It’s not every day that someone gets a full-page obituary in the Washington Post, or has a 35-year White House and Senate career (spanning from Kennedy to Clinton) or a President’s daughter or Press Secretary in attendance– I feel so privileged to have photographed James Ketchum’s celebration of life and so proud to be a classic photojournalist and DC funeral photographer!
Why Rhinehart Photography?
Sarah shares, “Dad loved preserving and telling stories, so it was easy to choose Lisa to take photos at Dad’s memorial luncheon. Her work captures the narrative aspects of events, weaving the story of the gathering itself with the stories that brought people to the event. We knew he’d want this luncheon to be part of the lore of his life and Lisa would help us craft that story.”
Why Hauser Hill?
Sarah says, “We were grateful to find Hauser Hill. The view of the orchard and vineyard land around it was spectacular — and Dad would have loved learning about its role as a lookout location during the Civil War. It is easy to hear his voice retelling that fact and likely embellishing it a bit.”
She continues, “Dad really loved the corner of southern central Pennsylvania where he and mom settled after retirement. He said it reminded him of his upstate New York roots. The low rolling hills of orchard land, the farms, and barns, the tidy gardens alongside people’s homes, the streams and ponds — these all had a simple and easy beauty that he never tired of. He was so proud to have a home that was part of this community and reflected its beauty.”
Sarah adds, “Hauser Hill sits just above the Round Barn. That’s a spot we’d pass on drives around the countryside. He liked taking weekend guests to see the barn, stopping so they could buy produce and marvel at the high roof line and unique construction of the space.”
Sharing Stories
Sarah says, “It’s not every day that someone gets a full-page obituary in the Washington Post! Jim Ketchum started his career during the Kennedy administration and was a loyal staffer in the curator’s office of the White House through the early days of the Nixon administration. He then moved into the position of curator of the US Senate, where he served for 25 years. After 35 years living in Washington, DC, he and my mom moved to Gardners, PA.”
Notable Guests
Sarah shares, “The gathering brought together Jim’s family from across the US, former colleagues (and residents!) from the White House, co-workers who shared space with him under the US Capitol dome, neighbors from Washington and Gardners, and dear friends.”
Group Portraits
Sarah says, “What strikes me when I look at the photos is the groups of people, some who knew one another going into the day and some who were meeting for the first time. Dad would have loved seeing everyone together!”
Celebration of Life Photographer
I felt very well suited to be a memorial service photographer at this event, not only because of my background working in DC or living in Shippensburg, which neighbors Gardners, but because Sarah’s dad clearly had an appreciation for art. Sarah was looking for someone who could capture emotion (all of it from laughter to tears)– it’s really my specialty :).
Sarah says, “Lisa took such great care in her response to my request. She sent multiple links to photos of events in DC and at Hauser Hill which was really helpful as I thought about the direction of the photos at our event and what they might look like. Lisa also took the time to read Dad’s obituary and picked up on his deep appreciation for art and aesthetics. Her attention to detail and intuition assured me that she was a great fit for this project.”
At the End of the Day
Sarah concludes, “Dad would have loved seeing these people from across his life all gathered in one place. He would have wanted to sit with each group, regale them with tales, offer them more to eat, and he’d not have wanted the gathering to end.”
Sarah, I so loved working with you and your family! Thank you for allowing me to be your classic photojournalist and DC funeral photographer for your father’s celebration of life ceremony!
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