July 20, 2016 5:18 PM EDT
P hotographing 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 .
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 New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie speaks to reporters at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump hugs his wife Melania Trump at the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME Delegates react to a speech at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME Melania Trump speaks at the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME Florida delegates listen to speeches at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME Security with Donald Trump Jr. at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME 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 Cleveland native and famed boxing promoter Don King at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME 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 Wisconsin delegates enjoying the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME Media on the floor the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME 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 Sean Hannity of Fox News, top, greets fans. Scenes at the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME Fashion on the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME Actor Scott Baio after his speech, on the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME California delegates on the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME An alternate delegate with nachos at the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME Scenes from the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME A member of the honor guard on the first day of the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME The delegation from Washington state on the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME Scenes from the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME 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 Scenes from the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME Florida delegates on the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME Northern Mariana Island delegates on the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME 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 Scenes from the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME Scenes from the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME Scenes from the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME Cowboys for Trump on the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME Scenes from the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME Montana delegates on the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME Scenes from the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 18, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME California delegates on the floor at the Republican National Convention, July 19, 2016 in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME 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 More Must-Reads from TIME Where Trump 2.0 Will Differ From 1.0 How Elon Musk Became a Kingmaker The Power—And Limits—of Peer Support The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024 Column: If Optimism Feels Ridiculous Now, Try Hope The Future of Climate Action Is Trade Policy FX’s Say Nothing Is the Must-Watch Political Thriller of 2024 Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision