This Shoot Was Tough... Christion Files Jr and What Love Looks Like

I was asked to photograph an event and it was a first for me in the over 10+ years I’ve been a photographer.

You may have heard about the passing of two young men in Atlanta. Christion Files Jr., and Hugh Douglas (son of professional football player Hugh Douglas) were in a car crash that resulted in their untimely demises. It’s the type of news that no family wants to receive and there are no words of comfort or help.

I didn’t know Christion but we did have a connection because his sister and my daughter danced for the same dance company and did competition team together. So, when I was contacted by an event planner associate about shooting images for this (for lack of a better term) occasion I wanted to be of service any way possible.

I learned so much about Christion from his memorial service. The biggest thing being that he was a budding photographer. WOW. The young man was also loved dearly by his family, friends, and so many people. From elementary thru high school classmates. All the way to his SpelHouse family.

The service was at New Salem Baptist Church. The pastor of the church was pretty explicit about the barriers he wanted me to maintain so I was limited in how I could move about to capture the service. And it was a beautiful service.

I decided to shoot that with a super fast Canon (but extremely heavy) Canon 70-200mm 2.8. And I’m glad I did because I needed the distance with my restrictions.

Then, after the service there was a celebration of Christion and it included his favorite foods and had his style written all over it. The New Albany Middle School was gracious enough to let the Files family have the memorial repast there. I want to share a few photos of it but not many.

We’re still praying for the Files family.