“When a collective of creatives come together to produce content, only good things can happen.”
— Traci Sakosits, VP of Education & Creative Direction
True artistry comes from intuition, collaboration, and craft. Our latest photoshoot, Instincts Will Drive Us, was a celebration of all three. It brought together the collective talent of Aveda Arts, Elevate, and Paris Parker Salons: three unique brands under the Neill umbrella, united by a single purpose: to create a visual story that reflects the strength of our community and the future of the beauty industry.
Here’s how our brands collaborated:
Aveda Arts laid the groundwork with strong foundational education and a hands-on curriculum rooted in the craft.
Elevate empowered the process with professional-grade tools provided from day one and a platform to inspire.
Paris Parker connected the creative vision to real-world opportunities—a network of salons that represent the career paths awaiting our students. (And yes, VoMor added its own unique touch.)
“At Aveda Arts we have a strong foundational curriculum to train on, professional tools included in the kits, and a professional network of salons to lend to our students’ careers,” shared Sakosits.
The theme, Instincts Will Drive Us, encouraged us to let go of perfection and lean into the process. Guided by Sakosits, we explored four distinct looks, each evolving naturally from the last.
LOOK ONE: Trust the Natural
We began with a concept rooted in connection: work with the hair, not against it. Each model became a canvas, their unique textures and features guiding the vision. Movement, shine, and individuality took center stage.
LOOK TWO: Embrace the Process
Next, we captured the in-between. Hair wet or half-dry. Shapes not yet finished. A celebration of becoming.
LOOK THREE: Let the Model Speak
For our third look, we let personality lead. The style was driven by each model’s energy, quirks, and natural charisma. Their stories shaped the form—organic, expressive, and totally unique.
LOOK FOUR: Push the Boundaries
In the final stage, we played. Minimalist accents. Unexpected choices. Big impact through subtle innovation.
Throughout every phase, one thing remained clear: great work requires a strong foundation and a great team.
And together, we created something unforgettable: “A collective and collaboration amongst a team of passionate professionals with an equal intention to create strong imagery to inspire the future professionals in the industry.”
Check out the BTS and final photos on @AvedaArts Instagram!
