As a photographer, I'm hired to capture moments that are special to my clients. However, this client did me a favor. December 02, 2021, my father was admitted to the hospital as he was fighting colon cancer. During this time, I called everyone I possibly could think of that he loved and the ones that loved him the same.
One of those loved ones was Lakeside High School's head coach, Lakia Morton. My father coached Lakia in AAU and high school basketball. Lakia has continued my father's path by sharing her love and passion for the game as well as strategies that were embedded. I knew both of them talking with each other would be therapeutic. My father needed to know that someone he not only coached but poured knowledge into and stood in as a father figure, was continuing his legacy of coaching the game of basketball and implementing his famous "trap."
During my recent photo session with Lakeside High School, I was able to catch the varsity girls' basketball game. Prior to the game, Lakia let me know that she was merely weeks away from resigning had it not been for that conversation between her and my father. My father told her to keep coaching and keep teaching his press. This photo means more to me than meets the eyes of viewers.
This photo shoot took place December 03, 2022 and year later after my father's hospitalization. Coach Solomon Carver James will alway be in our memories.