Boston University alumnus Pete Souza’s photographs grace the walls of the College of Communication, but beginning Jan. 20 his work will line the halls of a far more prestigious building as he assumes the position of Chief White House Photographer.
Souza, who graduated from COM in 1976, was tapped in early January to lead President-elect Barack Obama’s team of official White House photographers. An assistant photojournalism professor at Ohio University, Souza will return to where he started his career as a junior White House photographer for President Ronald Reagan.
Native to South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, Souza said he attended BU to become a sports writer.
‘I took a photo class my junior year and after one, the bug hit me,’ Souza said.
BU photojournalism associate professor Peter Southwick said Souza’s ability to tell stories with his photos will help him in the White House.
‘It’s a wonderful job, lots of work, very demanding, and access is almost dependent on relations with the president,’ Southwick said. ‘I don’t think I know of someone more qualified than Pete.’
Southwick said he hoped Souza would donate more of his photographs to COM’s current collection, which Souza originally shared at the behest of COM Dean Tom Fiedler.
The faculty at Ohio University began preparing for Souza’s leave of absence as far back as October, even though Souza did not believe he was seriously under consideration to be Chief White House Photographer, OU School of Visual Communication director Terry Eiler said.
‘[Souza] certainly has the background and the skill, certainly knows the situation and more importantly understands the critical historical importance,’ Eiler said.
As a freelance photographer, Souza has had work published in magazines such as Life, Newsweek and National Geographic.
‘His journalistic skills are extraordinary,’ Eiler said. ‘It’s his ability to make those quiet, personal pictures in the middle of chaotic public events.’
The photographer and the President-elect became acquainted when Souza covered Obama’s first year as a senator for the Chicago Tribune and accompanied him on trips to several countries. Many of those photographs appear in Souza’s book The Rise of Barack Obama.
The role of Chief Photographer will allow Souza to capture those moments for history that people look back on the pictures many years later, Souza said. Although he is aware of the heightened importance of his work, Souza said he will take the advice of a close friend.
‘One of my friends gave me this advice: ‘You’re one man, he’s one man, do the best you can’,’ Souza said. ‘It’s not like I’m going to do anything different from anything I would normally, but the stakes are higher.’
When his tenure as top photographer in the White House ends, Souza said he hopes to return to teaching students.
The future in the White House contains new opportunity for excellence every day, Souza said. And when asked about his favorite photograph, he replied, ‘Hopefully one I take tomorrow.’
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