Most people only know Jackson, Mississippi through headlines. For a long time, I only knew it through reputation. I grew up just outside the city limits and rarely spent time downtown. In college, I took a job in Midtown and started exploring more of the city after work. At the time, I was photographing high fashion and portraits, using alleyways, rooftops, murals, warehouses, and historic buildings as backdrops. Over time, my camera turned away from portraits and toward the city itself. I became interested in the buildings, streets, parks, public art, and everyday moments that rarely make the news. While working on Jackson Rising in 2025, I spent much of my time downtown. I walked blocks I had previously driven past without noticing. I photographed the National Folk Festival, the Walk for Peace led by Buddhist monks, Blue Mondays at Hal & Mal's, Freedom Trail marker unveilings on Farish Street, Union Market, and empty afternoons in between. When nothing was happening, I focused on capturing the city's character in its architecture, streetscapes, and public spaces. These photographs are a record of what I found.