CelebratingAmerica.Happy 250th 🇺🇸

A quick note before I share these photos: this post is not about politics. Like so many of the projects I have shared over the years, this is about photography, history, people, place, and the responsibility of capturing a moment honestly.

More than anything, this post is about celebrating the United States of America.

Last night I had the incredible honor of being a special guest of Governor Larry Rhoden and First Lady Sandy Rhoden at South Dakota’s Freedom 250 Mount Rushmore Fireworks Celebration.

I left Sioux Falls at 5 AM Central, arrived in Keystone around 11 AM Mountain, and made my way through three military, police, and highway patrol checkpoints on the route to Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

The first several hours were spent photographing the faces on Mount Rushmore, the atmosphere around the monument, the weather rolling through the Black Hills, and the feeling of people gathering in one of the most iconic places in America.

I also spent a fair amount of that time dodging small thunderstorms, heavy rain, and hail, because apparently even Mount Rushmore wanted a little drama before the big show.

Closer to 6 PM, I met up with Governor Rhoden and had the chance to meet his entire family for the first time. What a beautiful family, you guys.

Throughout the evening, I photographed the Governor speaking with generals and military personnel, South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley, Senator Mike Rounds, and so many others. I watched him talk about moving South Dakota forward during live interviews on Hannity, and then receive applause and a standing ovation as he made his way to his seat in the amphitheater.

It was one of those South Dakota moments that felt both massive and personal at the same time.

There was also a full-circle moment for me that I did not see coming. One of the first bands I ever photographed, nearly a decade ago, was Chancey Williams and the Younger Brothers Band, now simply known as Chancey Williams.

I had no idea they were part of the night until I walked into the amphitheater and saw the drum kit with that iconic “CW” on it. I have had such a meaningful relationship with that band over the years — photographing and sharing their shows in and around South Dakota, and even traveling to Montana to photograph them at Chancey’s home and ranch.

To see them playing this event, at this place, on this night, felt like a very small-world, full-circle gift.

The evening brought helicopter flyovers, B-52 and F-16 flyovers, and one of the most unforgettable sights I have ever photographed: the new Air Force One flying over Mount Rushmore.

Its path gave us a clear view of it above the monument, and it was stunning.

Governor Rhoden’s remarks were touching, local, grounded, and exactly what South Dakota needed in that setting. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum spoke as well, just before President Donald Trump took the stage.

This was my second time photographing President Trump, after previously photographing him with Kristi Noem during his first term. The crowd energy was unreal, and the evening gave people a lot to smile about.

To close the night, fireworks lit up the sky directly over Mount Rushmore. Truly remarkable.

I did my best to act as my own tripod and capture long exposures by hand, because sometimes you just do whatever it takes to bring the moment home.

A very special thank you to Mackenzie, Josie, and Bradi with the Governor’s team.

And a warm, humble thank you to Governor Larry Rhoden, First Lady Sandy Rhoden, their family, and the entire team for allowing me to be there, camera in hand, for a night South Dakota will not forget.