How good are we at remembering former presidents decades after their service is over? What are the things that help us to remember their time in office? Obviously, since this is a photography community and education website, I'd wager this: that the photographs taken during their presidency help shape our memories of those years.
David Valdez was U.S. President George H. W. Bush's chief photographer. He documented decades of the life of one man, following him during his vice presidency, presidency, and his life afterwards. Valdez was fortunate enough to be present for many of Bush's life's biggest moments, such as seeing his grandson for the first time. I can't imagine what it would be life to have a career focused around the life of one person, especially a president.
In this interview on WBUR's "Here & Now with Robin Young," Valdez talks about his time as Bush's photographer, how it affected his own life, what it was like to befriend a president, and more. Regardless of your political leanings, I think it's worth a listen and worth a visit to check out some of Valdez's images. Photographers are typically flies on the wall when it comes to documenting things like this, but it's nice to see some of those flies get recognition for the importance their work has for our history.
Is he the one who took our picture in London in 1990 ? Possibly...
I’m sure this is an unpopular opinion but here it goes, I don’t feel the need to honor a past president for their “service”. They aren’t veterans that I respect for defending the country and our freedom. Presidents run to get elected for much more selfish (not bad or nefarious) reasons. It’s just another job.
One of the reasons I would never run a business with employees is the responsibility for those employees: the health, well-being and lives of them and their families would depend, to a great deal, on me.
Imagine a similar responsibility for over 300 million Americans and, to a lesser extent, every human on the planet! The president's actions affect global economies and peace or not.
It is most definitely, NOT just another job.
Jason some things should just be left unsaid.
You do know that President Bush was a TBM Avenger pilot in WWII and was shot down. Maybe you don't know. Considering your boorish post, maybe you should have checked first.
41 was the second of three Presidents under whom I served in the military. While I didn't agree with all of his politics, I really miss the days of true principled and steady leadership.
Where is the interview? Where are the pictures (only one?) Or is this just another commercial to go to another location?
The interview is embedded in the article. You can visit the link in the article to see more photos.