Over the course of eight years in the White House, I probably spent more time with Pete Souza than with anybody other than my family.
From moments of America’s triumph to times of our deepest tragedy, from high-stakes meetings with world leaders to quiet mornings of study in a sun-splashed Oval Office, Pete was always present, dutifully documenting every moment, large and small, for history. And here’s the thing: I wouldn’t always know it. In addition to his exceptional eye, Pete has a remarkable talent for making himself invisible. In fact, what makes Pete such an extraordinary photographer, I think, is something more than his ability to frame an interesting moment. It’s his capacity to capture the mood, the atmosphere, and the meaning of that moment. And for all the unique and often historic images he captured, he never made himself a part of the story those images told.
Pete Souza chronicled eight years of American history. His work, and his team’s work, is a gift to future generations, scholars, and everyday citizens alike—artifacts worthy of our appreciation and our gratitude.
But I’ll always be grateful to Pete for something more than that. Over those eight years, Pete became more than my photographer—he became a friend, a confidant, and a brother. We broke up long days with stories and laughs. We broke up long overnight flights with fiercely competitive card games. I consider him and Patti part of our family—which is why we held their wedding in the Rose Garden.
Having Pete around made my life better. And if there’s one gift for which I’m even more grateful to Pete than his friendship, it’s the many photos he captured of my family. Frozen moments of Malia and Sasha, who grew up so fast. Exquisite images of Michelle, in her spectacular service as First Lady. Snapshots of Bo and Sunny frolicking on the South Lawn, or discovering snow for the first time. And, above all, the millions of faces that make up the proud, diverse, optimistic, bighearted character of America—faces in the crowd that I’ll always cherish seeing, thankful that Pete’s talented eyes saw them first.
I hope you and your family enjoy experiencing Pete’s photos as much as I do.