The President’s Photographer -- National Geographic

Inauguration Night
Photograph by Pete Souza
National Geographic’s The President’s Photographer explores the perspective of the visual historians who capture both public and intimate moments in the lives of Presidents. Browse this gallery of the work of some of the photographers—and their subjects—featured in the program.
Here, President Obama and the First Lady share a private moment on a freight elevator in Washington’s convention center on the night of his inauguration in 2009. The photograph is considered by many to be one of photographer Pete Souza’s iconic images—so far.

The President’s Photographer premieres Wednesday, November 24, on PBS (check local listings for times).
Enjoy more photos and buy the book The President’s Photographer: 50 Years Inside the Oval Office .
White House Theater
Photograph by Pete Souza
A few weeks after inauguration, President Obama, the First Lady, friends, and members of Congress donned 3-D glasses while watching a commercial during Super Bowl XLIII in the family theater of the White House.

The President’s Photographer premieres Wednesday, November 24, on PBS (check local listings for times).
Enjoy more photos and buy the book The President’s Photographer: 50 Years Inside the Oval Office.
Caroline and John F. Kennedy
Photograph by Cecil Stoughton, White House/JFK Library, Boston
Cecil Stoughton’s photographic coverage evolved from making the typical ceremonial images of previous administrations to documentary-style pictures like this one of John F. Kennedy and his daughter, Caroline, aboard a yacht in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts, in August 1963.

The President’s Photographer premieres Wednesday, November 24, on PBS (check local listings for times).
Enjoy more photos and buy the book The President’s Photographer: 50 Years Inside the Oval Office.
Bush Family
Photograph by Eric Draper/George W. Bush Presidential Library
George W. Bush’s chief photographer, Eric Draper, caught Barbara Bush photographing the Presidents Bush on January 28, 2001. “One thing I learned right off the bat,” Draper said, “is that when you say, ‘Mr. President,’ they both turn around.”

The President’s Photographer premieres Wednesday, November 24, on PBS (check local listings for times).
Enjoy more photos and buy the book The President’s Photographer: 50 Years Inside the Oval Office.
Lyndon B. Johnson’s Swearing In
Photograph by Cecil Stoughton, White House/JFK Library, Boston
Cecil Stoughton’s images of the trip to Texas by John F. Kennedy provide key beats in the story on the fateful day of the assassination. Later, Stoughton made perhaps the most famous—and most important—image ever taken by a presidential photographer as LBJ is sworn in on Air Force One.

The President’s Photographer premieres Wednesday, November 24, on PBS (check local listings for times).
Enjoy more photos and buy the book The President’s Photographer: 50 Years Inside the Oval Office.
Lyndon B. Johnson
Photograph by Yoichi Okamoto/LBJ Library
Lyndon B. Johnson’s photographer, Yoichi Okamoto, disappeared behind the President to make this image. Okamoto would have been below the eye line of almost all of the reporters in the room.

The President’s Photographer premieres Wednesday, November 24, on PBS (check local listings for times).
Enjoy more photos and buy the book The President’s Photographer: 50 Years Inside the Oval Office.
Betty Ford
Photograph by David Hume Kennerly/Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
David Hume Kennerly made this picture the day before the Carters moved into the White House. Taking a last tour of the West Wing, Betty Ford told him she’d always wanted to dance on the Cabinet Room table. A former Martha Graham dancer, she slipped off her shoes, hopped on the table, and struck a pose.

The President’s Photographer premieres Wednesday, November 24, on PBS (check local listings for times).
Enjoy more photos and buy the book The President’s Photographer: 50 Years Inside the Oval Office.
Bill and Hillary Clinton
Photograph by Robert McNeely/William J. Clinton Presidential Library
A number of Bob McNeely’s images show President Clinton and the First Lady fully engaged on issues together, as in this moment when they are listening to a briefing on board AirForce One.

The President’s Photographer premieres Wednesday, November 24, on PBS (check local listings for times).
Enjoy more photos and buy the book The President’s Photographer: 50 Years Inside the Oval Office.

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