Through her camera lens, Rebecca Congleton sees the spontaneous, unretouched side of life.
That approach has won the Augusta woman several awards for her photography.
“What I really love about street photography is that it’s constantly challenging. I’m never bored. I never know what is going to happen or what I’m going to see,” said Congleton whose images have won best in category in 2022 and 2023 in the Click Magazine Voice competition.
The definition of “street photography” is debated, Congleton said, but she refers to it as “any photography in a public space that includes human subjects who are usually unaware.”
While the word “street” might bring up images of urban settings, it can mean any public venue. Congleton does pound the pavement visiting events in downtown Augusta or Savannah, which is a great spot because of the amount of vacationers who’ve left their cares behind.
Her favorite photo venue, however, is unpaved.
“I love the beach. It’s a public place. The beach is my favorite street photography location. People are out there, and they are real. They are not inhibited,” she said. “I get a lot of great stuff at the beach.”
The types of photographs she gets often depend on her mood. If she’s feeling more playful, that shows up in the subjects and images. And sometimes, she’s even surprised at what she’s captured.
In addition to street photography, Congleton also shoots weddings and was named as a top wedding photographer for 2024 by Click Magazine.
When taking wedding photos, the street genre filters her images, giving a more candid, unstaged light to some of the pictures.
“Personally, I have a high appreciation for what’s real,” said Congleton.
Some photographers may take a more theatrically creative approach. She can appreciate their work, but that’s simply not her style.
Congleton said that quest for what’s real and true has influenced other career choices in her life. She spent eight years as a reporter who often snapped photos for her stories while working for several small newspapers in Indiana.
“I liked journalism and getting at truth of things,” she said. “It doesn’t depend on me to come up with the story. It is what it is.”
And street photography is what it is as well.
See more: A photo essay by Rebecca Congleton
Congleton is currently curating images for a 2025 art exhibition at Sacred Heart Cultural Center – a new opportunity for her.
“It will be more of a series that is local to Augusta,” she said.
She also teaches a course on street photography techniques. Reach her on Instagram @rebecca.congleton.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for more than 35 years and is a Georgia Press Association award winner. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
