Four months after the fact, here she is.
It isn't that we have been reluctant to share her with the world, but it is simply that time has flown. She is... everything.
Read MoreFour months after the fact, here she is.
It isn't that we have been reluctant to share her with the world, but it is simply that time has flown. She is... everything.
Read MoreThis is my friend, Cara, and we share a small plot of land in the back of a salon in Evans, GA.
I asked her to shoot with us as a part of a photo project we are working on, as she is one of the prettiest people I know.
In looking over these images, in speaking with other stylists, and in having experience in several other salons; I am reminded of just how great I have it. 9-5 salon life can be brutal, and yet this group of girls make it bearable, and sometimes sublime.
Read MorePrior to these moments, I treasured two crumpled images.
Michelle and I were raised in an age without cell phones, and especially selfies. We weren't able to daily afflict the world with traffic light snapshots of our flannel, Docs, and acne (and this is a good thing). We slathered glitter over every inch of our exposed body, donned baby barrettes in our freshly bleached hair, and pored over the new Delia's catalog as we listened to both parent-approved and unapproved music. We shared each other's closets, and took each other's brothers to prom. We gave each other both wise and horrible advice as we navigated boys, school, and church. We were good friends for nearly a decade.
Read MoreI had barely spoken to her before, but I was desperate to set up a shoot with her. I pass her often in church, a place that is one of her favorites. Her usual attire begins with a t-shirt and a loose bun, ready to hit the volleyball court or wrestle a gaggle of 3 year olds.
Upon asking her to shoot, it didn't occur to me that she had never modeled before. Meters tall, porcelain skin, and hair for days; in a model-starved town like Augusta, I assumed she was inundated with requests.
Regardless of her future in the fashion industry, we thoroughly value our time with this understated beauty.
Read MoreAt times when you meet someone it may be hard to know where your relationship may go. Jessica and I met almost 8 years ago during my Starbucks District Manager days, and it did not have an auspicious beginning. Not to denigrate anyone, but let's just say the leadership around the store was a bit immature and led to some humorous (and not so humorous) moments.
One such moment occurred when I was called in to talk with a young woman who refused to remove her custom nail manicure: a "no-no" in the food service industry. As is usually the case in these moments, simple communication was at the core of the problem. With that connection I discovered a passion of Jessica's, America's Next Top Model.
Read MoreRachel and I love are jobs for a multitude of reasons, many of which we have expressed in previous posts here on the blog. One reason, while not explicitly stated yet we hope has come across in our words, is that we get to work with and spend time with some pretty awesome people who come from a myriad of backgrounds. Compound this with the fact that Augusta is not known for it's always pleasant weather and my penchant to disregard said conditions (much to Rachel's hair and make-up artistry chagrin), we would like to introduce you to Kallen, our latest senior portrait session and young woman extraordinaire.
Read MoreOh, our dear Miss Anna.
I have known her for five years, which puts her age then at 10. Her mother pulled me aside as we walked into a Kroger, me with a very fresh pixy, and her inquiring where I got my hair done. People ask stylists this question all the time, and my answer quickly diverts them:
"Actually, I am a hairstylist!" I exclaim with a smile.
No, I did not cut my hair like this. Yes, the person who did cut it had 7 years more experience, and was Vidal Sassoon trained. But, "Actually, I am a hairstylist" diverts them every time. And with this diversion I got one of my favorite, most consistently encouraging clients, and her sweet daughter.
Read MoreSharon and John receive the award for the most laid back couple ever. Their wedding was void of pretension, as the couple had every guest laughing at some of the most solemn of times. They even viewed the rain as a way of cooling down what could have been a sweltering July Saturday. We are grateful for Sharon and John, and are inspired by a love that just seems easy.
We hope you enjoy a look through their special day, as much as we enjoyed being a part of it. Love and best success to the happy couple!
Read MoreI remember-
Six years ago I was very pregnant with our son, and I remember being very surprised by this photo. I remember working all day, and occasionally looking in the mirror. I was proud that I had curled my mistake of a short haircut, proud that I had attempted an accessory or two, and overall relieved that I had very little time left carrying our firstborn. I remember seeing this photo, and becoming overwhelmed by the fact that I still looked like me.
I felt similarly when I saw this image two days ago...
Read MoreI am grateful.
I have two brothers I love. We get along brilliantly, care deeply for each other, and encourage each other in our successes and failures. One is kind, and somehow never traded in his boyish giggle for a real laugh. He is the kind of man to whom small children and puppies flock. His words are sincere, and his heart is fleshy. He lives far away, but it feels like he lives next door. Always available- that is my Frankie.
Read More"13 weeks."
That is what I was just told, so that is what is left. And no, I did not ask, it was more of a declarative statement on Rachel's part. Just so that I know. Officially. 13 weeks. We officially entered the countdown stage at week 15, Rachel having entered that mental stretch run to the final push. In recognition of that transition, we decided a little photo session was our next step, so one morning Rachel prepared herself in her usual beautiful manner while I was in charge of deciding the location (behind the Evans Target for those keeping score).
Enjoy the following excerpts, which will be the first of three maternity sessions between now and delivery day.
Read MoreHere is the second installment of Sandy and John's beautiful wedding. Again, the wedding was held at The Rosemary Inn, and the cake you see below is from my friend at Beyond Usual Cakes in Appling, GA. The officiant was Brent Garrard from In Focus Church. Rachel was not responsible for hair and makeup this time, but we agree that Sandy looked brilliant.
Read MoreIt is so easy to force a wedding celebration. Don't get us wrong, we understand that love rules in the vast majority of weddings; and that the end result is always the same- "happily ever after." But so many wedding venues start as blank canvases. Every weekend craft-happy girls, curators of vintage furniture, florists, and anxious brides-to-be bring in truck loads of treasures, tchotchkes, and finds. Every bride hopes that in the end their themes will ring true; that blank walls will brag of pin-worthy vignettes, and that in the end they can relax and have a wedding.
Read MoreThis is Crystal, and if you are familiar with the blog you have seen her before. Crystal is usually cute, sweet, and full of sunshine. However this afternoon we made her moody and sultry- a little less California, and a bit more NYC. We love giving women the opportunity to show their extraordinary.
Here is Crystal, kindergarten teacher by day, and someone perfectly transformed by night.
Read MorePatrick and I are expecting our second child this fall, and we could not be happier. Six years will divide the two of our little ones, and as far as we can see: our second child will complete our family.
We bustle around the house in preparation, once again imagining all of the primary colored apparatuses that will fill our living room. We will move the love seat out of our bedroom to accommodate a crib, and we still haven't decided whether cloth or disposable diapers will smell up our existence. We are excited, anxiously waiting the day an 8 lbs. child will once again wreck "our" lives.
Read MoreI study faces. Hair first, and then a deep examination of the face. We might be talking intently about our children, but in the silence I am wondering how I would apply her eye shadow. The reality is, the season in which i live is shared by women who wear little more that mascara and lipgloss. We are working hard. We are raising children. We don't give much time to primping and prepping, except maybe on Sundays.
J and I met during a book study, and I caught myself inspecting her deep-set eyes while she was speaking to someone else. I don't believe makeup is necessary for looking beautiful (as I probably wasn't wearing any at the time, either), I just like to imagine what I would do with someone's face if I had the opportunity to make it up.
Read MoreWe are expecting Baby "Marble" in the fall.
There is something to be said for cowboy boots and tall grass- for flowing dresses, cascading curls, and the sun pouring from behind an old barn. Patrick and I were both born and raised in the South, and we have settled in the marvelous southern city of Augusta, GA. Here there is a sweet country song on everyone's lips, and many to most photo shoots have the either the canal or railway tracks as a background.
Read MoreMonths ago we did a fundraiser for our friends, to help them bring their two youngest children safely home from Africa. Our friend Jessica won that fundraiser, and we finally were able to get our schedules coordinated for a photo session.
Fresh from Italy, Jessica joined us on one of the hundreds of chilliest days here in Augusta, GA. She stood strong as we shivered around her, remaining calm as my own fingers turned blue. Thank you, Jessica, so working so hard to help us capture so many stunning images of your sweetest self. We Biestmans are delighted to call you a friend.
Read MoreJust consider this our flashback episode for our adventures so far in The Miller. In monochrome if you will.
There is so much to be said for the opportunity that Rachel and I find presented to us in this mystical place, one that we shall not rest our laurels in. So we invite you to look through this Miller review and then contact us at the bottom for your opportunity to take part in this exclusive backdrop of beauty.
Read More