New, New website

So I decided to make use of a domain I have been holding just to have it when I need it. It was my name... dot com, and since I already know of at least two other Eric Kotaras, I didn't want someone snagging it :) I will be using this new site as a blog to house more personal non-wedding related photography musings. Expect it to have equipment reviews, business articles, advice, tips, philosophizing and other sundries.

Check it out: EricKotara.com

New Website and Blog

In case you haven't noticed, or your just stumbling in wondering why the lack of updates, there is a new blog for my wedding and portrait photography up at downtownimagery.com. This will one day be the sole site for wedding and portrait photography side of this business. It is still being built out so expect changes in the look and layout from time to time until I get it all smoothed out. Thanks for looking and enjoy the new site for Austin Wedding Photography

The best camera straps in the world

I can't remember how I found these people, but boy am I glad I did. I have been wanting new camera straps since I switched over to digital, and here's why.

It used to be Canon would provide you with a comfortable strap that was supple and soft, wouldn't get in your way or make you fumble about untwisting it. It was a bright super advertisement of your brand, which was somewhat lame... well, ok, really lame. The strap was soft enough you could overlook the lame ad factor, though, so it was a keeper.

Then digital came along and that strap changed. What is it now? Well, it's a piece-o-junk. Not only is it brighter, with your cameras type emblazoned across it with marketing flair, but it is stiff as a board. The edges are rough and uncomfortable. It gets all tangled up in itself. Can I complain about it more? Yes, but I won't other than to say it has delved into the depths of lameness.

What to do. Most after market straps have a quick release. This, in my opinion, is a big no no for international travel. Not to mention you have to trust the thing with your gear's life. Umm, nuh uh.

I really wanted something that could show some style too.

Then I found Souldier. This little outfit really has it together. They offer re-purposed seat-belt fabric camera and instrument straps with all sorts of fabric overlays to really tie it all together. Of course, I went with the more "mod" patterns for my two camera straps, though lots of vintage and traditional patterns were available. The straps have metal bracketing with no quick release mumbo jumbo. It's a solid strap you'd be hard pressed to remove from my person.



They are perfect in every way. Stylish. Strong. Durable. SOFT, I mean REALLY soft. They flop around like a strap should, and the edges don't remove skin from your neck. No kinks to get in your way and make you fiddle around foolishly when you could be taking pictures.



All in all I am sold. These guys will have my business from now on. I like them so much that I'd like them to have your business too. One more link in case you missed the first one: Souldier Straps

Gruene Engagement

Beth and Justin are a great looking couple and they picked a neat spot to do their session. Gruene, TX is a tiny little town north of San Antonio that prides itself on gently resisting change. Very quaint and bucolic, it offers a nice palette of rustic textures and lush river valley greenery. It was definitely a good time. Here are few from the shoot:

















Kissing


More Kissing


and just a bit more Kissing


It was fun. I like Gruene. It's not that far from Austin. That's worth mentioning, seeing as how I am now an Austin Wedding Photographer.

WARNING!!!! Gratuitous, flagrant keyword dropping and linking to follow!!! Proceed with Caution.

Eric Kotara, Austin Wedding Photographer, is an Austin based photographer specializing in contemporary photojournalistic wedding coverage that preserves the story of your day with style, elegance, and contemporary flair. He is ready to serve your wedding and event needs in the Austin and surrounding areas. Did we mention that Eric is an Austin Wedding Photographer, shooting Austin weddings, go figure. Eric Kotara loves wedding photography and wants to capture your wedding day.

Stephanie and Brian

The last photo post on the blog was Steph's Bridals at the Japanese Tea Gardens. We had a great time doing that and her wedding was even more of a blast. They were a great young couple, VERY happy and in love. It was a fun filled day that I am glad to share with you all.





















Same kiss, different angle:


Here's the group shot, after some relaxing:


And by relaxing, I mean this, these yunguns really know how to live it up:


but first the formalities, champagne:


and cake:


COOLEST Groom's cake EVER!!!!


and what goes thru every guys' mind after seeing such a cake, yep:


We go outside:


for a little dancing:






Steph knew where the party belonged:


so we took care of this:


to get back to this:


and this:


The end, sort of:


Congrats Steph and Brian, hope to see you sometime in the future when we decide to visit the mountains.

Ciao

Keep Austin Weird! Your NEW Austin Wedding Photographer

A while back my loving wife took part in a national experience known as "match day". Across the country, every 4th year medical student drinks a lot and then reads the result of their residency match on stage in front of their peers, leaving a dollar in a jar for the poor soul that has to wait till the end and gets called last. Well, to our extreme pleasure, Susie was accepted to her first choice program in Austin. Congrats to you, dear, or should it be dear Dr. now?

So you know what that means, right? Uh, huh. I am soon to be Austin Wedding Photographer. What else changes? Starting May 1st, new packages and prices will be in place. This should follow shortly with some new galleries, and lots of me mentioning that I am now an Austin Wedding Photographer, you know, shooting Austin weddings and such because the more I can mention Austin Wedding Photography, the better. So if your not into reading senseless, link filled, keyword loaded, about me paragraphs, skip the next one. :)

Eric Kotara, Austin Wedding Photographer, is an Austin based photographer specializing in contemporary photojournalistic wedding coverage that preserves the story of your day with style, elegance, and contemporary flair. He is ready to serve your wedding and event needs in the Austin and surrounding areas. Did we mention that Eric is an Austin Wedding Photographer, shooting Austin weddings, go figure. Eric Kotara loves wedding photography and wants to capture your wedding day.

Stephanie's Bridals in San Antonio at the Japanese Tea Gardens

Now that she is married I can show off her lovely bridal portraits we took at the Japanese Tea Gardens. We had a grand ol' time and got to do a lot running around the koi ponds. Stephanie had a wonderful dress and a hat that gave a great vintage look to her. I'll be posting her wedding next after a big announcement, the evidence of which you may already see.











And we did some work with IR camera.














And you never know when I am going to pull out the nerd glasses.