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PrintSpecial Report: In the Picture
John Kerry's career comes into focus one frame at a time, rarely seen photos put politics in the picture. They say a picture tells a thousand words, so thousands of pictures of John Kerry from the early years on should speak volumes about the candidate. 7's Caterina Bandini is here with more on a new photo exhibit out in time for the convention.
George Butler, Longtime Kerry Friend
"He met john lennon who was also in the crowd of protesters. It was a very wet day."
John Kerry and John Lennon at a peace rally in 1972... Just one of many insightful and personal photographs of Kerry on display this month at Gallery Kayafas in Boston.
The photos were taken by Kerry's long time friend George Butler, the man who credits himself with launching Arnold Schwarzenegger's career by making the 1977 documentary "Pumping Iron".
George Butler, Longtime Kerry Friend
"I make no pretense of launching John Kerry's career. It's one of the differences between the two men. John launched his own career."
And Butler was there just about every step of the way. He and Kerry met in the 60's, Butler handled media coverage for Kerry in his early races.
George Butler, Longtime Kerry Friend
"I had an old Nikon camera so I took some pictures… We were friends so saw quite a lot of him… and I ended up with 6,000 photos."
Among those on exhibit are Kerry's famous testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, speaking at a peace rally in New York, moments of tenderness with his daughters.
George Butler, Longtime Kerry Friend
"I think I'm the only photog that photographed a would-be presidential candidate right from the start…. Kerry is never self-conscious in these pictures and yet they're wonderful photographs of him."
Butler is also taking his work to the big screen, he's currently making a film about Kerry's experiences in Vietnam, called "Going up River", expected to hit theatres this September.
George Butler, Longtime Kerry Friend
"Everything John Kerry said about Vietnam applies to Iraq as well. So there's a message in the film that's very interesting film indeed."
And it will be very interesting to see how these documentaries about the candidates will affect the outcome of the election, if at all.
John Kerry: A Portrait 1969 to the Present is on display at the Gallery Kayafas until July 31st.
Gallery Kayafas
450 Harrison Avenue, Suite 223
Boston, MA 02118
617-482-0411
www.gallerykayafas.comGallery Hours:
Tuesday-Friday 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Saturday 12pm - 5:30 p.m.
Or by Appointment