Photo: Korie Mitchell/JessaCole Photography
“It was just a fun thing to do,” Humphrey, 29, tells PEOPLE. “People have wanted me and my husband to have kids for so long, so I was like, I’m going to give them a maternity shoot to show what I’ve been working on for 6 years!”
Eve Humphrey (left) with dissertation.Korie Mitchell/JessaCole Photography
With that, she teamed up with Mitchell for the shoot in August in her native Florida, vowing to let Mitchell share the photos online if her dissertation defense was successful.
“I survived somehow. It took me six years to get through it. I did the shoot to commemorate the whole process,” Humphrey says, calling the shoot “a good time.” She continues: “I just thought people would have a good time laughing at it.”
Korie Mitchell/JessaCole Photography
“Online, it’s been crazy: People talking about women in academia, and if women are celebrated for their professional achievements, and can women juggle having a child and being in academia,” Humphrey recalls.
“I think it’s great because I’ve had an opportunity to talk to graduate students. They’ve messaged me and I’ve had an opportunity to encourage them,” she says. But, she admits, “It’s all a little overwhelming. When I open my phone or my computer, it’s just more and more people and I’m like, ‘Whoa! What is happening?’ ”
As for Mitchell, Humphrey’s dear friend, the photographer couldn’t be more proud.
“This beautiful woman has spent the last 6 years dedicating her time, energy, and talent to graduate with her PhD,” Mitchellwrote in the Facebook postalongside the photos.
She echoed her statements to PEOPLE.
“It was extremely fun! I was also really proud,” Mitchell says of the shoot. “I’ve known Eve close to two years now. I’d seen how she’d have to leave things early to go study or do research.”
source: people.com
