Hattie (Susan Sarandon), a New Orleans hooker, meets a photographer named Bellocq (Keith Carradine) at her brothel 1 particular night and, later he photographs her, then he meets with her 12-year-old daughter, Violet (Brooke Shields). Violet focuses on reuniting with Bellocq and loses her innocence when Violet is brought on by her mommy's madam and Hattie skips town to get wed. However, a lifetime with Bellocq is threatened for Violet once her mum proceeds to town.