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Pete Souza - The Modern Photojournalist
Pete Souza, pictured above, is born on this day in Massachusetts. Souza would eventually go on to develop a prolific career modernizing the concept of the presidential photojournalist. -
The Reagan White House Years
President and First Lady Ronald Reagan are seen with Michael Jackson at an event in the White House in 1984. Souza served as the official White House photographer during President Reagan's second term. -
From Senator to Presidential Candidate
Then-Senator Barack Obama is shown answering questions from audience members at a candidate meet-and-greet event in Fort Dodge, Iowa. The manner in which Souza captured this photo suggests that he was attempting to show Obama as relatable to the average American, as he is encircled by a throng of people following his speech. -
The Rise of Barack Obama Is Published
In 2008, Souza collected some of his best photographs from Obama's presidental campaign and assembled them into a hardcover book. Souza selected many candid and behind-the-scenes photos that had not been publically released before. He also provided detailed commentary behind the context of each photo, the scene and its participants. -
The Presidential Portrait Enters the Digital Era
On President Obama's first day in office, his official first term portrait was released by the White House. The image, taken by none other than Souza himself, was the first presidential portrait to be captured on a digital camera. President Obama's new administration ushered in many changes and fresh perspectives during its first term, chief among those being using a digital camera to capture the presidential portrait. -
President Obama Begins His First Day
In another image captured by Souza, President Obama is shown entering the Oval Office on his official first day to begin carrying out his duties. This image resonates with the millions of Americans who have been nervous at their first day on a new job. Nevertheless, Souza ensured to capture Obama looking confident and happy to take on the challenge of being the leader of the free world. -
President Obama meets with the Dalai Lama
President Barack Obama meets with His Holiness the Dalai Lama in the Map Room of the White House. The White House practices control over photographers now more than ever. Souza has much more access to moments like these compared to the typical news photographer. -
The Situation Room
President Obama and his national security team are in the White House Situation Room receiving live updates from the search on Osama bin Laden. This is the most viewed photo on the White House Flickr account. This iconic photograph captures a very tense moment for this prominent group of people and it’s become one of the most viewed images on Flickr. The White House's use of Flickr is innovative compared to previous administrations. -
President Obama sits on the famous Rosa Parks' bus
President Barack Obama sits in the famous Rosa Parks bus at the Henry Ford Museum after an event in Dearborn, Michigan, April 18, 2012. Obama’s pose in this photograph recalls a famous portrait of Parks on the same bus taken in 1956. -
President Obama visits New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy
President Barack Obama hugs Donna Vanzant, the owner of North Point Marina, as he tours damage from Hurricane Sandy in Brigantine, N.J., Oct. 31, 2012. Pictures like this are important because they illustrate the commonality that our president shares with common people. -
President Obama reacts to the news about the Sandy Hook School shootings
President Obama reacts as Counterterrorism chief and adviser John Brennan briefs him at the White House on the details of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, on December 14, 2012. The president later said during a television interview that this was "the worst day of his Presidency." Souza has a front row view for all the events, meetings, and happenings at the White House - the good and the bad. -
President Obama leading Selma march
Marking the 50 year anniversary of the Civil Rights Movement's first attempt at a march from Selma to Montgomery, President Obama led a march in 2015. In 1965, the peaceful protesters were beaten with billy clubs. One of those protesters was John Lewis, who is seen in the picture joining hands with Michelle and Barack Obama. Pete Souza and his staff covers both the events where the press has plenty of access and those where they have none. -
Barack Obama at Beau Biden's funeral
President Obama delivered the eulogy at the funeral of Joe Biden's son, Beau Biden, who died at 46. Pete Souza's first involvement with presidential photography was when he was an official White House photographer during Ronald Reagan'a administration. In the Obama years he has become Director and Chief Official White House Photographer. During Obama's presidency there has been a shift towards restricting the press more and focusing more on handouts of official photographs. -
The White House in rainbow colors in honor of gay marriage ruling
When the Supreme Court ruled that gay marriage should be legal, the White House was covered in rainbow lights to show support for the ruling. Pete Souza captured this photograph. Pete Souza is an assistant professor of photojournalism at the Ohio University's School of Visual Communication. He is on an extended leave, though, because of his job at the White House -
President Obama visits Paris attacks Memorial
After the Paris attacks took place, President Obama visited France and the memorial there was in honor of the victims. Since the term "photo op" was coined by the photography staff of Richard Nixon, presidents have been making sure the press knew about photo ops that could make the president look good. These opportunities are still present, but the Obama Administration exercises more control over which events the press is invited to. -
President Obama and President Castro during restricted bilateral meeting
Like all other outings of the President, Pete Souza and his staff was with Obama, when he visited Cuba in March of 2016. This particular photograph from Pete Souza's Instagram account shows the level of access, but also the level of control it gives to have a staff photographer take most of the pictures that are taken of the president. Both presidents seem happy in this photo, but had there been disagreements or tension, then the staff photographer at least still have the option not to show it.
