When Julie reached out to me to photograph Whitt’s senior portraits, it felt surreal to see how much time had passed since I first met their family. When I moved to Selma over 11 years ago, some of the first people I crossed paths with were Carl and Julie. As always, I was more than happy to capture a family photo in front of their new house—something I love doing for my seniors. Capturing the people who’ve supported and shaped them along the way is a great way to remember this important milestone.
Julie had a very special request for one of the images, and the story behind it is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. In January 2023, a devastating tornado swept through Selma and destroyed their home, leaving only the flag at the end of their driveway still standing. Julie wanted a photo of Whitt sitting on a tree stump with that flag in the background—a symbol of resilience and strength after the storm. It was such an incredible experience to capture Whitt’s senior portraits on their property, with their new home now standing proudly in the background. What a powerful testament to their journey as a family!
Another meaningful spot we made sure to feature was the family’s well-known pool. Carl’s grandfather built it in the 1930s, and it became somewhat of a local landmark. In fact, our local newspaper did a story about the pool a while back, and I couldn’t help but remember the image of Carl standing in front of it from that article. As we were there, I knew I had to recreate that photo with Whitt—it felt like such a beautiful way to honor the family’s history and legacy.
Whitt, thank you for your positive attitude and going along with all my ideas! I had so much fun exploring the property with you and your mom. I hope these images not only capture this milestone but also serve as a reminder of your strength and everything you’ve overcome to reach this moment.
Perfect in every way!
Does a heart real damn good.
Beautiful photographs! Powerful story!❤️❤️❤️❤️