Old Hollywood in the Heart of Tuscaloosa | Ethan & Emily’s Junior Prom
The prom theme may have been “Western,” but Ethan and Emily had other plans, and I’m so glad they did. Channeling the timeless elegance of Old Hollywood, these two completely redefined prom night with bold, glamorous style and unshakable confidence.
Emily stunned in a crimson gown adorned with rose details and dramatic black gloves. Her look was all fire and femininity, straight out of a classic film. Ethan held his own in a red velvet jacket, black tux pants, and that kind of cool composure you only see in movie icons. Together, they were electric. Every frame captured elegance, creativity, and individuality.
We chose to shoot at one of my favorite locations in Tuscaloosa, the historic Queen City Pool and Pool House. Built in 1941 and 1942 by the Works Progress Administration, it was once considered one of the finest public pools in the South. With its bold Art Moderne architecture and sweeping concrete design, the site was a symbol of civic pride and community gathering.
Its history, however, is layered. In 1966, the City of Tuscaloosa closed the pool rather than integrate it. For years, it sat silent, reflecting a painful chapter in local history. Restoration efforts in the early 2000s helped breathe new life into the space. It once housed the Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum and now serves as a preserved public site, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The pool house is a place for community events, creative expression, and historical remembrance.
Photographing Ethan and Emily there felt powerful. Two beautiful teens, confident in their style and identity, celebrating junior prom in a space that once denied access to people who looked like them. That contrast between the elegance of their look and the textured history of the location created something unforgettable.
At Fabled Imagery, storytelling always comes first. And Ethan and Emily’s story is one of self-expression, bold choices, and reclaiming moments that matter. They didn’t just show up for prom. They showed up with intention and made it completely their own. I was honored to capture it.
– Sha' | Fabled Imagery