The Family Photo
The Irish Consulate in Chicago called me, wanting to know if I’d be interested in photographing the president of Ireland, Michael Higgins, on his visit to the city. Without missing a beat, I said yes and got the details. A few weeks later, after being checked out by the Secret Service and Irish security, my son (in his first job as my assistant) and I found ourselves in the Drake Hotel, ready to photograph 300-500 guests, all eager to shake the president’s hand and have their picture taken with him.
Setting up the family photo- President Higgins has many relatives living in the US.
Attorney General, Lisa Madigan (in blue dress), representing Chicago politics
Secret Service not looking conspicuous at all. My son David is in the front, fitting in well.
I was told the woman on the left is one of Muhammad Ali’s daughters.
The late Cardinal Francis George stops by for a few laughs with the President.
Everyone got a picture with the president
In the end, David and I got to pose with the President too. Photo by Shane O’Neill/ Fennell Photography (Dublin)
I set up a website where everyone could download their pictures, as well as order prints.