Tears of joy streamed down faces as a historic event unfolded. Shouts of excitement filled the air as people waved their American flags with unquenchable patriotism.

Friends huddled together under blankets to brave the cold, dusty winds for a chance to witness the ushering in of a leader who promised change, and Emily Zoladz, adjunct photojournalism professor, wandered through the crowds documenting these moments among a sea of people.

Zoladz, her husband Chris and a friend drove 12 hours to Baltimore, Md. to visit friends and attend the inauguration of Barack Obama as the 44^th president, but the trip almost didn’t happen.

After writing one congressman and two senators to request tickets, they were denied because of overwhelming demand. Zoladz, who works as a photographer for the Grand Rapids Press, could have received media credentials, but the newspaper decided not to send anyone to cover the event. Chris, who is a producer at WZZM 13, decided to give it a try and apply for credentials at the news station.

“I didn’t think I stood a chance at receiving media credentials, but a few co-workers who knew I was going down to Washington D.C. encouraged me to apply,” Chris said in an e-mail. “I got the OK from my news director, filled out an electronic form with my name, station information, etc. and also faxed a cover letter to the Presidential Inaugural Commission.”

A month later, he received an e-mail informing him that they both were going to Washington D.C.

“I got an e-mail telling me not only was I going to be on the National Mall, but I was also credentialed to attend the Inaugural Parade and Midwestern Ball,” he said. “I think I screamed with delight for a minute straight.”

Zoladz packed her Nikon camera and various lens and accessories as well as her laptop computer to transmit photos. This would be the third time she has taken pictures of Barack Obama. The first two times were for the Press and when he came to Van Andel Arena and Calder Plaza during his presidential campaign.

Unfortunately, getting a shot of Obama at the inauguration was harder than Zoladz anticipated.

During the inauguration, Zoladz ascended the media riser but it was “kind of a football field away from the capital,” she said. Even with her longest camera lens, she couldn’t get any close-up shots of Obama.

But the riser was high enough to get good crowd shots, she said. After twenty minutes, she descended and walked around capturing the reactions among the people.

Zoladz said one thing she remembers about being at the National Mall was how loud it was. People cheering, music playing, LCD screens showing what was happening on stage, chants and more screams when the TV cameras would point toward the crowd all contributed to atmosphere.

 “There was such a celebratory mood,” Chris said. “People were hugging complete strangers, clapping, cheering and crying.”

Zoladz said the biggest tear-jerking moments were when Aretha Franklin performed the national anthem, when Obama first arrived and when he was officially sworn in.

After the inauguration, Zoladz and her husband skipped the parade and rode back on the metro to their friend’s house and changed clothes to attend the Midwestern Ball.

It took them three hours to get out of the city due to subways momentarily shutting down because of huge volumes of traffic.

After reaching their destination, they changed into the mandatory cocktail attire for the ball and took the subway to the Washington Convention Center.

Although they were told to be at the ball by 6 p.m., Obama didn’t arrive until midnight, so Zoladz and her husband just sat and filtered through the day’s photos. Their boredom was soon uplifted by a performance by Sheryl Crow.

“That kind of rejuvenated our energy,’ Zoladz said.

After Crow performed, Joe Biden came out and finally, Barack Obama appeared.

“Just to be in close proximity to Barack Obama, to see him that close was pretty cool feeling,” Zoladz said.

She said some of her favorite shots were of Obama with his wife, Michelle.

“It was nice to be able to do that with her at his side,” she said.

For Zoladz, the inauguration events were unforgettable.

“It was a once in a lifetime trip that I would not soon forget,” Zoladz said. “It was very momentous. I feel like I was part of something big.”