Check Out Eric Doolin’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Doolin.

Eric, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
From a very young age, art was a means of communication and self-expression. Sketching and painting were the first two mediums I started out using, which allowed me to master composition and lighting. I was later introduced to photography by my Grandpa, who gave me his old film camera. Drawn to the ability of capturing moments in time, photography became one of my greatest passion in life. I went on to attend Brooks Institute to earn my Bachelor of Arts degree. Upon graduating, I initially pursued fashion photography. I worked for celebrity fashion photographers and had the privilege of working with celebrities like Kris Jenner, Kendal Jenner, Nick Carter, Jordan Knight, Brad Garrett, Madison Hildebrand, and many others. During my free time, I was working on building my own portfolio of fashion imagery. I had the opportunity to work with brands such as OPI and Anthropologie and even have images in Vogue Italia. Though I am proud of the experiences I had, keeping up with the latest fashion trends became exhausting. I found that the lifetime of my photographs were short-lived because fashion is ever-changing. I wanted my images to have more impact and leave lasting impressions on viewers.

A few years later, I decided to dive into the world of wedding photography. I’ve discovered that wedding photography is a culmination of so many different genres of photography. I am able to utilize my fashion background when taking photographs of the couple, but I also have the responsibility of capturing architecture, food, lifestyle, products, etc. There are so many elements that go into planning a wedding, and the variety of subjects is one of the components I enjoy the most. I initially formed a wedding photography business with a business partner, and she and I worked hard to break into the wedding industry. We eventually parted ways, but I decided to rebrand my business and continue pursuing wedding photography as an individual business owner. It was the best decision I ever made. I have been working as a wedding photographer for over five years now. Wedding photography has not only allowed me to make a living doing what I love but is the outlet where my imagery can be cherished for lifetimes. I put my heart into every wedding album I make, and seeing my client’s faces when they view their images for the first time is one of the greatest feelings in the world.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Forming a business takes a lot of work and patience. Rarely do you see results right away. It takes time to build a network of clientele and a name for yourself. Over the years, I have had to overcome so many obstacles, but the vision I have for myself and business has propelled me forward. Social media is a great example of an area that requires a lot of discipline and trial/error. I’ve had to learn what types of images people respond to, what color treatment to use on my images, how to create Instagram Reels/TikToks, which hashtags to use, etc. It has not been easy. Social media can be a very discouraging tool, especially to creatives. Rather than comparing yourself to others, use it as a learning tool.

Another challenge I overcame was taking control of my narrative. When I first broke into the wedding industry, I was operating under a partnership. Though I am grateful for the lessons learned, I had a hard time getting my voice and visions represented. It felt like I was back to assisting other photographers rather than the two of us leading a business together respectfully. Creative people are very passionate and sometimes have a hard time compromising. If you are considering forming a business with someone, make sure you and your partner can both compromise, share the workload, and respect one another. Now that I am an independent business owner, I am able to deliver products and handle client communications in an authentic way.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in photographing weddings, engagements, and portraiture. I’ve been working as a photographer in the creative industry for over a decade. Photography has allowed me to follow my passion as an artist and partner with others from around the world. My work is heavily inspired by fine art portraiture and combines photojournalism with contemporary art to curate a romantic story of each wedding day. Natural light, real moments, emotion, and color are my biggest sources of inspiration. I seek to photograph couples that have an understanding of their style as a couple and who aren’t afraid to think outside the box. I’m humbled to say I’ve worked with brands such as OPI, BHLDN, Stitch and Tie, and tgbBrands, and have publications in Vogue Italia, Vogue.com, The Knot, Green Wedding Shoes, Bridal Musings, The Guide: Palm Springs Life Magazine, Black Bride Magazine, and more.

What does success mean to you?
So many people believe that success is a sum of money, net worth, or status in life. Success isn’t an outcome – it’s a feeling. Feeling successful can be achieved in many ways. Maybe you aced a school exam, volunteered at an organization, attended a workout class, or received recognition from a parent, coach, or teacher. Whatever caused you to feel good about yourself, that’s the feeling of success.‌

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.ericdoolin.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericdoolin/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EricDoolinPhotography
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/ericdoolinphoto/

Image Credits:
Photography – Eric Doolin Photography