The We Are the Ones Project is a photographic essay documenting the enthusiasm and diversity of Obama supporters across the country. Specifically, we’re highlighting average citizens and grassroots communities as the real stars of this campaign, by giving them a celebrity-style photo shoot at Obama events. Selected Portraits of Hope will be exhibited in a New York gallery show and eventually published in book form along with Stories of Change written by the portrait subjects themselves.

Much has been made of the historic nature of Obama’s presidential candidacy, and even of the unprecedented individual and grassroots support for his campaign. What has not been documented, however, are the faces of the individuals themselves and the specific reasons behind their passionate participation in this process. We hope to honor ordinary citizens who are coming forward, not only to endorse Barack Obama, but also to stake a claim to the future of this country through their own personal and communal actions.