The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
Have you ever wondered about the most exciting part of being the President's photographer or if Bo, the Obamas' dog, is easy to photograph? Watch what you missed in the live video chat with Pete Souza, Chief Official White House Photographer and Director of the White House Photography Office.
Have you ever wondered about the most exciting part of being the President's photographer or if Bo, the Obamas' dog, is easy to photograph? Pete Souza, Chief Official White House Photographer and Director of the White House Photography Office, sat down with us to answer your questions from Flickr and Facebook in a live video chat. From "getting the shot" to getting the gig, Pete covered a lot of territory in the chat. Use the links below to jump directly to the questions that you're interested in or watch the full video of the chat.
- What are your thoughts and perspective on "Getting the Shot"?
- What is the approval process for photos to be added to Flickr?
- How often do you plan a shot in advance?
- What advice do you have for photo students in a constantly evolving job market?
- What is your list of typical photographic considerations?
- How do you keep photos of the same man, fresh?
- Can you describe your work flow and how many people are involved?
- Can you describe an image that stands out as your favorite?
- How is it different working in the Obama White House after working in the Reagan White House?
- What does it feel like to photograph such an important time in US history?
- Does the President ever ask you to get a shot?
- How many shots do you take of the President on a typical day?
- What do you shoot as a hobby?
- Are there times when you aren't allowed to take photos?
- What are your best tips for getting great candid photos of people?
- If you could only use one lens for the rest of your life, which would you choose?
- Is it difficult capturing intimate moments between the President and the First Lady?
- Are there times when you will shoot film?
- What is the most exciting part of your job?
- How old were you when you got your first camera?
- How did you get your job?
- Are there keywords or feelings that you are looking for in your subject matter?
- What element of yourself do you think influences your photos?
- What about photography inspires and attracts you to the medium?
- What is your biggest challenge photographing the President?
- What is a typical daily schedule for you and has the President ever asked you not to photograph something?
- Do you ever get bored photographing similar events?
- What is your favorite part of your job?
- Have you ever had a run-in with the President or his staff while trying to get a shot?
- Do you try new techniques or stick with the "tried and true"?
- How do you avoid the staged photo opportunities that must constantly fall into your lap?
- Who are other photojournalists that you look up to?
- What kind of security clearance process do you go through to become a White House photographer?
- What has been the most memorable experience you have had during your time at the White House?
- What was your biggest challenge when you switched from film to digital?
- How many people work on the White House photography team? How are assignments divided up?
- What is your ISO in the Oval Office?
- Is Bo easy to shoot?
- What kind of scrutiny do your shots undergo before they are shown to the public?
- Are you aware of any instances where your shots have had an impact on policy?
See more Official White House photographs on the Flickr photo stream and in the photo galleries on obamawhitehouse.archives.gov.
