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Update:
The Washington Post has just featured several of the 2014 White House photos — some published below, some not.
While readers can see all the superb photographs here, it is worthwhile viewing them at the Post just for the “superlative” captions awarded by the Post.
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Original post:
“2014 In Review’ stories and images are all over the place.
We just posted a “Military Year In Review” montage here.
The White House has just released its “Year in Photographs.”
In the words of Pete Souza, Director and Chief Official White House Photographer:
For the sixth consecutive year, I’m thrilled to share my annual Year in Photographs. Each photograph, taken either by me or a photographer on my staff, is accompanied by my personal observations about the image. In some instances, there is an interesting backstory to the photograph, which I’ve included. Most of the moments captured can best be described as behind-the-scenes — that is, photographs taken away from the spotlight of public events. Some of the photographs are historic because of what is taking place, but others hopefully give people a more personal sense of who the President and First Lady are. Editing is a highly subjective — and for me — personal endeavor. I’ve included a mix of ‘moments,’ but also some photographs that rely more on graphics, lighting and composition. Some are serious and some are humorous. And of course, some are with babies (since the President loves babies). I hope you enjoy this year’s album of photographs.
And indeed some of the photographs provide a very personal, candid and spontaneous look at the President and his family. Some are indeed humorous and some are indeed historic.
Sadly, because the present occupant of the White House is “disliked” — to put it mildly — by many Americans, it is not expected that everyone will enjoy — or even look at — these photos.
For those who decide to give objectivity a chance and wish to look at some great photographic work, please click here.
Below and as the lead photo are “a couple” of my favorite photos.
January 28, 2014
We all remember this one: “At the annual State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol, Chuck Kennedy captured this poignant moment between the First Lady and U.S. Army Ranger Sgt. First Class Cory Remsburg. Cory first met the President in 2009 at a D-Day ceremony in Normandy. Four months later, Cory was badly injured in Afghanistan and in a coma for three months. In early 2010, shortly after Cory came out of his coma, the President happened to be visiting patients at Walter Reed Hospital. As he walked into one of the patient’s rooms, hanging on the wall was a photo I had taken of the President and Cory in Normandy. The President then realized that he had met this badly injured Army Ranger at Normandy. Two years later, we were visiting Arizona, where Cory had gone home to further recuperate. The President asked if Cory would be able to greet him backstage. Amazingly, Cory was able to salute the President and walk across the room aided by a walker to shake hands with the President.”
(Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)
March 4, 2014
“The President was visiting a classroom at Powell Elementary School in Washington, D.C. A young boy was using a stethoscope during the class, and as the President was about to leave the room, the President asked him to check his heartbeat.”
(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
March 23, 2014
“A great moment captured by Amanda Lucidon of the First Lady and daughters Sasha and Malia during their visit to the Great Wall of China.”
(Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon)
May 16, 2014
“Call it the Shake Shack slide. As he is wont to do, the President normally does a group photo with restaurant staff when he stops for lunch or dinner somewhere. After having lunch with Vice President Biden at a Shake Shack in Washington, D.C., the President asked me where he should stand for the photo. Before I could even reply, the President jumped on the counter and slid onto the other side. The Vice President soon followed.”
(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
June 6, 2014
“This isn’t so much a great photograph as it was just an honor to be in the presence of World War II veteran Kenneth (Rock) Merritt as he regaled stories of D-Day to President Obama aboard Marine One on the 70th French-American Commemoration D-Day Ceremony. The President invited ‘Rock’ to fly on the helicopter after leaving the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France.”
(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
June 29, 2014
“The President shares a quiet moment with his daughter Sasha during a father and daughter hike at Great Falls, Virginia.”
(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
July 8, 2014
“The President whistles along to Van Morrison’s ‘Brown-Eyed Girl’ while shooting pool with Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper in Denver, Colorado. The President took great pride in beating the Governor at the bar the Governor founded.”
(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
October 24, 2014
“When Nina Pham walked into the Oval Office, the President gave her a big hug as her family and White House Dr. Ronny Jackson watched. Nina, a Dallas nurse diagnosed with Ebola after caring for an infected patient in Texas, was being treated at the National Institutes of Health in nearby Bethesda, Maryland, and the President invited her to the White House when she was released after being declared Ebola-free.”
(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
November 14, 2014
“The President walks with Aung San Suu Kyi back into her residence following their joint press conference in Yangon, Burma.”
(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
November 19, 2014
“Lawrence Jackson captured the President busting out in laughter as he and the First Lady recorded a holiday video message in the Map Room of the White House.”
(Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson)
December 1, 2014
“Following the outcry over the shooting of Michael Brown by a policeman in Ferguson, Missouri, the President invited young civil rights leaders to a meeting in the Oval Office. Many of them had protested in Ferguson. A 30-minute scheduled meeting last more than an hour. As the meeting broke up, the President continued the conversation for a few minutes and I then managed to frame the bust of Martin Luther King, Jr. in the foreground.”
(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Lead photo:
April 21, 2014
“When the President saw this photograph hanging on the walls of the West Wing, he laughed and said, ‘The two most famous sets of ears in Washington.’ He then asked me to make a print for him so he could show his daughters. The photograph shows the President and the Easter Bunny listening to the national anthem on the Blue Room Balcony at the annual Easter Egg Roll.”
(Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
All photos and captions: White House
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.