Photographer Pete Souza on Capturing Obama's Presidency

52 min

Mina Kim

May 11, 2018 at 10:00 AM

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The President pretends to be caught in Spider-Man's web as he greets Nicholas Tamarin, 3, just outside the Oval Office. Spider-Man had been trick-or-treating for an early Halloween with his father, White House aide Nate Tamarin in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

As the Chief Official White House Photographer for the Obama Administration, Pete Souza was responsible for chronicling President Obama's eight-year term, day in and day out. His new book, "Obama: An Intimate Portrait" features some of the most affecting images of the nearly two million that he captured over the course of his tenure. Souza joins Forum to discuss what it was like shadowing President Obama, how it differed from his time with President Ronald Reagan and how Souza uses Instagram to comment on the current political climate.

First Lady Michelle Obama with daughters Malia and Sasha sled in the snow on the South Lawn of the White House. (Official White House Photograph by Pete Souza)

President Barack Obama bends over so the son of a White House staff member can pat his head during a visit to the Oval Office May 8, 2009. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, along with with members of the national security team, receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White House, May 1, 2011. Please note: a classified document seen in this photograph has been obscured. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Barack Obama and Jon Favreau, head speechwriter, edit a speech on health care in the Oval Office, Sept. 9, 2009, in preparation for the president's address to a joint session of Congress. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

The President reacts as John Brennan briefs him on the details of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. The President later said during a TV interview that this was the worst day of his Presidency. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama share a private moment in a freight elevator at an Inaugural Ball. Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

"I focused on the detail of the Resolute Desk as the President was talking with two aides in the Oval Office," said White House Photographer Pete Souza. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

"'Anyone want to try a piece of my strawberry pie,' the President asked those at adjacent tables during a stop for lunch at Kozy Corners restaurant in Oak Harbor, Ohio. A young boy said yes and came over for a big bite of pie." (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Guests:

Pete Souza, author, "Obama: An Intimate Portrait"; former Chief Official White House Photographer