Posts Tagged ‘White House’

The best day of Barack Obama’s presidency. The worst day. Everyday moments of fatherhood and friendship alongside the singular moments of presidential power. Chief Official White House Photographer Pete Souza was there next to the president, capturing it all—nearly 2 million photographs in total.

Obama: An Intimate Portrait includes a foreword by President Obama, in which he writes, “Over those eight years, Pete became more than my photographer—he became a friend, a confidant, and a brother.” This is the definitive visual biography of the Obama presidency, including never-before-seen photos of the administration, the president, and his family. Souza’s photographs and poignant behind-the-scenes captions and stories that accompany them, communicate the pace and power of our nation’s highest office.

Of his time at the White House, Pete writes, “I have had the extraordinary privilege of being the man in the room for eight years, visually documenting President Obama for history. This book is the result of that effort; I gave it my all. I hope that the chronological photographs that follow, accompanied by my words, will show you the true character of this man and the essence of his Presidency, as seen through my eyes and felt through my heart.”

This book depicts major milestones in the administration but also intimate personal moments that provide a deeper understanding of Barack Obama, not just as president but as a man. No White House photographer has ever been granted such access to a sitting president, and the result is a moving, comprehensive book full of more than 300 extraordinary photographs. The special relationship Pete forged with President Obama is apparent in these pages. Whether he was hanging back in a door frame, perched on a ladder to snag the perfect shot, or in a freight elevator with the president and the First Lady, his images reveal the undeniable trust between the commander in chief and his photographer.

Souza’s photographs tell the true story of the presidency, from moments behind the scenes at the inauguration to negotiations with foreign leaders and encounters with ordinary citizens. They appear in chronological order, paired with captions to provide context and behind-the-scenes anecdotes.