The Race Begins: Republicans Take Over New Hampshire

2 minute read

Brooks Kraft spent the weekend documenting the first step in the long road to the 2012 presidential election. Kraft, an editorial and commercial photographer based in Washington DC, has covered 5 presidential campaigns for TIME, as well as 10 years at the White House.

During previous presidential campaigns in the 1990s, cameras were almost exclusively in the hands of press photographers. In 2011, these same photographers are joined by entire crowds actively shooting with their cellphones.

“It sometimes seems that crowds no longer witness events, instead watching them on screens,” says Kraft. He discovered that using his mobile phone allowed him to capture what he was seeing without causing people to react to his larger professional camera. While on assignment for TIME this past week in New Hampshire, Kraft alternated between the two mediums. He enjoys the surreal and interpretive look that mobile photos provide of the American political process.

Kraft notes that the photos seemed to fit the more down to earth political tone of the early primaries—a time that is often vastly different than the typical politics found in Washington.

“Before the arrival of the pipe and drape, the image handlers, and the Secret Service, it is still possible to see the unique character and origins of our process of choosing a future President,” says Kraft.

More of Kraft’s work is available on his website.

PHOTOS: Chasing Sarah Palin’s One Nation Bus Tour

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney announces that he is entering the race for the 2012 U.S. Republican presidential nomination at a farm in Stratham, New Hampshire. June 2, 2011.Brooks Kraft—Corbis for TIME
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney announces that he is entering the race for the 2012 U.S. Republican presidential nomination at a farm in Stratham, New Hampshire. June 2, 2011.Brooks Kraft—Corbis for TIME
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney announces that he is entering the race for the 2012 U.S. Republican presidential nomination at a farm in Stratham, New Hampshire. June 2, 2011.Brooks Kraft—Corbis for TIME
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney announces that he is entering the race for the 2012 U.S. Republican presidential nomination at a farm in Stratham, New Hampshire. June 2, 2011.Brooks Kraft—Corbis for TIME
Republican 2012 presidential candidate, former Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, attends a house party in Strataham, NH. June 10, 2011.Brooks Kraft—Corbis for TIME
Republican 2012 presidential candidate, former Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, attends a house party in Strataham, NH. June 10, 2011.Brooks Kraft—Corbis for TIME
A Stratham house party for NH. Republican 2012 presidential candidate, former Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota. June 10, 2011.Brooks Kraft—Corbis for TIME
Republican 2012 presidential candidate Herman Cain greets patrons and supporters at Sal's Pizza in Manchester. June 12, 2011.Brooks Kraft—Corbis for TIME
A painted barn in Milford, NH. June 12, 2011.Brooks Kraft—Corbis for TIME
Left: A sign announcing the visit of Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain at Sal's Pizza in Manchester. June 12, 2011. Right: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's campaign headquarters in Manchester, NH. June 12, 2011.Brooks Kraft—Corbis for TIME
Before the first New Hampshire debate of the 2012 Presidential campaign at St. Anslems College in Manchester, New Hampshire. June 13, 2011.Brooks Kraft—Corbis for TIME
The first debate between 2012 Republican presidential candidates in the key early voting state of New Hampshire is held at Saint Anselm College in Manchester. June 13, 2011.Brooks Kraft—Corbis for TIME
A school bus supporting Ron Paul outside the first New Hampshire debate of the 2012 Presidential campaign at St. Anslem College in Manchester, New Hampshire. June 13, 2011.Brooks Kraft—Corbis for TIME
Republican presidential candidate former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney visits Derry Feed and Supply in Derry, NH. June 14, 2011.Brooks Kraft—Corbis for TIME
A volunteer posts a campaign sign on the road leading to the Hillsborough County Flag Day Celebration. June 12, 2011.Brooks Kraft—Corbis for TIME

More Must-Reads from TIME

Write to Chris Wilson at chris.wilson@time.com