Here is something new for the year 2020: we will be booking photography sessions for High School Seniors! 

Yes, this is exciting news, so share our page with your friends and family and let them know! 

Because of our action sports background, we will focus on those who are actively involved in sports and fitness or after school activities such as dance, music, art, and more. We want to give you an amazing service and experience, and we bring our Pro Sports expertise into the world of High School Seniors to create unique timeless environmental portraits that the seniors can treasure with their families and friends. 

We are opening a limited number of sessions, and they will be reserved on a first come first serve basis.  

You can learn more about portrait sessions and view the galleries here. 

In the month of February, we will also select our High School Ambassadors. The High School Ambassadors will receive photography sessions and their choice of commission or products as they help spread the word about our photography sessions.

To check out the program requirements and apply for the High School Ambassador role, please click here.   
 

We are enthusiastic to bring our expertise to serve High School Seniors and their families, and cannot wait to work with you! 

With Gratitude,

Elena @ Earchphoto Sports 

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We were there at work with Spekture Magazine, and while you can view the full Indycar Classic article here, we figured we'd share a few images on the Blog, too.
 

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Rookie Colton Herta took home the win and got the first Indycar Classic trophy, with the mandatory cowboy hat, #becauseTexas.  

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Next stop for us will be at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with big news in the lineup, as Pippa Mann will not have the pink No.63 that we all got used to, and while several of last year's sponsors are returning, the livery and the number are different from the 2018 DonateLife car also. This year, Pippa will race the new No.39 Driven2Savelives Chevy for Team Clauson-Marshall Racing. Let's go Pippa! 

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After the Indy500, we will then return to work Indycar in Portland, where last year we had the pleasure of seeing Taku win the race! you can check out the article from the 2018 Grand Prix of Portland here. 

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Stay tuned for more, and follow @earchphotoauto on Instagram for more of our motorsports photography.

If this is your first visit, welcome, and thank you for landing on the new Earchphoto Sports website; if you are a returning visitor, thank you for coming back to visit us. We appreciate the time you wish to spend here with us.

This is our new virtual home. The big remodeling effort is now completed, and we have officially separated the Editorial Pro Sports Photo Agency from the commercial photography website. 

In the next couple of days we will move here all the old sports-related blog posts, and then we will start posting new materials.

Stay tuned!

Earchphoto Sports

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Have you ever asked yourself why you hunt, what is it you love about hunting, about those days of adventure and full immersion in the wilderness, about sharing your stories with fellow hunters? I know I have, and my friends have, and just this week I was thinking of many amazing moments, and how I wish I could have preserved those - especially those that I had the fortune to share with friends and family member who are no longer with me. And then it dawned on me, that our work is a way to showcase and preserve those amazing hunting stories, and honor all hunters past and present.
Let's work together! Let us create an amazing experience for you, to celebrate the passion for hunting and the great outdoors!
Book your I Hunt Because session here!

At Earchphoto Sports, we meet with hunters everywhere to share their stories and honor their passion for nature, conservation and wilderness. We know first hand the feeling of anticipation while we wait in a tree stand, the camaraderie with fellow hunters, the determination to face all challenges we may encounter out there, the pride of coming home with a prize, and the joy to serve a dish with meat we harvested ourselves.
We are beyond excited to offer these sessions, because we believe hunting holds a primary role in conservation, and is also a family legacy for many of our clients and for us. With these photoshoots, we aim to showcase and celebrate the preparation and the process with you and your loved ones who share your passion for hunting. In fact, our goal is to serve you as an individual client, and at the same time promote and grow hunting but collecting some of our clients images and footage in a video to showcase hunting and promote a healthy life in the great outdoors.

Join us this May for a fun 60-minute session honoring hunters everywhere, and you will receive a FREE Facebook timeline image and profile picture, plus you may use your session fee toward any package purchase. Booking your session will also entitle you to special pricing on prints and wall portraits only available during this event.
Take this opportunity to honor your passion for hunting and nature, and to share this step with your family and friends who may want to join you on this path.
Book your I Hunt Because session here!

BONUS:
Bring or refer a friend or a family member (or more) with you a $25 credit toward your package for each person you bring.

We look forward to being of service to you, and to share amazing stories!
With gratitude,

Earchphoto

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You can see the post here. 

#TeamAMR

#LeMans24h

#AMR

#Allan 

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A while back they published a sketch showing the horse with a kid, with the message that some of us do not really function in the world of words.

Well, yeah - that's totally me. I definitely don't function well in the world of words! 
I was the child picking fights on the playground because there was no way I could ever win an argument with words - and my mama had to come talk to the principal and drag me out of trouble, lol! Yep, welcome to my world...

Some of us do not function in the world of words.

Children always ask difficult questions. Someone once asked me why I am a photographer. Had to think about it for a second. Did I mention I'm not good with words? ;)

I picked up a camera when I was sixteen, it's just the way it is and it's always been. Me, I'm the one with a camera - and I've never thought of looking for a why.
And then it dawned on me, right then and there.
I'm not that good with words - but with a camera, well, I can say something.

A photograph is my way to say - I see you.
I see you. You are not invisible to me.

And it's not just for the high moments and the victories and records and celebrations. I'm here for the hard times too, and the hurting and the struggle.  This camera is here to make you see strength and beauty and performance on the days when you feel weak and have doubts.
And I'm here to stay even when others turn their back and walk away. And I'm here to be of service to you. And I got your back no matter what.

I'm here, here to stay, here to say - don't give up, keep going, stay strong.
I'm here for you.
I see you.
You are not invisible to me. 

Because it's not about making the front cover or the ad billboard - it's about loyalty, it's about gratitude, it's about support.
And this camera is here for you to know all this. 
Because some of us do not function in the world of words.

And that is my why.

with gratitude,

Earchphoto

#youarenotinvisible
#noneed4words
#becauseitsallaboutloyalty
#becauseitsallaboutgratitude

#findyourwhy

Today we look ahead, but we do remember how we got here :)

First women soccer match I ever photographed was by this goalkeeper's side.

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An interesting day for sure, and as I know now, in hindsight, a life-changing day. It was a quick-n-easy assignment from a random fitness magazine. Mark, my PR back in L.A. (yes, the ex boyfriend, whatever, the PR guy) had gotten me the job: take about 15 or so shots to showcase players' athleticism in a professional women soccer league match. Why not, I thought, they even allowed me to choose which match to shoot, so of course I picked my favorite team, the Seattle Reign, one of the teams playing in the new league. They were not doing well at all at that time, but hey, it was still my team. It was season one of the National Women Soccer League, when the team home field was all the way South near the airport, like an hour drive away. I was new to shooting women soccer, but had shot pro hockey and pro football before for a couple of years, and I always regularly shoot motorsports, both car and motorcycle racing - Mark figured I could cover soccer as well. Plus my family is Italian, and it's a national sport there. And so I said ok, I'm cool, I'll do this. And off we go to shoot a women soccer match.

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Once on the pitch, I sat by that goal for the first minute  and wondered what was I thinking - both of us, really (yes PR guy I'm talking to you)... I'm not a sports photographer really, I'm a commercial shooter, what in heaven's name am I doing this 'soccer thing' here for? Never played soccer in my entire life - sure I enjoy watching the game and cheering on the team, but that's about it. What am I doing here? I'm an architectural/industrial photographer by training, and tend to avoid shooting public events because I don't mix well with the media and reporters and all of them news gossip people to say the least. What am I doing here?

After about a minute of second guessing, I thought just run with it, and started working. I would have been there to watch the Reign game anyway, and it was just a one time assignment,  and I'd sure go back to shooting wastewater plants and hospital buildings the next day.
Well, kind of. Because two seasons later I'm still here by that goal.
Same team.
Same keeper.

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They say wise men change their mind. I guess wise women do too.
Because it wasn't a one time thing.
And I am forever grateful to this 'soccer thing' each and every day, and for much more than I could ever put into words.

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Women soccer has taken me places I would have never even thought of, for both league games and national team games. I have to thank soccer for several good friendships, and also for business connections and generating work projects with sponsors and clients that have grown my photography company and taught me so much. Thanks to women soccer for so many fun days of work and finding my 'happy place' on the pitch. And it's thanks to soccer that I have had the opportunity to spend most of the summertime in Seattle for two years in a row, and Lake Washington is now becoming my home away from home. And yes, I 'm sure the whole city still looks at me funny when I wear my cowboy boots and say y'all, but in this place up NorthWest I always find peace, more than I ever have, anywhere else I've lived.

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If someone had told me on that first day at Starfire, that two years later I would be traveling all over the country for NWSL and USWNT matches and shooting the world cup, and that I'd be working at the NWSL Championship final tonight - well, I would have had a good laugh.

And yet I've been running all over throughout the season, and spent good part of this past Summer at USWNT practice sessions and sendoff series matches, and then in Canada during the FIFA world cup.

And there are no words I can find to describe how thankful I am for that opportunity of working at the world cup and taking part in that journey, and seeing the US team and our own Seattle keeper win.
Our team.
Our keeper.

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Two seasons later, and a whole lot of league games later, it's now year three of this women's league and I'm still here by the goal at every game I can make, hiding behind the lens in the keepers' corner.
And I'm still not a sports photographer after all, or that's my excuse so I can be my antisocial self at times (or so says the PR guy who's proofreading this blog on Evernote). Much definitely not a photojournalist at all, not my style - I'm that one that will miss the winning goal to shoot a player who's smiling or adjusting cleats or gloves, or the light hitting a US flag or a jersey, or a sponsor banner. Yep, I'm still very much a commercial photography gal at heart, with advertising and promoting in mind 24/7.

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And still the half outsider who doesn't want to mix with the news photographers and much less with the chatty reporters, and always looks busy and 'in the zone'. Or maybe just being the introvert I am, and doing the antisocial thing - I'm here to work, that's it, no time for small talk, move on, I've got stuff to do, I'm finding beauty out here. And I keep coming back to this corner, rain or shine, and looking for the light.

Woman of habit? Maybe, or maybe not - I've never been big on routine behaviors.
Woman of loyalty? Most definitely. That's totally me being me - loyal to the end, maybe even loyal to a fault as some of my friends will say, through everything and anything. And loyalty has always been a common thread in all my photography projects, so it's no surprise that it ends up connecting the dots once again.
Same team.
Same keeper.

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And I am a total believer in this 'soccer thing' now.

And to all the sport promoters and coaches and players who say women soccer can make a difference, well hey, if there's someone out there who doesn't believe y'all yet (yes I still technically live in Houston, Texas), here's your witness, another testimony that women soccer change lives, because it's true.
Because indeed it did change mine, and I don't even play. It didn't need to change anything, it was perfectly fine already, or so I thought, and I never even asked for it - but it did, and for the better, and it still does, every single day.
And I'm grateful beyond words for this discovery.

And I'm here to stay, here to look for the light and practice gratitude in the keepers' corner.
Same team.
Same keeper.

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We don't do throwback Thursday, we look ahead.

And today is not just 'another day at the office' on a soccer pitch. Today is the day we've been waiting for, and I'm honored to be here and be a witness.
Today is the day we win the NWSL championship.
Because it's our time to win.

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Thank you Hope Solo. Thank you Seattle Reign FC.
This soccer thing really turned our to be an amazing adventure - I'm so grateful to be here, and always looking forward to the next step and the discoveries to come.
My team.
My keeper.

And now let's go win this thing.

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#becauseitsallaboutloyalty
#becauseitsallaboutgratitude
#becausegoalkeepers

What is Earchphoto? Who are we, what is it we do?

Earchphoto (ˈēˈär-kˈfō-(ˌ)tō) is a commercial photography company. We are commercial photographers - we look for the light.

If you expect your photographer to be an unbiased observer, a documentary shooter, well - then we are not the company for you.
However, if you are looking for a photography company to stand by your side and share in your vision, and become an evangelist of your mission and activities or products - then yes, you have come to the right place. We are here to help.
Because #EarchphotoBelieves

We create images with those companies and individuals that we believe in, those we always wholeheartedly support.
Sure, we are a for-profit company, and we are in the business to make a profit after all.
But there is more.
We created this venture with the purpose of carefully selecting a group of people, brands, businesses, and teams, that we support and help grow and wish to showcase to the world.
We proudly stand behind each and every one of our clients: architects, contractors, designers, manufacturers, models, trainers, athletes - every single one of those we decide to work with.
We believe in their vision and work to help them move forward and innovate.
We believe in brand consistency, and we will protect our brand - and yours - down to the last pixel.

This applies of course to our commercial work - but also represents the backbone of our editorial collaborations with magazines, newspapers, and media outlets. And this is why we carefully scrutinize and hand-select the few media outlets we agree to collaborate with - to make sure that each and every single one of our images is used for a the purpose of promoting and supporting a client.

Always remember that, even when we are on assignment for an editor, we remain commercial photographers at heart: we shoot to SHOWCASE, ADVERTISE, and SUPPORT the people and brands that we believe in and are loyal to.

We strive to show the best in everything and everyone.
We look for the light.
We believe in loyalty.

Find your light with us at earchphoto.com

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#showcase
#advertise
#support
#lookforthelight
#loyalty

And while we will be on the other side of the world for the FIFA Women World Cup, we'll be thinking of all of our friends racing and working in Le Mans.  

The championship is just at the beginning, and Aston Martin Racing so far leads in both LMGTE Pro and Am classes.

After Le Mans, five more races will take place to decide the WEC. The teams will move to the Nurburgring in August, the Circuit of the Americas in September, Fuji in October, and then the last two races will be in Shanghai and Bahrain in November.  

We will be once again covering the US race in Austin, TX - always our favorite racing event of the year.

Best of luck to everyone getting ready in Le Mans, and see you all in September!

In the meantime, enjoy a quick slideshow from last year's race in texas.

With gratitude,

Earchphoto

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#TeamAMR

#AstonMartinRacing

#FIAWEC

With gratitude,

Earchphoto

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They say when you go through a traumatic event in your life, your senses are sharpened, you remember the scents, the sound all around you, and you take snapshots and can remember what you were wearing.  Well easy for me to remember the Dash jersey I was wearing ;) haha… but I remember exactly what was going through my mind, my body and my heart the moment I tore my ACL.

My Saturday started out pretty typical for game day.  I enjoyed a good breakfast and then made sure my garage apartment was cleaned up before I picked my parents up at the airport!  I have to say, I am one lucky girl; my parents have been traveling all over the country, and even the world (Russia for my U20 World Cup!) to watch me play soccer! But this time it was extra special because the day before, April 11^th, was my 27^th birthday, and it was a fresh new start with the Houston Dash! After opening my birthday gifts (including Toews Blackhawks jerseyJ), I rested up and got into game mode.

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After a good sweat in warm-ups, we headed back to the locker-room for last minute prep and change into our jerseys. I took a moment to pause, take a deep breath, and open my Bible for a few pieces of scripture.  I was ready.  Walking out onto the pitch at BBVA Compass Stadium gave me chills. It has been a journey to get here on the professional stage, and holding the little girls’ hands as we walked onto the field only reminded me how blessed I am to be standing in the shoes of women I used to (and still do) look up to.

The whistle blew for the first minute of the inaugural season for the Houston Dash and the first minute of the 2014 NWSL season. My adrenaline was pumping, sweat dripped down my face, and a crowd of cheering fans was decked out in orange in the stands.  Just over a minute later, something felt weird in my knee. The noise of the crowd became a hollow cheer. Time almost stopped…

“Did that really just happen, could it be that I just did what I thought I did?“… My season flashed before me … “Stop thinking about that, you’re fine, just walk it off”… then my knee buckled when I tried to jog… “Maybe I just hyper-extended it”… I didn’t feel much pain though, so I told myself it must be nothing—to keep pushing. But I knew something just wasn’t quite right, I had a feeling of what it could be…

This battle went on in my head which felt like forever as I started to head to the bench to talk to my trainer.  Suddenly I realized the game was still going on and Portland was on the attack. They streaked through the midfield as I watched them run by.  Haha oops, I was in my own little world. I’m pretty sure Jordan Jackson was wondering what the heck I was doing, hahaha:/!  Shortly after I came off the field and my knee passed the ACL test several times.  We taped me up to protect the hyper-extension feeling I was describing—and Coach asked me if I could go or if he needed to sub me. I did a few runs down the sideline to test it and then stepped back out on the pitch.

I went up for headers, tackled, blocked shots, but each time my knee gave out on me.  I literally gave everything I had, “maybe I can just run it off”, yet each time it was tested, I couldn’t do it.  Becky Edwards and Nikki Washington kept checking in on me, and I responded, “I don’t know what to do, it just keeps giving out”.  Finally, I just couldn’t do it anymore. I pulled myself out in frustration and embarrassment. I was hurting the team more than helping.  Talk about a humbling experience.

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After halftime, walking back down the tunnel from the locker-room, I saw my Dad leaning over the stands. I reached up to him for a hug. He didn’t say anything, but he gave me so much comfort.  I didn’t bring up the thought of my season being over. But I knew it… and I think he did too. I told him “I tried so hard to run it off Dad, I just couldn’t do it anymore. I didn’t know what else to do. I tried so hard”.  He just hugged me and said “I know honey, I know”. I kept going… “Dad I feel so embarrassed, nothing even happened on the play!” and he just rubbed my back and hugged my head and said, “Shhh, there is nothing to be embarrassed about”.  That is a moment I will never forget.

The next day I had to move slowly. My parents and I went to Church for Palm Sunday and then we met up at House of Pies with my agent. Mmmmm, talk about yummy pies, hehe. When I sat down in the restaurant I realized how stiff and swollen my knee was getting, but I didn’t let myself break down. I spent the day with my parents before I dropped them off at the airport.  Never once did any of us mention the possibility of a torn ACL, but I think we all knew.

When I got back to my apartment, I awkwardly climbed into bed, and just laid there for a minute. I had my parents, my friends, my teammates/coaches/fans there to support me and keep me smiling, but I still had the worry/uncertainty/emptiness that sat in a pit in my stomach.  I then leaned over, grabbed my Bible and devotional, and started reading.

The devotional I was reading at the time, In Touch With God, gave each month had a theme, and April’s was “Blessing from Pain”. I started to read through starting on April 11th, and for the first time, the tears came. My vision was blurred with the pain, but at the same time it was a cleansing experience.  With every injury in my career’s journey, my frustration filled me to bursting. I’d push through, but it was a struggle. This time, reading those reflections, I experience something new: peace.

I will never forget this moment I finally understood how pain can empower us.

This is what I learned that day.

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Lesson 1: Be a Witness

“It is the way that you behave during your suffering that shows other people that you have a secret source of strength available to you; an inner joy that does not depend on your physical circumstances; a peace that can only come from God.”

Why do bad things happen to good people?  I think we’ve all questioned this—I know I have—and it can shake us to the core.  The possibility for that inner joy gave me peace with my ACL injury because I knew I didn’t have to endure the pain alone. After my last wrist surgery, I knew I couldn’t do it again—I couldn’t go through another injury.  Now I understand why—I was trying to come back from every injury with something to prove, “I am strong enough, I am tough enough, I will get back and be better than ever”. That’s exhausting and unsustainable. It’s painful to see articles written about me with the notion of “if she can stay healthy”.  It hurt my pride more than anything, and that kept joy out of my life.

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God won’t shelter us from going through tough times; we need those experiences to be better people.  Instead, He promises to comfort us and give us strength—if we set aside our egos and accept those gifts.

So last April, was I struggling? Yes. Did I have the strength myself to get through yet another surgery on my own? I don’t think so. This time I would have to fully give into God—His strength is much greater than mine.  And I’ve learned that, when I stop focusing on pushing myself through my physical trials, and give it over to God, He will get me through it. My walk in my faith has encouraged me; it was His strength not mine, that would get me through this.

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Lesson 2: Trust—in Faith and Friends—is foundational

“Trials strengthen your faith and build your character. God promises that if you are willing to trust in Him in the midst of your trials, He will rescue you from them”.

An injury can make you feel forgotten and alone. It wears you down physically, mentally and emotionally.  Studying my devotional from those days, I learned the more I surrender my pride, the more I am free from worry and pain.  I still get frustrated and cry out on days when feel like I am hitting a wall, but I can truly say I know it will be okay because I have my trust in the Lord.

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As I read through the April 12^th devotional (game day), it reminded me God Cannot Disappoint You! Overcoming obstacles and rough times is not easy on your own. I smiled as I read the Romans 5:3-5, the same verse I read on game day! I felt so much peace because I could feel God’s presence in this moment. “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us”.

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I have always tried to get by on my own—resisting help until I literally had no energy left. What comfort and love I receive now when I accept His help—the help of others—more humbly.  Even when things don’t go the way I wanted, God puts the most amazing people in my path just when I need it the most!

“When God is all that you have, you discover that He is all that you need”. With this attitude, I can allow the sufferings I have gone through to strengthen my faith—and in doing so making me a stronger person.  

Lesson 3: It Isn’t Up to Me

“We Plan and God Laughs. Sometimes He Makes You Wait”

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It’s human nature to want to feel happy now.  We want everything right now, but that is not how life works. God’s timeline is much different than ours. He knows our heart, He knows our desires, He knows what is best for us, and He knows how He wants to use you to help His Kingdom.

For too many years I have questioned the events of my life, wondering why things didn’t work out way I want them to. Boy was that exhausting! I still have my moments, but the more I put my hope and trust in the Lord, the more at peace I am. Learning to let go and let God has made me a better, more compassionate person.

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Those four days I read of the devotional gave me the peace that I needed in a very difficult period in my life.

If you have gotten this far, I want to thank you for taking the time to read this.  I am beyond blessed to have been surrounded by so many amazing people giving me the love and support I needed at the perfect time. Some of you may never know the impact you have had on my life, but I know I am thankful for you.

We may never realize how much our words and actions towards others can affect them. Be kind, be generous, be forgiving, and most of all, be a witness of God’s love so others can experience its joy!

Be Blessed,

Brittany Bock

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Truth be told, this year I ended up spending more time on the soccer field, but other than that - it's always those 'few events a year'. And everyone knows that sports pay much less than commercial shoots - hence the question.

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Because there's hidden poetry in sports.

And it's not about the fans, the politics, and who wins, or loses, or scores.

It's about the moment, and what's behind that moment, and being there when things happen. Because you lose a fraction of the second and it's too late. And it's gone. And it's lost. Forever.
There's hidden poetry in sports. And it's our job to be there, and capture that moment, and hold on to it - so that it may live forever.
With gratitude,

Earchphoto

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We are all used to see car races from the trackside, an we see the fast cars, the drivers, the end result. Which is great - it's what the team has been working for. And as photographers, we like to let our images speak for us, and show these amazing cars. 

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But then, when we sit out there at track side, we can't see the behind-the-scenes, the team effort, and all the work being done during the race.

Everyone sees the podium, but the real celebration is the moment just before that checkered flag is waved, when the whole team gets to see that happen.

And so when someone asks me why in the world I am here sweating off a few pounds in fireproofs working pit lane, instead of quietly sitting trackside all the time... well, here's why. Because from the trackside you don't see this.

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Thank you Aston Martin Racing.

With gratitude,

Earchphoto

#TeamAMR

#lookforthelight

We take the occasion to share a few images from this year Shell and Pennzoil Grand Prix of Houston, which saw Huertas and Pagenaud as winners of race 1 and race 2 respectively.

Race coverage was published at the time on Houston Pulse Magazine, and you can see a few more photographs on our Indycar gallery.

Earchphoto

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I'm not a sports photographer. No, really - I'm seriously not. Rather, an architectural/industrial photographer by training - who then kind of branched out to other commercial/advertising/editorial work, which also happens to include sports.

And I'm not even a soccer mom. A horse show mom, maybe - my kid (sort of) is a professional equestrian and never played soccer in her life. And neither did I; I spent middle school, high school, and college with the gymnastics team. If I ever kicked a soccer ball, it was just to send it back to its rightful owner.

So if you saw me work at every Houston Dash game and wondered  - what in Heaven's name is she doing here? well, yes, it's a reasonable question to ask. And the short answer is - I do care about having a new women soccer team in town, because Houston NEEDS this team.

The city needs good role models, athletes who go out in the community and inspire our youth to be more and do more.

We need someone to show our kids how important it is to take care of their health and nutrition and be mindful about their food. Our area has one of the highest adult and pediatric obesity rates in the country. Having local athletes support healthy nutrition helps our local youth develop healthier eating habits.

We need someone to show our kids the importance of being physically active and fit, so they can learn to organize their day, spend time outdoors, and spend time interacting with others in real life, rather than in front of the TV or video-games. Training camps and other opportunities for youth to interact with athletes will go a long way in encouraging an active lifestyle.

We need someone to show our kids that gratitude is a daily practice, and make sure they learn to acknowledge the efforts of those who give and allow all of us to live in freedom and do what we love. Much like the local MLS team Houston Dynamo, the Dash players have shown great support for the Military and local rescue/emergency services, fostering many initiatives to give back to those who keep us all safe.

And above all this - we need someone to tell our kids to dream big and go for it with everything they have. And that not everyone gets a trophy, and we really have to give our best and want to win and be part of something bigger. We need someone to tell our kids that from the moment when you step on the field, your eyes should be set on the big goals: making it to a major league, the national team, the Olympics, the World Cup. Dream big. Because the world is full of people that will expect you to settle for mediocrity, and it's up to you to disagree and prove them wrong.

We need someone to show our kids how to be healthy, and do what they love, and dream big - and the Dash ladies are doing exactly this: they are always out there, working with the community to make Houston a better place.

Thank you Houston Dash.

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Or maybe Monday brag.

Or maybe just one of those random small things that make a photographer happier.

Or a bit of all of the above... :)

Those of you who have followed the Earchphoto Blog for a while know that In general I shoot for advertising campaigns and marketing/promotional purposes, and sometime cover sporting events for magazines. My photos get published all the time. I could probably pick a random copy of a trade magazine off the stands today, and find some ad in there with one of my photos. But I guess I'm not social enough, or it's just me being me - I never really cared for publication, photo credit, tear sheets, and all that stuff. As much as it may come as a surprise to some of my photographer friends, I never even kept a record of those kind of things.

Boring. Just not a priority in my world.

Instead, what does matter to me is the small things - the random moments when one image goes beyond its original purpose to become just a little something more. Clearly, it all starts with work, and we are all here to do our job and make profit - but there has to be more, and more comes with all those random small things.

What makes my day? It's the model calling right before Christmas asking for a photo book to send her grandmother who lives on the other side of the world, or a print to use on their kid's scrapbook. It's the athlete asking for a canvas to gift one of their family members, or sharing our image with their friends on social media.

This is what adds a smile to my day. And this is the reason why we never charge models and athletes for anything they wish to use from our photoshoots. Whatever they ask for, they get as a gift: image licensing, prints, photo books, and what not.

Just because.

Think about it, models and athletes get photographed all the time by every photographer on earth, and most of their images get published and shown everywhere and anywhere, often times without anyone asking - hey, do you even like this photo? They have more images than they know what to do with, and probably more than they would ever have time or want to look at.

That is why I feel quite grateful when someone we either worked with or photographed during a sporting event decides to use my images just because they want to, not because it's part of a commercial agreement or written in their sponsorship contract.

Because it's all about gratitude.

So on the random day when the US Women National Team goalkeeper picks one of my images to share on her Instagram, among the many she could choose from - then it's one of those extra smiles I'm grateful for, and it makes for a good day in a commercial photographer's life...

Ashlyn Harris, thank you.

Earchphoto

#photographerlife

#dailyrandomness
#becauseitsallaboutgratitude

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We get so used to the texture, that sometime when we look at real skin on a photograph it looks a little bit weird to us. And we get used to retouching everything - people, objects, buildings... eliminating power lines, electrical outlets, trash cans, imperfections on containers and bottles, wrinkles on clothing, signs of wear...

And there's the day when we decide not to retouch. The day when we decide to leave the image alone - with the dirt and sweat and tears and snot and everything that happened in real life. Just because. Just to keep it real. Just to bring some of that 'real life' in the photo, and make the viewer feel as they were there, and experience all the effort and the emotion and the truth.

Today is that day.

With gratitude,

Earchphoto

To see the images from the shows head over to the Moonfyre Photography website and check out the photo galleries.

With gratitude,

Earchphoto 

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Granted, I love all things 4 wheels - and two wheels, and eighteen wheels... practically anything that moves and can race, with an engine or human-powered... from truck to car to motorcycle to bicycle. But I guess Aston Martin, Ferrari, Maserati, and Jaguar are right at the top of my love-list. There is something about the lines and the attention to detail - and the tradition of a race car.

Find out more about these amazing cars and their racing history on the Official Website.

With gratitude,

Earchphoto

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But well, as things are, we cannot control the weather, and it's not always in the sun!

Last weekend the weather gods were not in our favor, and it ended up being a very overcast day with some drizzle. Being the high-contrast person I am, I love full sun, high noon light, with hard shadows and deep contrast of light and darkness. Instead, I was fiven soft flat light and grey skies, oh well - be grateful for what you have - still better than pouring rain for sure :)

So here you go - enjoy some overcast rainy images of the polo match, which was great as always despite the weather.

And by the way, go check out Kristie's work at Moonfyre Photography, her images are great and she's a lot of fun to 2nd shoot for!

With gratitude,

Earchphoto

The game was of course a lot of fun, and we had the pleasure to see many friends in action on the field as players and coaches.

Enjoy a few images from the event gallery, and visit www.alz.org/texas for more information

With gratitude,

Earchphoto

Houston was fortunate to recruit a roster of great players, to include Brittany Bock, U-20 World Cup champion Kealia Ohai, and Olympian Erin McLeod. We are honored to see so many talented athletes play soccer here in Houston, and will support the Houston Dash throughout the Season.

#DashOn

With gratitude,

Earchphoto

We are always extremely grateful to be selected to photograph vehicles, and we do admit to having a special interest for Jaguars. So here you go, two quick test shots we took as preview, while preparing for a recent photoshoot to make decorative display prints for a dealership showroom.

See you on the road, keep driving what you love, and go test drive a Jaguar soon: you will fall in love!

With gratitude,

Earchphoto

This year, instead of working for one individual competitor as it is often the case, I had the opportunity to spend some time second shooting several classes for Shawn McMillen Photography. It has been an interesting and fun experience - I am actually starting to like these second shooting jobs, and may try to pick up more of those in the months to come.

Please support this horse show all year long by becoming a member of the Pin Oak Club: they really go above and beyond to provide support to Texas Children's Hospital. You can learn more about the show and what Pin Oak does for Texas at www.pinoak.org

And of course, we will be back next week for Spring Gathering - so if you are at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center, stop by the ringside and say hello!

With gratitude,

Earchphoto

Recently I had the opportunity to second shoot for Don Stine of Don Stine Photography and Communications - and totally enjoyed working with them. We had a blast photographing horse shows at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center during the Winter Series 2014 and The Great Escape 2014.

You can view all images and purchase prints directly on Don Stine's website and at: www.onlinepictureproof.com/donstine

With Gratitude,

Earchphoto 

Meet Blitzkrieg - barn name Blitz. Former fox hunter, now enjoying show jumping and beginning a new career as an eventing horse.

He was able to secure a 3rd place ribbon in his very first show, and we hope for many more.

Here are a few images of Blitz working on his new career goals with owner and trainer Savanna Little.

With gratitude,

Earchphoto

It is always wonderful to be back in California - and I totally loved seeing the 'perfect paint' in action. They are competing again today, on the last day of HITS Thermal, and we wish them the best of luck!

Enjoy a small slideshow from HITS Thermal week VI jumper classes and Grand Prix.

With gratitude,

Earchphoto

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Yes, of course red has a special appeal to us, but we definitely enjoyed playing with light and reflections with all other colors, and we do have a soft spot for carbon fiber...

Thank you BH Ferrari for thinking of us once again, we definitely appreciate it!

With gratitude -

Earchphoto

Saturday night was the Ladies' Classic night at Sam Houston Race Park, the highest paying race of the season, and also an occasion to support the Susan G. Komen foundation for breast cancer. It was nice to see the park crowded with the many spectators wearing pink ribbons in support of breast cancer awareness and fundraising.

The race itself was of course a fantastic event, and here are a few quick images from race night.

Race your horse and help #endcancer!

Earchphoto

Most of my friends have realized that exotic cars hold a very special place in my heart - and Aston martin in particular... so this photoshoot felt more like a vacation than like everyday work. How is it they say, do what you love... exactly.

Enjoy a few of the images we prepared for the display, and go test drive an Aston Martin whenever you get a chance!

With gratitude,

Earchphoto

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At Haras dos Cavaleiros you can see wonderful Lusitano horses in action, and learn working equitation from some of the best trainers in the world.
 

Upcoming events at Haras dos Cavaleiros include a traners' training day on January 17th, and a Working Equitation Clinic with Jorge de Sousa on January 18th and 19th. Reserve your spots by contacting Haras dos Cavaleiros at www.harasdoscavaleiros.com

Enjoy a few images from the open house, and visit Haras dos Cavaleiros to experience the work of those amazing Lusitanos!

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About a year ago, we decided to put Hayli's work to the test in a pool photoshoot with model Savanna Little, currently represented by the Neal Hamil Agency. Hayli's make-up and hair of course stood up to the test and remained flawless throughout the shoot.

Here are a few images from that day. We wish to thank Hayli Moore and Savanna Little for working with us on that shoot.

With gratitude,

Earchphoto

For those who do not know, I actually grew up in Italy. Fashionable, I know, and just a little bit exotic. On a good day, I can still speak some very reasonable Italian - and even find my way around the kitchen for a few traditional recipes.

When you think Italy, you either find yourself craving food and wine - or envisioning luxury products, ranging from fashion and furniture design, to accessories, jewelry, and exotic cars.

Exotic cars have a special place in my heart - I love cars in general, and have a special 'weakness' for Aston martin, and for the Italian makers Maserati, Ferrari, and Lamborghini.

A photoshoot involving a nice car always adds a bit of extra pleasure to a regular work day - and when the nice car is a Maserati, it gets logged as a pretty good day in my book. Here we are 'sharing' our pleasure with our blog readers, by showing a small sneak peek of the images we created.

Enjoy, and show Maserati some love by going out and buying your own!

Earchphoto

Some dream of a romantic getaway with their prince charming - other of simple country life pleasures. And it's all good.

Our idea of the perfect date involves a camera and 4 wheels - aka a camera and the perfect model.

We had a lot of fun with a yellow Ferrari, and for as much as we like red (can you tell?), it was as close to a perfect date as it gets.

Enjoy some Summer colors!

With gratitude -

Earchphoto

Feel free to visit www.driftersed.com for additional information about the school.

To keep up to date with upcoming events, go to Facebook and like Stance Auto Works and Drifters Ed. 

See you at the next event! 

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We had a great time working with them, and cannot wait to visit their training facility again soon!

With gratitude,

Earchphoto

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A Certified Professional Photographer, or CPP, is someone who wants to stand out from the crowd. In today's market, where the barrier to entry into photography is so low that anyone who received a DSLR for Christmas can walk into a public office and create a new busincess, it is not sufficient to just be a good photographer. The world is full of good photographers. The CPP talls your clients that in a world with over a million photographers, you are one of less than 3000 who decided to take a board-style examination and submit a body of work to a panel of judges from the Professional Photographic Certification Commission for evaluation. It tells the world that you put yourself out there to be evaluated and judged, and you made it out alive with flying colors. It also tells the world that you are keeping up with an industry which is made of constant change, and participate in the numerous continung education activities required to maintain the certification.

The principal photographer at Earchphoto is one of the less than 3000 worldwide (and less than 200 in Texas) who elected to become certified.

Our decision was also driven by the clients we connect with and represent: our networking crowd is made of architects, engineers, physicians. They maintain a higher standard by passing their boards, and so do we.

We believe in education, in maintaining a high standard of service, and in delivering the highest quality products.

We believe in professional certification.

Elena Sbrana, CPP

Principal Photographer

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