a wolf on the moon

--02_08_2007_Obama_2007--

--02_08_2007_Obama_2007--

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.

--10_05_2006_Obama_2006--

--10_05_2006_Obama_2006--

It's been amazing watching this Presidential Election over the past couple of years as it has evolved and changed. I did not cover much of the GOP side of things but I had the luck to cover a couple Barack Obama events over the past 20 months or so. From a small town gathering of no more than 200 or so people, to a crowd of ~10-15 thousand when he gave his speech stating that he was running for the President of the United States of America.

I feel so lucky to have covered the most amazing run for the Presidency in modern history. Either way, here is a short look back at a few images from Danville, Illinois in 2006 when Barack came to town helping a local politician's run for office.

While Obama visited Danville he was barely known. The access was unlimited and he spent a long time talking with the crowd and shaking hands. This was early on in my photojournalism days and I missed one of those shots that everyone in the business looks back on and it always misses not capturing the moment. For me this moment came as Barack was leaving the event. I was at the side of his suv, right at the front door leaning over the hood shooting as he got into the front seat 2 feet away. As he opened the door and started to sit down I put my camera down and was about to back away to let his car drive on. Just as I set down my camera he stands back up leans through the V of open space between the open door and car pointed, smiled, and gave me a look I'll never forget, I didn't even think of grabbing my camera I just shared the moment, smiled, and pointed right back at him. He laughed gave a wave and got into the car and moved on to become the soon to be 44th President of the United States of America.

Thanks for looking,

-Brad

Maybe I did something funny? Or I look funny? haha

Here Barack Obama fakes me out and acts like he is getting into his suv. Right after I took this picture is when I put my camera down to move out of the way.