Obama’s Farewell Brings an End to an Era

U.S. President Barack Obama acknowledges the crowd as he arrives to deliver his farewell address in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., January 10, 2017. REUTERS/John Gress

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.

Its Obama!

Four years ago I photographed election night from a scissor lift on the President’s left, and this year was more of the same. However last time we seemed so far removed from the crowd, that I was in disbelief until the next day. Being there last night made me think of the last four years and it made me imagine what the next four years will bring.

NATO: Freedom Is Free, Fame Will Cost You

One thing stuck out in my mind this weekend as I was ushered from one place to place by military and State Department personnel: It wasn’t that long ago that I could roam the hallways of McCormick Place freely with then Senator Barack Obama.

NATO: I Can See Barack From My House

The North American Treaty Organazation meeting began today just a five minute walk from my own bed. It was a lot of fun seeing scores of world leaders all in one place and even odder to have them so close to home.

Jesse Jackson For Der Spiegel

Chicago Magazine Portriat Photographer John Gress

Most magazine portraits are routine…. but you wont believe what we found when we went to photograph civil rights legend Jesse Jackson.