If you’ve seen any of my work from the past year, you’ve probably seen my photo from the Obama rally the night before the election in Manassas, VA.
On Monday, 3 November 2008, I drove to Manassas in the hopes of getting some good photos of then-Senator Obama’s last campaign rally. As I stood in the press area for the rally, I debated whether or not to give up the press access in order to get some photos from the crowd. The press area wasn’t really that close to the stage and I love taking photos of people at events like this. But, if I decided to mingle with the general public, it’s not likely that I’d get back into the press area. So I decided against and tried my best to get good photos of people from where I was.
At around 8pm (still about 2-3 hours from Obama’s appearance), I immediately recognized what was likely to be my best shot of the night. A young girl was sitting on someone’s shoulders and, from my perspective, was right in front of the large American flag put up by Obama’s advance team. I immediately took as many shots as I could before the little girl disappeared into the crowd again. That shot is below:
While I was happy with many of the shots I got that night, the shot above turned out to be my favorite. When it came to trying to write a caption for it, I remember thinking how great it would be if I could find out the young girl’s name.
A few months later, I entered it into the FOTOBAMA Photo Contest which was soliciting entries of any photos of the 2008 Presidential campaign and election. The photo was selected as a finalist and, consequently, was on display at the Newseum in downtown Washington for a few months over the summer. Unfortunately, I actually never got the chance to see it on display at the Newseum.
However, about two weeks ago, I got an email from the Project Editor at the Newseum telling me that she had been contacted by the mother of the little girl in the photo. Apparently, the little girl and her aunt had seen the photo at the Newseum and had wanted to find out if they could get a copy of the picture. I emailed back and forth with the little girl’s mother, got a copy of the photo printed and framed, and met up with them this morning.
So, almost a year later, I give you Maya, age 6, from “Election Eve in Manassas”:
Me, Maya, and her little sister Ella:
Shawn Duffy is a freelance commercial photographer and photojournalist based in the Washington, DC Metro area. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, he is a self-taught photographer who has decided to merge his passion for photography with his intense interest in the world around him. From the bustling streets of Bangalore, India, to the refugee camps of occupied Palestine, Shawn strives to create images and tell stories that compel others to act.
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Awesome story, Shawn! That’s really great that you got to meet her, I’m sure she was thrilled as were her parents. For you it’s as rewarding to meet her as it was to get a killer image like that! Congrats!
robert
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Thanks Robert! Yes, I’m really glad I was able to get in touch with her and make sure she got a copy of the photo. Definitely a story with a happy ending.
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Great story behind a great photo. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks Tracy!
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What a great story! I loved this photo and was thrilled to see it at the Newseum. Thanks for sharing this with us!!
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Thanks Kim!
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Awesome!!! That is so cool. This is one of my very favorite photos… you must have had a lens the size of a canon on there!
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Thanks Dawn! I was shooting with my 70-200mm, f/2.8L IS lens extended all the way to 200mm. But, any more and I don’t think it would have been the same.
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Great story!
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Thanks Michael!
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So cool Sean, great story!
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Thanks Sheila!
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I work with her mom and have been around her a few times she is a sweetheart. Beautiful picture of a beautiful little girl.
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Thanks so much Marie!
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Shawn,
As friends of Maya’s family, we were happy they went to Manassas that night as we had just seen him with our kids in Leesburg. While children tire out at events like this, I believe they understood it’s significance. For Maya, it was a long night and all worth it. Your brilliant photo will help her make it last forever as a treasured experience. So glad you actually met Maya.
Dixcy
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Thanks Dixcy… I’m very happy I got the chance to meet Maya, too, and I’m really glad that I was able to give her something that she’ll have to remind her of that night.
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Wow, that’s awesome Shawn. Great connecting with your subject after so long and I’m sure it’ll be a keepsake for years to come. Great story.
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Wow… very cool story Shawn. Glad you got to meet her!
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