A Witness to the Characters, Chaos and Colors at the Republican Convention

2 minute read

Photographing a political convention takes a tireless stalker of detail and nuance. Since studying photojournalism at Ohio University and while working as a freelance photographer Landon Nordeman honed his vivid signature style photographing the spectacle of fashion – behind the scenes.

When he landed in Cleveland on Jul. 17, Nordeman instantly began documenting the Republican National Convention in real time by taking over TIME’s Snapchat account (follow “time_mag”) and by producing his trademark videos and photos.

Midway through the convention, Nordeman has already captured a vibrant portfolio of polychromatic images showing the excitement, anger and strangeness contained inside the Quicken Loans Arena .

The New York-based photographer has been documenting the election for TIME since December 2015. But he was taken aback by the show at the RNC. “I had no idea that people could love politics so much,” he says. “Their spirit is awesome and extremely photogenic. However, as much fun as I’ve been having photographing the people and the scene here in Cleveland, it’s not lost on me that the consequences of this election will change the course of history in extremely serious ways. Oh, what a time to be alive. A hundred years from now, I wonder how this time in America will be remembered and viewed. At the very least, I am extremely grateful to see the characters in this dramatic play with my own eyes.”

Follow TIME‘s photographers in real time during the RNC and DNC on Instagram (@timelightbox) and Snapchat.

Landon Nordeman’s photographs have been exhibited at The Howard Greenberg Gallery and The Ullens Center for Contemporary Art in Beijing among other venues, and are in the collections of The Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and The Columbus Museum of Art. Follow him on Instagram. And see more of Landon’s work covering the Trump campaign here.

CLEVELAND - JULY 18: Donald Trump appears on stage. Scenes from the floor of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Landon Nordeman)
Donald Trump appears on stage to introduce his wife Melania on the first night of the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
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New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks to reporters at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
CLEVELAND - JULY 18: Scenes from the floor of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Landon Nordeman)
Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump hugs his wife Melania Trump at the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
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Delegates react to a speech at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
CLEVELAND - JULY 18: Melania Trump speaks to the crowd. Scenes from the floor of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Landon Nordeman)
Melania Trump speaks at the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
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Florida delegates listen to speeches at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
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Security with Donald Trump Jr. at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
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Comedian Eric Andre, dressed as a Trump USA Freedom Kid is questioned by security at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
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Cleveland native and famed boxing promoter Don King at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
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An attendee photographed at Instagram's booth inside the Quicken Loans arena at at Republican National Convention, July 20, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME
CLEVELAND - JULY 18: Scenes from the floor of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Landon Nordeman)
Wisconsin delegates enjoying the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
CLEVELAND - JULY 18: Scenes from the floor of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Landon Nordeman)
Media on the floor the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
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Sheriff Joe Araibo, from Arizona, sports a tie clip in the shape of a Glock. Scenes from the floor at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIME
CLEVELAND - JULY 18: Sean Hannity of Fox News, top, greets fans. Scenes from the floor of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Landon Nordeman)
Sean Hannity of Fox News, top, greets fans. Scenes at the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
CLEVELAND - JULY 18: Scenes from the floor of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Landon Nordeman)
Fashion on the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
CLEVELAND - JULY 18: Scott Baio after his speech. Scenes from the floor of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Landon Nordeman)
Actor Scott Baio after his speech, on the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
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California delegates on the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
CLEVELAND - JULY 18: Scenes from the floor of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Landon Nordeman)
An alternate delegate with nachos at the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
CLEVELAND - JULY 18: Scenes from the floor of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Landon Nordeman)
Scenes from the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
CLEVELAND - JULY 18: Scenes from the floor of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Landon Nordeman)
A member of the honor guard on the first day of the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
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The delegation from Washington state on the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
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Scenes from the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
CLEVELAND - JULY 18: Scenes from the floor of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Landon Nordeman)
Veterans for Trump supporter on the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Boy Scouts of America at the opening of the third day of the Republican National Convention, July 20, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.Landon Nordeman for TIME
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Scenes from the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
CLEVELAND - JULY 18: Scenes from the floor of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Landon Nordeman)
Florida delegates on the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
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Northern Mariana Island delegates on the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
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KUTV's Heidi Hatch from Salt Lake City preps for a day on the floor covering the delegates from Utah. On the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
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Scenes from the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
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Scenes from the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
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Scenes from the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
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Cowboys for Trump on the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
CLEVELAND - JULY 18: Scenes from the floor of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Landon Nordeman)
Scenes from the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
CLEVELAND - JULY 18: Scenes from the floor of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Landon Nordeman)
Montana delegates on the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
CLEVELAND - JULY 18: Scenes from the floor of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Landon Nordeman)
Scenes from the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
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California delegates on the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
CLEVELAND - JULY 18: Scenes from the floor of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Landon Nordeman)
Scenes from the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Republican Presidential Candidate Donald Trump and his family celebrate the closing of the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Thursday, July 21, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Scenes from the floor at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Thursday, July 21, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIME
The balloon drop on the floor at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Thursday, July 21, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Delegates revel in the closing celebration on the floor at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Thursday, July 21, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIME
The mens room at the end of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Thursday, July 21, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIME

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