Deals and Steals on upgrades for the home!

Open menu

  • Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2023 ABC News
  • Family

'Sobering' photos show what kids think about dying in a school shooting

VIDEO: 'Sobering' photos show what kids think about dying in a school shooting
1:21
'Sobering' photos show what kids think about dying in a school shooting
ABCNews.com
PHOTO: Genevieve Shaw-Brown
ByGenevieve Shaw Brown
May 31, 2018, 4:00 am

With National Gun Violence Awareness Day on Saturday and a rampage of school shootings haunting the nation, a Cincinnati photographer took her camera away from her usual happy subjects to a far more somber one.

Inspired by the trending hashtag #IfIDieInASchoolShooting, Christina Angel of Paint the Sky Photography photographed subjects ranging in age from little ones to teens with quotes from them on the subject.

“I saw my own daughter use it [on Twitter] and was shaken," Angel said. "I approached her to ask why the kids were posting it and what could I do.”

Angel’s daughter Andie Angel organized friends to take part in the project.

PHOTO: Paint the Sky Photography captured these images inspired by the trending hashtag #IfIDieInASchoolShooting.
Paint the Sky Photography captured these images inspired by the trending hashtag #IfIDieInASchoolShooting.
Paint the Sky Photography

Seventeen-year-old Andie told “Good Morning America,” she hoped the project “opened the public’s eyes to the reality that kids my age and younger are living with in school. Because while the gun control and mental health argument rages on, people start to forget that the younger generation fears for their life every time they hear footsteps in the hallways at school.”

PHOTO: Paint the Sky Photography captured these images inspired by the trending hashtag #IfIDieInASchoolShooting.
Paint the Sky Photography captured these images inspired by the trending hashtag #IfIDieInASchoolShooting.
Paint the Sky Photography

Angel called seeing the thoughts the kids have on the subject of school shootings “sobering.”

And while the photo series was meant to be a wake-up call, the reaction hasn’t been all positive.

PHOTO: Paint the Sky Photography captured these images inspired by the trending hashtag #IfIDieInASchoolShooting.
Paint the Sky Photography captured these images inspired by the trending hashtag #IfIDieInASchoolShooting.
Paint the Sky Photography

“The reactions have been all over the place,” Andie said. “There are so many people who understand the message we’re spreading, that understand at its roots, isn’t political.” Others, she said, “comment that ‘Kids shouldn’t be worried about this, they should be worried about graduating, prom, etc.’"

PHOTO: Paint the Sky Photography captured these images inspired by the trending hashtag #IfIDieInASchoolShooting.
Paint the Sky Photography captured these images inspired by the trending hashtag #IfIDieInASchoolShooting.
Paint the Sky Photography

Andie agrees but said that’s not reality.

“It’s hard to live carefree days when we go home and watch the news every day and find out another kid just like us was murdered in a place where they should have felt safe," she said. "That’s the whole purpose of this movement. The kids know what they’re saying. They’re concerned for their future and that’s something that needs to be protected for the sake of humanity.”

Up Next in Family—

8-year-old asks dad for one more hug in heartwarming video

September 29, 2023

US on brink of so-called child care cliff: 5 things for families to know as funding expires

September 29, 2023

Parents warned to stop using 5in1 rocker bassinets

September 29, 2023

Star in the making: Tiger Woods caddies for son Charlie at junior golf competition

September 27, 2023

Up Next in Family—

8-year-old asks dad for one more hug in heartwarming video

September 29, 2023

US on brink of so-called child care cliff: 5 things for families to know as funding expires

September 29, 2023

Parents warned to stop using 5in1 rocker bassinets

September 29, 2023

Star in the making: Tiger Woods caddies for son Charlie at junior golf competition

September 27, 2023

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2023 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2023 ABC News