Over the past few years, I have photographed 49 of the 50 state capitol buildings in the United States. The only remaining capitol is Juneau. Unfortunately, I visited Juneau before undertaking this project. So, I will eventually need to return to Juneau to photograph the Alaska State Capitol.

During my recent road trip to Newfoundland, I visited two provincial capitol buildings--Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

Capturing interesting images of the interior of the Newfoundland capitol, the Confederation Building, proved to be challenging. One morning I entered the building with the intention to photograph the interior. This is permitted inside all of the state capitols in the United States and was also encouraged inside the Province House of Nova Scotia. While working my way through security, I was told that photography is permitted, but that I needed to be escorted through the building by a guide. The next tour was at 2:30 PM...so I had to return to the Confederation Building to capture the photographs.

I was pleased to see that I was the only person on the tour. This usually makes it very easy to compose pictures. The guide told me that photography was permitted. So, I began the hour long tour. The issue is that this building offers very little of interest other than the magnificent House of Assembly. So, I patiently waited until we entered the House of Assembly at the very end of the tour.

As I started to set up my tripod, the tour guide informed me that the House of Assembly was off limits for photography! I asked why that was since it was empty...the representatives were not in session during my visit. She said she didn't know and was just following directions. I asked if I could speak to someone else about getting permission for the photography. She called a manager in the Communications Department--but that call went into voice mail.

So after two visits and an hour long tour, I left the building without a single image.

Later that night, I received an email from the tour guide letting me know that permission was granted and that I could gain access to the House of Assembly at 8:30 AM the next day. I replied to the email to express my appreciation for that follow up and to make a couple of requests: (1) that the lights be turned on inside the room, and (2) that the door to access the center of the balcony area be unlocked.

The next morning, I met the tour guide in the lobby and we immediately went into the House of Assembly. The floor was off limits, but I had access to the balcony--or most of it. This next image shows the section within the room in which a perfectly symmetrical shot of the interior is possible. Note the section circled in red. That wooden door was locked. Unfortunately, nobody could find the key! So, I wasn't able to capture any of the more traditional perspectives of this beautiful room.

However, I very much appreciated how friendly and cooperative everyone was at the Confederation Building. While I was shooting, my guide asked me if I would prefer that the ceremonial mace be placed on the table as it would be if the assembly was in session. So, they brought it out and placed it on the table. The mace is circled in white.

Here are a few images from my photo session:

House of AssemblyThe House of Assembly chamber in the Confederation Building on Confederation Hill overlook at 100 Prince Phillip Drive in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador on July 24, 2018 Confederation BuildingThe Confederation Building on Confederation Hill overlooking Newfoundland and Labrador's capital city at 100 Prince Phillip Drive in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador on July 24, 2018. This building serves as the home of the Newfoundland and Labrador House of Assembly. Confederation BuildingConfederation Building at 100 Prince Phillip Drive from Summit Hill in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador on July 25, 2018 House of AssemblyThe House of Assembly chamber in the Confederation Building on Confederation Hill overlook at 100 Prince Phillip Drive in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador on July 24, 2018