Light has always been my muse. Growing up on a family farm in rural Chatham County, North Carolina, I learned early to notice the quiet power of sunlight filtering through trees, the shimmer of moonlight on water, and the gentle glow that connects all living things. My photography is a reflection of that lifelong curiosity—an exploration of how light transforms the ordinary into something extraordinary.
In my recent work, I’ve embraced night photography and light painting to expand the boundaries of what light can express. Each long exposure becomes both a meditation and a collaboration with time, space, and imagination—revealing not just what we see, but what we feel when light moves through darkness.

~August Burns

​

Bio
August Burns is a Durham, North Carolina–based photographer whose work celebrates the interplay between light, nature, and human experience. Rooted in a childhood spent on a Chatham County farm, her images draw inspiration from the beauty and balance found in the natural world.
A lifelong photographer, August has evolved from documenting family and community gatherings to creating evocative works of fine art. Her latest series explores long-exposure and light-painting techniques, merging technical precision with a deep sense of wonder. Through every frame, she seeks to share the same light and compassion that have guided her since those early days on the farm.