History of Pete Souza in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 21, 2025

Pete Souza is an American photojournalist notable for his role as the chief official White House photographer for Presidents Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama. He also served as the director of the White House Photography Office. Before his White House service, Souza worked as a photographer for The Chicago Tribune in Washington, D.C., from 1998 to 2007, documenting Barack Obama's journey to the presidency.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

December 31, 1954: Pete Souza's Birth

On December 31, 1954, Peter Joseph Souza was born. He would later become a renowned American photojournalist and the chief official White House photographer for Presidents Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama.

Others born on this day/year

June 1983: Official White House Photographer for President Reagan

In June 1983, Souza became an official White House photographer for President Ronald Reagan.

1989: End of White House Service under Reagan

In 1989, Souza's service as the official White House photographer for President Ronald Reagan came to an end.

1998: Souza joins The Chicago Tribune

In 1998, Souza joined The Chicago Tribune at the Washington, D.C. bureau, a role he held until 2007.

September 11, 2001: Coverage of Afghanistan War

After the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Souza was among the first journalists to cover the war in Afghanistan and the fall of Kabul.

2004: Photographing Barack Obama's First Year as Senator

In 2004, Jeff Zeleny asked Souza to take photographs for a project documenting Barack Obama's first year as a U.S. senator.

2004: Official Photographer for Ronald Reagan's Funeral

In 2004, Souza was the official photographer for the funeral services of Ronald Reagan.

2005: Souza Covers Obama's Senate Arrival

In 2005, Souza covered Obama's arrival to the Senate and met him for the first time on Obama's first day in the Senate.

2007: Souza's departure from The Chicago Tribune

In 2007, Souza ended his time at the Chicago Tribune's Washington, D.C. bureau.

July 2008: Publication of 'The Rise of Barack Obama'

In July 2008, Souza published his photo-book, "The Rise of Barack Obama", featuring photographs taken between 2005 and 2008.

November 2008: Asked to be White House Photographer for Obama

After the November 2008 election, Souza was asked to become the official White House photographer for President-elect Obama, marking his second time in the role.

January 14, 2009: Release of Obama's Official Presidential Portrait

On January 14, 2009, the new presidential portrait was released—the first official presidential portrait taken with a digital camera.

May 2009: Use of Flickr for White House Photos

In May 2009, Souza began using Flickr as an official platform for releasing White House photos under a Creative Commons license.

2009: Iconic Image of Obama and Jacob Philadelphia

In 2009, Souza's image of a five-year-old child, Jacob Philadelphia, touching Obama's head became iconic, symbolizing the African American struggle for civil rights.

2010: National Geographic Program: The President's Photographer

In 2010, National Geographic produced a program titled "The President's Photographer" about Souza and previous White House photographers.

May 1, 2011: Iconic Situation Room Photograph

On May 1, 2011, Souza took the iconic photograph in the Situation Room during the raid on Osama bin Laden, featuring Obama, Biden, Clinton, and others.

November 2011: Inclusion in The New Republic's List

In November 2011, Souza was included on The New Republic's list of Washington's most-powerful, least-famous people.

October 2013: Wedding at the White House

In October 2013, Souza and his wife, Patti Lease, were married at the White House.

April 2017: Instagram Commentary on Trump Administration

In April 2017, Souza began using his Instagram account to share pictures of Obama, often as critical commentary on the Trump administration, gaining over one million followers.