A political photographer and videographer on 15 years, 20 states, and the campaigns that keep him saying yes
I left journalism in 2010 because I was tired of watching. For years my job was to report the news and stay out of it, and I was good at that. But somewhere along the way I realized I had opinions — about how we lift everyone up, about what’s actually good for this country, its people, and the generation coming after us. I didn’t want to keep those opinions to myself anymore.
So I joined the Young Democrats of America and ran its Faith and Values Committee. Then I started doing what I actually know how to do—making photos and video for candidates and causes I believe in. That decision turned into a career, and that career turned into this: fifteen years as a political photographer and campaign videographer, working races most people never think to ask about and a few they always do.
So I joined the Young Democrats of America and ran its Faith and Values Committee. Then I started doing what I actually know how to do—making photos and video for candidates and causes I believe in. That decision turned into a career, and that career turned into this: fifteen years as a political photographer and campaign videographer, working races most people never think to ask about and a few they always do.Run the Bridge offers a fabulous opportunity to photograph something rare, because the iconic Ben Franklin Bridge is shut down to traffic for the race. With the drone in the air and the roadway empty, there’s calm and beauty without vehicles. The color contrast pulled me into this frame: runners set against the cool blue tones of sky and steel. This was my second year shooting from the bridge, and once again, the bridge, Camden, and Philadelphia work beautifully together.
Fifteen Years, 20 States, and the Campaigns That Built This Work
We’ve produced political photography and video work in 20 states now. Illinois and Montana top the list, which still makes me chuckle since my home base in Pennsylvania is only third most frequent for work. I’ve shot races for governor, senator, U.S. House, State Senate, State Representative, county, city, and school board — the down-ballot races that rarely get a professional camera pointed at them, but decide just as much.
The Biden-Harris campaign hired us during the 2020 chaos. I’ve photographed and filmed President Biden a dozen times, including private moments most people never see. President Obama three times. I photographed and filmed Governor Tom Wolf and his family on multiple occasions. Senator Bob Casey Jr. a half dozen more. Those are the names people ask about first. They’re not really why I keep doing this work.
The Campaigns That Actually Keep Me Going
This year I got to work with Madeleine Dean, one of my favorite members of Congress. We made images for her in 2024, and she liked the work enough that she built this year’s updated shoot around my schedule. She’s a badass — and I mean that as the highest compliment
I’ve also been shooting campaign video and photography for Bob Brooks, running in the Lehigh Valley. He’s a former firefighter and current baseball coach, and we spent half our time together talking baseball. He’s down to earth, and he cares about real people. I’m rooting hard for him.
Doing More With Less — And Why That Matters for Campaigns
Alongside campaign work, we produce video for a half-dozen firms between New York, D.C., and Chicago, and we’re looking to expand. Over the years, we’ve gotten good at traveling light: fewer crew members, a smaller footprint, quality political ads produced more efficiently.
That efficiency came out of necessity. I directed a documentary series for PBS called Grown Up Dad, and making something look good on a PBS budget instead of a Netflix one teaches you to get more out of less. That’s the model we bring to political shoots now — a leaner production that keeps more of a campaign’s money where it actually needs to go: field and media, not overhead.
Why I Still Say Yes
Why I Still Say Yes
I’ve always thought of this work as a passion project for my own soul. The hours are brutal, the deadlines are worse, and you’re usually the last person to leave the room. I keep saying yes anyway.
Someday my son is going to ask what I did about the things that were wrong in the world — what I did to fight injustice and make it better for whoever comes next. I want to be able to point at something real. Fifteen years of political photography and video, for candidates and causes I actually believe in, is my answer.
If you’re running, or you’re building something for someone who is, let’s talk- hello@veracitystudios.com.
