‘Star Trek’ concept artist beams up a unique photo rental space in St. George

ST. GEORGE —A concept artist who’s known for his iconic illustrations and designs for the “Star Trek” series, amongst other major film and TV productions, now owns and operates a photo studio rental space with his wife in St. George.

John and Tara Eaves stand in front of props at Atomic Apuratures, March 29, 2022, St. George, Utah | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
John and Tara Eaves stand in front of props at Atomic Apertures, March 29, 2022, St. George, Utah | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

During a visit to the “Atomic Apertures” studio, St. George News sat down with owners John and Tara Eaves.

“When we moved to St. George, there was only one studio available at the time and we needed a little more light control than what it offered, so that’s how the studio came to be,” John Eaves said.

With a film and television career that spans over 37 years, John Eaves has worked with many big-name companies including Warner Bros. Pictures, Marvel Studios, MGM Studios, 20th Century Fox and Culver Studios. He has been a concept artist for many award-winning motion picture franchises, including Pirates of the Caribbean, Captain America, Spider-Man, four different Star Trek movies, Iron Man 3, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 and Terminator 2.

In April of last year, John Eaves was also honored with the Art Director’s Guilds’ Lifetime Achievement Award at the 25th annual ADG Awards.

John Eaves told St. George News that he has really enjoyed the ability to turn his passion for vintage photography beyond that of just a hobby. He has traveled to many photography studios throughout the western United States and officially started shooting in studios about two years ago. He said it has been a dream of his to own a studio that would provide a variety of ways to shoot indoors. He wants to share Atomic Apertures with the outstanding photographers, pod-casters, models, and talent of all kinds of Southern Utah.

The Atomic Apertures studio features a variety of backdrops and designs, including a Star Trek utility wall, a 50’s diner, a cowboy wall, a purple bistro and more. With John Eaves’ unique film background, he was able to create the “industrial wall” by using actual pieces from a Star Trek set on the TV show “Enterprise”.

The inside of Atomic Apuratures studio, March 29, 2022, St. George, Utah | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News
The inside of Atomic Apertures photo studio, March 29, 2022, St. George, Utah | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Tara Eaves told St. George News how much she enjoyed creating the different spaces within the studio.

“I was in charge of putting together the 50’s and 60’s retro flair hair and makeup room. We went with a pink design and atomic-type lighting. I also turned a section of the studio into a purple bistro that can be changed into any type of background you’re looking for,” Tara Eaves said.

John and Tara Eaves added that along with the different scenes and backdrops at Atomic Apertures, they also have a trailer full of furniture, including a bed for boudoir photos and another trailer full of clothing along with a wardrobe room that is accessible to those that rent the space. 

“Our wardrobe consists of anywhere from pinup to 1950’s style, to gowns, to steam-punk, to cosplay, we have several hundred 80’s-style dresses, which are a lot of fun and even shoes in just about every size. If you need it, it’s here for you to enjoy,” John Eaves said.

Tara Eaves told St. George News they relocated their family to Washington County in 2015 when their daughter decided she wanted to attend school at Tuacahn High School of the Arts.

Her husband, John Eaves is currently a California resident, who just finished working on Star Trek: Picard and is currently working on Marvel productions. He hopes to work on “Mad Max” before retiring and residing in St. George full time.

For more info on Atomic Apertures and rental options, click here.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

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