Interfaith vigil held at Congregation Ahavas Sholom, Newark, NJ for Victims of the Pittsburg Massacre.

Religious leaders joined with political leaders and government officials to call out hate.

Unless you’ve been in a coma, or on the moon, you must know last week (the week of October 21-27, 2018) was an insane and crazy week. It started with some looney (I will not apologize for the reference) sending pipe bombs and packages containing mysterious white powder through the mail. By mid-week, a man went on a shooting spree in Kentucky; killing two senior citizen African-Americans, at a local Kroger store. The crime, being investigated as a hate crime, is even more unnerving, and could have been more catastrophic, when one considers the shooter first tried to gain access to a local church; but, was unsuccessful in doing so. The week ended with a heavily armed man entering a synagogue in Pittsburgh and slaughtering 11 people as they prayed during morning service at The Tree of Life Synagogue. Without getting into the reasons, ramifications, and political fallout, of the week’s events, I was brought in to photograph an interfaith vigil held in remembrance of those lost. The vigil, held at Congregation Ahavas Sholom, the oldest continually operating synagogue in Newark New Jersey, featured religious, political, and civil leaders; as well as law enforcement officials; all  calling for an end to lawlessness, hatred, intolerance, and senseless violence in our society.

Simon Rosenbach, Rabbi at Congregation Ahavas Sholom addresses the attendees and press.

Congregation Ahavas Sholom president, Eric Freedman, quotes Dr. Martin Luther King Junior, while calling for peace and compassion.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka , rouses the crowd.

Attorney General, State of New Jersey - Gurbir S. Grewal

Newark, City Council President Mildred C. Crump

Pastor Jefferson confers with NJ Homeland Security Director, Jared Maples

Prominent  New Jersians standing up to hate

Eric Freedman flanked by Simon Rosenbach & two others Rabbis

New Jersey State Police Chaplain, Rabbi Abe Friedman, laments the tragic events of the prior week.

A local Iman stands with the people against hate and intolerance.

Another Iman is saddened by this wave of senseless violence.

Another Rabbi,(sorry , I did not get his name) addresses the press.

Mark Levenson, Chairmen, New Jersey Israel Commission, said he was encourage by the all the support afforded him and the victims of the massacre; yet, he also discouraged by the reemergence of anti-Sematic hate, he witnessed as a child.

The Hatzaiah of Newark EMS team was there to lend support.

Director, Jared Maples, Pastor Jefferson & Rabbi Abe Friedman

 People from throughout  the area came to lend their support to all victims of hate.

Attendees of diverse, races, religions, and backgrounds, hold hands I unity against hate, intolerance, and senseless violence. 

I was a little slow on this one, told the press conference would be held on the steps outside the synagogue, I didn’t bring a flash. Once I got there; however, it had morphed into a vigil that was to be held inside the sanctuary. The light inside was not the greatest; but there was a skylight directly above the podium that gave me ample light for a good shot. Toward the end, though the sun started to go down forcing me to push up my ISO. When you are in the field conditions change all the time and without warning; and you just have to adapt. If there is something in particular you would like me to address, just leave me a message and don’t forget to check out my  website                      LeadTrac Photography  and leave a message , 

#ATLee #Leadtracphotography #events #eventphotography #photography #judaism #newarknj #nomorehate #treeoflifemassacre#Jewsofnewark #cas #congregationAhavassholom

Until next time; peace and love to all.

One Love Caribbean Music Festival, Live Music Event at Military Park

I have not posted in quite some time. Lately, I have been running around like crazy attempting to keep all the various aspects of my professional, and personal, life in sync; so, it would be more accurate to say I have not posted here in quite some time. However, I will once again be posting on a regular basis. I have also adjusted my focus toward more event photography, brand marketing, and experiential photography than I have in the past.  For the record, I shoot professionally, you know, for money. This is the business I have chosen to be in. I do not shoot for fun, though it is, usually.  My job is to I help my clients reach their marketing goals, while pursuing my own. There are some organizations I work with, on a pro bono basis; but other than that, this is business. However, I also shoot for myself occasionally. If it’s an event I haven’t shot before or if I’m intrigued by an event I’ll stop by and shoot it on my own. That was the case when I stopped by to photograph the one Love Caribbean Music Festival, held at Newark’s Military Park. I wasn’t there that long; but I did get good images of the performers and the vendors. Shooting on a day like this is challenging. I had rained hard, very hard, the night before; so it was overcast with lots of clouds, requiring for one exposure, then, the sun would breakout in all its beaming glory; requiring different exposure; so, you have to be quick on the draw, or at least quick to adapt to the changes. But that is what makes photography great; if you could just hold up your camera and shoot, what would be the point? Where’s the fun in that?

Suzanne Joblonski spends a great day in the park; sporting a funky pair earrings with a cool message.

Approximately 75 vendors came to sell their goods.

The DJ prepares for a long day.

You always get better expressions when you engage the person before taking the photo.

The band hasn’t even really started yet; but, the drummer is already in high gear.

Whether it’s hip-hop, jazz, or rock, it’s all about the performance.

Here is a little guy with a big voice.

Ladies take the stage

I shot with a wide aperture to blur the background.

Hey, I think that’s my money.

It’s time for some pop standards.

Here are a couple of local guys, staying, and looking cool on a hot summer day.

Everyone seemed to have a grand time.

 Wholefoods held a raffle; I didn’t win.

A wonderful aroma filled the air from all the various foods being offered

Everyone was Caribbean for a day.

Close-up intimate images lets a viewer experience the event through your photographs, vicariously.

I finally caught up to the woman who was leading the yoga  class and she was kind enough to pose for me.

It's a beautiful day in the park.

In the end, it's all about family.

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