Dorothea Lange was an American photographer, particularly famous for her Depression era pictures. One of the most famous ones is the one known as "Migrant Mother."
Lange has given us an account of the experience. She says that the woman did not ask any questions, but agreed to be photographed. The photographer thinks that the woman cooperated because she thought this might help her with her plight. Lange has stated that the woman "seemed to know that my pictures might help her, and so she helped me. There was a sort of equality about it."
Huck reacts by not being able to speak or breathe because he is so scared. I think he is starting to realize that life isn't forever and life can be quickly ended by other people, so you have to be careful with what kind of situations you put yourself in and who you surround yourself with.