As a Washington DC photographer I am fortunate occasionally to photograph politicians and policy makers. The phrase “This country will never be the same” often occurs to me, and I consider how quickly the world has changed in my lifetime and how many photographic opportunities I missed, either because I was an inexperienced beginner or due to my failure to fully appreciate the importance of events that are unfolding in front of my eyes. I decided to build my own gallery of newsmakers, whose decisions and mistakes change our lives. This is my personal ongoing project. In this process I found a traditional B/W look and murky grey most fitting. Below are some photographs of my ever growing collection.

President Barak Obama

This is my favorite picture of Barak Obama. Not that I have many images, but I have a few. I am sure there are plenty of outstanding photographs done by those with more frequent opportunities. But how many can boast a picture of a President studying them?

I few moments before this shot I stood at an arms length from him for quite awhile. It’s either my brief conversation with another photographer that gave away I was a foreigner, or my 120-300mm Sigma lens was not typical to photograph the President of the United States, but then people do pay attention to the size of the lens.

Anyway, there was an idle moment, and he chose to study this guy and his lens (me). And I had no choice, but to fire away, although I wish I could have known what was behind friendly smile.

Brent Scowcroft

Scowcroft.

Just before the event he was surrounded by his old friends… The conversations went like this: “Hey! How are you doing? Are you still in your house in Bethesda? When did we last see each other? 20 years ago?”

I scratched my head. They all looked so familiar… What was it? My student years? My high school or maybe kindergarten?

It was like reading “Pravda” newspaper again.

It made me feel so young…

Charles A. Duelfer

4/28/2008. This shot was taken of Charles A. Duelfer, the former Chief U.S. Weapons Inspector in Iraq (2004-2005), as he tries to explain what went wrong with the search for WMD. Clearly, the projection equipment was ‘listening’ and sent a strong hint with a “NO Signal” message.

Zbigniew Brzezinski

Zbigniew Brzezinski, one of the most clever and interesting speakers I have come across….

Sarah Shourd

This photograph was taken less than a month after Sarah Shourd was released on a 5 billion rial (about 465,000 US$) bail from Iranian Prison.

Manuel Zelaya

Ousted President of Honduras Manuel Zelaya makes a public appearance at GWU in October, 2009 just a few days before his attempt to return home and claim power.

It’s Not All About Oil.

6.2.2010

Sporting an Uncle Sam like shirt and tie, Coca Cola CEO Muhtar Kent of Turkish origin, addresses 150 Chinese students at The United States Foreign Policy Coloquium.

The Colloquium is organized by the National Committee on US-China Relations and sponsored by Coca Cola.

Strobe Talbot is the key speaker at the opening of the Colloquium.

Next year 100,000 American students will study in China and 10,000 Chinese students in the U.S.

In a rapidly changing world, business and politics walk hand in glove.

The taboo joke referring to “G2 - China and the United States,” is making the rounds in the District of Columbia, and Washington has serious intentions to stay part of this tandem as long as possible.

Selected photos taken for Shakespeare Theatre Company in 2002-2006.

Managing Director, Nicholas Goldsborough, updates the STC National Council about the new Harman Center for the Arts.

Ted Van Griethuysen as Falstaff asks Prince Hal WHAT WILL BECOME OF FALSTAFF?

Writer Christopher Hitchens and Chris Matthews (MSNBC) debate how life imitates art.

Dame Judi Dench reflects on her career as she receives the Will Award.

Comic, Shakespearean actor Floyd King.

Asya

Occasionally I get to photograph well-known people, some who might have preferred to remain anonymous, and those who are yet to become famous.

Walking in 2003 into Sharon Springs, KS I would never imagine the thousands of snakes right under my feet, until I came to the rattlesnake roundup!

I drove non-stop from Washington DC through raging spring thunderstorms and tornados - this is exactly the time of year when snakes erupt out of the prairie dog nests where they dwell and hunt as unwanted guests.

Hunting snakes in Kansas is very much like playing golf - you walk from hole to hole.

A piece of old mirror will do to shine light into the darkness and discover a snake.

The monster is then extracted with the same kind of pincers that are sold at Home Depots to help seniors move curtains at home.

Overcoming their initial suspicion of my photographic intentions and probable connection to animal activists, I was quickly accepted by the seasoned snake hunters who have been at it since childhood. This acceptance meant that I would go into a snake pit with them, and to my relief and surprise nobody tried to scare me with any silly jokes.

I was also briefed on the duality of snake venom - how it first immobilizes the prey and then decomposes its flesh. “Freeze! Over there! It just bit a prairie dog. It’ll be back out in a minute to swallow it. Go take your picture! No worries, while the snake’s eating, it’s harmless…”

And they worked their tricks over and over again for me, and were genuinely surprised at my greenness when I couldn’t figure out that the hunt had to be ended early so that the snakes have time to bask in the sun before the measurement competition. “Didn’t they teach you expansion and contraction back in Russia? The more it stays in the sun, the longer it gets - we may win the prize!”

Amy and Eric got married at Whitehall Manor in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, VA, less than an hour from Washington, DC.

The beautiful outdoor ceremony was conducted by Cantor Jinny Marsh, who also happens to be a talented klezmer performer – her recordings are available online.

The reception took place in the 200-year-old Manor – a perfect place for bride and groom to greet each other as man and wife for the first time.