Meet Ari & Eighteen | Photographer & Creative Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ari & Eighteen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ari & Eighteen, how do you think about risk?
Risk is an essential part of entrepreneurship. In life, everything carries some level of risk, whether big or small—and this is especially true when you’re young and open to new possibilities. For us, starting EyeVision Photography in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic was a leap into the unknown. Both of us had been laid off, and with little savings to fall back on, we decided to bet on ourselves and pursue the work we love.

Just as we took that risk, we learned that we were expecting our first child, which only added to the stakes. But we’ve always believed in making decisions based on where we want to be in five years—not just what feels right in the moment. This mindset pushed us to take an even bigger step: we left our hometown, moved to Atlanta with an infant, and embraced the uncertainty, knowing it would open up more opportunities for us. It was a risky move—one of the biggest we’ve ever made in both our careers and our lives.

The thing about risk is that it’s not just an internal struggle; it’s also an external one. Everyone—family, friends, society—tells you to play it safe. While there’s nothing wrong with taking the conventional route, we believed that for us, the riskier path was the one that would lead to real growth. We took time to reflect on what we truly wanted from life and realized that big dreams require bold moves.

Starting from scratch was daunting, but the alternative—living a life of regret—was something we weren’t willing to accept. Looking back now, we can confidently say the risks we took paid off. We’re living the career we envisioned, spending every day with our son, and watching our business grow alongside our family. We’re evolving every day, and we wouldn’t change a thing.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
First off, we love that the question is “tell us more about your art.” We’ve always felt a bit boxed in by the label “photographers”—we’re artists first, and photography is just the medium we use to create. Our work isn’t your typical photography by any means, and that’s something that really sets us apart.

For one, we’re a husband-and-wife duo, which gives us a unique dynamic. Our style is non-traditional, minimalist even, where we focus on mastering the smallest details. When we first started, it was tough. We were inspired by so many different creatives that our work ended up all over the place. We didn’t have a clear voice yet. But over time, we stepped back, analyzed what we’d created, and found the style that felt true to who we are. We finally understood what worked for us—and that became the foundation for everything we do now.

Having two of us definitely played to our advantage. Eighteen’s always had a true creative eye—he could spot the best elements in anything. Ari, on the other hand, was the one who merged the creative with the practical—everything from web design to the client experience. In simple terms, Eighteen was great at visualizing the brand, and Ari was great at building it. Together, we figured out how to complement each other’s strengths and build something we’re proud of.

One thing we really hope to leave behind is a legacy. We want to be remembered as some of the greatest artists and photographers—people who pushed boundaries and created something unique.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Honestly, there are a few spots so far that we’ve enjoyed, but we most likely just as new to Atlanta as our friend is, so we’ll pose that question back to you lol

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
No matter what anyone says, we don’t believe the term “self-made” really exists. There are always people, books, and experiences that help shape your career and life along the way. For us, it all started when we joined our first studio/mentor membership under a photographer named Mastermind Fotoo. This was before we knew the first thing about photography—lighting, model selection, posing, editing, you name it. But this space gave us the chance to dip our toes in and learn from a community of other creatives who were all in the same boat.

Not long after that, we crossed paths with photographer Blake Martin, who took our knowledge of photography to the next level. He gave us hands-on opportunities, from working on set with him to using studio spaces where we met some incredible photographers from all over the country. Unfortunately, as life sometimes goes, we had to step back when our son was born.

During that time, we were lucky enough to meet Dan and Julius—two amazing entrepreneurs who generously let us use their studio spaces to begin carving out our own path. And before we left Chicago, we owe a huge debt of gratitude to Lynn Yati and Clif Ellis, who saw something in us and brought us under their wing. They taught us the business side of photography and gave us incredible opportunities that helped shape our career.

And of course, we can’t forget all the YouTubers who kept us up for countless late nights, teaching us everything from technical skills to industry tips. It’s amazing how much you can learn from others who’ve been where you want to go.

We’re grateful for everyone who’s been a part of our journey and helped us get to where we are today. It’s been a team effort, and we wouldn’t be here without the support of so many people.

Website: https://www.eyevisionphotos.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyevisionphotos/

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/eyevisionphotos/

Image Credits
Autumn Long
Kayla Guiste
Ivy Huynh
Minah
Ayreana
Karen Huynh
Tye Lewis
BLEUUE