Kenn Shrader was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in suburban Maryland. He inherited an affinity for photography from his father who served as the director of photographic services at the National Geographic Society. While working as a photographer for The Times-News out of Burlington, North Carolina, Shrader responded to a job posting for the Gloucester Daily Times in the fall of 1983. By October 1983 he relocated and began work at the GDT. In 1984, after a brief term with the Times, Shrader moved back to Washington D.C. for a job in magazine design.

Gloucester, MA 1983. Protesters.

Gloucester, MA 1984. Working at Gloucester Harbor.

Gloucester, MA 1984. Postal worker in a mail delivery truck.

Gloucester, MA 1984. Line to buy Cabbage Patch dolls.