In this conversation, he reflects on trust, access, missed frames, and what it means to document power without becoming part of it. From Ronald Reagan to Barack Obama, Souza shares stories from behind the scenes of the presidency, the rhythm of life inside the West Wing, and the moments that never made the headlines but shaped how we remember those years.
We talk about his early days in newspapers, the unexpected path that led him to the White House, the physical and emotional demands of the job, and why the best photographs often happen when nobody is paying attention. There are also a few lighter moments — including cards on Air Force One and the occasional camera mistake that every photographer secretly fears.
If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to stand quietly in the room while history unfolds, this is a rare and thoughtful look behind the lens.
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⏱ Chapters
00:00 Cold open – the weight of documenting history
00:32 Welcome
03:00 The White House rhythms
09:00 Discovering photography
15:30 Photographing President Reagan
28:00 Photographing President Obama
36:00 Life as White House photographer
42:00 Photographing difficult moments
55:00 Travel and Air Force One
59:00 Life after the White House
01:12:00 Outro
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Guest:
Pete Souza
Official White House Photographer for Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama
Author of *Obama: An Intimate Portrait* and *Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents*
📸 Explore Pete’s work
https://www.petesouza.com/
https://www.instagram.com/petesouza
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🎧 Prefer listening while editing photos, walking, or making coffee? You can find the podcast version of this conversation here:
https://thecameracafeshow.com/petesouza
☕ Subscribe for more calm, in-depth conversations about photography and the people behind the images.
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