Anjuli Willmer sports double flags at a New Hampshire primary night rally for Democratic presidential candidate, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders at Concord High School on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, in Concord, N.H.Landon Nordeman for TIME
Landon Nordeman has captured it all. Flag shorts, flag neckties, flag scarves, flag sweaters, flag dresses—even blue socks with white stars. The New York-based photographer has made his reputation shooting the in-between moments of American spectacles, from dog spectacles to fashion shows, so he’s in his element covering the presidential campaign for TIME. “The fashion of the political scene is totally unique unto itself,” he says.
Nordeman followed Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Marco Rubio and Chris Christie as they campaigned across New Hampshire. And, though each has his or her own platform, there’s one element he can find at any of their events. “When I arrive at an event I look for people showing their patriotism with their clothes,” he says. “I love to photograph the colors red and blue, and of course the flag themes are always present.”
Inspired by photographer Robert Frank and painter Jasper Johns, Nordeman believes the flag is the “perfect American symbol to document or interpret,” he says. “It is charged with meaning and history.”
Through his work, Nordeman has been able to meet many supporters from both parties and he’s been struck by their fervor. “I certainly appreciate people’s inclination to love and celebrate what they believe in,” he says. “In that way, seeing people get excited for a candidate was familiar to me—like watching an audience root for their favorite sports team, or a fashionista excited to see the latest collection from their favorite designer.” The difference here, he adds, is “that these candidates can change the history of the world if they become president. It’s amazing to think about that potential.”
Landon Nordeman is an award-winning documentary photographer living in New York City. You can see more of his work here and follow him on Instagram @landonnordeman.
Paul Moakley and Chelsea Matiash, who edited this photo essay, are respectively TIME’s deputy director of photography and deputy multimedia editor at TIME.com.
Olivier Laurent is the editor of TIME LightBox. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @olivierclaurent
Democratic presidential candidate, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders celebrates being the projected winner at his New Hampshire primary night rally at Concord High School on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, in Concord, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIMEA supporter for Democratic presidential candidate, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders attends a New Hampshire primary night rally at Concord High School on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, in Concord, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIMEDemocratic presidential candidate, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders hosts a New Hampshire primary night rally at Concord High School on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, in Concord, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIMERepublican presidential candidate, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie greets attendees during a campaign event at Hampton Academy on Feb. 7, 2016, in Hampton, N.H.Landon Nordeman for TIMENew Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks to attendees during a campaign event at the Great American T-Bone Diner in Derry, N.H., on Feb. 9, 2016.Landon Nordeman for TIMEA television screen displays Democratic presidential candidate, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders in a New Hampshire hotel.Landon Nordeman for TIMEDemocratic presidential candidate, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks to attendees during a campaign event at Pinkerton Academy on Feb. 8, 2016, in Derry, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIMEDemocratic presidential candidate, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders shoots hoops with family at Concord High School on Feb. 9, 2016, in Concord, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIMETwins Larry, left, and Bruce Gordon cheer for Democratic presidential candidate, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders during a campaign event at Great Bay Community College on Feb. 7, 2016, in Portsmouth, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIMEDemocratic presidential candidate, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton takes a selfie with supporters during a campaign event at Great Bay Community College on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, in Portsmouth, N.H.Landon Nordeman for TIMEA microphone and cup used by Democratic presidential candidate, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sit on a stool during a campaign event at Rundlett Middle School on Feb. 6, 2016, in Concord, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIMEWater belonging to Democratic presidential candidate, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders on a stool at a New Hampshire primary night rally at Concord High School on Feb. 9, 2016, in Concord, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIMESeats are reserved for media during a campaign event for Democratic presidential candidate, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders at Pinkerton Academy on Feb. 8, 2016, in Derry, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIMEAnjuli Willmer sports double flags at a New Hampshire primary night rally for Democratic presidential candidate, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders at Concord High School on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016, in Concord, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIMESupporters of Democratic presidential candidate, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attend a campaign event at Great Bay Community College on Feb. 6, 2016, in Portsmouth, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIMEPhotographers shoot pictures during a campaign event for Democratic presidential candidate, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders at Pinkerton Academy on Feb. 8, 2016, in Derry, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIMERepublican presidential candidate, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio speaks to attendees during a campaign event at the Allard Center on Feb. 7, 2016, in Manchester, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIMEA young supporter of Democratic presidential candidate, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders attends a campaign event at Daniel Webster Community College on Feb/ 8, 2016, in Nashua, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIMEDemocratic presidential candidate, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks to attendees during a campaign event at the Palace Theater on Feb. 8, 2016, in Manchester, N.H.Landon Nordeman for TIMEA supporter of Democratic presidential candidate, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton attends a campaign event at Rundlett Middle School on Feb. 6, 2016, in Concord, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIMEA lost and found at Hampton Academy on Feb. 7, 2016, in Hampton, N.H., during a campaign event for Republican presidential candidate, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.Landon Nordeman for TIMEA man looks for something he dropped at the Palace Theater, where Democratic presidential candidate, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders held a campaign event on Feb. 8, 2016, in Manchester, N.H.Landon Nordeman for TIMERepublican presidential candidate, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks to attendees during a campaign event at Hampton Academy on Feb. 7, 2016, in Hampton, N.H.Landon Nordeman for TIMEA United States flag at Pinkerton Academy , where Democratic presidential candidate, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders spoke at a campaign event on Feb. 8, 2016, in Derry, N.H. Landon Nordeman for TIME
