AMBER AURA BEAUTY BAR
10 Moultonville Rd, Center Ossipee, NH
Amber Aura Beauty Bar is a local salon and barbershop in Center Ossipee, owned and operated by Jenica Stone, a lifelong Ossipee resident and Master Barber.
During the shoot, I wanted to capture not only the interior and details of the space, but also Jenica at work - the way she interacts with clients, moves through the process, and creates a calm, relaxed atmosphere.
Watching her work, I noticed how naturally she makes people feel comfortable. It did not feel like a rehearsed part of customer service, but simply her natural way of communicating with people.
Documenting the Process
It was important for me to show the real working process - haircuts, washing hair, hand movements, tools, and the small details that make up the everyday work of a professional.
At the same time, the comfort of the client is always a priority for me. While photographing Jenica at work, I framed the images in a way that showed the process while still protecting the privacy of the person in the chair.
I tried to find angles where the story of the service remained clear and visually interesting without making the client feel like the subject of a photo shoot.
For me, this is an important part of documentary photography. Even when someone happens to be part of an interesting scene, their comfort and personal boundaries are always more important than getting a particular photograph.
In another part of the salon, John was working with an older client. Before photographing him, I asked for permission and made sure he was comfortable being included in the images.
I always try to ask permission when people will be recognizable in photographs, especially when they came in as regular clients and did not originally expect to be part of a photo session.
My Approach as a Photographer
It was also important for me to interfere as little as possible with Jenica and John while they were working. I chose moments and angles independently, avoided distracting them, and did not ask them to repeat actions simply for the camera.
As a result, the series feels natural and observational. It includes the real work of the stylists, the interior and exterior, the reception area, products on the shelves, distinctive details of Jenica’s personal style, and everyday moments inside the salon. My goal was to show the character of Amber Aura Beauty Bar while preserving the comfort of everyone inside, so the photographs for Explore Ossipee would feel professional, human, and true to the natural rhythm of the space.