Gillian Senior Portraits - Summerville, SC

Every so often I get the privilege of capturing moments of people that I geniunely care about....sometimes I get to care about people that every so often I get to photograph.  In this instance, I started photographing Gillian a few years ago.  I've grown to care for her and her family.  They are a wonderful bunch of people and watching her grow has been near and dear to me.  She's a fiery little thing with a bright future and parents that will kick her butt when and if she needs it.  Lucky duck, right? Right! (says every thirty something year old reminiscing on their own teenage years).  Wrong! (says every teenager looking forward to their twenties).  Ahhh how time changes perspective.  

Q:  If you could bring any three of your classmates on a cross-country road trip in your family’s hatchback: who would you choose and why?

Gillian:  Megan, Coral, and Austin. Megan is the quiet one, but when she gets excited, it’s on. Coral is the talkative one and likes to joke a lot. Austin is the fun one. He likes to sing and dance even while he’s driving. I think it would be amazing to go on a road trip with my three friends!

Q:  Who are some of your favorite musicians?  Or do you have a favorite Spotify playlist you're listening to?

GilIian: I like a large range of music from oldies, 80’s, country, pop, and hair 

metal.My favorites have to be Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, Garth Brooks, Morgan Wallen,

Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton.

Q: What are your hobbies and interests?

Gillian:  I love hanging out with friends and family. My interests are fishing, working 

on cars, and shooting guns.

Q:  What are your post high school plans?

Gillian:  I’ve been accepted to Universal Technical Institute/NASCAR Technical 

Institute located in Mooresville, NC. At this school I will learn more about working on  

cars and building race cars. After graduation I will be a certified automotive 

technician.

Q: Who is your biggest role model and what about them do you admire most?

Gillian:  My grandma McClister. She is a strong, courageous, independent woman. 

She does it all. She has many roles; the housewife, mechanic, plumber, cook, 

cleaning lady, and she takes time out of her busy day to  pick me up and take me to 

work when I need a ride. She is always there for me when I need her.

Q:Tell me about your Aunt  and things you would like to share about

her. 

Gillian: My Aunt Becky was amazing. She was a strong woman and very 

positive.She was bullied as a child and it carried on into her adulthood but she never 

let it get her down. She stayed positive and never hated anyone for the way they 

treated her. She passed away February 20, 2017 at the age of 34 in her sleep. She 

was the youngest of three kids and lived in Seattle so I didn’t get to see her as much

as would have liked. She loved her job. She enjoyed taking care of others and 

putting other people first. At the time of her passing, she was an in home caregiver 

to two young children that were diagnosed with autism. I didn’t get to see her much 

since she lived so far away, but she always made it a point to send cards and gifts 

and call on special occasions. In many of my photos that Johnnie has taken of me 

since my aunts passing, you can see an anchor cross necklace. This is my aunt. It is 

filled with her ashes this was I can take her with me everywhere and she can be a 

part of everything I do. In my latest senior photo shoot, I wanted to incorporate her 

more and my grandma gave me Becky’s baby shoes. I wasn’t sure what we were 

going to do with them, but Johnnie made it work and the photo came out AMAZING!!!

For more information on booking your own session click here

or email me directly at johnniewhitaker@jwpicturestudio.com