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.
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Senior Photography in Evans GA: Alissa
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.
Read MoreAugusta GA Portrait Photography: Sommer
Happy Saturday, Y'all! It has been a wonderfully long week, and today is all the longer. I did think a little art might help the day along, so I wanted to share these images of our new friend, Sommer.
Bill Cunningham, the recently deceased New York Times fashion photographer, is quoted to have been searching for "birds of paradise" in and around Manhattan. He searched for women of "daring styles" instead of women with "cookie cutter sameness" for the subjects of his art. Young, old, poor, wealthy- his selection was based entirely on his artistic perception.
Read MoreAugusta GA Portrait Photography: Rebekah Too
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.
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Augusta GA Portrait Photography: Hannah
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!
Read MoreA word an artist understands: Portrait photography in Augusta, GA
I do not like the word "no." It could be the most agitating word to my ears. Despite hating the word, I love to play a game with our daughter, Lilah, whose favorite word to say is "no."
"Lilah. Would you like a giant hot fudge sundae?"
"No."
"How about to play in a room filled with sweet little puppies?"
"No."
"Would you like to swim in a pool full of marshmallows?"
"No."
Read MoreGood morning beautiful, Augusta GA Portrait Photography
Oh! Well, hello there, pretty thing! You look great this morning! Checking out the interwebs, sipping your coffee, swatting at the children under your feet... It is so good to see you again!
That's enough for the greetings right now, but it does seem like it has been forever since I have been curating lovely photos for you. Patrick and I have working hard over the last 18 months adjusting to life as a family of four, or really showing a little one how to adjust to life in our family. Work has not slowed down (can you believe I first typed "slown down?"), but instead is constantly filling. We have kept up everything, except for taking a calm moment to sit and share this passion of ours with you.
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Senior portraits in Augusta GA: Into Art
Swoon.
Isn't she lovely?
Today we get to work with this talented young woman again, and we are over the moon.
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Evans GA Portrait Photography: Sterling and Myssi
The Biestmans are home after the loveliest vacation at Hilton Head Island, and for proof we can produce our Instagram account (@acuityphotography)! It has been a wild and wonderful nine months since our youngest was born, with our first shoot only 48 hours after her arrival. We were grateful for some time away from the computer, but of course we return with a lot on our plates (and nothing in the refrigerator).
Journey with us now as we share some of the gems we have stored in our hopper, the first set of images boasting of this fascinating couple.
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Augusta GA Portrait: Christina all grown up
I sat across from her about a month ago, scrutinizing every inch of her face as she spoke. We were eating an incredible meal: bread warm from the oven, fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, pork tenderloin. It was the meal of a lifetime- one that we could never have afforded 15 years ago.
I couldn't believe she was sitting in front of me. I imagined us, walking to and from train stations. I imagined us lying on the ground miserable, holding our stomachs on a Tuesday after prematurely eating most of what we had rationed for Friday.
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Evans GA Portrait Photography: In full swing
There are only two days of March left, and wedding season is in full swing.
Formal hairstyling isn't for everyone, and I used to be terrified of it. Seven and a half years ago I worked in a large spa/salon in the Augusta area, where many a girl would schedule her whole wedding preparations. Unknowingly, 4 of those formal styles would end up on my book. The impending doom of such a Saturday would beat upon me all week long. I woke up with severe anxiety on said morning, stuffing bites of chicken biscuit into a stomach filled to the brim with butterflies. I would stand behind a girl with a comb, bobby pins and a prayer, struggling to knot up loose tendrils into some sort of configuration. Standing back from my creation, I scrutinized: "it's up."
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Family Photography in Evans GA: Time Has Flown
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 MoreEvans Portait Photography: resources everywhere
This 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.
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Augusta GA Wedding Photographer: Michelle and Seth
Prior 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 MorePortrait Photography In Evans, GA: Rebekah
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.
Read MoreGlamour Photography in Augusta GA: Jessica
At 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 MoreSenior Photography in Augusta GA: Kallen
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.
Read MoreAugusta Portraits: Our dear Miss Anna
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.
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Augusta GA Wedding Photographer: Sharon and John
Sharon 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!
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Portrait Photography in Augusta GA: feeling like Rachel
I 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...
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