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Few photographers have had the privilege of documenting history as closely as Pete Souza. As the Chief Official White House Photographer for both the Reagan and Obama administrations, Souza captured some of the most defining moments in modern political history. In this episode, we sit down with him to discuss the stark differences between the White House administrations he covered, the evolution of photojournalism, and what it takes to tell an honest and compelling visual story. From film to digital, from carefully curated moments to the instantaneous nature of modern media, Souza has witnessed firsthand how photography's role in shaping public perception has changed over the decades. Tune in as he shares behind-the-scenes insights, his approach to storytelling, and the lessons he's learned about patience, access, and the power of a single image. Whether you're a photographer, a history buff, or just love a good story, this episode is one you won't want to miss! Watch the video of this interview with the photos we discuss, exclusively available for the first 7 days to members of our YouTube channel - https://youtu.be/2kWSl1K9gqQ Episode Promos This episode contains promos for the following: Nerdy Photographer Photography Resources - https://nerdyphotographer.com/resources Nerdy Photographer YouTube Channel Memberships - https://youtube.com/@CaseyFatchett Casey Fatchett Photography Print Shop - https://caseyfatchettphotography.pic-time.com/art Support The Nerdy Photographer Want to help The Nerdy Photographer Podcast? Here are a few simple (and mostly free) ways you can do that: Subscribe to the podcast! Tell your friends about the podcast Sign up for the newsletter - https://nerdyphotographer.com/newsletter Buy a print from the print shop - https://caseyfatchettphotography.pic-time.com/art Follow on Instagram - https://instagram.com/thenerdyphoto Follow on Threads - https://threads.net/@thenerdyphoto Follow in Tiktok - https://tiktok.com/@thenerdyphoto Subscribe to our YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@CaseyFatchett Get some Nerdy Photographer merchandise - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/nerdy-photographer If you're feeling extra generous, check out our support page - https://nerdyphotographer.com/support-nerdy-photographer/ About My Guest Pete Souza is a best-selling author, speaker and freelance photographer. He is also Professor Emeritus of Visual Communication at Ohio University. For all eight years of the Obama administration, Souza was the Chief Official White House Photographer and the Director of the White House photo office. His book, Obama: An Intimate Portrait, was published by Little, Brown & Company in 2017, and debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. His 2018 book, Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents, also debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. Shade is a portrait in Presidential contrasts, telling the tale of the Obama and Trump administrations through a series of visual juxtapositions.It is one of the best-selling photography books of all time. In 2021, Souza was inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame. In 2022, Souza was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Professional Photographers of America. Souza started his career working for two small newspapers in Kansas. From there, he worked as a staff photographer for the Chicago Sun-Times; an Official Photographer for President Reagan; a freelancer for National Geographic and other publications; the national photographer for the Chicago Tribune based in their Washington, D.C. bureau; and an assistant professor of photojournalism at Ohio University; before becoming Chief Official White House Photographer for President Obama in 2009. In addition to the national political scene, Souza has covered stories around the world. After 9/11, he was among the first journalists to cover the fall of Kabul, Afghanistan, after crossing the Hindu Kush mountains by horseback in three feet of snow. Also while at the Tribune, Souza was part of the staff awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 2001 for explanatory reporting on the airline industry You can view Pete's work on his website - PeteSouza.com - or you can follow him on Instagram @petesouza About The Podcast The Nerdy Photographer Podcast is written and produced by Casey Fatchett. Casey is a professional photographer in the New York City / Northern New Jersey with more than 20 years of experience. He just wants to help people and make them laugh. You can view Casey's wedding work at https://fatchett.com or his non-wedding work at https://caseyfatchettphotography.com If you have any questions or comments about this episode or any other episodes, OR if you would like to ask a photography related question or have ideas for a topic for a future episode, please reach out to us at https://nerdyphotographer.com/contact
Pete Souza was the Chief Official White House Photographer for the entire tenure of the presidency of Barack Obama. He is the author of several books, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers Obama: An Intimate Portrait and Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents. A photojournalist since the late 1970s, Souza was also an official White House photographer during the Reagan administration, a freelance photographer for Life and National Geographic, and the Washington-based natural national photographer for the Chicago Tribune. A documentary about his work at the White House, The Way I See It, was nominated for an Emmy, and its Premier was the highest rated non-news, non-live program in MSNBC history. He is a professor emeritus at Ohio University's School of Visual Communication. In 2021, Souza was inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame. As Obama‘s photographer, Pete had one of the coolest jobs on the planet. And when he left the White House, he for years threw shade on Donald Trump through his humorous and sarcastic Twitter posts. Join us for this captivating look back on Pete's illustrious life and career. He also has some interesting insights into how the Biden Administration could be handling the "age" issue more effectively through its photos. It's a truly don't-miss conversation! Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel
Today's guest, former White House photographer Pete Souza, is a bucket-list item for me. I started Behind the Shot because I am a fan of great photography, or more specifically great photographers. Through the over six years I have been doing the show, I have had a range of guests, in a range of genres, from legends, to people I wasn't aware of before asking them to be on the show. While I have discovered many amazing creatives through doing this podcast, when I started there were a few specific people I hoped would someday be on the show. Joe McNally checked off one of those boxes last year when he came on for the show Master of Light, and again when he helped with the show on the Best Photo Advice You've Been Given. Scott Kelby has now been on a few times, with Insights From Scott Kelby and Timeless Photography. Trey Ratcliff stopped by twice, for Raise Your Dynamic Range and Documenting Burning Man, Christie Goodwin did Fireworks, Ed Sheeran: Memories We Made, and also helped with the Best Photo Advice You've Been Given show, and Rick Sammon, David Bergman, and Don Komarechka each have been here too many times to list. Well, today checks off the name I never thought I would get, and excited doesn't begin to cover what I am feeling. Often described as the White House photographer for the eight years of the Obama administration, Mr. Souza's career, and influence on the industry, is so much more than that. Pete Souza is a best-selling author, speaker and freelance photographer. His actual title during the Obama years was Chief Official White House Photographer and the Director of the White House photo office. That job alone would instill fear in most photographers, but Souza has done it more than once! He was also the Official White House Photographer for Ronald Reagan. As an author, Pete has written some of the definitive books related to White House photography. His book, Obama: An Intimate Portrait, was published in 2017, and debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list, and to date it is one of the best-selling photography books of all time. His 2018 book, Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents, also debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. Shade is a portrait in Presidential contrasts, telling the tale of the Obama and Trump administrations through a series of visual juxtapositions. His most recent book, The West Wing and Beyond: What I Saw Inside the Presidency, was published in September 2022. This book lets us behind the scenes of the West Wing — and into the Oval Office, the Situation Room, aboard Air Force One, and beyond — in intimate detail. Based on his best-selling books, Souza became the subject of a documentary film, The Way I See It, in November 2020. If you haven't seen it, I can't recommend it enough. It is absolute fantastic. The film takes an unprecedented look behind the scenes of two of the most iconic Presidents in history, Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan, as seen through Souza's eyes and camera. As Official White House Photographer for both these Presidents, Souza was an eyewitness to the unique and tremendous responsibilities of being the most powerful man in the world. The film also reveals how Souza transformed from a respected White House photographer and photojournalist to a searing commentator on the importance of having someone with empathy and dignity in the office of the Presidency. In addition to the national political scene, Souza has covered stories around the world. After 9/11, he was among the first journalists to cover the fall of Kabul, Afghanistan, after crossing the Hindu Kush mountains by horseback in three feet of snow. While at the Chicago Tribune, Souza was also part of the staff awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 2001 for explanatory reporting on the airline industry. As an educator, Pete Souza is Professor Emeritus of Visual Communication at Ohio University, and as a lecturer he is in high demand. He has lectured on his photography at the Smithson...
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Pete Souza is one of our nation's leading photojournalists—and few have risen to greater prominence. He has worked as an official White House photographer for Ronald Reagan and the chief official White House photographer for Barack Obama. Among many other distinctions, he won the Pulitzer Prize in 2001 along with colleagues at the Chicago Tribune, and last year he was inducted into the International Photography Hall of Fame. His books include Obama: An Intimate Portrait, one of the bestselling photography books of all time; Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents; and his latest, The West Wing and Beyond: What I Saw Inside the Presidency.Mark Updegrove and Mark Lawrence talk to Pete about his unique vantage point on the presidency and the presidents he has worked with and captured for history.
Inspired by a New York Times No. 1 bestseller, The Way I See It is an unprecedented look behind the scenes at two of the most iconic presidents in American history, Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan, as seen through the eyes of renowned photographer Pete Souza. As official White House photographer, Souza was an eyewitness to the unique and tremendous responsibilities of the most powerful person on Earth. Award-winning filmmaker Dawn Porter’s The Way I See It also reveals how Souza transforms from a respected photojournalist to a searing commentator on the issues we face as a country and a people. The Way I See It also traces Souza’s fearless public transformation from chronicler of history to critic of an administration he believes is destroying the legacy of empathy, honor and hope that he witnessed during his 13 years at the White House. Inspired by his two bestselling books, Obama: An Intimate Portrait and Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents, and featuring more than 400 of his photos, the film is an emotional and stirring reminder of America’s pledge of a government for and by the people. Director Dawn Porter joins us for a conversation about the personal journey of an accomplished photojournalist turned activist and when it comes to the most powerful person in the world, why judgement, perspective, honor, and empathy matter. For news, screenings and updates go to: focusfeatures.com/the-way-i-see-it Check out the future of voting at: headcount.org In select theaters Friday, September 18th MSNBC Films premiere Friday, October 9th, 10:00pm EDT
Major crises like COVID-19 are managed from one place. With the election approaching, there will be many takes on the politics but Andy wants to take you inside the West Wing bubble. He starts with Pete Souza, who photographed the Reagan and Obama administrations, to talk about what it's like inside the West Wing of the White House. If you had an image of beautiful offices and wide hallways because of a certain TV show, forget about all that. You can see for yourself in Pete's new documentary, The Way I See It. Plus, stick around for a surprise guest who also knows a thing or two about The West Wing. Keep up with Andy on Twitter @ASlavitt and Instagram @andyslavitt. Follow Pete Souza on Twitter and Instagram @PeteSouza. In the Bubble is supported in part by listeners like you. Become a member, get exclusive bonus content, ask Andy questions, and get discounted merch at https://www.lemonadamedia.com/inthebubble/ Support the show by checking out our sponsors! Livinguard masks have the potential to deactivate COVID-19 based on the testing they have conducted from leading universities such as the University of Arizona and the Free University in Berlin, Germany. Go to shop.livinguard.com and use the code BUBBLE10 for 10% off. You can digitally purchase life insurance from Haven Life Insurance Agency at havenlife.com/bubble. Haven Term is a Term Life Insurance Policy (ICC17DTC) issued by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), Springfield, MA 01111 and offered exclusively through Haven Life Insurance Agency, LLC. Policy and rider form numbers and features may vary by state and not be available in all states. Our Agency license number in California is 0K71922 and in Arkansas, 100139527. Check out these resources from today’s episode: Don’t miss The Way I See It, the new film about Pete’s time as the White House photographer for President Obama: https://www.focusfeatures.com/the-way-i-see-it. Check out some of Pete’s greatest photos of President Obama in his book, OBAMA: An Intimate Portrait: https://www.petesouza.com/content.html?page=8. Watch President Obama sing Amazing Grace during the eulogy for Rev. Clementa Pinckney in 2015: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IN05jVNBs64. Learn more about Ady Barkan’s story in the film Not Going Quietly, executive produced by Bradley Whitford: https://www.adydoc.com/. Buy Ady Barkan’s book, Eyes to the Wind: A Memoir of Love and Death, Hope and Resistance, here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Eyes-to-the-Wind/Ady-Barkan/9781982111540 Are you hoping to vote in the 2020 election? Are you confused about how to request an absentee ballot in your state? This website can help you with that: https://www.betterknowaballot.com/ Pre-order Andy’s book, Preventable: The Inside Story of How Leadership Failures, Politics, and Selfishness Doomed the U.S. Coronavirus Response, here: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250770165 To follow along with a transcript and/or take notes for friends and family, go to www.lemonadamedia.com/show/in-the-bubble shortly after the air date. Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. For additional resources, information, and a transcript of the episode, visit lemonadamedia.com. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
One of the things I love about photography is it's a universal language. You can look at an image intuitively feel the power and the emotion, regardless of age, race, gender, social/economic status, geography, even time. Pete Souza is such a critical creator in not just the arc of the United States of America and world politics, but as a guy out there doing what he loves, chasing his passion and hoping to tell a story and represent history in a powerful and profound way. He's done cover stories for Nat Geo, LIFE magazine, Fortune, Newsweek, and was one of the Chicago Tribune staff back in 2001. Most notably he was the official photographer of President Ronald Reagan, and then the Chief Official White House Photographer for President Barack Obama, where he made some of the most iconic pictures in the last 20 years. His book, "Obama: An Intimate Portrait," was published by Little, Brown & Company in 2017, and debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. It is one of the best-selling photography books of all time. His latest book, "Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents," also debuted at #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in October 2018. This conversation has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with storytelling, pursuing dreams, and the road to get there, whatever your dreams might be. Enjoy! Today's episode is brought to you by CreativeLive. CreativeLive is the world's largest hub for online creative education in photo/video, art/design, music/audio, craft/maker and the ability to make a living in any of those disciplines. They are high quality, highly curated classes taught by the world’s top experts -- Pulitzer, Oscar, Grammy Award winners, New York Times best selling authors and the best entrepreneurs of our times.
On today's podcast I speak with photographer Pete Souza. Pete Souza was the Chief official White House photographer for President Barack Obama and Director of the White House photo office. Pete's book titled “Obama : An Intimate Portrait” which documented the entire 8 years of Barack Obama's presidency was published in 2017 and debut #1 on The New York Times Bestseller list. Pete previously worked as a national photographer for the Chicago Tribune newspaper based in their Washington bureau and also worked as an official White House photographer for President Ronald Reagan. Pete Souza is someone who has accomplished a lot over the course of his photographic career and someone who I have an immense amount of respect for so I was really excited to get a chance to speak with him so I hope you enjoy and thanks for listening! www.petesouza.com Instagram : @petesouza
The full broadcast of Boston Public Radio from Thursday, August 29th, 2018 This week Boston Public Radio is revisiting some of our favorite conversations. In this episode you'll hear: Tina Brown joined us to talk about her latest book, The Vanity Fair Diaries. We opened the lines and asked you about your Q-tip IQ. Do you actually follow the instructions or do you take the cotton swab plunger—even if it means you might have to go to the ER? We talked to former White House Photographer Pete Souza, who put eight years of the Obama administration into his latest book, Obama: An Intimate Portrait. Novelist Meg Wolitzer discusses her latest book, The Female Persuasion. Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes, a wife and husband who survived the Boston Marathon Bombing, have written a children's book about another partnership—the one between Jessica and her service dog rescue, Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship. Cecile Richards, the outgoing president of Planned Parenthood, discussed what she’s doing next to keep the fight for women’s rights alive and well.
Pete Souza spent eight years photographing the Obama White House, an effort he now chronicles his new book Obama: An Intimate Portrait. Souza joins The Atlantic's editor in chief Jeffrey Goldberg to share the stories behind his most famous photos: a 5-year-old boy patting the president's head, the tense scene in the Situation Room during the mission against Osama bin Laden, and many more. What was it like to be a fly on the wall in the West Wing? (View the photos discussed here.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As Chief Official White House Photographer under President Obama, Pete Souza had a front-row seat to history for eight years -- and he let us in on that history by snapping nearly 2 million photos. In this episode, the author of "Obama: An Intimate Portrait" talks about growing up in Dartmouth, Mass.; his backstage pass to moments that defined America; why he thinks Obama will make a good grandfather; and why -- despite the thrill of the job -- he's happy that it's over.
Before Pete Souza became the most famous troll on Instagram, he was the White House photographer for the duration of the Obama administration. Souza explains his approach to capturing moments and shares why he doesn’t consider his work to be propaganda. His book of pictures from the Obama presidency is Obama: An Intimate Portrait. In the Spiel, should the store that sells you candy also sell you health care? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Before Pete Souza became the most famous troll on Instagram, he was the White House photographer for the duration of the Obama administration. Souza explains his approach to capturing moments and shares why he doesn’t consider his work to be propaganda. His book of pictures from the Obama presidency is Obama: An Intimate Portrait. In the Spiel, should the store that sells you candy also sell you health care? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Republicans do whatever it takes to pass their Donor Relief Act, and Trump reminds us why he’s unstable and unfit to hold office. Then White House photographer Pete Souza joins Jon and Dan in studio to talk about his bestselling new book, Obama: An Intimate Portrait, and Ana Marie Cox calls in to discuss the latest sexual assault revelations.