As a photojournalist I’ve been privileged to see and record history through my camera lens. A snowfall of historic proportions in the Yakima Valley. The reintroduction of bighorn sheep to the Yakama reservation. The formation of a collegiate women’s wrestling team.
History was made today with the swearing-in of President Barack Obama and I was able to witness the event. Not in person but rather through the eyes of people watching the event on television. The emotion of the occasion was clearly reflected in the hopeful face of a woman as she wiped tears from her face. In another viewer’s jubilant gesture of upraised arms. Hugging and clapping. In the feelings expressed to me as I gathered subjects’ names. So even though I wasn’t able to see the actual swearing-in ceremony, I didn’t need to because I was able to see it through other people and their emotions. And, in a way, that made it even better and more memorable because of what the inauguration meant to those people.
To quote Frank Cole, one of those watching the ceremony, “Oh boy – what a day!”
Julie Crest wipes a tear as she watches the presidential inauguration at the Southeast Community Center on Jan. 20, 2009. "It's like, finally. It's been so long since we can be proud, to trust and have hope," said Crest following the ceremony.
Susan Cutrona, left, celebrates with Ginny Brown after Barack Obama was sworn in as the president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2009. Obama "embodies hope for all the world," said Cutrona.
(L-R) Frank Cole, Julie Crest and Adrianne Garner applaud following the inauguration of President Barack Obama on Jan. 20, 2009. They were watching the ceremony on televisions at the Southeast Community Center in Yakima, Wash. "Oh boy, what a day!" said Cole.
