After The Flood

When Hurricane Helene devastated rural North Carolina, Shelby Tramel faced unimaginable loss as her general store was swallowed by rising waters. Overwhelmed but determined, she chose to rebuild—not just her store, but a sense of hope for her tight-knit community. This documentary captures Shelby’s journey from and the stakes of reviving a vital hub in a small town that refuses to be washed away.

Zooming In

Michelle Itano is the director of the UNC-Chapel Hill Neuroscience Microscopy Core. She works with researchers to scan images of their cell samples under powerful microscopes. She has always been a scientist but she’s found a passion in helping other people see a whole new world through a microscope’s lens, driving forward the powerhouse of UNC Research.

This short documentary was produced for MEJO 582 Advanced Documentary Projects in the Hussman School of Journalism and Media.

Where Meaning Blooms

Johnson Greenhouses is a family-run florist in downtown Statesville, NC that is home to a talented crew of floral designers. They create beautiful, meaningful arrangements, bringing joy to the most important moments in life. Strong passion for their community and the fleeting beauty of flowers has kept their small shop running for generations.

This project was produced through Carolina Photojournalism Workshop, an annual immersive class where a group of multimedia students from UNC-Chapel Hill each produce a documentary film based on a story from a unique location in North Carolina.