Obama: An Intimate Portrait by Pete Souza, 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.” — Little, Brown and Company
Book Jacket of Obama: An Intimate Portrait by Pete Souza, Chief Official White House Photographer
The President with the First Lady in a freight elevator heading to an inaugural ball, 11:00 p.m., January 10, 2009. “We were on a freight elevator headed to one of the Inaugural Balls. It was quite chilly, so the President removed his tuxedo jacket and put it over the shoulders of his wife. Then they had a semi-private moment as staff member and Secret Service agents tried not to look.” (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)
President Barack Obama meets with Prime Minister Putin at his dacha, Moscow, Russia. July 7, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
President Barack Obama waving farewell following his speech after departure ceremony at Accra airport in Ghana. July 11, 2009. (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)
President Barack Obama reacting from the bench at one of Sasha’s basketball games. The two coaches for her team—the Sidwell Friends Vipers—couldn’t make it to the game, so the President and Reggie Love filled in. February 5, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
President Barack Obama listening to Thelma “Maxine” Pippen McNair after signing H.R. 360, which provided for a Congressional gold medal to commemorate the four young African-American victims of the 1963 bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. McNair’s daughter, Denise McNair, was one of the victims. May 24, 2013. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
President Barack Obama talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany prior to a “family” group photo with G7 Summit leaders and outreach guests at Schloss Elmau in Krün, Germany, June 8, 2015. The President and Merkel formed a close relationship over the eight years they were both in office. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
President Barack Obama holds Ella Harper Rhodes, daughter of Ben Rhodes, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications, as he lies on the floor in the Oval Office, Oct. 30, 2015. Ella is in her elephant costume for the White House Halloween celebration event. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
President Barack Obama in London meeting Prince George at Kensington Palace, April 22, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
President Barack Obama reading at the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. During autumn and winter afternoons, the President’s desk was bathed in dramatic backlight. In the final months of the administration, I tried to capture the President in that special light because I knew I’d never have the chance again. October 14, 2016. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Pete Souza presents Obama: An Intimate Portrait at National Museum of African American History and Culture, November 20, 2017. Photo by Corrado Serra for Arts Summary
After Pete Souza’s presentation, he was interviewed by Aaron Bryant, Curator of Photography, NMAAHC. Photo by Corrado Serra for Arts Summary
Title image: Presentation of Obama: An Intimate Portrait by Pete Souza at National Museum of African American History and Culture, November 20, 2017. Photo by Corrado Serra for Arts Summary.
Book images courtesy Little, Brown and Company.
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