Carefree Fairmount Park Portrait Session | Samelle

“I hope you don’t my mind…” Samelle led with as she inquired about my life as teacher and photographer. Her genuine curiosity coupled with her sweet demeanor made it easy for me to forget that I was the one photographing her! This was always what we loved about her; Samelle had a way of making everyone in the room feel special through her attentiveness and care.

If you’ve ever looked at my New Spirit of Penn Gospel Choir galleries, you may recognize Samelle as the director! Today, I’m directing her instead during this portrait session.

We started our session by hauling my patio chair across the wet grounds of the freshly drenched Fairmount Park in Philadelphia. By her smiles, you wouldn’t even know that we battled against mud on our way to this location!

This session was easily one of my favorites this summer as we got to channel our inner Solange and show evidence of carefree black girl even in the midst of unfavorable conditions.

I met Samelle her freshman year when she joined New Spirit of Penn Gospel Choir and to see her reach her senior year at the University of Pennsylvania is such a momentous achievement. I look forward to cheering on her future success and happiness.

Thank you for allowing me to document this moment of your journey. <3

Song Inspiration: “Almeda” by Solange