A routine back-to-school photo shoot in Auburn, Alabama, turned into a moment no one in the Mills family will soon forget.
Brooke Mills, a bright-eyed seventh grader, was all set to capture a cheerful photo to mark the end of summer and kick off the new school year. Her mom, ShaneJoy Mills, like many parents, wanted to preserve the memory—something of a family tradition.
For ShaneJoy, snapping these yearly photos had always been a sweet way to document Brooke’s journey through school. Like many parents, she saw these moments as milestones—small but meaningful markers of her child growing up, gaining independence, and stepping further into the world.
“I used to find those photo sessions annoying when I was a kid,” she later admitted. “But now I totally get it—it’s about freezing time, even for just a second.”
This year’s photo, however, came with a wild twist.
As ShaneJoy snapped a couple of shots, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Brooke stood smiling near a tree in their yard, ready for her first day of middle school. It wasn’t until ShaneJoy glanced back at one of the pictures that her heart skipped a beat.
“I took two pictures and told her, ‘Let me see your teeth, baby!’” ShaneJoy told WRBL. “Then I spotted it—the snake. Lord, it was scary!”
Remaining calm on the outside, though likely wide-eyed with shock, she called Brooke away from the tree. “I said, ‘Brooke, come here,’ but she thought I just wanted another picture. I had to tell her, ‘Get away from the tree—now.’”
Blending perfectly with the tree bark, the snake was nearly invisible at first. It turned out to be a non-venomous rat snake, and fortunately, it seemed more interested in sunbathing than striking. According to online comments, the snake had likely just eaten, which might explain its calm demeanor.
The surprising photo has since gone viral, with social media users both amused and alarmed by the hidden reptile. Hundreds have shared the post, with many joking that this snake was just trying to “photobomb” Brooke’s big day.
Thankfully, no harm was done—and Brooke now has the most unforgettable back-to-school photo ever.