I just found some posts from the summer I never posted.
(Written Aug. 19, 2007)
Tonight I had the privilege of talking with Don Erickson’s family at a vigil the community held for the six trapped miners and the three mine rescuers from Crandall Canyon Mine.
I had just transmitted the photo I thought would work for the vigil and as I was eating my dinner, I saw the families walk towards the front of the stage. I started shooting as the families’ lawyer began sharing a statement the families had written. The gist of it … they still have hope that their loved ones are still alive and they want the 30″ inch hole to be drilled as they feel it is their last hope. They feel Murray has given up as he has not communicated with the family since Thursday’s accident.
After the families walked away, they all lit candles and prayed for their loved ones. I spent a couple of minutes with the Erikson family. Normally there would be a circus of photographers, but tonight there were just two, me and a photographer from the New York Times. I think because of this, the families felt comfortable to stay for a couple of minutes instead of running. This is the first time a lot of the families have been out in the community because they have been hiding from the media.
Knowing that they had become extremely weary of the media, I walked over and asked if I could take their photos. Right as I began shooting, along with their tears, came mine. I looked at them and said I am sorry. After they blew out the candles, I came up to them and told them, “I know we haven’t had access to each other these last couple of days, but I want to say I am so sorry. I can imagine that it has been so hard and I speak for the media when I say we wish the best for your families.” Then Amanda his daughter said thank you and gave me a hug.
Soon after, a woman from the community came up to me and thanked me. She said, “Thank you for covering this. We all really appreciate you being here.” Surprised, I responded, “Really? Most of the time I don’t feel that way so thank you.”
It was then I had to chose what my priority was at that moment, to be sensitive to the families or take advantage of the situation and ask them questions. It was obvious they didn’t want to answer any questions, so I let them have a couple minutes in peace without cameras in their face.
During my time covering the mine disaster, I think more than anything, I have learned a lot about the decision as photographers we make in order to retain or destroy the dignity and humanity for our subjects. Tonight it was smacked in my face. Do I make a story or do I take a couple photos and walk away. I walked away.
