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!
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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
What did you enjoy most about this peak behind the presidential curtain?
Did you enjoy Pete’s behind-the-scenes stories? His thoughts on photojournalism and its future? We would love to know what you thought of this episode! Let us know on Instagram, YouTube, Threads, or BlueSky! And let us know who you think we should talk to in the future or what topics we should cover.
