HRC Gala 2018 at the Grand America Hotel

by dav.d

Every June, in Utah, there is the HRC Gala. The Human Rights Campaign is the leading LGBTQ+ political action organization in the country and they are fighting for equality. Yay! Cause no one wants to be fired for being gay or lesbian or trans.

And it is a chance to see some celebrities such as JJ Totah, Dana Goldberg, and others. Last year was Gus Kenworthy, woo hoo!

JJ Totah from Glee Spider-man and Other People

JJ Totah from Glee Spider-man and Other People

Before the main event, we have a VIP event and a chance for the VIPs to mingle. I’m the roving candid photographer. We have another photographer, Pamela Ann Berry, who is photographing the step and repeat out front. The step and repeat is cool because there is the amazing lighting and a background. I carry my light on the camera and make people look amazing while interrupting the hors d’oeuvre. It’s a bit of an art to get the candid photos.

Mauro & Sebastian

Mauro & Sebastian

And comedian Dana Goldberg was the auctioneer for the live auction. There are some awesome packages, many are vacation getaways. Oh to be rich some day.

Dana Goldberg at the HRC Gala

Dana Goldberg at the HRC Gala

People enjoy the bubbly

People enjoy the bubbly

And it’s one of the cohosts for the evening! I photographed them for this exact event, for the program.

Karnell McConnell-Black

Karnell McConnell-Black

HRC Gala attendees

HRC Gala attendees

Introducing the next speaker...

Introducing the next speaker…

HRC Gala attendees

HRC Gala attendees

Dustin Williams

Dustin Williams

HRC Gala attendees

HRC Gala attendees

Lucas Horns

Lucas Horns

Here is a behind the scenes photo of Pamela in action. She’s a fantastic photographer who works with Westcott—they sell great lighting for photographers and videographers. *this is not an ad

Pamela in action at the step-n-repeat

Pamela in action at the step-n-repeat

One of the local politicians was a guest. Ben McAdams is the Salt Lake County Mayor and is running for Congress at the moment.

Ben McAdams Salt Lake County Mayor

Ben McAdams Salt Lake County Mayor

And it’s Mao and Jed of Aronik. I’ve photographed their swimwear and underwear on occasion.

The owners of Aronik

The owners of Aronik

One of the award winners was the Salt Lake Acting Company and Cynthia Fleming represented. I’m SLAC’s official photographer, so yay!

Cynthia Fleming from the Salt Lake Acting Company

Cynthia Fleming from the Salt Lake Acting Company

Ada Vox is a drag queen who was on America’s Got Talent, I believe? I don’t watch enough television, so I can’t confirm that, and I could Google it, but I’m being lazy at the moment.

Ada Vox performs at HRC Gala

Ada Vox performs at HRC Gala

The Salt Lake Acting Company

The Salt Lake Acting Company

Late night festivities

Late night festivities

And DJ Young 1 was spinning the music at the VIP party and at the after party. She has been the DJ for the last few years. And she was also on America’s Got Talent back in 2013.

DJ Young 1

DJ Young 1

And check out the gravity defying dance moves, ack!

Dance the night away

Dance the night away

Pamela and date dancing

Pamela and date dancing

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dav.d photo
dav.d is a portrait photographer based in Utah.