Monday, June 10, 2019

Presidential Forum in Pasadena: Making File Photos for the Future

I photographed back to back political events the other week, starting with a Senator Bernie Sanders rally before ditching out halfway to make it to the Presidential candidate forum a few blocks away where I'd see Bernie again a few hours later. Candidates Jay Inslee, Kamala Harris, Bernie Sanders, and Julian Castro all had their time on stage fielding questions.

Compared to the rally, it was a much less dynamic event to photograph, which made it difficult. It was a small setting with everyone sitting in the same chair, occasionally standing up and walking the lit stage, in an otherwise pitch black room.

Needless to say, the photos weren't terribly exciting, so this post isn't really about the event – it's about looking for an image that tells something beyond the main story. During this event, I spent a lot of time thinking about archive photos and what a moment could be used to illustrate something further down the road. Maybe there's something going on behind the scenes that no one knows about right now that will be a story later. What can I take from this moment that isn't particularly useful now, but could be down the road?

And there's also just playing with the weirdness that is politics. These people have to tour the country and talk in front of thousands of people, all while trying to be conscious of the image they're projecting and trying not to have some sort of mishap in front of all the cameras they face. It's gotta be a weird role to play – and exhausting.

So here are a couple photos from a rather visually dull event that reflect those ideas. 

Senator Bernie Sanders
Senator Bernie Sanders
Senator Bernie Sanders
Senator Bernie Sanders... in many colors
Senator Kamala Harris getting settled on stage as she answers her first question.
Senator Kamala Harris
Mayor Eric Garcetti – not a candidate.
Mayor Eric Garcetti – not a candidate.
Julian Castro and the many feelings possible during a press conference.
Governor Jay Inslee
Governor Jay Inslee
Governor Jay Inslee






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Friday, June 7, 2019

Senator Kamala Harris Presidential Campaign Rally in Los Angeles

Campaigning for the 2020 election is well underway. Here' my first coverage of the season – a Senator Kamala Harris rally in Los Angeles. Her press team was very accomodating and made it easy for photographers to make the images they wanted, which is greatly appreciated as it's not always the case.

This rally was held in a college basketball gym, and with the freedom we were given to roam, there were a lot of different angles to work. I came out with a few images I was happy with and am looking forward to covering more of these events as all the campaigns go forward. 

Here's an edit of photos from the event:

Senator Kamala Harris speaks at her presidential campaign rally in Los Angeles, CA May 19, 2019.
Senator Kamala Harris speaks at her presidential campaign rally in Los Angeles, CA May 19, 2019.
Senator Kamala Harris is cheer as she enters the stage at her presidential campaign rally in Los Angeles, CA May 19, 2019.
Senator Kamala Harris speaks at her presidential campaign rally in Los Angeles, CA May 19, 2019.
Senator Kamala Harris speaks at her presidential campaign rally in Los Angeles, CA May 19, 2019.
People listen as Senator Kamala Harris speaks at her presidential campaign rally in Los Angeles, CA May 19, 2019.


Senator Kamala Harris speaks at her presidential campaign rally in Los Angeles, CA May 19, 2019.
People listen as Senator Kamala Harris speaks at her presidential campaign rally in Los Angeles, CA May 19, 2019.

Senator Kamala Harris speaks at her presidential campaign rally in Los Angeles, CA May 19, 2019.
Senator Kamala Harris speaks at her presidential campaign rally in Los Angeles, CA May 19, 2019.
People listen as Senator Kamala Harris speaks at her presidential campaign rally in Los Angeles, CA May 19, 2019.
Senator Kamala Harris speaks at her presidential campaign rally in Los Angeles, CA May 19, 2019.
Senator Kamala Harris speaks at her presidential campaign rally in Los Angeles, CA May 19, 2019.
People listen as Senator Kamala Harris speaks at her presidential campaign rally in Los Angeles, CA May 19, 2019.
Senator Kamala Harris speaks at her presidential campaign rally in Los Angeles, CA May 19, 2019.
Senator Kamala Harris speaks at her presidential campaign rally in Los Angeles, CA May 19, 2019.
Senator Kamala Harris speaks at her presidential campaign rally in Los Angeles, CA May 19, 2019.
People cheer as Senator Kamala Harris speaks at her presidential campaign rally in Los Angeles, CA May 19, 2019.
Senator Kamala Harris speaks at her presidential campaign rally in Los Angeles, CA May 19, 2019.
Senator Kamala Harris speaks at her presidential campaign rally in Los Angeles, CA May 19, 2019.
People take pictures of Senator Kamala Harris at her presidential campaign rally in Los Angeles, CA May 19, 2019.
People take pictures with Senator Kamala Harris at her presidential campaign rally in Los Angeles, CA May 19, 2019.
"46 – Kamala Harris – 2020"
Trump supporters outside the rally who refused to give names.






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Thursday, June 6, 2019

Senator Bernie Sanders 2020 Campaign Rally Pasadena, CA

The battle for the Democratic presidential nomination is well under way with a crowded field of contestants vying for said nomination. As such, there's lots of rallies and campaign events to be photographed before voters go to the polls next November.

While the imagery can be repetitive, the events provide a great opportunity to stretch the creative legs and to focus on making images beyond the obvious. You're often standing side by side with a herd of other photographers and it can be really challenging to make something different from them. You're not always gonna walk away feeling like a winner, but at least you're getting to work the brain muscle.

I've photographed a couple of these in the last few weeks and it's been really fun to feel my brain grinding away, taking in as much of the scene as it can while scanning for details that could be fun to photograph or some sort of angle the could create interesting layers. These events aren't short by any means, so you've got the time to play and, security allowing, wander. 

I had to leave halfway through this event to head to the next event, so I didn't get to play as much as I'd have liked to, but I still came out with a couple images I was happy with. And if you're getting out with one photo you're happy with, that's a win to me.

Here's a wide selection of photographs from the event:

"...STILL BERNING!" "IN YOUR GUTS, YOU KNOW HE'S NUTS" "we are the resistance" "MISS ME YET?" "HINDSIGHT IS 2020" "PRIDE FOR BERNIE"
Actor Danny DeVito speaks to the crowd during Senator Bernie Sanders presidential campaign rally in Pasadena, CA on May 31, 2019.
Actor Danny DeVito speaks to the crowd during Senator Bernie Sanders presidential campaign rally in Pasadena, CA on May 31, 2019.
Ben & Jerry's co-founder Ben Cohen speaks to the crowd during Senator Bernie Sanders presidential campaign rally in Pasadena, CA on May 31, 2019.
Senator Bernie Sanders waves to the crowd during his presidential campaign rally in Pasadena, CA on May 31, 2019.
Senator Bernie Sanders waves to the crowd during his presidential campaign rally in Pasadena, CA on May 31, 2019.
Senator Bernie Sanders speaks to the crowd during his presidential campaign rally in Pasadena, CA on May 31, 2019.
Senator Bernie Sanders speaks to the crowd during his presidential campaign rally in Pasadena, CA on May 31, 2019.

People listen as Senator Bernie Sanders speaks to the crowd during his presidential campaign rally in Pasadena, CA on May 31, 2019.

Senator Bernie Sanders speaks to the crowd during his presidential campaign rally in Pasadena, CA on May 31, 2019.
Senator Bernie Sanders speaks to the crowd during his presidential campaign rally in Pasadena, CA on May 31, 2019.
Senator Bernie Sanders speaks to the crowd during his presidential campaign rally in Pasadena, CA on May 31, 2019.
Senator Bernie Sanders speaks to the crowd during his presidential campaign rally in Pasadena, CA on May 31, 2019.
Senator Bernie Sanders speaks to the crowd during his presidential campaign rally in Pasadena, CA on May 31, 2019.
Senator Bernie Sanders speaks to the crowd during his presidential campaign rally in Pasadena, CA on May 31, 2019.
Senator Bernie Sanders speaks to the crowd during his presidential campaign rally in Pasadena, CA on May 31, 2019.
Senator Bernie Sanders speaks to the crowd during his presidential campaign rally in Pasadena, CA on May 31, 2019.






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