Every legacy has to start somewhere… and for this one, it begins with Carlina McKnight.
Carlina is the founder of my Struck by Love Legacy, and this photoshoot captures the family she grew up surrounded by — a family full of success, expectations, and a lot of complicated love.
Carlina is the daughter of a multi–bestselling author Darnell McKnight, a man whose books have earned countless awards and recognition. Growing up, writing was always part of her world. Stories filled the house, deadlines and manuscripts were a normal part of life, and success seemed to follow her father everywhere he went.
But when Carlina told him she wanted to become a writer too… things were never quite the same.
Their relationship has always felt more like teacher and student than father and daughter. He was hard on her, constantly pushing, constantly critiquing, and never quite convinced she had what it takes to follow in his footsteps.
Her mother, Trina, on the other hand, has always been her biggest supporter. As the woman who manages the careers of countless stars, she understands ambition better than anyone. She’s the one who reminds Carlina that success doesn’t come overnight and that sometimes the story you’re meant to tell takes time to unfold.
Carlina still lives at home with her parents, holding onto her dream and writing quietly while the rest of the world seems to move ahead of her.
Her older sister, Carmen already a successful model, seems to have found her path effortlessly. She’s built a life of her own with her husband, Zayn and their two daughters, Heaven and Hilary, who bring a little bit of chaos and joy into every family gathering.
Despite everything, Carlina’s story is just beginning.
But love and life won’t make things easy.
