a single shot senior session with meg

Patrick Biestman November 12, 2019

It’s been a little while, but then again, if you have followed this blog for years, this tends to be the cycle. Now that we have entered a bit of a break between busy cycles it’s time to deluge everyone with what we have been up to. So let us start this journey off with a bang and recap our senior journey with the wonderful Meg. This is not the first go round with this family as Rachel and I had the opportunity to work with her sister, Katie for her senior session downtown. This time however, we took Meg on a little trip through Evans visiting the usual sites of urgent care parking decks, dentist parking lots, behind a strip mall, gator pond, and old warehouse parking lots. You know, Evans’ finest.

Please enjoy our journey below, and as always, hair and makeup provided by Rachel Biestman.

a half shot senior session with julie

Patrick Biestman June 11, 2019

In our natural state, we generally like the long form photography session, what we call our Single Shot Session, spread out over a couple of hours, leisurely walking or taking short trips to various sites, wardrobe and hair changes, yada, yada, yada. But 4 hours of time when you include hair, makeup, and travel is not always a luxury people can afford, especially for Senior photography where said senior has a multitude of activities and responsibilities demanding their time. Which leads us to our quick, down and dirty Half Shot Session available for any our portrait sessions.

a single shot senior session with calla

Patrick Biestman May 29, 2019

And this is the beautiful Ms. Calla, a senior we are honored to have had the opportunity to take on a little jaunt along the roads of Evans for her senior session. A little mix of some familiar locations remixed a bit with some new “we’re taking pictures where?” locations. And without further ado, we’ll jump into what has become somewhat of a launchpad location for me, the backside of our local gym. It has turned out to be a convenient location for that first 15 minutes where we get to know each other and what it feels like to have a camera thrust into your face and I get to see how the reaction. But if you will note, we got a few new angles and vistas thrown in at the end as it can be a versatile little space.

a half shot session: senior style with cannon

Patrick Biestman September 3, 2018

A quick and well, not dirty, but wet mini senior session with the wonderfully affable Cannon. The mini session is not for everyone. It is quick paced, and we get the party rolling right from the get go because we run it for 45 minutes versus our long form 2 hour session. The first 15 minutes or so of a full session is just for our client to get their bearings and relax and be themselves versus the robotic smile for pictures which can dominate once I bring the camera up. With a mini session, we have to start that way from the start. But the thing I kept hearing from Cannon's mom Amanada during our phone consultation was his laid back demeanor. And she spoke the truth. It was an easy session to groove into and it was an absolute joy to shoot. Best of luck to Cannon in all of his future endeavors, in particular his ability to lead a lacrosse team to victory in goal, he has the right mental attitude to succeed wherever he plies his trade.

my year in the miller theater, volume 4

Patrick Biestman July 2, 2018

This week in The Miller brings us a bit of color and texture shot from the roof, focusing on the surrounding environment of buildings and skyline of downtown Augusta and it's unique mix of brick, sculpture, peeling paint, and rust. We follow that up with a little tour back inside featuring some of the unique fixtures and textures of The Miller, also the ubiquitous front stairwell and finishing with some sunset shots from the roof. This volume's portrait session is a Senior Session featuring Emily introducing the back alley and the room under the secret yellow room room and getting her own time on the roof while joining the "just like a tree stand" club when presented with the many ladders on the roof.

my year in the miller theater, volume 2

Patrick Biestman June 17, 2018

Welcome to volume 2 of my year at The Miller and thank you for showing up. I introduce a few new rooms (hello projector and uh, lady's bathroom ante-room...) and their treasures as well as establishing some returns from earlier. Here's looking at you , front door, phones and stairwell. The projector room was awesome and I would have loved to shoot there more, but shortly after my photo shoot with Ashley as you will see below, the lock was changed and I was unable gain access to the room. Oh, and for the record, it was not because I did anything, but there were quite a few copies made of the key from other people, so I think the powers that be wanted to limit access where possible.

my year in the miller theater, volume 1

Patrick Biestman June 11, 2018

In mid 2013 the opportunity to photograph in The Miller Theater presented itself. A friend/mentor of mine had access and wanted to know if I would want to take a look. Not really knowing anything about the building or it's history, I said sure and we met a few days later downtown. For that meeting, I brought nothing but myself, no camera. Long story short, at the end of that tour I got a key, had access to The Miller anytime I felt like it, and knew I would not enter the dressing rooms downstairs alone for fear of "her." Whether she still haunts it after the remodel...

about us series, volume 1

Patrick Biestman May 27, 2018

I hate the "About Us" portion of website work, entrepreneurship, promotion, whatever you would like to call it because I basically don't like to talk about myself, hence one of the reasons I like to "hide" behind the camera. Which, when you are a transplant to a community and trying to build a business, brand, and reputation, can cause you some issues.

So, as we are currently working on a website revamp (I totally realize how bloated and convoluted the site has become, and I am sorry) and I have come to that period in time where I have to formulate the About Us section in a way that is clear and concise (not my strong suit as you will find out), why not use the blog as a way to explore our photography, ourselves, our philosophies, and use it as a tool to tell you a bit more about us and how we view and do what we do. Then, maybe I will be able to condense something down into a quick tidbit suitable for all the website developers that constantly contact me about my "web presence."

a little update for our portrait sessions

Patrick Biestman April 18, 2018

We have two new offerings when it comes to our portrait sessions and an updated Product Guide to share with you. We are excited to offer our Double Shot and Triple Shot packages that offer significant savings while offering greater flexibility to meet your needs. Combine our Single Shot packages in any combo you would like, so a maybe a Senior/Family(Spring)/Family(Holiday) grouping or Couples/Boudoir/Portrait grouping, or any other mix and match you can think of. Thank you for taking a look and we look forward to working with you!

pb | rb

location, location, location

Patrick Biestman April 8, 2017

On windy days such as been the case the first two days of this years Master's, it can make me somewhat wistful when it comes to the idea of a photography studio. Through the years I have come across several spaces that have suddenly come available, or in terms of downtown Augusta, spaces that have been vacant for many years, and stood outside of the door, checked every window, checked certain apps on my phone to see when and where the sun rises or sets in relation to those windows and dreamt of what could be. Enterprise Mill, the White building, that secret room in the Miller Theatre, large, small, and everything in between. I think Rachel has heard the phrase "I think I found it" so many times, well, at this point it has gone beyond any sort of response, even the "yes dear."

portrait photography and patience, the katie session

Patrick Biestman January 22, 2017

For those of you in the know, it is Championship Sunday as I write this and one of the biggest story lines of the playoffs has been Le'Veon Bell and his unique running style. If you happen to be around the t.v. while the Steelers are on today, take a listen and see if you can count the number of times you here the word "patience" in reference to Mr. Bell. Please don't make a drinking game out of it, because with Phil Simm's behind the mic, it will be every other word out of his mouth when the Steelers have the ball and you would be well on your way to being toasted by the end of the 1st quarter. But outside of that digression, Mr. Bell truly does have a unique way of running with patience and if I may be so bold, I am going to use him and his style as my segue into this lovely Senior Session with Katie.

Welcome Back And A Little Gift For The New Year

Patrick Biestman January 15, 2017

It's been awhile since I have found myself sitting here having the opportunity to share what has been going on in our little corner of the world and it is good to be back. While Rachel has dropped in every now and then to let you know what has been happening, it's time that I step up to the plate as Rachel's plate overfloweth. She has been absolutely bringing it over the last several months, working at the salon, redesigning her website which includes a new clothing shop, continuing to pioneer the wedding hair/makeup market here in Augusta as well as being an extraordinary mother/daughter/sister/wife/friend for all of those that have the privilege. And from time to time, being my willing subject in front of the camera.

Senior Photography in Evans GA: Alissa

Patrick Biestman August 23, 2016

Twenty years ago I entered my senior year in high school. I had just come home from a summer in Ecuador, and I had shoulder length blonde hair that I was devising a plan to cut into a pixy (do I sleep with gum? Do I just lie? My parents would never let me do it). I had gained a solid 10 or 15 lbs. that summer to add to the several I already possessed overweight. Heroin chic I was not, but maybe I could go skater/raver/punk. The girls at school already didn't quite get me, so who would care?

That year I clad myself in funky vintage sweaters and JNCO. I lied to cut off my hair, and desperately searched out an identity that wasn't entirely centered on singing. I didn't think I was able to be who I desperately wanted to be, so I had to find an alternative.

Augusta GA Portrait Photography: Rebekah Too

Rachel Biestman June 30, 2016

We shot Rebekah two years ago, and it is a wonder to see her change. High school is behind her, and she is on to her first year of college in the fall. She has the loveliest gentle spirit, and a delight to be around.

Augusta GA Portrait Photography: Hannah

Rachel Biestman June 22, 2016

Her name is Hannah, and she is the most peaceful angel of a young woman. Normally she is not so serious, but she reigned the smile in for some dark lipstick and wild curls done on a 1/3 inch iron (her hair is straight). Modeling is not for the faint of heart!

Senior portraits in Augusta GA: Into Art

Rachel Biestman October 23, 2015

Swoon.

Isn't she lovely?

Today we get to work with this talented young woman again, and we are over the moon.

Portrait Photography In Evans, GA: Rebekah

Rachel Biestman September 20, 2014

I 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.

Senior Photography in Augusta GA: Kallen

Patrick Biestman September 5, 2014

Rachel 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.

Augusta Portraits: Our dear Miss Anna

Rachel Biestman August 30, 2014

Oh, 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.

augusta ga portraits, augusta ga portrait photographer, augusta ga portrait photography, augusta ga portrature, augusta ga glamor photography, augusta ga glamour photography, augusta ga boudoir photography, augusta ga boudoir photographer

Augusta GA Portrait Photography: Crystal in a mood

Rachel Biestman May 28, 2014

This 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.