(AP Photo/Jim Cole)
by John McCormick
Former Chicago Tribune photographer Pete Souza will be the top official photographer in Barack Obama's White House, a transition aide confirmed this morning.
Souza, 54, was also a White House photographer during President Ronald Reagan's time in office. He has been teaching photojournalism at Ohio University after leaving the Tribune's Washington Bureau in 2007.
"Pete is great person and a wonderful photographer," said Robert Gibbs, the incoming White House press secretary and someone who has interacted with Souza since 2005. "The White House is lucky to have him back again."
Souza first met Obama in January 2005 when the now president-elect was being sworn into office as the junior senator from Illinois. He documented Obama's first year in office as part of a multi-part series for the Tribune that included trips to Africa and Russia.
Souza later compiled the photos in a best selling book called "The Rise of Barack Obama."
During Obama's presidential bid, Souza traveled with the campaign on several occasions to capture some final images for the book and his portfolio.
Comments
Congrats to Mr. Souza...start today...spare us from these "tabloid' shots of pect's...I always look forward to official "presidential" photos.
Speaking of photos...you "Swamp" bloodhounds better get a handle on this story about ATM photo recognizing software used by the cops in Tacoma, Wash. to catch crooks...runs EVERY transaction pict. through the criminal database...bingo...you're busted...Grandma better pay those parking tickets...another Cheney legacy imposed on Americans?...call the ACLU I've had enough...where's Flo when you need her?
Posted by: Bubba Porter | January 5, 2009 11:25 AM
A best selling book? The rise of Barack Obama? Better to keep all the faithful at an arms length, especially those who have the ability (now job) to bolster his stardom with the masses.
Posted by: Springfield | January 5, 2009 12:02 PM
I don't think they have my photo in their files, Bubba. But that's an interesting story; they have cameras inside the bank as well, so I'm not sure there's a problem, unless they are releasing info on the transaction. I'm certainly glad Obama is putting a former ACLU attorney in charge of undoing the Bush-Cheney-Yoo executive orders on torture and surveillance.
Posted by: Flo | January 5, 2009 1:54 PM
I've seen those cameras at ATMs for years...they could have been doing the same thing for a looong time, not that it is a good thing they are doing criminal match-ups in that way. It's akin to then taking film of every car at a stop-light and ticketing everyone they think will comply with paying a ticket for the revenue. I don't make turns on red anymore because you never know if you are being photographed...there are no notices or signs to tell you not to turn on red. Makes the people behind you mad but lose a days pay to fight it or pay a $100.00 fine?
As for the cameras inside the bank, when I worked in a bank they only were activated when the bandit switch was tripped by a teller. Is it different now?
Posted by: lochnessmonster | January 6, 2009 7:03 AM