Pete Souza, Photographer
Illustration by Jeffrey Phillips
Pete Souza is an American photojournalist, the former Chief Official White House Photographer for Presidents Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. He's the author of six books, including Obama: An Intimate Portrait and his upcoming book, Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents. Souza has previously worked with National Geographic and Life magazine.
The Living White House,
by Betty C. Monkman
"My parents purchased this book for me when we visited Washington, D.C. when I was about 8. I loved looking through the book, studying the candid photographs of Presidents Johnson and Kennedy even though I didn't really know I had an interest in photography. This book was updated a few years ago, and my photograph of President Obama is now on the cover."
Minamata,
by Aileen Smith and W. Eugene Smith
"W. Eugene Smith was one of the first photojournalists I learned about when I took my first photography class in college. Minamata had just been published and I planned a trip to New York just to see the exhibit, which is where I purchased the book. I discovered a photographer who poured his heart and soul into creating images that not only made people aware of the terrible situation in Minamata, but attempted to actually affect change."
The Decisive Moment,
by Henri Cartier Bresson
"Cartier-Bresson mastered the concept of capturing the decisive moment. By studying the images in this book, I learned so much about framing and composition while clicking the shutter at precisely the right time. This book has always inspired me to make photographs that remain timeless."
The Photographic Essay,
by William Albert Allard
"Bill Allard shares in this book how to create a photographic essay rather than just produce a random collection of pictures. And through his documentary images, Allard shows his deep commitment to his subjects with intimacy and honesty. The book also demonstrates an artist who is a master of using color and light in his photographs."