The August Project
I met A’lexia online, a complete stranger who, without hesitation, agreed to be a part of a previous project I was working on at the time. We briefly talked about her life, how she’s known as the karaoke queen of Savannah, and about her son, August. I mentioned I was looking for stories to document in the area, and she shared a little about August’s premature birth. It was in that moment that I knew I wanted to get to know them better and share their story.
A’lexia calls August her rainbow baby. In 2012, she gave birth to her first son, Noah. He was born premature and passed away on April 13th, 2012. Thirteen years later, A’lexia continues to honor his memory, keeping his spirit alive with candles, photos, and decor dedicated to him.
When August was born, A’lexia knew the journey that was ahead of her. A’lexia shares, “We fought together, and I prayed for you. You are my answered prayer… days by your side were fueled by love, and now we’re inseparable. 183 days home, filled with joy and lessons of motherhood. You are my miracle, and I’m excited for our future. To Noah, who made me a mother, and to August, who deepened my understanding of it.”
August spent 128 days in the NICU, while A’lexia worked to adjust to her new life. “I would not have been able to do it without my family,” she says, “We have this saying, ‘Jenkins Strong’”. August spends a lot of time with his grandparents’, where four generations come together to surround him with love.
A’lexia’s friends were with her every step of the way, supporting her through both the tough and joyful times. They frequently took her out to karaoke, which inspired her to create the Karaoke Krew in 2022. What started as a small group of karaoke lovers has grown into a tight-knit circle of friends who go to events as a group to support each other and have a good time. A’lexia shares, “I gave birth to August on a Saturday, my best friend took me out to karaoke on the following Wednesday right after I was discharged. I was insecure about getting dressed and going out because I was embarrassed to tell people that I had given birth 4 months early.” They have now branched out to volunteering their time at places like rehabilitation centers where they entertain residents with their karaoke.
Today, August and A’lexia are stronger than ever. A’lexia proudly shares their day-to-day accomplishments on social media, where their friends, family, and his former NICU care team show constant love and support. August is excelling in therapy and is growing into an incredible young man. He will be celebrating his first birthday soon surrounded by family and friends.
I cannot thank A’lexia enough for welcoming me into her life and allowing me the privilege of sharing such an intimate and powerful story. Hearing how she has navigated the highs and lows with grace and resilience has truly been inspiring. I feel that her openness, strength, and the love she has for August and her family are felt in every moment I’ve captured. It’s rare to be entrusted with such vulnerability, and I will always be grateful for the trust she placed in me to tell their story. Since I met A’lexia, August has made several accomplishments. He has moved onto pureed food, removed the need for nightly oxygen, and passed physical tests with flying colors. This project is more than just a collection of photographs, it’s a testament to the incredible journey they’ve been through, and I’m honored to have played such a small part in bringing their strength, love, and perseverance to light.
