This has to rank as one of the hardest jobs in photography!

Tonto · 03-11-2012, 12:29 AM - **1 Like**

I just watched Nat Geos White House 'Through the lens' Obama Administration doco and it blew me away!
His photographer Pete Souza carries a minimal of gear two bodies short and long zoom lenses flashes, maybe a backup short lens and I imagine loads of batteries and cards.
Has to hit ALL his shots, and NONE of them are deleted, they have to be unaltered by law. He has the same crazy schedule as Obama but doesn't travel in the same car so has to run in after him to get official greeting photos etc. Typical day is 13 hours but has a staff of 3 photographers and someone who manages the images. Thy output 20,000 - 80,000 shots per month.
So basically a wedding shoot every damn day!

Of course a huge part of it is the relationship between him and the subjects especially the President who are just oblivious to him as they are shot all the time. I knew they had photographers but didn't realise they shot so much behind doors as well as formal engagements.

Interesting stuff.

snappychappy · 03-11-2012, 09:43 AM

Now that is one stressful job, rather him than me.

**Kerrowdown** · 03-11-2012, 01:11 PM

Aye I saw that documentary, interesting stuff.

My comments echo the others here, apart from there would seem to a lot of repetition in the job, one dignitary shaking hands looks much like the next dignitary shaking hands, I just wonder how you'd keep it fresh......................

Tonto · 03-11-2012, 10:01 PM

Originally posted by kerrowdown

Aye I saw that documentary, interesting stuff.

My comments echo the others here, apart from there would seem to a lot of repetition in the job, one dignitary shaking hands looks much like the next dignitary shaking hands, I just wonder how you'd keep it fresh......................

I remember he mentions this with all of the presidents speeches so he takes alot of crowd reactions/candids as well.

mischivo · 03-13-2012, 07:15 PM

Here is the first thing that came to my mind: when shooting 20,000 to 80,000 frames per month, do you shoot in RAW or in JPEG? I'm assuming the latter, but the size of their archive must be enormous despite this. Sounds like it's a stressful but unique and fulfilling job. I'd do it if given the opportunity.

**BigDave** · 03-13-2012, 07:46 PM - **1 Like**

That is a tough schedule. well maybe he will be able to take a long deserved rest in another 10 or 11 months.

regards,

kenafein · 03-13-2012, 07:56 PM

Originally posted by BigDave

That is a tough schedule. well maybe he will be able to take a long deserved rest in another 10 or 11 months.

regards,

I sure hope not

. It doesn't seem like a partisan job, why wouldn't the next President keep him on if he's good.

kenafein · 03-13-2012, 07:57 PM

Originally posted by mischivo

Here is the first thing that came to my mind: when shooting 20,000 to 80,000 frames per month, do you shoot in RAW or in JPEG? I'm assuming the latter, but the size of their archive must be enormous despite this. Sounds like it's a stressful but unique and fulfilling job. I'd do it if given the opportunity.

If they must remain unaltered I wonder if that means no RAW images.

joe.penn · 03-13-2012, 09:27 PM

That's cake work compared to the full time photographers working for rolling stone magazine...

03-11-2012, 12:29 AM - 1 Like	#1
Tonto Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wellington Posts: 969	This has to rank as one of the hardest jobs in photography! I just watched Nat Geos White House 'Through the lens' Obama Administration doco and it blew me away! His photographer Pete Souza carries a minimal of gear two bodies short and long zoom lenses flashes, maybe a backup short lens and I imagine loads of batteries and cards. Has to hit ALL his shots, and NONE of them are deleted, they have to be unaltered by law. He has the same crazy schedule as Obama but doesn't travel in the same car so has to run in after him to get official greeting photos etc. Typical day is 13 hours but has a staff of 3 photographers and someone who manages the images. Thy output 20,000 - 80,000 shots per month. So basically a wedding shoot every damn day! Of course a huge part of it is the relationship between him and the subjects especially the President who are just oblivious to him as they are shot all the time. I knew they had photographers but didn't realise they shot so much behind doors as well as formal engagements. Interesting stuff.

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03-11-2012, 09:43 AM	#2
snappychappy Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Leeds Posts: 1,636	Now that is one stressful job, rather him than me.

03-11-2012, 01:11 PM	#3
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,835	Aye I saw that documentary, interesting stuff. My comments echo the others here, apart from there would seem to a lot of repetition in the job, one dignitary shaking hands looks much like the next dignitary shaking hands, I just wonder how you'd keep it fresh......................

03-11-2012, 10:01 PM	#4
Tonto Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wellington Posts: 969 Original Poster	Originally posted by kerrowdown Aye I saw that documentary, interesting stuff. My comments echo the others here, apart from there would seem to a lot of repetition in the job, one dignitary shaking hands looks much like the next dignitary shaking hands, I just wonder how you'd keep it fresh...................... I remember he mentions this with all of the presidents speeches so he takes alot of crowd reactions/candids as well.

03-13-2012, 07:15 PM	#5
mischivo Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 397	Here is the first thing that came to my mind: when shooting 20,000 to 80,000 frames per month, do you shoot in RAW or in JPEG? I'm assuming the latter, but the size of their archive must be enormous despite this. Sounds like it's a stressful but unique and fulfilling job. I'd do it if given the opportunity.

03-13-2012, 07:46 PM - 1 Like	#6
BigDave Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Hudson Valley, NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,626	That is a tough schedule. well maybe he will be able to take a long deserved rest in another 10 or 11 months. regards,

03-13-2012, 07:56 PM	#7
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	Originally posted by BigDave That is a tough schedule. well maybe he will be able to take a long deserved rest in another 10 or 11 months. regards, I sure hope not . It doesn't seem like a partisan job, why wouldn't the next President keep him on if he's good.

03-13-2012, 07:57 PM	#8
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	Originally posted by mischivo Here is the first thing that came to my mind: when shooting 20,000 to 80,000 frames per month, do you shoot in RAW or in JPEG? I'm assuming the latter, but the size of their archive must be enormous despite this. Sounds like it's a stressful but unique and fulfilling job. I'd do it if given the opportunity. If they must remain unaltered I wonder if that means no RAW images.

03-13-2012, 09:27 PM	#9
joe.penn Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Maryland (Right Outside Washington DC) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,902	That's cake work compared to the full time photographers working for rolling stone magazine...