9/13/12: President Obama in Golden, CO

Today was quite the day here in Golden, where I had the honor of photographing the President of the United States during a speech in Lions Park, about a mile from our house.

“Hello, Golden! You know, this is just too pretty. I don’t know how you guys get any work done around here.”

It was a mere 4 days ago that most of us learned that the President would be visiting Golden, apparently for the first time since Ulysses S. Grant. Colorado was merely a territory back then, so today was indeed a special day for both the City of Golden, and Jefferson County. And for me, as I was truly honored to be able to cover the event for the City of Golden Police Department. Fortunately yesterday’s frontal rain had passed, and left 8400 of us with both clean air and beautiful blue fall skies.

Below find a selection of images from this historic event; regardless of political affiliation or views, I sincerely hope you enjoy the images, at least more than the ‘lady’ in the last image.

Regards,

Jeff

Oh yeah, I almost forgot! After 10 minutes or so of shaking hands with people in front, President Obama turned to leave, but then stopped and returned to the media bleachers and shook a few hands. Mine happened to be the last before he disappeared into the tunnel…

 

 

21 Comments

  1. Art Isador September 14, 2012 at 09:38 #

    Outstanding photos Jeff – just super expressions and excellent technical shooting. Wonderful!

    • Jeff Warner September 14, 2012 at 18:54 #

      Hey, Mark! So nice to hear from you, and thanks so much for taking the time to check out the images! Hope you’re well,

      -JEFF

  2. Jan Hopping September 14, 2012 at 10:41 #

    WOW Awesome Job Jeff, Excellent captures!!! Ilove the people one with the FORWARD sign in the background & the American flag the best!! Thanks for sharing.

  3. Kit Cohan September 14, 2012 at 12:15 #

    Thanks for sharing your photos! I was there but I’m short so I just caught glimpses here and there; your photos have made the event even more memorable for me!

    • Jeff Warner September 14, 2012 at 12:21 #

      Kit, glad I could give you a bit of a different perspective! My kids were out there in the crowd, and they said it was challenging in many ways. Glad you got to be part of it! -JEFF

  4. julia davis September 14, 2012 at 14:46 #

    Great photos, EVEN the one of the sour-faced Republican in her “sucks” t-shirt. That’s a Republican face if I ever saw one!

  5. Mike September 14, 2012 at 15:03 #

    The woman in the last picture opposes Obama because she stands to gain a lot by Romney’s plan to cut the taxes on the top 1%.

  6. Lib Elder September 14, 2012 at 16:01 #

    I’m sorry you included the last shot. It only highlights what is wrong with our system, the level of personal vitriol with which it has become infected. IMO it tainted the beauty of this collection.

    • Jeff Warner September 14, 2012 at 18:52 #

      I’m sorry you feel that way Lib, but the goal of the set of images was not to subjectively show what happened from a particular political viewpoint, but to try and capture the ambience of the event. Regardless of one’s views, such t-shirts are part of the political dialog going on around us every day, amongst neighbors and friends, on Facebook, around water coolers at work. I cannot begin to fathom what feelings the image stirs in any given person, I only know what it stirred in me, and I made an admittedly subjective decision to include it in the set.

      Thanks for taking the time to comment, I very much appreciate it.

      -JEFF

  7. Brian September 14, 2012 at 16:46 #

    These shots are fantastic Jeff! What a treat to get such an up close seat for a rare occasion in Golden. Hope you had a zoom lens so you didn’t have to get to close to the FUR in the last shot, haha.

  8. joan gray September 14, 2012 at 18:30 #

    As former residents of Golden (about 35 yrs. ago) we thank you for such lovely photos of the fantastic event in Golden! We miss all of you………God Bless Barack Obama and the USA!

  9. Doug September 14, 2012 at 19:24 #

    Fabulous images. Professional indeed. Thanks for sharing your talent.

  10. Libby September 14, 2012 at 19:54 #

    Whow Jeff, way-to-go!
    The emotion and aesthetics captured in each photo provided a very fulfilling viewing experience for me. Thank you and congratulations.

  11. Heidi Warner September 15, 2012 at 13:21 #

    Great shots Jeff! I wasn’t able to be there and it really gave me a feel for the event.

  12. Gregory Baker September 17, 2012 at 10:58 #

    These are wonderful images, Jeff. They truly capture the moments, Obama, the people, the beauty of Golden. They almost make you feel like you were there.

  13. Mary Ann Phillips September 17, 2012 at 11:03 #

    Jeff – These are terrific pictures. I’m going to save some of them. Thanks.

  14. Grandpa Paul September 17, 2012 at 21:37 #

    It is a little bit of history that you have recorded so nicely. I like to imagine him as a new Abe Lincoln. Perhaps he even resembles Abe a little. Your images give me that feeling. Thanks

  15. Emily Stein September 17, 2012 at 22:16 #

    I was there!! I was standing directly to Obama’s right, opposite of the press. It was an incredible experience & your photos are wonderful!!

  16. Lee Duhl September 18, 2012 at 08:36 #

    These photos are just wonderful, Jeff. Sadly I wasn’t able to attend but was there in spirit.. Its great that you included the final photo of the lovely lady in the red tee shirt… She should have stayed home!

    Thanks for making my day!

    ~ Lee D.!

  17. Lu Phillips September 18, 2012 at 13:33 #

    Jeff– Magnificent job! I would sure have enjoyed being there with you. What a great opportunity to be so close to a sitting President. How did you manage to get such great access?

  18. David Tolbert September 20, 2012 at 12:52 #

    Your photographic prowess is pretty spectacular. Captured the beauty of the day and the excitment of the crowd. I hope you have the same opportunity to portray the same sentiment and feelings from the other side of the table. As for the last image, not really representative of mainstream conservatism, only the fringe. Really!