Dawn,Decisions,Dusk.
Fifteen hours with Sioux Falls Mayor Paul TenHaken — the cold plunge, the proclamations, the hard conversations, and the quiet seconds in between.
As a photographer, this project pushed me in ways I didn't expect. Theheartof it was authenticity — unfiltered, unstaged, unpolished.
01 · The Pitch
What does a day in the life of the Sioux Falls Mayor actually look like?
This project started with a simple idea: What does a day in the life of the Sioux Falls Mayor actually look like? I pitched the concept to Paul TenHaken, not knowing if he'd be interested in having someone follow him with a camera from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Thankfully, he was game — and the result is a raw, creative look at the big and small moments that make up his day.
02 · The Day
A run, an ice bath, and a city about to wake up.
The day itself was full of contrasts. Paul's morning routine — a run, an ice bath in "his corner of the garage," and time in the sauna — was the prologue. Then coffee, and the world woke up.
Meetings with city leaders. A proclamation signing surrounded by excited kids. A challenging discussion about the future of the Sioux Falls Arena and Convention Center. Every moment carried weight.
03 · The Quieter Side
Not all high-pressure decisions.
Yet it wasn't all high-pressure decisions. There were lighter, personal moments too: grabbing a drink with a pastor, being greeted by his two dogs, Maddie and Ozzy (who, by the way, deserve a shoutout for their small, flat-faced cuteness), and ending the day with his family in a hoodie and sweatpants.
What I saw through the lens wasn't just the public face of leadership, but the quieter, human side of it. The moments of focus, the occasional exhaustion, and the fleeting seconds of reflection that remind you this is a person juggling an incredible amount of responsibility.
04 · Behind the Camera
The opposite of every shoot I'd ever done.
As a photographer, this project pushed me in ways I didn't expect. My usual work involves orchestrating moments — asking brides and grooms to angle just right, guiding seniors to relax into a natural pose, or helping families look their best. But this was completely different.
I had to overcome every urge to ask Paul to "turn this way" or "hold that position." Instead, I had to let go of control and document things as they happened — paying attention to every movement, every expression, every interaction.
The heart of this project was authenticity. I wanted the moments to feel unfiltered and real, not polished or staged. That meant staying fully present, watching carefully, and letting the story tell itself through the lens.
05 · What It Meant
An exercise in being present.
Spending the day with Paul reinforced why I love photography: its ability to capture the raw and unpolished truth of a moment. This wasn't just a photo shoot — it was an exercise in being present, paying attention, and sharing the reality of life, leadership, and everything in between.
"This wasn't just a photo shoot — it was an exercise in being present, paying attention, and sharing the reality of life, leadership, and everything in between."
— Michael Woolheater
A Behind-the-Scenes Surprise: Video
What you might not know is that alongside the photos, I was also capturing video. This is something I often do when I'm providing both photography and videography for clients. Using the same devices, I toggle seamlessly between the two whenever a moment feels right. It's a creative rhythm I've developed, and it allows me to tell a story through both stills and motion.
I'm excited to share the video from this project. It's a visual companion to the stills — a glimpse into the big and small moments of the day, brought to life in motion.
Contact sheet · 47 frames
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