Tomorrow is my first bridal session of the year.  Heck, It’s my first shoot of the year, too, and I can’t wait to work at the incredible Laguna Gloria again.  I’ve been shooting bridals for years, and know all the tricks to get you to relax in front of the camera.  I know hundreds of poses to find the most flattering angles for you.   I know all the best photo spots, too.

But this year I’m adding something special to my shoots.  That je ne sais quoi that takes the pictures to the next level.  Something that makes you look at an image and just know that it was taken by Eric.

All throughout last year I began to prepare for this year.  It started during the typical wedding slow time in the late winter, when read Outliers: The Story of Success.  I was so inspired and motivated I bought and read and the rest of Malcolm Gladwell’s books. Mastery he says comes after 10,000 hours of a task.

10,000 hours? Thats 5 years of 40 hours a week (or 1,250 8-hour weddings)

But I had an ace up my sleeve. I was going to shoot 150 different couples over the course of the year, and with each one I evaluated everything: what time of the year, and even the time of the day was the shoot? What was the location they choose to have as their backdrop, and where were the best photo locations within that location? What did they wear, and even how did their bodies move?

I began to tweak my style, ever so slightly, heading in a different direction than I had been shooting in the past.

Now, this year, I’m excited to share that with you, and the rest of the world. Stay tuned. I think you are going to LOVE it.

The first few days of 2012 have been a blur. For as long as I can remember this has been the case. We always seem to say that the holidays start earlier and earlier, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Christmas, Birthday, and New Years.

Did you see that progression, look carefully. If you are a Capricorn, you probably saw it right away. The birthday squeezed in between Christmas and New Years.

Even in this crazy busy time of yeaer, so many of you found a few extra minutes to think about me, and I’m so grateful. My mailbox was full of cards, I couldn’t answer the telephone fast enough, and so many of my Facebook friends sent me their best wishes.

It humbles me, because there’s no way I can repay each and every one of you in the same way.  Thank You.

It’s New Years day.  I’ve eaten my black eyed peas, and kissed my wife at midnight.  Yesterday I declared one of my 2012 resolutions, I have several more, but they are private and not related to weddings or photography, so I’m not going to share them – Yet…

But, right now, as I enjoy my first steaming cup of coffee for the new year, writing in the pre-dawn light with my two dogs snuggled against my side on the couch, I begin to think about resolutions, and risk.

I think back on all my new year’s resolutions:  exercise more,  learn how to sketch, or finish the bathroom remodel this year (all previous resolutions of mine).  I also think about bigger risks I took like getting married, or moving to Austin, or starting a wedding photography business.

Funny thing is – on all the little risks, I’ve struggled, and failed (I can barely draw a recognizable stick figure), but on the bigger ones, I’ve been amazingly successful.  Sure, it’s not always easy, and the rewards to the risk aren’t always incremental.

But how does this relate to wedding photography?  That’s what this blog is about anyway , right?

Sure is, and that’s why I want to chat about photography risks.  How do you know your photographer will get great shots?  Odds are you’ve never done this before – had a professional photographer take your picture.  It’s a huge risk – your wedding is the one day you NEED great photos.

I’m going to suggest you build time into your day to allow for great photos, and take a risk to trust your photographer.

If you want great portraits of the two of you – set aside time for that.  Did you spend a lot of time planning details and decoration?  Give your photographer a list of all the details, and carve out 20 minutes in the schedule to allow them to photograph them once they are all in place.  Perhaps you want pictures of all your guests – You guessed it – plan for it, and then let me do my thing.

Risk isn’t something that should even be a thought when it comes to photography.  It’s not for me.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding.  At least I hope you are getting married, or at least helping someone plan a wedding.  You see, I’m a full-time wedding photographer in Austin.   That’s what I do.

I love my job.  It can be a lot of fun, always going to fancy weddings, but I’m not there to have a good time, I’m there to get you incredible photos of everything happening.

And this is my website, a place for you to come to (hopefully often) to learn more about how I work, to see some great pictures from weddings I’ve had the privilege of photographing,  and get some tips on what you can do to have the perfect wedding.  Most people only plan one wedding in their lifetime, and go to a handful per year.  I attend on average a wedding per week.  I’ve been doing this for the past 6+ years, and have photographed well over 400.  I’ve seen it all, and I’ve got some stories to tell.

Today is my 41st birthday.  It’s also the last day of 2011.  My new year’s resolution is to make my website your go to resource for wedding photography in Austin.   I’ll share something with you everyday: how to pose, where to find some of the the best Austin Photo locations, and a bunch of other wedding tips.  I want to help you learn just a little bit about what makes a great photo (Hint: It’s not about the camera), and make you, your family, and all your guests feel super comfortable whenever I’m around (Another Hint: This is what it’s about).

This is what my website looks like today.  Over the next 12 months it is going to change.  I have no idea exactly how it will end up this time next year, but I want to have a snapshot to share with you.  Some of the things I’ll be doing is showing real pictures of Austin wedding venues decorated, and other detail shots to get you inspired, and excited about your wedding.  So be sure to bookmark me, join my facebook page, and follow me on Twitter.  I’m excited to help you get great wedding photos.