Eric was born and raised in a small town outside of Atlanta, Georgia. He has 3 sisters and a brother: Jason Lively, Lori Lively, Robyn Lively and Blake Lively. His father is actor-producer Ernie Lively. His mother is talent manager Elain Lively. Eric attended the LA County High School for the Arts. After graduating high school at the age of 15, he moved to New York to study Photography, at Parsons School of Design. He began working as a model and was not seriously pursuing acting. After shooting the Abercrombie and Fitch campaign, Casting director Joseph Middleton (an old family friend) tracked Eric down in NYC and cast him inAmerican Pie (1999) which forced him back to Los Angeles. Photography has always been Eric's true passion. Though he's thankful for his good fortune as actor, shooting photos is not just a hobby with Eric. His photographs of actors and models are seen all around the world. In order to keep the careers separate he nom de photographique. He resides in his photo studio on the beach in Los Angeles and also his second favorite home, New York City.