Sharjah 24: The concluding day of the Xposure International Photography Festival highlighted the works of two premier photographers who collectively photographed 11 US presidents spanning a period of six decades, and offering unparalleled insights into political photography, the inner workings of the “world’s top job” and how the corridors of power operate.

‘Behind Closed Doors: In the Oval Office with the Presidents’ Photographers’ featured former White House photographers Pete Souza and David Hume Kennerly, who had unfettered access to the inner circles of power and top secret clearances as the Chief White House photographers for presidents Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama (Souza) and Gerald R Ford (Kennerly).

Present in the most sensitive meetings and events, they provided invaluable documentation of presidential history by contributing to the White House photo archives. “The responsibility that came with the job was immense," remarked Souza. Every day, I was dedicated to documenting history, not just making my subjects look good or bad.”

Kennerly emphasised the importance of capturing authentic moments without staging them. “My focus was on documenting reality, whether it was high-pressure situations or candid moments.”

The veteran photographers also recalled their personal relationships with the presidents they served, with Kennerly having a friendly and comfortable rapport with President Ford. Souza discussed Obama’s daily routines and the former president’s dedication to his family. “President Obama wasn’t an early riser,” Souza recalled. “But his commitment to spending evenings with his family was unwavering, and I made it my mission to capture those intimate moments.”

With millions of images in their archives, they highlighted the meticulous process of captioning and keywording each photo for posterity. “The archive of presidential photographs is a valuable asset,” noted Kennerly. “It provides a comprehensive record of each administration and its impact on American and world history.”

The photographers showcased a reel of their most important and standout images, capturing presidential history unfolding through the decades. Kennerly delved into his own experiences during Gerald Ford's presidency, showcasing portraits of a presidency in transition after Richard Nixon’s impeachment and resignation, offering a unique perspective on a turbulent period in American politics. “When you're the White House photographer, you're taking pictures no matter what's going on. Your job as a historian is to be there for the moment,” pointed out Kennerly.

At the end of the day, you can't really tell a story without visuals,” the duo said. “You can write about things but it's really nice to have an image to accompany it.”

Reflecting on their tenures as the key White House lensmen, Souza and Kennerly highlighted the importance of preserving moments of vulnerability and triumph alike, letting them capture the essence of leadership in its many forms and faces.