I worked for three different photography studios in two different states before I found my self on the Gittings team. After Gittings I managed the digital department of one of the largest and most respectable professional photographic labs in the state.
All of that education is put to the test each week at each wedding. For a wedding photographer it all comes down to one moment. There’s no tomorrow. There are no retakes. Put up or shut up. And after each wedding is over, you find that you are only as good as your last image, regardless of your history and education.
I have no idea how many weddings I have been lucky enough to photograph, but I find I still can’t get enough. Every wedding I walk into I approach with the attitude that I’m getting ready to take the best picture of my life. All I need to do is just find it.
Houston Wedding Photography - Aric C. Hoek, the Master of Shadows
713-524-3303
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Captured 8/18/08.
