On the Job: The Wall That Heals

In October, we had the honor of documenting The Wall That Heals exhibit for Upper Providence Township. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) introduced this traveling replica of the iconic Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C in 1996. The purpose was to bring the solemnity and significance of the memorial to various communities across the United States. Since its inauguration, The Wall That Heals has journeyed to nearly 700 communities nationwide, extending the healing legacy of the original Memorial to millions.

By bringing The Wall to communities throughout the country, this initiative strives to bring  the commemorated veterans on the Memorial home among their families and friends, fostering a sense of peace and comfort within familiar surroundings. The traveling exhibit also allows veterans who are not able to travel to the permanent fixture in D.C. a chance to pay tribute. 

Before the event, there were multiple moving pieces we needed to puzzle together to pull off flawless event coverage. We took time to coordinate the timing and ceremonies with Upper Providence Township, then internally created our own staffing plan so that we could be everywhere, all at once. I had to call on three of my fabulous staff to cover the week’s events effectively, and my team really turned up for this event and helped MKP capture each detail as intended.

Photographing multi-day events can be challenging – especially when it includes an outdoor venue. Weather can create logistical challenges, and when dealing with numerous ceremonies and events across several days and times, scheduling is essential to capture the important moments, both planned and spontaneous. 

Our team captured The Wall’s emotional delivery to Collegeville, PA as police, firefighters, township staff, and the community welcomed the memorial with a procession through the township. Volunteers from Upper Providence Township then helped construct the wall at Anderson Farm Park. Throughout the week, our team was present for a breathtaking sunrise over the memorial, several sunsets, a moving candlelight vigil, and many presentations from several honored speakers, Vietnam veterans, and guests. Over this multi-day event we did experience some less-than desirable weather, but it only enhanced the mood of the images we captured. 

Documenting the raw emotion of visitors and volunteers throughout these ceremonies can serve as a valuable record for future generations and contribute to the collective memory of the Upper Providence community of this significant event. 

Are you planning a multi-day event in 2024? Let us help you organize your shot list and elevate your event with professional photography.