The Assignment: To follow an advocate and her family for a day in Washington, D.C. as they lobby for bleeding disorder awareness.

The ask. An association publishing company engaged me to document a family of four in Washington, DC. for an article with a minute-by-minute account of their experiences. The goal was to show the human side of this yearly lobbying event, in order to encourage other families to make the trip. The request was to focus primarily on the mother, who has been a staunch advocate for the association.

The catch. Dozens of locations, unknowable variables, and a shifting schedule.

The solution. 1 pair of comfortable shoes, 2 cameras, 3 lenses, and 4 granola bars. Not to mention a wonderful family. By preparing for almost anything and expecting almost nothing, I was able to adapt quickly to a constantly changing situation. With assignments like these, the photographer can never truly be invisible, but when you gain the trust of the subjects, you become an accepted part of the experience. In the end the cover story included over 60 images from the assignment.

Injection - Association Documentary Photography for bleeding disorder client made in Washington, D.C.
Daily Ritual - Association Documentary Photography for bleeding disorder client made in Washington, D.C.
Getting Ready - Association Documentary Photography for bleeding disorder client made in Washington, D.C.
Association Documentary Photography for bleeding disorder client made in Washington, D.C.
Reunions - Association Documentary Photography for bleeding disorder client made in Washington, D.C.
Family Picture-Association Documentary Photography for bleeding disorder client made in Washington, D.C.
Planning stage - Association Documentary Photography for bleeding disorder client made in Washington, D.C.
Where to Go - Association Documentary Photography for bleeding disorder client made in Washington, D.C.
Selfie in front of the Capitol. Association Documentary Photography for bleeding disorder client made in Washington, D.C.
Waiting. Association Documentary Photography for bleeding disorder client made in Washington, D.C.
Meeting with congressional representatives. Association Documentary Photography for bleeding disorder client made in Washington, D.C.
Underground tunnels between Capitol Buildings. Association Documentary Photography for bleeding disorder client made in Washington, D.C.
Listening. Association Documentary Photography for bleeding disorder client made in Washington, D.C.
Lunch break. Association Documentary Photography for bleeding disorder client made in Washington, D.C.
Capitol Gift Shop. Association Documentary Photography for bleeding disorder client made in Washington, D.C.
Making the case. Association Documentary Photography for bleeding disorder client made in Washington, D.C.
Group picture. Association Documentary Photography for bleeding disorder client made in Washington, D.C.
Visiting. Association Documentary Photography for bleeding disorder client made in Washington, D.C.
Constituency. Association Documentary Photography for bleeding disorder client made in Washington, D.C.
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