In February of 2007 I had the opportunity to shoot Barack Obama's announcement for his candidacy for President of the United States of America for UPI, United Press International.
This almost became a very regretful day for me. I was supposed to catch a ride with a fellow Daily Illini photographer but after I woke up at 6 in the morning and after repeated calls with getting nothing but her voicemail. I was sitting in my apartment, all my gear packed, all my hand warmers in the pockets, without a car, started to have get extremely nervous that I was about to screw up a huge opportunity. I made a few calls and annoyingly I'm sure woke up the then photo editor at the Daily Illini Beck Diefenbach and nabbed his car and booked it over to Springfield. I was 2 hours later than I was supposed to be (still 3 hours before Barack was scheduled to speak, gotta get there really early for these types of things.) I made my way through the thousands of people that arrived there before me only to get to the gated off section with no pass and not much hope. I waved down some officers told them my dilemma and amazingly was escorted to the media area. My friend Mark who was also shooting the event had a spot taped off for me on the risers and everything worked out as far as getting to the spot.
The 8th was one of the coldest days in February and there I was huddling with other media nursing a grande americano hoping my toes didn't develop a nice case of frost bite before Obama comes out to speak.
How things changed in less than a year from being in Danville. Thousands of spectators, more secret service and media than there were spectators in Danville, and an atmosphere that I haven't seen at a political event in my entire life.... all while in sub freezing temperatures.
Have a fantastic day,
-Brad
This really illustrates how cold it really was there. All those heat waves were from the crowd huddling waiting for Barack Obama. One usually sees heat waves behind airplanes or maybe coming off of hot pavement in the summertime... not just rising from a crowd. That only happens when it's pretty much 0 degrees outside and there are thousands of people. Great memories.
2 comments:
Hello: Congratulations! You sure called this one right. Let's hope he can walk the talk. mc
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is that really a domain bot commenting about Obama?... randomn.
I remember that morning, Brad. It was definitely stressful. Good job man.
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