In 2005 and 2007, I had the privilege of accompanying a great friend and colleague on two transformative trips to Mississippi. These trips, though brief, were primarily designed to foster connections with fellow southern photographers and expand our professional network. During these trips we were fortunate to encounter several opportunities to photograph the state of Mississippi. During these trips we were fortunate to encounter several opportunities to photograph the state of Mississippi. Ultimately, these moments, though unplanned, yielded experiences that inspired a future visit to the region.