I 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.
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It 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 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.
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We 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.
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And here we are for part 2 of Melissa and Matt's wedding. As she sits in my salon chair this week for the inevitable post-wedding whack, it will great to reminisce about recent history.
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You may remember Lindsay from her maternity shoot so many months ago. Baby F is 7 months old, and Lindsay makes a gracious mother. Having a had a cancellation last week, we called her in the off chance she was available.
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Senior portraiture has evolved and devolved since my moments in front of the camera in 1996. From glaring props, arty silhouettes, and girls in tall grass and floral crowns; senior portraits are now whatever a 17 year old wishes them to be. In this case, we simply did what we do. No pom poms or drapes; just a girl in her youth. Flawless skin, radiant hair, and an exceptional location were the only "props" in play. We desire a result that will not mortify as a #tbt in 15 years. We desire images of the abiding beauty we will carry to generations that follow.
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In the case that you don't know her, let us assure you. To know her is to deeply admire her, and to have just met her is to like her a whole, whole lot. She is instantly warm, impassioned, and entirely hopeful.
So in the case that you are not literally joining us right now as we honor this woman and her groom, celebrate her as you look this afternoon or after. And know there is not a soul more worthy of your well-wishing.
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As promised, here is the second installment of Kellie and Will's wedding images. Enjoy!
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Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Collins...
We traveled to Blairsville, Georgia for Kellie and Will's wedding. Clouds hung over mountain vistas as rain threatened the event, but the skies were generous and held back their downpour long enough for us to have a party.
We invite you to journey through that indelible December day as we celebrate the marriage of two of the most lovely people one could ever meet. Here is part one.
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A year ago we did portraits of this beautiful family, and this year they asked us back again.
In a word: smitten.
The Andersons are a treasure to us, and finding them was as likely as pulling a pearl out of a smelly oyster, or a diamond in a lump of black coal. Patrick met Mrs. Anderson during his coffee days, and from under the brim of his hat he convinced her that he was legit across the drive thru.
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There was not an afternoon sillier than this...
What we received earlier this month from Kellie and Will was an education. Did you know there is a song about checking someone for ticks? Like, for real? It is a country song, of course.
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On a misty Monday a few weeks ago, we met Emily at a barn in Harlem, GA.
I am embarrassed to say that prior to this afternoon, my only experiences with horses were on a trail ride in Tanglewood Park at age 10. and a pretty extensive "My Little Pony" collection. Besides sitting in school and trying to determine which girls rode horses based on the unruliness of their pony tails, I never gave anything equine a second thought. Horses can be massive, and I was small. I was afraid to fall off of one, and lets not forget that they are outside (which I never really cared for, anyway).
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