Eric Draper

Eric Draper is an award-winning photojournalist who spent eight years as Chief White House Photographer for President George W. Bush, documenting the presidency from inside the White House and around the world.

His career began in California and took him through the Associated Press, where he covered major sporting events including the Olympics, as well as presidential campaigns. In 2000, he was assigned to cover George W. Bush’s campaign for the presidency — a job that eventually led, rather unexpectedly, to the White House.

As Bush’s photographer, Eric travelled to more than 70 countries, covering the President's daily life, international trips, world leaders and some of the most significant events of the early 2000s. He also witnessed the presidency from a much more personal perspective, photographing the moments between the official events and the public appearances.

Among the defining moments of his career was September 11, 2001. Eric was with President Bush in Florida when the first news of the attacks came through, and he went on to document the President's response throughout that extraordinary day and the days that followed. His photographs became part of the historical record of 9/11, while the experience itself became something he would continue to reflect on through his work.

Today, Eric continues to work as a freelance photographer, photographing corporate events, editorial and nonprofit assignments, sporting events — and, rather fittingly, presidents of corporations. He also enjoys running alongside his dog Beep and taking on the dog agility course together — although, as Eric admits, that’s still very much a learning process!