On August 28, 2008

I got a nice letter from Iowa Gov. Chet Culver the other day. While he wrote kind words of thanks for some photos I sent to him, his letter was a fine reminder for me to mention in this medium the night I was there to watch – and photograph – Barack Obama accept his party’s nomination. Cliché to say, but it was an historic moment and one I will always remember for reasons one might not have thought.

I was present at Invesco Field that afternoon on a commission to produce a corporate marketing piece for a sponsor at the Democratic National Convention.



It began as a rather unassuming night for me. As the sun set, when Sheryl Crow came and went, the rumors that The Boss would show finally dissipated and Stevie hosted us to his melodic sway, I settled in with the Iowa delegation of which Culver and his wife were a part.



By the time Barack Obama walked out onto the stage I became aware I was to play witness to history and that my position was quite unique among the Iowa delegates (who had adopted me at that point) along with 75,000 democrats swept up in a wave of patriotic love. And then there was me, my bald head shining bright to the aerial cam that kept sweeping over the crowd.

People often say time stands still in moments like those and there isn’t any other way to put it. His speech was as fast as a blink. I am always sure to back away from my camera’s eyepiece; to see with my own eyes and hear not just the frames increment but to take in a moment with all its incredibility.



And this time I heard not so much the powerful assurances of a destined leader nor saw just the resolute intent on his face. I heard the chorus of the masses celebrating change in a new era of togetherness. I saw human diversity united. I saw disparate voices singing the same song. I understood that the right leadership can in fact do good to reduce the barriers of progress in our complex world and remind everybody that sometimes a milestone as simple as a racial barrier shattered can serve to remind everybody that we are in fact all working for the same thing.

Just a little goodness.



And for the millions and millions that saw that moment, all was washed away but for the simple congratulations to one man for making it to the top. I’m so proud of humanity.

For a brief evening, there was hope in the world.

My PR Machine Cranks up to Full Speed!

While on a photo shoot in rural Wyoming on Monday my portrait of a group of small business owners was the news of the day in the small town of Powell (pop. 5000). Many thanks to Don Amend of the Powell Tribune for making it all happen. Even in small towns they'll do anything to get the shot. Don climbed a rickety -- and frozen -- ladder in the back of the store across the street to get the shot.

Oh, and in case you need to be hand held, yes, that is me on top of yet another rental car.

Foto Week DC

I was grateful to the Washington, DC, arts community last night for the honor of being named among other professionals during a celebration and photo competition finale at an event at the National Geographic Society.

I received an honorable mention for an image I shot in Wells, ME, in the wedding category. My work along with 70 other finalists and students in several categories were featured in several venues from more than 5000 entries. Congrats to all for a job well done.

See the Channel 9 Feature.

Visit FotoWeekDC.

The evening capped a week of festivities all over town that was very well organized and publicized. From a top-notch exhibit in Georgetown to projected images on buildings all over town, the community rallied with the support of many photo-related busineses and associations. It seems the week was a success overall and I look forward to participating in next year's event.

iw

The Campaign Bus

I had the good fortune of spending much of the month of August shooting the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Vote for Business bus(es) rolling across the country at the peak of the gas price crisis, spreading the wealth at diesel filling stations and bus washes not to mention the occasional repair shop. Oh and we did stop occasionally to educate the public and give away some VFB t-shirts.

Seeing America this way is an invaluable experience. I am reminded of how big this nation is. About how much heart and soul -- and kindness -- there is in the working class. And about how many cultural centers exist under the umbrella of one nationality. People always ask me if I love the travel and I do because it reminds me constantly of where I'm from.

I've covered four election cycles now over the last decade, two following a bus. It's an election-style road trip sans candidate. The idea is to vote for the pro-business lobby. The photos I produce get used in issue-oriented advertising, PR and a variety of other documentary uses. There isn't much time for side trips or creative work in my more creative style. We travel on average a couple hundred miles a day with a few stops for endorsements, getting out the vote canvassing or PR functions. We pull in to the hotel and I'd edit and upload, eat greasy food, crash and repeat.

Often I'd leapfrog trying to get the bus rolling with incredible scenery in the shot. And at times I find myself scampering up highway berms just in time see the bus pass, get stopped for speeding trying to catch up, or hop a fence and trespass like I did to get lakeside and catch the bus coming across the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway in Louisiana. Multiply that over a dozen states during the course of a month!

The buses ended at the political conventions which I will post under a separate headline. These images are © the U.S. Chamber.

















One of my favorite pics. The staff were good sports.


A twist on an old landmark.


A gimme.


True faith in your photographer is to let him or her lead you out into narrow dirt roads in the Arizona desert for a photo op. The cows were NOT amused.



Nothing would be complete without the classic campaign shot.

iw

Back in the Swing

It's for real. I'm really back. In the flesh. Bags unpacked. Settling in again at home.

It was a whirlwind three months and covering election, the economy and all the special interest in between has been a thrill and a privilege. I'm still tallying the count but I'm sure I've traveled more than 100k miles this year. When I pull in to my preferred hotel chain they pretty much roll out the carpet for me. As for the airlines, well, I've certainly got class but the aviation industry doesn't really roll out the carpet much for anybody these days.

There are many stories to tell and in the coming weeks I'll be posting excerpt photos from stops along the way.

In the meantime, thanks to ML for collaborating with me to update my bio photo. It's time for some housekeeping!

iw