Manual Focus

The Magic 'Aint Gone - Starring Kristen and Lincoln

Today was awesome. let's just start with that.  I met up with with my most favorite Garden State residents Kristen and Lincoln.  And Stephanie.  Though Stephanie wasn't getting her picture taken.  She was just there to guard the gear and make sure no crazy brown pigeons stole our gear.

So Lincoln and Kristen.  They were engaged a LONG time ago.  Actually, they are already married.  That's OK, though.  We still decided to shoot some awesome pictures anyways.  It was pretty sweet.  We headed out to Brooklyn Heights and while Stephanie marveled at tug boats, Kristen, Lincoln, and I went picture taking.  Kristen starts graduate school on Tuesday, so this is prbably one of the last times she'll get to see Lincoln for about three years.

Oh and by the way, if you have any shoe questions, don't ask Lincoln.  He's got no clue.

Enjoy the photos...

and here's a little contest.  prize goes to whomever can come up with the best explanation for what's going on in this photo.  Leave your answer in the comments.

seek the joy!

:e:

eric laurits | NYC Wedding Photographer

Adriana. Just Adriana.

First off.... THE NEW SITE IS LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Check it at ericlaurits.com  I'd love to hear what you all think.  Leave a comment below or just drop me an e-mail [eric@ericlaurits.com]  I still haven't figured out the music yet, so I have a temporary piece on there for now.  [Those of you who know me know how I am about music.  I've logged 34 hours already in search of the right tune[s]] It's is actually my favorite song! [it has been since the day the album released]  Nellie jean by The Slip off of Angels Come on Time

now to the good stuff...

Adriana was just amazing to be around today. She has that kind of energy that just make you constantly smile... I think i may have been smiling behind the camera more than she was!  Anyways, In addition to the headshots :e: style, Adriana also wanted  some test images for a new comp card, so we had a marathon session today.  A Miami native, Adriana doesn't very much like the cold.  As in 75 degrees.  And she can Kick my butt in Spanish.  I know about 9 words [amazing, seeing ho I took 9 years of it].  And Adriana is, what we like to call in the biz, beautiful. All in all it was just an awesome day to be a photographer!

One cool thing to check out in the photos below... Adriana knows her type.  She actually knows her type fantastically so she came super prepared... hey other actors, do you know your type?  Do you know where you can push the envelope and where you need to stay true to form?  Think about it.  Adriana is incredibly castable in general, but also her comp card is going to help her immensely in the commercial market because she's really on point...  And her clothing choices... pretty brilliant, if you ask me.  Suggestive, NOT dictative.  That's important to avoid pigeon-holing...

anyways, here's some images...

a headshot

some comp card stuff

seek the joy.  and be awesome.

:e:

and music of course
Cursillistas
Son of Tom
Bree Sharp

the enlightened one

[NOTE] My website will be up and down for the next couple of days.  Thanks for your patience while I switch servers and get the new one up and running[/NOTE]

for now though.... check out the NEW HOTNESS!!!! ericlauritsweddings.com

today I got to hang out with the coolest guy ever, Chris

Chris has had a pretty incredible year, spending time in Africa and New Mexico in between his never ending acting jobs. if you ever get a chance to go to his apt, check out the fantastic art on his walls [done by his mom, a painter], and the sweet pics he brought back from Africa.  Pretty much the coolest thing ever. 

oh, and if you ever ask him for directions, be prepared for a diatribe that will last much longer than you expect... much much much longer.

seek the joy!

:e:

Julie the Latte Girl

Julie and I met up today on the upper west side to make some pretty pictures. Good times were had by all.  Despite the imminent threat of downpour, we managed to snap off some pretty sweet stuff.

So Julie is a Starbucks Barista.  Yup.  Anything about coffee you could ever want to know, just ask her.  She'll give you the 411.  She also grew up in the same place my dad did.  Bonus points of you can guess... here's some clues.  Home of Jerry Seinfeld and the Baldwins... leave your guesses in the comments section below.  Julie's mom is an Opera star... that's actually how Julie got into theatre.  things led to things.... you know how it goes!

here's a few images...

seek the joy!

:e:

Glennnnnnn

a bleary eyed eric headed out to Times Square today to meet up with Glenn and snap some new headshots.

Glen is basically the man.  How do I know?  Well we spent the first 15 minutes of our shoot talking about bodies.  CAMERA bodies, you sicko. he's getting ready to go SLR... and that is very exciting.  Maybe the highlight of the whole day was when we were headed out to the Hudson to start shooting and we passed the crack bagel factory.  it was awesome.

So Glenn just recently got back from Denver, where he was in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. And he's like 40 feet tall.  You get major bonus points if you can guess his ethnicity... leave your answers in the comments section below... and Liz, you can't play.  Most of these shots were taken at the UPS major truck depot.  fun times...

seek the joy!

:e:

and MUSIC, of course...
Nizlopi
Yusuf Islam
Silverchair

kim + brian | engagement

After just getting back from Malibu, I pulled a quick 180 and drove down to Alexandria, VA to shoot another amazing couple... Brian and Kim.

Now before I get into the imagery, I should relate a little story.  I left the house at 5am and somewhere in the middle of the NJ turnpike I got a flat.  No big deal.  Pulled off and went to change the tire.... little problem.  The pickup is sooooo old and rusty [read REALLY manly] that without taking off the entire bed, it's impossible to get the spare out.  Crap.  Called AAA.  it's a private road so they don't service.  Tripple Crap. Called NJ Turnpike authority... they came, looked at it and were like, "Is this an '01?" Um.. '01?  1901 maybe.  so they went to get me a new tire but couldn't find one 'cause they don't really make tires that small anymore [it's a 13 or 15 I think].  Had to go to three different shops around to find one. After two hours the red fella was finally back up an running.

CUT TO - DRIVING HOME

So I finished the shoot and got in the car and and hit "Go Home" on the GPS.  Then I zoned out as I was listening to presidential candidate speeches on CSPAN radio.  After about two hours I realized... "I'm still going West?  What's going on?"  So instead of me heading back up the coast, the lady that lives inside my GPS was taking me out west.  Why?  My "Home" address had not been changed from my old Denver address.... ungh.  So I pulled a U-y and finally made it back at 4am... it was a wicked long day.... but just wait till you see the pictures...

Brian and Kim are so perfect for each other, it's not even funny.  They met early on in their first year of college [they went to the same school I did!] and have been together ever since.  From crazy escapades in a $200 van in New Zealand to Portland, OR these two have had some amazing adventures and travels together.  I can only imagine the incredible life they're going to have together.  This is them :

we bounced all around DC and Alexandria... it was so great.  First stop was the U.S. National Arboretum where they have the original pillars from the very first Capitol Building.

"funny" story about that ring.... you'll have to ask them.

then we headed out to this amazing old school river lighthouse and snapped off some more

i am so moved by this image

then we went to Safeway... not really but yes really.

fun by the fountain in downtown Alexandria

Brian and Kim, I can't WAIT for your wedding!

seek the joy

:e:

eric laurits | Virginia Wedding Photographer

Stacy + Jason | engagement

so two days ago I flew out to LA to shoot some engagement shots of Stacy and Jason.  This is them ::

it was GREAT!  Stacy is one of my best friends from high school and now she and jason are filmmakers out in the City of Angels.  They have the cutest house out in Burbank... and after the session I was treated to a viewing of The Fountain on their 7,000 million inch TV [business expense... sweeeeeeeeeeet]  If you haven't seen The Fountain, you have to.  Darren Aronofsky's first film since Requiem for a Dream.  It is outstanding and mind boggling. AND Hugh Jackman is actually good. [what is this world coming to?!?!]

Anyways, so we just HAD to get a shot by the Hollywood sign... just because movies are such an important part of their life.

and on our way we went spelunking

then we headed out to Malibu and played on the beach... and yes, Jason "fell in" but it was all fun and we were laughing about it for hours.

the filmmakers

the ring

the beach

jason and stacy! [and a well placed seagull]

I can't wait for their wedding in september and to see all my favorite people from high school... gonna be one kickin' time...  Love you two!  see you wicked soon.

seek the joy!

:e:

ps.. and of course... MUSIC!
Mark Abis
Greg Brown
State Radio

the NEW SITE!

attention one and all!

the new [read awesome] site is almost here!  A few posts ago I promised you a few screenshots and now here they are.  I'm pretty excited about it.  Pretty nervous, too because as you'll soon see, it's really getting away from showcasing what everyone else is showcasing... so I'm all on my own here, and it's pretty scary! What makes me different as a wedding photographer is the artistic flair that is infused in my photojournalism work. So now [hopefully.. did I mention I'm nervous?!?!?!] my site will really reflect that.  The amazing folks at livebooks have been helping me realize this with incredible compassion and swiftness.

Most of you know that I really value artistic simplicity, so I've really pared everything down.  Less less less.

• galleries section [the galleries are cool, you'l have to wait to see them, though]
• stories section [showcasing featured weddings in the form of still frame cinematics],
• enrich section [the :e:nrich program has grown!!!!! not only do 20% of my prceeds go to a charity of the couple's choosing, but it now includes free bridal/TTD shoots for brides who donate their gowns to Brides Against Breast Cancer and free honeymoon coverage if the couple spends their honeymoon in volunteer service [big props to my friends at LaCour for inspiration here]- very exciting!]
• outreach section [contact, login,info, blog....]

take a look...

anyways, I'm nervous but excited and sleep deprived and nervous but really pumped to almost have this thing ready to share with you all.

I'm in LA, Virginia, CT, NYC, and NJ shooting in the next 4 days [figure THAT one out] so I'll be not so much in touch.  But be well  and I'll drop a note after this little whirlwind adventure let's me sit down for a second.

seek the joy!

:e:

Blog Tag

Well, it’s happened. I knew it would eventually. I have been blog tagged. Yup. My new friend and super stalwart photographer Shyla has officially it’d me and now I have to share 8 personal things about me. I guess that’s good ‘cause I’m not usually in the habit of sharing loads of personal info on my blog… so without much ado…

8 things you now know about me that you didn’t before. Maybe. 

1] A Varied Life – my life has been one whirlwind adventure after another. I’ve been the MA Jazz MVP Soloist twice [on the bari sax], I’m an EMT, I have a BA in Music, an MFA in Acting, I’ve been Off-Broadway, I spent a year in the AmeriCorps [the domestic PeaceCorps],  in college I played soccer and volleyball, I assistant coached D3 women’s volleyball, I directed an all male a cappella group for 3 years in which I did vocal percussion, I was once kicked out of bed for said vocal percussion while someone next to me was trying to sleep, I am a juvie fiction nut, I’ve taught waterskiing, I’ve been in a bunch of bands including :: STAGGER, Fly on India, Pair-a-Dice Tossed, The Art Sands Project, The Great Panda Abduction, The Great Panda Rezerection, The Effable, and many many solo projects. Now I'm 27.

2] All American – the quickest way to my heart is Apple Pie [homemade, of course] or Strawberry Shortcake. Or ice cream. I can tell people’s personality from their favorite ice cream flavor. My favorite is Cookies and Cream. Ben and Jerry are my friends. 

3] City Life – I now live in the city of all cities, but I don’t belong here. I belong in the woods somewhere or on a farm driving my beat up red pickup. I’m an outdoors freak [hiking, cycling, kayaking, you name it] and this stint in NYC is making my soul bleed. I’m moving soon though… stay tuned for updates on that!

4] Most Embarrassing Moment[s] – as many of you know [thanks to Kylee at Blu] I appeared on the cover of 5280 Magazine. I would love to tell you because it’s of my photographic prowess and keen eye… alas. No. I was on the cover of the sexy single issue. Yup. Basically saying of all the people living in Colorado [I was in grad school in Colorado at the time] that can’t get a date, I was the one who couldn’t get a date the MOST. Denver is always talked about as being the best city in the country for singles and so thus by the transitive property, I am officially the biggest loser in the USA. I can’t believe I’m sharing this… if you really want to see a picture, click  

5] Stumpjumping and Snowmoboarding – My best buddy Ben and I invented a couple sports. Both are crazy awesome.

• Stumpjumping is where you sprint through the woods wearing no shirt and jump into a half frozen river and swim upstream and then do pushups in the mud and then run back home. I totally have scars from that.
• Snowmoboarding is basically tying a waterski rope to the back of my car and going out in snowstorms before they plow any of the roads and strapping on a snowboard and going crazy. It’s kinda awesome.

6] Pet Peeves – [EDIT 08.25.08] - my mother said she "doesn't know how she feels about pet peeves..." and i guess she's right.. funny how she always seems to be right... so instead I decided that I'd list some of my FAVORITE things about people... sheepish grins, really dorky senses of humor, peccadilloes,

when people are trying to be angry but they can't help laughing at the ridiculousness of it all, wit, their ability to just say... oh well!, their capacity for kindness, and their eyes.  I love eyes.  I could stare into them for years... one reason I love shooting headshots so much.

7] Love - I’m so in love with life and what I’m doing, it’s kinda not funny. Am I still single? Yup. Is that OK? Of course. I’m way too busy anyways… and I have a bad habit of cussing like a sailor and being remarkably inappropriate.

8] Writing – I write all the time. Currently I have two unfinished novels, 8 unfinished plays, two unfinished musicals, and 4 unfinished screenplays. I’ve finished two one-man plays, 87 poems, and 236 cheesy love songs on my guitar. Want me to write you a song? Just ask. 

C’mon, ride the joy train…

Now it’s my turn to tag… he he he

Ann Hamilton shoots puppies

Gene Higa will be posting from the furthest away place you can imagine ‘cause that’s how he rolls

Ty Miller will probably tell you all about how much he loves Dalton’s new Starbucks

Corey McNabb may tell you all about quoting movies and being a rockstar

Amber and Nathan Holritz are my new future friends

Charles Bordner will definitely mention Okinawa

Regina Holder will definitely mention Lennox

Tina Carter just might be hiking right now

 

Be Joyful.  Seek the joy of being alive.

:e:

oooooooh

OH MAN!  Awesomeness. 

seek it.

:e:

ps.  you get a fun personal post tomorrow, so be sure to check in...