His initial visit was met with hostility from protective neighbors. They were armed with shotguns and wary of outsiders ridiculing the family.
Despite this challenging start, Laita persevered and gained the family’s trust.
The filmmaker photographed the Whitakers for his book ‘Created Equal,’ which explores diverse American cultures and backgrounds.
In 2020, he revisited the family to deepen his understanding of their lives.
In an interview on the Koncrete KLIPS Podcast, Laita recounted his experiences with the Whittakers.
He vividly described scenes of the family members, noting misaligned eyes and exhibitions of erratic behavior.