Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Lee.
Eric, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started taking photos of my son when he was a baby, almost 17 years ago. At that time, I didn’t know I had an interest in photography since I had never owned a camera before. One day, I had the idea to document my son’s smile, and that’s how I began clicking photos.
As time went on, I started traveling abroad more frequently. During my travels to countries like India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bolivia, and Cuba, I encountered many young kids working on the streets. I often found moments where my son’s image overlapped with those of these working children. This inspired me to help them by purchasing their school supplies and donating to a couple of nonprofit organizations.
I typically traveled around the world during the wedding off-season. In 2013, one of my friends, who was already an established wedding photographer, invited me to join him as a second photographer. I focused on capturing perfect candid moments throughout the day, while my friend took care of the must-have wedding photos. After participating in about 30 weddings with him, I gained the confidence to lead weddings on my own.
I then decided to work with a nationwide wedding company as a lead photographer, while also assisting my friend as a second shooter when I wasn’t booked. To date, I have photographed more than 450 weddings, capturing countless memorable moments.
The best part of being a wedding photographer is the opportunity to work with individuals from various ethnic backgrounds, allowing me to learn about their cultures and cuisines. Although different cultures and norms can sometimes pose challenges in my work, they also provide valuable experiences that help me grow as a photographer and improve my problem-solving skills.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Overall, my experience has been quite smooth, but I did encounter some challenging family dynamics due to miscommunication and a lack of understanding. I found that the most difficult and time-consuming part was getting to know each other in the beginning. However, I was fortunate to meet a very friendly family who welcomed me warmly on the wedding day. Many families have since extended our relationship, reaching out to me for their annual family photos, as well as maternity and graduation sessions. Ultimately, the most important lesson I learned is the value of mutual understanding and effective communication.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Being creative is easy to talk about but challenging to achieve. Most of the time, I try to think outside the box. While many photographers and artists claim there is a golden ratio, a “perfect” frame, and composition, I find that when I expose myself to their work, it becomes difficult for me to create my own art; I tend to replicate their ideas instead.
Wedding photography requires a balance of traditional and artistic photos. My approach on the day is quite simple: I work like a ninja. This way, I can capture genuine moments of people who may not even realize they’re being photographed.
Although wedding photography is one of my professions, I am also passionate about documentary and editorial photography. I was fortunate to be present during the early days of the Black Lives Matter movement in Washington, D.C., Minnesota, and Portland. While I haven’t had the opportunity to exhibit those photos yet, I did showcase my travel artworks from 2015 in Athens, Greece, and I participated in a group art exhibit in London two years later. These experiences were immensely rewarding, and I would love to pursue them more seriously once I take on fewer wedding assignments.
One thing I take pride in is my ability to analyze patterns and anticipate what will happen, allowing me to wait for the perfect moment to capture the right shot. I’m not a continuous shutter photographer; I don’t feel the need to click excessively. I’ve learned this through trial and error.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
People were surprised by my photos because we often forget how valuable our smiles are and the impact they have on others. Those are the moments that people cherish for a lifetime. Many remember me as a photographer with a knack for capturing these special moments.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ericyclee.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eleeweddingphotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eleeweddingphotography/
