Boston Marathon Bombing: Where I was

Monday April 15 started out great. It was a beautiful day, and the Red Sox kicked it off in style. The crowd was into it, a couple just got married, and needless to say everyone was drunk. It was Patriots Day, after all. Then there was a walk off hit. Incredible! Red Sox win. Once a year the team opens the bases up to children and spectators who want to run around the field. I photographed that, and it was great fun. But twenty minutes later I got a phone call. It was from my friend Scott, who told me what happened down at Copley Square, not even a mile from where I was. The office turned on the television and time stopped. No one could say anything... It took a few minutes to gather our bearings, but once we realized the significance of what was going on, my fellow Red Sox photographers and I rushed out the door. We avoided Kenmore Square, which in hindsight seems to be a mistake, but we wanted to get as close as possible. When we got close, it turned chaotic. No one knew anything, and the police were trying to maintain calm. I suggested we dart into the adjacent hotel and try to photograph the scene from above. We did just that, and the women whose door I knocked on where a godsend. They welcomed us into their rooms and told us what they went through and what updates were on the news. I am so very grateful to those women who helped us out that day...

In the following days, the city was somber. I went back, and there were people milling around, just trying to see what horrible things happened. Everyone was a little quieter, a little nicer. I was present at a BU open house, where students talked about what they saw and what they are going through. I went to a press conference (postponed indefinitely, they said). I saw the President rush to our city to attend an interfaith service... What happened to Boston, my adopted city, is a tragedy. Anyone involved in this incident, whether its the victims, first responders, or simply bystanders, are in my thoughts. #BostonProud

Boston, MA, April 15, 2013: New bride Althea Mahoney walks through fenway to get a soda. She was married in the morning and took her husband and bridal party to the game, still in full wedding regalia.

Boston, MA, April 15, 2013: New bride Althea Mahoney throws her bouquet into the grandstand. She was married in the morning and took her husband and bridal party to the game, still in full wedding regalia.

Boston, MA, April 15, 2013: Fans watch a pop foul by Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Boston, MA, April 15, 2013: Players and their children ran the bases during a once a year promotion where kids can run the bases directly after a game.

Boston, MA, April 15, 2013: Two explosions went off in Copley Square, directly after the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

Boston, MA, April 15, 2013: Two explosions went off in Copley Square, directly after the finish line of the Boston Marathon

Boston, MA, April 15, 2013: Two explosions went off in Copley Square, directly after the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Boston police frisk a random passerby.

Boston, MA, April 15, 2013: Two explosions went off in Copley Square, directly after the finish line of the Boston Marathon, killing three people and injuring hundreds more.

Boston, MA, April 15, 2013: Marathon participants wait to see what to do next after two explosions went off in Copley Square, directly after the finish line of the Boston Marathon, stopping the race and killing three people. .

Boston, MA, April 15, 2013: Two explosions went off in Copley Square, directly after the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

April 17, 2013: A police barrier blocks off a street that directly leads to Copley Square, the area the Boston Marathon bombings took place.

April 17, 2013: A makeshift sign is taped on a window in Kenmore Square, Boston where a military presence is maintaining the calm around the area.

Boston, MA, April 16, 2013: Boston University sophomore Emily Talley is comforted by her mother during an open house for BU students dealing with yesterday's tragedy. Students were invited to share their stories or feelings, and grief counselors and religious leaders were present, as well as the head of the BU police department and the Dean of Students.

April 18, 2013: Air Force One arrives at Logan Airport in Boston before the President and First Lady attend a Interfaith Vigil for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings on Monday.

April 18, 2013: President BARACK OBAMA and First Lady MICHELLE OBAMA disembark Air Force One at Logan Airport in Boston prior to attending an for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings on Monday.

April 18, 2013: President BARACK OBAMA and First Lady MICHELLE OBAMA disembark Air Force One ahead of a handful of Massachusetts delegates, including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Mo Cowan, at Logan Airport in Boston prior to attending an for the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings on Monday.

Boston residents flock to the Boston Common draped in American flags screaming and shouting "USA" to celebrate after Suspect #2 was taken into custody on April 19.

Boston residents flock to the Boston Common to celebrate after Suspect #2 was taken into custody on April 19.

Boston residents flock to the Boston Common to celebrate after Suspect #2 was taken into custody on April 19. Chants of "USA", "Boston", "BPD", and "Sweet Caroline" rang out as students and residents crammed the Common.

Below are a selection of instagrams I took that day, and in the days following

Boston marathon explosion

The second explosion. What is left.#bostonmarathonbomb

Members of the Boston University community come together in Metcalf Hall to talk about yesterday's incidents. One BU student was a confirmed casualty this afternoon. #bu #marathon

Flowers are left in Boston University's Marsh Plaza for the fallen BU student, one of three confirmed casualties of Monday's marathon bombings. #bu#marathon #bostonmarathonbomb