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January 20, 2009
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama smile and wave from a golf cart during the Inaugural ball. Pete's role photographing the President while he was still a senator allowed him to easily transition into the exclusive official photographer position, photographing behind the scenes moments from Obama's first few hours in office. -
May 8, 2009
President Obama leans his head to Jacob Philadelphia after Philadelphia says "I want to know if my hair is just like yours," during the family's visit to the White House. Souza admits he sacrificed good composition to quickly snap this photo and show the President's ability to intimately connect with people even as the leader of the Free World. -
October 8, 2009
President Obama awaits a rebound while playing basketball with Congressmen at the White House. This photo does not depict important presidential duties or high emotion situations, but it does capture the human element of the President and the politicians he works with. Like Bill Clinton's saxophone, George W. Bush's Texas roots or Teddy Roosevelt's big game hunts, Barack Obama's love for basketball humanizes him in the eyes of the public. -
July 28, 2010
President Barack Obama eyes his sub at Tastee Sub Shop in Edison, N.J. The President met with five small business owners on his trip to discuss the economy and urge Congress to pass support for small businesses. Americans regularly see photos of presidents at long, grand tables in black tie attire, and Souza's capture of President Obama shows him as comfortable gripping a sub in a small New Jersey shop as he is at a state dinner. -
October 12, 2010
President Barack Obama and actor George Clooney discuss Sudan during a meeting outside the White House. Throughout his years on Obama's staff, Souza has become so ingrained in Obama's routine that even during a casual conversation, Clooney's gaze shows he is unfazed by Souza's presence. -
May 1, 2011
President Barack Obama gazes grimly as he and the rest of the National Security team receive an update on the mission against Osama bin Laden in the Situation Room of the White House. The Situation Room contains some of the most confidential information in the world, and in this photo you can even see the censoring of a document on the table. However, Obama's trust for Pete Souza allows Souza to shoot sensitive scenes and documents. -
December 23, 2011
President Barack Obama pets his family dog, Bo, aboard an Air Force One flight to Hawaii. Though one of the most powerful leaders in the world, Obama is still softened by a tender embrace with the family's beloved dog. Even in the context of the presidency, Souza shows Obama in a pose familiar to all dog owners: cradling his head, excited for time spent with family. -
November 15, 2012
President Obama imitates Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney's "not impressed" face during the 2012 U.S. Olympic gymnastics team's meet and greet at the White House. Maroney's scowling face following her performance at the Olympic games quickly became a viral internet meme, one that even the president found time to laugh at. -
May 22, 2014
President Obama shows his Chicago White Sox hometown pride while White House photographer Pete Souza tweets, "Headed to the Baseball Hall of Fame today with my boss." Souza's use of Twitter shows the humorous camaraderie that he has with the President, which has for years allowed him to capture personal, intimate moments. -
March 7, 2015
President Barack and Michelle Obama hold hands in Selma, Ala while listening to Rep. John Lewis speak at the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday and Selma to Montgomery civil rights marches. During a time of sorrowful reflection, Souza captures one of the most powerful and strong politicians in the world finding comfort in his wife's hand. -
February 18, 2016
The First Family dances with 106-year-old Virginia McLaurin while she fulfills her lifelong dream of visiting the White House. Souza juxtapositions McLaurin's representation of over a century of Black American History with Obama's historic tenure as the nation's first Black President. -
September 30, 2016
President Obama pays his final respects to Shimon Peres, former Israeli president and Nobel Peace Prize recipient. Obama spoke about Peres' accomplishments and legacy at his funeral in Israel. Amidst the chaos of the 2016 presidential election, Souza shows the president as a peaceful representative of our nation.
