Gather Gala: A Tent Full of Light and Purpose

Last week, I photographed the 2025 Gather Gala—an incredible night under the tent at Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth, NH.

At first glance, it had all the ingredients of a well-produced fundraiser: beautifully styled tables, a vibrant crowd, and generous food and drink from some of the Seacoast’s most talented chefs. But the deeper story behind this event—and the reason it resonated so much for me—was what it stood for.

The evening marked a major milestone in Gather’s transformation from food pantry to Community Food Center—a centralized, 18,000-square-foot space at 124 Heritage Ave that will provide access to healthy food, wraparound services, and long-term solutions to food insecurity in our region.

As a Portsmouth-based commercial and nonprofit photographer, I often get invited into events like this—but the best ones don’t just celebrate. They move people.

From the tomato plants on each table to the hand-raised auction paddles and heartfelt stories from the mic, the night was filled with intention. I always try to shoot beyond the obvious: the spaces in between the big moments, the faces mid-laugh, the small details that say more than signage ever could.

The capital campaign is still underway, and you could feel the urgency in the room. Gather is already serving over 10,000 people a month. Their new space will allow them to serve even more—and do it with dignity, choice, and care.

For me, this was more than a gig. It was a reminder of what thoughtful event photography can do: preserve the work, honor the people behind it, and help organizations like Gather build the momentum they need to keep going.

Big thanks to the Gather team for the opportunity—and for the work they’re doing across the Seacoast.

Kevin Edge Photography

Commercial & nonprofit photographer based in Portsmouth, NH

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