It’s photos from the 2019 Utah HRC Gala at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City. Find all the photos I shot here. The red carpet photos will be available from Pamela Ann Berry Photography soon.
The night was a huge event. Normally it happens in June but we rocked it mid-July. We had special guests such as Seth Owen, Ian Alexander, Dana Goldberg, and Shea Diamond. Google them if you don’t know who they are. One is a valedictorian disowned by his family for being gay. One is a trans male actor for Netflix’s The OA, one is a great comedienne, and one sang a rousing musical number. Which one is which? Google will let you know.
VIP Party before the Gala
The night begins with a VIP party at 5pm and there are hors d’oeuvres and beverages. There is a silent auction, one of which I won, woo hoo.
Hors d’oeuvres at the VIP party before the HRC Gala
I was also using a new lighting setup for event photography. It’s a light stand whose legs collapse so I can walk through a crowd, put the light stand to the side and take a photograph all without killing anyone by tripping over or bumping into them with the light stand. It is amazing. People look better when the light comes from the side and it adds so much drama I’m gonna die.
Dressed to the nines
Fans of DJ Nhandi
Sport coats rock
And the night had DJ Nhandi spinning the music for the party and after party.
DJ Nhandi
Getting dramatic with my lighting
Savannah Skyler has become a regular volunteer in the LGBTQ+ community. She came out in church a few years ago and since has become fiercely active in the fight for equality in Utah.
Savannah Skyler rocking the big dress
Awesome suit combinations
Style style everywhere
I’m loving the blue hair
Dinner ready to serve
Black suit and tie a classic
Dressed to impress
The Gala hosts
Shea Diamond entertains
Bruce Bastian
Sarah McBride of the HRC
Dana Goldberg returned for some comedy entertainment and to run the auction for several high end items including trips to Mexico. Woo hoo!
Dana Goldberg entertains
Dana Goldberg entertains
Seth Owen was in the news a valedictorian would lost his family’s support when he came out as gay. In fact, his father said they were within their rights to stone him according to the bible. The community came together and he found a new family to live with and people raised money to help him qualify for a full ride scholarship to Georgetown University.
Seth Owen speaks
Ian Alexander is from Utah and is an Asian trans male actor in Netflix’s The OA TV series. It’s almost feels revolutionary that a trans actor is playing a trans role.
Ian Alexander
Westminster College
Tyler Glenn and Pamela
Volunteers and attendees
After the dinner is the after party and I think they need a larger room in the future. The room was packed with dancers and revelers.
Dance the night away
Living the after party life
The night winds down
