The Miller Family [Joplin Smile Sessions]

This wonderful family was the first of my Joplin Smile sessions last weekend and they rocked it! I had been looking forward to these sessions with excitement since the day I signed up on the Joplin Smile team and it was all I hoped it would be, and more. JS began with a wonderful couple in Kansas City (The Fantasma's). They had a wonderful idea to gather photographers from surrounding areas who would volunteer their time and photography skills to help tornado survivors rebuild their portrait collections. Meeting these people was such a blessing for me. Hearing about their strength and perseverance was so inspiring!

The Millers were preparing for a bbq at their house on the day of the tornado. Cindi's daughter, April, was in from Dallas and Richard's daughter, Sarah was over as well. Richard was grilling when he realized the "thunder" he heard was not thunder but the roar of a tornado. The family quickly went in a closet together and seconds later the tornado hit. The closet was left intact and they had escaped the havoc the tornado left in it's place.

When I spoke with Richard on the phone and asked who he wanted in the photos, there was no hesitation. It had to be the four of them, because they survived it together. I feel honored to document the beginning of this new chapter, post tornado.

Enjoy a few images from our time together. There will be more wonderful stories and images of my day in Joplin coming soon!