These images of hurricane Katrina's aftermath were taken 3 months after the hurricane hit New Orleans.

I chose to start with this photo because I believe it's the most powerful.  It shows a voyeuristic view of this man's seemingly happy life before the storm, with the colorful walls and beads hanging from the second floor.  It's horrible to think that such a terrible tragedy can happen to such an innately happy city.

Yet, what I found was that with this happiness came perseverance and inner strength.  The people of New Orleans were adamant that they would get through this, despite what they had been through.