The portraits were taken in February 1982. The shoot was arranged by the manager of Whitney's mother, gospel singer Cissy Houston.Jack Mitchell/Corbis OUTLINE
Houston was still in high school when the photos were taken. She was also singing in a church choir and taking the stage occasionally with her mother.Jack Mitchell/Corbis OUTLINE
Mitchell describes the young Houston as "an innocent, sweet, pleasant schoolgirl with very good manners."Jack Mitchell/Corbis OUTLINE
Houston's career soared in the 1980s and '90s with one record-setting achievement after another. News of her death broke on February 11, the night before the Grammy Awards.Jack Mitchell/Corbis OUTLINE