Beauty Temples

Authors

• Courtney OBrien, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

Shoun Hill

Committee Members

Shoun Hill

Date of this Version

Spring 3-30-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Citation

O'Brien,Courtney, "Beauty Temples". Undergraduate Honors Thesis. University of Nebraska-Lincoln. March 2026

Comments

Copyright Courtney O'Brien 2026

Abstract

This photo story explores the profound intersection of physical touch, professional craft, and emotional sanctuary within the independent beauty spaces of Lincoln, Nebraska. By documenting the work of practicing hairstylists, a tattoo artist, and a nail technician, the project positions the modern studio not merely as a place of aesthetic enhancement, but as a "Beauty Temple".

At the heart of this narrative is the intimacy of the artist-client relationship. In an increasingly digital world, these practitioners remain among the few professionals whose work requires sustained, purposeful physical contact. Through close-up photography and environmental portraiture, this project captures the steady hands of entrepreneurs like Aidan Aldana and Carmen Martinez as they navigate the delicate boundary between professional service and personal care.

"Beauty Temples" serves as a visual meditation on the trust required to sit in another’s chair. It highlights how these artists cultivate "temples" of safety and transformation, where the act of grooming or tattooing becomes a shared experience of refining your personal identity and human belonging.