When I left the office this afternoon to head to the Legislative Office Building, or LOB, in downtown Concord, I wasn’t expecting much. I heard someone was in town contesting Obama’s birth certificate. I thought that issue was largely resolved. I actually remember the day the long-form certificate was released because it was the same day Donald Trump was flirting with a run at office and the media as he toured New Hampshire via a visit to Portsmouth on April 27. Members of the press were packed into a diner near the town and it came on the television. I made a photograph of Trump watching the newscast. The news broke hours before, but it was a chance to relate the issue with a man who took credit pressuring for its release.

As I arrived to LOB room 307, I had a feeling it would probably be a little more exciting than a typical meeting there. A few people were gathered on the sides and in the back of the room holding video recorders. There was a decent turnout and those who push for the validity of Obama’s birth certificate are pretty passionate for that cause. Orly Taitz, who came from California to formally file the complaint, argued for the removal of President Obama from the presidential ballot and challenged his U.S. citizenship.

The action came after the decision was made by the state’s Ballot Law Commission to keep President Obama on the presidential ballot. Sitting across the room from most of the people, I grabbed my cameras and changed locations in anticipation of a reaction. I overheard some people earlier suggesting they should yell “Treason” or “Traitors” following the decision. People were heated. And sure enough, like many events I cover, people yelled “Treason.” And “Traitors.”

The Ballot Law Commission more-or-less allowed representatives and opponents time to vent frustrations. One representative mentioned committee members should wear a mask when appearing in his district before he stormed out into the hallway. He was met by supporters.

Although it was a predictable outcome, I thought to myself while shooting, “What happens if they overturn this and respect the complaint?” I was the only photographer there so there was an added sense of pressure and responsibility. It felt like real news and something that could affect the primaries immensely. I feel like when there is pressure and stress and a pretty definitive situation, it’s often the easiest time to photograph. Everything happens on a stage before you and you just need to be ready when it happens.