2025

Carolina Cup

The Carolina Cup is an annual steeplechase event known for its blend of Southern tradition, fashion, and community gathering. Rather than focusing only on the race itself, this series explores the moments that shape the atmosphere of the day.

Using a photojournalistic approach, I documented candid interactions, details, and expressions that reveal how people experience the event. Instead of staged images, the goal was to capture moments as they naturally unfolded. This series reflects my approach to storytelling through photography, focusing on genuine emotion, personal style, and the environments where these moments take place.

*Some of the photos from this series were published in The State Newspaper!

Vendors prepare for thousands of spectators at the Springdale Race Course in Camden on March 29, 2025.

Vendors prepare for thousands of spectators at the Springdale Race Course in Camden on March 29, 2025.

Eliza Edwards leads a horse into a nearby stall. Edwards, a Camden, South Carolina native, has attended the Cup since age 2, and has generational family history with horse racing. Edward’s dad was both a trainer and a jockey while her mom used to rid

Eliza Edwards leads a horse into a nearby stall. Edwards, a Camden, South Carolina native, has attended the Cup since age 2, and has generational family history with horse racing. Edward’s dad was both a trainer and a jockey while her mom used to ride show horses until her late 20s.

Susan Randall, from Maryland, rakes and scoops bedding inside a stall ahead of the Cup. For the fourth year, Randall joined her daughter Ashley, Assistant Trainer to Hall of Fame Trainer, Jack Fisher.

Susan Randall, from Maryland, rakes and scoops bedding inside a stall ahead of the Cup. For the fourth year, Randall joined her daughter Ashley, Assistant Trainer to Hall of Fame Trainer, Jack Fisher.

Jessica McCabe cleans bridal tack ahead of the Cup. During this process, she wipes away the dust and checks for cracks or rips in the leather. McCabe has worked with horses since she was 4 years old and says, “I can’t clean a house but I can clean so

Jessica McCabe cleans bridal tack ahead of the Cup. During this process, she wipes away the dust and checks for cracks or rips in the leather. McCabe has worked with horses since she was 4 years old and says, “I can’t clean a house but I can clean some tack.”

Emma Hobbs, age 4, rides on a blowup horse while her mother, Lauren, watches her in the Truvista Kid’s Zone. Although this is Emma’s first time attending the Cup, her parents have come out to the race course ever since they met college.

Emma Hobbs, age 4, rides on a blowup horse while her mother, Lauren, watches her in the Truvista Kid’s Zone. Although this is Emma’s first time attending the Cup, her parents have come out to the race course ever since they met college.

Mariel Padgett, from Charlotte, North Carolina, shows off her hat following the Hat and Fancy Pants Contest. She wanted the hat to look and spin like a carousel, “but it didn’t work out as planned” she said. Mariel her family have come to the cup for

Mariel Padgett, from Charlotte, North Carolina, shows off her hat following the Hat and Fancy Pants Contest. She wanted the hat to look and spin like a carousel, “but it didn’t work out as planned” she said. Mariel her family have come to the cup for several years together.

Spectators watch as Jockey Taylor Kingsley, left, rides Kilkerran and Jockey Gerard Galligan mounting L’Or des Roses prepare for the Cup’s final race, The Camden Plate.

Spectators watch as Jockey Taylor Kingsley, left, rides Kilkerran and Jockey Gerard Galligan mounting L’Or des Roses prepare for the Cup’s final race, The Camden Plate.

Jockey Dan Nevin, left, prepares to jump riding Little G T, while Stephen Mulqueen riding The Insider, jumps during the fourth race, The Kirkover-Woodward Cup Ratings Handicap Hurdle.

Jockey Dan Nevin, left, prepares to jump riding Little G T, while Stephen Mulqueen riding The Insider, jumps during the fourth race, The Kirkover-Woodward Cup Ratings Handicap Hurdle.

A group of spectators cheer and shout during the Cup’s fifth race, the Sport of Kings Novice Hurdle Stakes.

A group of spectators cheer and shout during the Cup’s fifth race, the Sport of Kings Novice Hurdle Stakes.

Carolina Cup coverage began early in the morning and continued throughout the day as traditions, social gatherings, and races unfolded. Photographing the event required careful observation and patience, allowing moments of fashion, celebration, and interaction to emerge naturally within the environment.

After documenting the event from 6:30 a.m. through the night, I reviewed more than 2,800 images and curated a final selection that best reflected the atmosphere, style, and traditions surrounding Carolina Cup.

Behind the Scenes: