2008 Presidential Election Coverage

During my time as a photographer for the Lakewood Observer in a Cleveland suburb, I had the privilege of documenting candidates during the 2008 presidential election in Ohio.

This election held personal significance as it was the first U.S. election in which I could vote, having become a U.S. citizen in 2007. I approached these assignments with a sense of wonder and gratitude for the access I was granted. The campaign team of then-Sen. Barack Obama entrusted an 18-year-old with a camera to capture images of enduring significance.

Over the course of 12 opportunities to photograph President Obama, I refined my creative eye, capturing details and a diverse range of perspectives during this historic moment for America. As my experience grew, I was granted access to the buffer zone alongside Secret Service agents and White House press pool photographers—an opportunity rarely extended to local press photographers.

Reflecting on this collection of images, I am struck by President Obama's poise and energy, as well as the captivated crowds that gathered to hear his speeches.