freedom Archives - New Jersey, Philadelphia, NYC Personal Branding, Commercial and Editorial Photographer

Posts

Our Community Stands Together With Immigrants and Against Fear-NJ Editorial Photographer

January 30, 2017/4 Comments/in Editorial, personal, Photojournalism, Volunteering /by Deirdre Ryan

My friends Jen, Becky, and others put together a peaceful Candlelight Vigil Honoring Refugees and Immigrants. A little over 100 people showed up, that’s huge since this only went out via email, social media and perhaps a few phone calls.
I quote from the description of the event:

“For much of its history, Bordentown has been profoundly impacted by immigrants. From the earliest days of Quaker settlement to the Irish and Germans who sought refuge and employment on the D&R Canal, to the many African-Americans who organized Bordentown as an Underground Railroad stop on heir journey to freedom, to families of all European heritage to more recent refugees from the Balkan wars; we have been welcoming to all.

In remembrance of those who sought refuge and endured persecution to make this nation great, and to recognize that the concern of refugees is still what brings this great community together, we would like to invite one and all to a candlelight vigil.

We plan to quietly and peacefully walk along the sidewalks of Farnsworth Avenue beginning at 6. We will gather at the Veteran’s Memorial on Farnsworth and Railroad Avenues, across from Boyd’s Pharmacy. Bring a flashlight, or a candle and be present to show that our community stands for inclusiveness and diversity.”

Many of my friends were out tonight, my friend and fellow photographer, Phil McAuliffe, played the guitar and sang accompanied by a flutist. We all sang This Land is Your Land and We Shall Overcome. People shared their stories and struggles, heartbreaking at times….

We are in times of uncertainty for our dear friends of different faiths and backgrounds. What the new White House Administration has done so far has been illegal and unconstitutional. We are better than what is happening and it is up to us to take a stand and make our voices heard and vote those people out. Enough is enough!

Being a person who is a photojournalist, I’m sometimes supposed to be neutral in my blog, however this is way out of control. My voice is my images, my audience is you. Hey, we’re all for having our great and vast nation safer! But they is not the way to do it, not even the governors of the states knew what was happening!

So these are just a few shots, that I took for my own, I’m not with a news outlet anymore. However, I need to be out there with my camera and let stories be told.

Rebecca speaking…

Jen speaking to the crowd gathered.

Bassam Rifai, a Syrian American for speaking this evening on the impact the recent executive order is having on people all across our country and the world.

Everyone walked around the block, from Farnsworth Ave, to Walnut St., Prince St. up Railroad Ave., and back to the Veteran’s Memorial on Farnsworth Ave. where we began. The Bordentown Police Department made sure we had a safe and peaceful vigil, thank you so much! The children got up to start singing.

CALL TO ACTION – If you are in Congressional District 3 which includes Bordentown call Congressman Tom MacArthur and tell him how you feel about this issue. Demand that he get back to you about his position on this issue and make sure he knows you will be paying attention. His DC phone number is 202-225-4765 and his Marlton office is 856-267-5187.

Your Senators are Cory Booker and Bob Menendez.

Bob Menendez’s DC number is 202-224-4744 and local office is 973-645-3030

Cory Booker’s DC number is 202-224-3224 and local office is 856-338-8922

Put these numbers in your phone. Use them frequently. And join us when we visit their offices.

Not sure who your representatives are? Click here http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

Linda Holt, author of the book, The Black Spaniard.

Thank you to all who allowed me to photograph this beautiful event in my hometown, especially with so many of my friends and our children. This is America, we all stand together to fight for what is right. Our town is used to being a part of history, looks like it’s time to get back in the game!

Hey everyone, I need to put this on my blog posts. I’ve been burned horribly, but understand it’s a legal thing I have to do to protect myself. Thanks for your support, here it is: All photographs appearing on this site are the property of Deirdre Ryan Photography. They are protected by U.S. Copyright Laws, and are not to be downloaded or reproduced in any way without the written permission of Deirdre Ryan Photography. Copyright ©2017 Deirdre Ryan All Rights Reserved.

The Women’s March in Washington, D.C. Part 4

January 27, 2017/0 Comments/in Editorial, personal, Photojournalism, Volunteering /by Deirdre Ryan

I continued to walk when I heard music and saw these three protesting something. Naturally curious, I asked what was going on. Bikers For Trump were behind them. Okay and then on cue someone walked by saying something totally awful to these three because of who they were protesting, etc. Unbelievable.

So I went to check it all out.
They were playing music from an iPod(I think) and Kid Rock’s Cowboy played twice. I thought it was funny, because I kind of like that song, but wondered what that had to do with anything.
The two people here in the middle were pretty cool to chat with, we spoke about music and I was digging her boots 🙂
All in all, it was very peaceful, some heated discussions, but that was to be expected.
I showed them my Press Pass and was polite, taking photos. I’ve found that being friendly with everyone is the best thing, no matter what. We all have a voice and a right to be heard.

A young man(he appeared to be of Latino background) from Georgia and this woman were having a discussion about slavery.
He then had to back off and Google Jim Crow….
Here she is with her three fabulous and beautiful friends, just like her 😀 You had just educated someone that day, remember that.
Don’s Johns were locked up in this area. You may have heard or read about someone covering up the logo for the Inauguration?
People were leaving their signs in places to be noticed, in remembrance…
Mother and daughter….
This woman’s granddaughter made her sign for that day, it’s one of my favorites too.
The sun was setting, the clouds were grey, the light was fading fast. But my lens was fast as well to continue to capture this family in front of Abe Lincoln’s statue at the top of the stairs of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.
These two best little girlfriends at the end of a long day with their signs.
The line at the Metro station in front of the Archives Building was long!
The King of The Metro!
Can you see the people waay in the back? Yeah that’s part of the line.
I don’t know where to begin either….
But as a business, I do have to pay my taxes every quarter and every year….

No arrests were made.

Half a million people were in Washington D.C. that day.

Millions more worldwide marched.

The Women’s March was an historic event that I will never forget.My sister-in law was there with her daughter, my niece. My aunt and uncle were also there. I only wish that my daughter, husband and other family members could’ve been with me.

My group from NJ had left on their bus, there was no way that I was going to be able to make it. Luckily, I have an aunt and uncle that live in Arlington right off the orange line of the Metro. I didn’t plan to stay overnight, much less 2 nights. As it turned out, I wasn’t able to get a train out of town until Monday morning.

I met so many interesting people, and those that I handed my cards to, I hope that you are reading my blog posts. Please comment and contact me! The group of women that I was photographing for, we met up to eat dinner. I couldn’t find a cab, so I got a rickshaw near the Post Office Pavilion. That is my favorite landmark in the city of D.C. and it’s now A. Hotel….I’ve been told by a women whom I met right before getting on my rickshaw, that it does look great inside, she works for the historic preservation of the building(thanks again for the cheese and grapes!). The guy getting me to dinner was great, he was in the Army, and from Pittsburgh, PA. He once had Drew Cary as a customer, and said that he was really nice. I’ve heard that too.

Yes, I’m loading images using my Wacom tablet, backing them up onto a portable hard drive. Dinner was fun, delish, and full of satisfying conversation. Thank you Karen for the photo!

Sunday I went to Mass at Holy Trinity in Georgetown, this is where we go, my aunt and uncle do many things with the parish. Holy Trinity is my church away from home. After Mass, Mark Shriver was having a talk about his new book with a Q&A and then a book signing afterwards. I really enjoyed listening to him speak, every sentence was a story. I asked him a question regarding his own challenges, writing, and moving forward with this subject even further. I meant to say branching off, but I didn’t get the words out quite the way I wanted to.

Book Signing with Mark Shriver after talking about his new book titled, “Pilgrimage, My Search For The Real Pope Francis” at Holy Trinity Church in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.

Mark Shriver signing his book for my father, and then one for myself.

My uncle took this photo for me with my cell phone.

The rest of that Sunday was quiet, dark and stormy. I worked on my images, drank chai tea and noshed. Spoke to my family in NJ and relaxed as well as I could. The next morning I caught my train at Union Station. These I shot with my iPhone SE.

On the train, it was really crowded, sold out! But everyone was nice, helping each other out. I got some work done, and started to read Mark’s book.

The train was bouncing around a bit…I was punch drunk tired…but not able to sleep, so reading was the perfect anecdote. Getting off at the Trenton, NJ Amtrak/NJTRANSIT station was brisk and windy. No I’m not having a baby, my jacket is puffed out LOL! But I wanted to show you the size of my 25lb bag on me. This is how I was during the entire march. I walked, climbed on top of things, and at one point, jogged/ran. Being a mother, I still had things to do, errands to run and a daughter to pick up from school who was incredibly happy to see her mommy <3 I didn’t sleep until later that night.
A HUGE thank you to Becky who organized the bus and everything to get us all down there, the women of UniteWomen.org,(I miss you ladies already!), everyone whom I met and had conversations with, especially the women who lives in/near Union Station, my fingers are crossed for you. Another big hug and thank you to my aunt and uncle who I was able to stay with. Thank you both for EVERYTHING, I love you so very much!

And of course, THANK YOU to my husband, my daughter and my parents. Without you, I wouldn’t have been able to have gone down. I love you all <3

All photographs appearing on this site are the property of Deirdre Ryan Photography. They are protected by U.S. Copyright Laws, and are not to be downloaded or reproduced in any way without the written permission of Deirdre Ryan Photography. Copyright ©2017 Deirdre Ryan All Rights Reserved.

The Women’s March in Washington D.C. Part 3

January 26, 2017/0 Comments/in Editorial, personal, Photojournalism, Volunteering /by Deirdre Ryan

This is what Democracy looks like! This is what Democracy looks like! This is what Democracy Sounds like! This is what Democracy Sounds like!

Over and over the chanting through the crowds like a battlecry to make the voices heard and to let others know that once the day was over, it was going to continue. You may ask, well where were these people during the elections and for voting? They were there all along.
What was the Women’s March about?
Read the signs, look at the people, I saw Christians, Muslims, Pagans, Asians, American Indians, Blacks, Spanish, not just Caucasian. People from all walks of life too. You can’t tell a book by it’s cover, instead talk to them and listen to their stories.
As I type this up now, the news is not good regarding healthcare, immigrants, the Dakota pipeline, our children’s education and so much more. Even NJ’s Pinelands are being threatened by a pipeline, and another just 3-4 miles away from where I live.

The Onondowa’ga’ American Indians with the Onondaga Nation’s (“People of the Hills”) flag.
We are Onondowa’ga’

The Onondowa’ga’:

Have a Matrilineal Society

Respect Women and Elders

Honor Mother Earth

Give Thanks Daily

The Onondowa’ga’ are smart.

Be like the Onondowa’ga’.

I managed to get inside the rally with my backpack, it weighed 25 lbs, on me it was huge, as I’m just 5’0 and around 100lbs. I was super polite and determined to get through the crowd. And then I came to a fence. No one would let me in because even though I had a press pass, I wasn’t able to get the Media Credentials. Security said that I should’ve gotten there sooner. Well I tried, but the crowds were crazy, my bus was parked in MD, and it took longer than expected to get there. I was upset, exhausted, sore and more than anything, disappointed. Disappointed because I wanted to do the very best job that I was asked to do, and I was sooo close to getting to the stage.
So I’m just standing there, catching my breath, figuring out my next move while taking some photos. I then hear a woman say to me, you’re making me feel uncomfortable. Thinking that I had hit her with my bag, I immediately said I’m sorry, that I was with an organization and was trying to do my job of documenting the event. I showed her my pass, and yet she kept talking….I’m very uncomfortable with you and your backpack…I’m still not getting it. I had not been able to eat lunch yet, so I said, I’m sorry what? She said, Boston? Backpack? You weren’t checked in by security, so I’m very uncomfortable with you being here. Once again, patiently I said, politely explained who I was with, etc., and she kept going on and on. Finally I was like, where can I go? You’re making me uncomfortable by saying these things to me, you know what’s uncomfortable? Carrying around my gear, all day, gladly, and not being able to go to a certain point to do my job! Then the other women around me started telling her to be quiet, and that I was just fine, and that we are all here to support one another. She finally stopped, but really there’s always one person….

As you can see, I was really close, and don’t think I wasn’t tempted to make a jump for it. But after much thought, I decided I needed to get out of there as the march was going to start really soon at this point.
So once again, I wiggled out of there, excuse me please, excuse me please, thank you, excuse me please, excuse me please, thank you, until I got out. My name that day was The Excuse Me Please Girl with the Big Camera Backpack….

Back on C St., everyone was filing out, and somewhere the march had started….
I loved this guy <3

Someone was listening to me…Planned Parenthood’s Cecile Richard was walking right by me and a large awesome group of women gathered around her for a group shot. Thank you!!!

I found another pile of steel to stand up on, so I climbed up and had fun!

This mother and her daughters were chanting, this is what Democracy looks like! This is what Democracy sounds like!

Entire families were there. My aunt, uncle, sister-in law and my niece were somewhere there too! I tried to find them, but phones, and connections didn’t work very well that day.

I loved how people would stop in front of me so that I could take their picture.
Many people were there from Standing Rock. By now I was hearing drums….

Love her sunglasses, Pink Batgirl!

Pure joy….

I actually ran into friends on this busy corner! The woman on the left wearing the green jacket is one of my daughter’s Girls On The Run coaches from NJ! By then I HAD to eat. I stood in line, ordered and ate for about an hour from one of the food trucks. I got swayed by the delicious smells of chicken and french fries.
After eating, I made my way around, taking more photos….the march has pretty much ended it seemed in this area.

Abe Lincoln still commands…
People on the stage were still speaking…
I just followed everyone and found great people and their signs…

These two 16 year olds were being interviewed….

I said something funny and wrong to get their reactions…

I took their photos with their cell phones, and then I took one with mine, an even trade…

My hair had reached the point of no return at that point, but I got my picture.

So why did everyone march? To be heard, to be seen, to show everyone in the senate, the congress, in the White House, that women, children and men won’t sit down and do nothing. Read the signs they are carrying, they have real concerns, look at those who are in wheelchairs, or look to yourself if you have a pre-existing health condition.

More people showed up for this than the Inauguration, that’s a proven FACT. This march wasn’t just held in Washington, D.C., but in cities, towns, and countries all over the world. Even in the Antarctic there was a protest. If all of this is going on, with MILLIONS protesting, then you must be really “not liked very much”…..something’s got to give.

Stay tuned for a continuation of this story in another post. I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! Thank you!

All photographs appearing on this site are the property of Deirdre Ryan Photography. They are protected by U.S. Copyright Laws, and are not to be downloaded or reproduced in any way without the written permission of Deirdre Ryan Photography. Copyright ©2017 Deirdre Ryan All Rights Reserved.

The Women’s March in Washington, D.C. Part 2

January 25, 2017/2 Comments/in Editorial, personal, Photojournalism, Volunteering /by Deirdre Ryan

It took a REALLY long time to make it to Washington, D.C. I mean every single Metro stop was jam packed with people trying to get on the trains. It was very warm, I felt like I over dressed, and I’m thinking that I’m so glad that I packed a travel sized deodorant!

We got off at one station and wow! There was no way that I could get through. Then I spotted someone with a Press Pass and asked him where C St. was and he said he had to go to that area as well. So we both went back to the trains, and got back on and got off at Federal Station SW Station. Getting out of there took a long time too. But once we broke free into the cooler air, it felt not only better, but the excitement, the sense of knowing that you were meant to be here was so strong! Immediately I started to take photos and so did he.

I found a great place to get a better view of the masses of men, women, and children, all carrying these fabulous and creative signs. I mean, they were really awesome, some were truly works of art. People came by in using crutches, wheelchairs, canes, families had their babies and children in strollers, slings, carrying them on their shoulders. Teens, tweens and elementary school kids came by all with their signs, chanting, singing, I mean it was amazing. The masses kept coming and coming and coming. And this was just to get into the rally to hear people speak.
Of course there was a group of extreme Christians, blaring Bible quotes into a speakerphone across the street. They kept turning up the volume. Everyone gets to have a voice 🙂

This ambulance had to get by, and once everyone got back together behind it I yelled out something about ambulance chasers. People thought that was really funny 😉

The man on the far right is Kyle Edward Cranston, of WUSB 90.1 FM of Stony Brook, Long Island, NY. Kyle helped me find my way around the Metro after realizing the first stop was so bad, we both couldn’t get through. He’s a Reporter, Commentary and Producer for A Woman’s Perspective on Politics with Zabby!! Thanks for your help and great conversation Kyle!

I loved this sign that simply said…Ugh!

This young woman next to me was with her mom who was live Tweeting I think, was shouting out anti-Trump and positive women chants for the crowds. It was really great!

As you can see, my hair completed frizzed out so much, it lost it’s curl and became very fluffy LOL! Photo by Kyle Edward Cranston.

I personally love the Catholics For Choice group….

This was great! A pink pussy cat shaped like a traditional Chinese Dragon used to celebrate New Year’s.

I got my picture taken a few times too!

This woman stopped right in front of me so that I could take her picture, I didn’t have to ask her to do anything.

A group of women were from NY holding up beautiful handpainted Statue of Liberty torches.

This was Part 2, Part 3 is coming up with new images, stay tuned! Did you see Part 1 yet?

The Women’s March Washington D.C. Part 1

January 23, 2017/0 Comments/in Editorial, personal, Photojournalism, Volunteering /by Deirdre Ryan

After reaching out to my other friends in the press and media, I contacted Unite Women to see if I could freelance for this in order to get a Press Pass and enable me to bring my camera gear on the march without the need of a clear plastic backpack. I was granted one if I could shoot the event for them. Of course I said yes!

Myself and several other women, men and 2 small children, drove down from Hamilton, NJ by bus starting at 5:15 AM, but I carpooled with friends to the bus at 4:15AM, so I was up by 3AM.

We ended up having to park in Maryland, and take a Metro subway into the Washington, D.C. from there. It took over an hour. The line was incredibly long, but I used my Press Pass, politely cut in line, and got on the very next train.

I had my Think Tank photo backpack with my Olympus mirrorless camera, three lenses, a flash, a Camelback water bottle, various other essential stuff like reusable batteries, etc., but the main heavy item was my 15″ MacBook Pro. All in all it weighed about 25 lbs which I ended up carrying on my back and shoulders all day long. Yes, it hurt…no I didn’t complain really. But I’ll get to that later.

I met the most incredible people, we helped each other out, shared stories, laughed, and spoke out about an uncertain and scary future with Donald Trump in the White House.

There are more images coming up in a second and third blog post….

Part of our NJ group waiting in the ENORMOUS line in Maryland at the Metro station….

The woman above is a Marine mom and works in marketing 🙂

This woman is gay and is married to another woman, and is a New Yorker film maker with her friend who was also on the subway. Check out their channel Quesodigital.com! I cannot wait to see what they’ll post from the march!
Listening to the live broadcast of Gloria Stein at the March on her cellphone during the few times we had service on the crowded Metro line.