--2009_01_20_Obama for the inmates--

--2009_01_20_Obama for the inmates--

My second assignment for the Hutchinson News was to shoot the Reno County Jail Annex in downtown Hutchinson. The county closed down the annex for almost a year to do some repairs and restoration. Using mostly inmates to do the work it was done for a very small amount of money and is reopening soon. As I walked through the annex shooting environmental portraits and searching out subjects for my photos I saw that one of the two large bunking rooms for inmates was broadcasting the post Inauguration coverage. I asked the Sergeant who was touring me around if I could go in and make some photos and found it strange when he had to unlock to door to let me in since I couldn't see anyone in the room.



As I was making images I heard a rustling from the shower and a few whistles, turns out there was some last minute cleaning going on. I'm not aloud for legal reasons to show photograph the faces of any of the inmates, I made some quick pictures and then the man came out all finished up and we talked for a little about the cleaning and the annex, then he brought up the inauguration and we talked about its significance and historical value very briefly before he went to the Sergeant and updated him on his progress before getting back to work.



I love the number of assignments I seem to be getting starting out with this paper. I always seem to make my best images while I'm busy but still have time at assignments to work the situation a little more in-depth than just your regular everyday hit and run photography.

From Kansas with love,
Brad Vest

Listening to: Time to Pretend, MGMT

2009_01_20_Congratulations Mr. President

2009_01_20_Congratulations Mr. President

It's a special day. I wish I had the opportunity to be in DC for the inauguration, it looks like some amazing photos and stories are coming back.

Obama in Danville, Illinois in 2006.


I spent my Inauguration Day at a famous Mexican restaurant here in town called the Anchor Inn. One of the workers in particular was extremely touched by the peaceful transfer of power when Barack Obama was sworn in. Here are a few images over the years of Barack Obama and events surrounding him. At the end I have shared a few images from the restaurant on Inauguration Day. It's so refreshing to see people excited about this country again, people who didn't even vote for Barack Obama can't help but be caught up in this exciting time and transfer into a new era of United States rule.

Thanks for looking,
Brad Vest

Listening to: The sounds of a once again invigorated country

Public art along Pike street in Capitol hill in Seattle, Washington in 2008.


Election night celebration Rainier Avenue in Seattle, Washington.


Election night celebration on the corner of Pike and Broadway in Seattle's Captiol Hill neighborhood.



Guadalupe Ochoa, a waitress at Anchor Restaurant, crosses her heart during the Inauguration of President Barack Obama while preparing for lunch at Anchor Inn, January 20, 2009. 'I'll pray for him, and I'll pray for our country,' said Ochoa about the transition of power.
(Brad Vest/The Hutchinson News)


Guadalupe Ochoa, a waitress at Anchor Inn Restaurant, prays along with the Inauguration of President Barack Obama while preparing for lunch at Anchor, January 20, 2009. 'I'll pray for him, and I'll pray for our country,' said Ochoa about the transition of power.
(Brad Vest/The Hutchinson News)


Guadalupe Ochoa, a waitress at Anchor Restaurant, reacts as President Elect Barack Obama is sworn in as the 44th President of the United States on Tuesday, January 20, 2009, at Anchor Inn Restaurant in Hutchinson, Kansas.
(Brad Vest/The Hutchinson News)