Obama’s Farewell Brings an End to an Era

After I moved to Chicago in 2003, I started covering a “skinny kid with a funny name.” Now he really wasn’t a kid at that time, but I was a mere 26 years old. I have seen the image in my mirror change and I have seen the man who became our President change as well with each image.

Last night was a fitting and emotional end to a chapter of my life which I will never forget.

 

U.S. President Barack Obama wipes away a tear as he delivers a farewell address at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois by John Gress
U.S. President Barack Obama wipes away a tear as he delivers a farewell address at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. January 10, 2017. REUTERS/John Gress

 

There have been so many things that have transpired over the years, which I will go through in chronological order.

I was there when Obama stepped on the national stage, delivering the Keynote speech at the 2004 DNC. I would have never guessed that he would become our President, just 4 years and a few months later.

 

Obama DNC speech
Keynote speaker and Illinois Senate candidate Barack Obama and his wife Michelle (R) leave the stage after he spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Boston, Massachusetts, July 27, 2004. Democrats backed a controversy free party platform on Tuesday as the wife of White House hopeful John Kerry and the son of a Republican legend prepared to share the spotlight on the second night of their national convention. REUTERS/John Gress US ELECTION

 

Illinois US Senate candidate Democrat Barack Obama celebrates with his family by Chicago Political Photographer John Gress

US Senator elect Barack Obama (D-IL) (2nd from L), his wife Michelle and their daughters Malia, 3, (R) and Sasha, 6, (L) celebrate at their election night head quarters in Chicago, November 2, 2004. Obama faced Republican candidate Alan Keys in the first Senate race with two African American candidates. REUTERS/John Gress

 

In the 14 years that have passed, I have gone though 9 camera models and with each generation the quality has only improved by leaps and bounds. I’m not exactly sure how many different lens I have owned, but it has to be close to 30.

After he was elected to the Senate, Obama threw out the first pitch at the ALCS. The White Sox went on to win the World Series that year and he was still unknown enough that the photo editors I was working with misspelled his name.

 

U.S. Sen. Barak Obama (D-IL) is dressed in a White Sox uniform as he smiles while standing on the field prior to his throwing the ceremonial first pitch before the Chicago White Sox met the Los Angeles Angels in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series in Chicago October 12, 2005. REUTERS/John Gress
U.S. Sen. Barak Obama (D-IL) is dressed in a White Sox uniform as he smiles while standing on the field prior to his throwing the ceremonial first pitch before the Chicago White Sox met the Los Angeles Angels in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series in Chicago October 12, 2005. REUTERS/John Gress

 

As Presidential campaign speculation mounted, Obama spoke at an MLK breakfast before going to a Church service. Afterwards before he gave a press conference and as I was standing next to him, elbow to elbow, I started cursing out a male TV reporter for telling a female newspaper reporter that she had to move so he could be in the shot with Obama. I soon felt someone tug at my arm as Obama was giving his opening remarks and the f-word was flying out of my mouth.

 

US. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) waits to speak during the Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Breakfast in Chicago January 15, 2007. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES)
US. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) waits to speak during the Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Breakfast in Chicago January 15, 2007. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES)

 

But within a month the speculation was over and the junior Senator announced his long-shot presidential candidacy on a cold winter day in Springfield, Illinois.

 

U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and his family formally announce his campaign for U.S. President in the 2008 election during a campaign rally in front of the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois, February 10, 2007. REUTERS/John Gress
U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and his family formally announce his campaign for U.S. President in the 2008 election during a campaign rally in front of the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois, February 10, 2007. REUTERS/John Gress

 

US Senator Barack Obama, D-IL, greets supporters at the AFSCME convention in Chicago, March 4, 2007.
US Senator Barack Obama, D-IL, greets supporters at the AFSCME convention in Chicago, March 4, 2007. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES)

 

 

Chicago Political photojournalist John Gress covered every major 2004 and 2008 presidential candidate. He has photographed presidential primaries and general elections, as well as Republican and Democratic national conventions.

U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) looks at fellow candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) at the conclusion of the AFL-CIO Presidential Forum at Soldier Field in Chicago, August 7, 2007. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES)

 

As the campaign turned into a 1:1 race with Clinton, I covered the two of them and McCain, traveling with them inside the bubble as we flew and rode from place to place.

 

US Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) campaigns during a rally in Oshkosh, Wisconsin February 15, 2008. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES)
US Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) campaigns during a rally in Oshkosh, Wisconsin February 15, 2008. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES)

 

 

Illinois US Senate candidate Democrat Barack Obama celebrates with his family in Chicago
US Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) greets the crowd at a rally in Corpus Christi, Texas February 22, 2008. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES)

 

Barack Obama campaigns in Indianapolis Indiana
U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) (L) tours CMW specialty medals factory Inc. with owner Mark Gramelspacher in Indianapolis, Indiana, April 30, 2008. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES)

 

18 months after going to Springfield for his announcement, I was back in the capitol city when Obama announced that Senator Biden would join him on the ticket.

 

US Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and his vice presidential running mate Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) at a campaign event at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois, August 23, 2008. REUTERS/John Gress
US Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) and his vice presidential running mate Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) at a campaign event at the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois, August 23, 2008. REUTERS/John Gress

 

I spent election night in a scissor lift towering above the crowd. It seemed like an out of body experience as I went home in disbelief that he won and the election wasn’t even close, recalling the drama of 2000.

 

Chicago Political Photographer John Gress:: U.S. President-elect Barack Obama during his election night rally in Chicago, November 4, 2008.
U.S. President-elect Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) speaks to supporters during his election night rally in Grant Park as the skyline is seen in the distance after being declared the winner of the 2008 U.S. Presidential Campaign in Chicago November 4, 2008. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES)

 

After Obama was elected the transition began. For weeks I was waking up before dawn to ride in the motorcade and follow the President Elect wherever he went in Chicago. Whether it was to the gym, his transition office or dinner.

 

President-elect Barack Obama and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) during a meeting in Obama's transition office in Chicago, November 17, 2008. REUTERS/John Gress
President-elect Barack Obama and Senator John McCain (R-AZ) during a meeting in Obama’s transition office in Chicago, November 17, 2008. REUTERS/John Gress

 

Oh and then Time Magazine decided to put one of my images on the cover. I swear he wasn’t smoking when I took the photo.

 

Chicago Photographer and Director of Photography (DP) John Gress- lifestyle, fashion, portrait, headshot and commercial photography and videography.

 

Once Obama was in Washington, I only saw him a few times, but in 2012 I was there when he was reelected.

 

U.S. President Barack Obama hugs Vice President Joe Biden as the first family looks on to during their election night victory rally in Chicago, November 7, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress
U.S. President Barack Obama hugs Vice President Joe Biden as the first family looks on to during their election night victory rally in Chicago, November 7, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress

 

U.S. President Barack Obama talks to Vice President Joe Biden (R) after his election night victory speech in Chicago, November 7, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress
U.S. President Barack Obama talks to Vice President Joe Biden (R) after his election night victory speech in Chicago, November 7, 2012. REUTERS/John Gress

 

And Finally, after shedding a few tears last night thanking his wife and Vice-President Biden, Obama in effect said goodbye to all us.

 

U.S. President Barack Obama hugs his wife Michelle as Vice-President Joe Biden and his wife Jill look on after the President delivered a farewell address at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois
U.S. President Barack Obama hugs his wife Michelle as Vice-President Joe Biden and his wife Jill look on after the President delivered a farewell address at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. January 10, 2017. REUTERS/John Gress

 

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