In the Fall of 2024, I took an Introduction to Photojournalism course in which I learned how to take photos that tell a story. Here are some of my best pieces.
Noah Madelil relaxes under a tree on UGA’s North Campus while between classes on Oct. 22, 2024. Madelil, a mechanical engineering student, said he was enjoying the autumn weather while reading “The Story of Ferrari.”Nathalie Pagan reads “Poor Things” by Alasdair Gray in the Park Hall courtyard on Oct. 22, 2024. Pagan, an English major, spends much of her time at Park Hall and likes to catch up on her reading outside when the weather is nice.
Martin Nava-Flores talks with customers about his family in Mexico at Gringo’s Mexican Grill in Jefferson, Ga. on Oct. 1, 2024. Nava-Flores, or “Poncho” as he is called by regulars, has been a server at the restaurant for three years and hopes to one day become an owner in the business alongside his cousin. His favorite part of the job is getting to know customers and telling stories about his family, especially his daughter who lives in North Carolina. He knows many of his customers by name, including one little boy named Miles, whose family visits the restaurant sometimes five times a week just to see Nava-Flores. Though his family may be far, he has become a part of numerous families within the Jefferson community.
Pierogi strolls down Boulevard dressed as Beetlejuice during Athens’ Boo-le-Bark on the Boulevard Halloween dog parade on Oct. 20, 2024.Sarah (left) and Debbie (right) don cicada wings as they walk the Boo-le-Bark on the Boulevard Halloween dog parade in Athens on Oct. 20, 2024.Festival-goers in Winder, GA. take a spin on the ballistic swing ride at the Jug Tavern Festival on Nov. 9, 2024. Kirsten Ghawi, a local vendor working the event, said the festival is a fun way for the community to come together.The Andrews Brothers Dueling Pianos close out the night with song recommendations from the Jug Tavern Festival crowd on Nov. 9, 2024. The duo performed a number of songs while families and their children listened and danced around the park.
TikTok Mama: The Story of Mama Hales
A photo story documenting the life of a TikTok-famous single mom from behind the screen.
Haley Beasley, also known as Mama Hales on TikTok, spends a quiet evening with her daughter in their 400 square-foot tiny home in Jefferson, GA. Beasley is a single mother who started posting on TikTok for fun but has since gained over 70,000 followers, which she says has allowed her to give her daughter the best childhood possible.Beasley lights a small bonfire as daughter Rosie bundles up in a blanket outside. Beasley says they don’t keep electronics around the house, so Rosie spends most of her time outside playing and coloring.After a long day, Beasley and Rosie cozy up on the couch to watch Rosie’s favorite show “Raven’s Home.”
