P021809PS-0069

President Barack Obama takes aim with a photographer's camera backstage prior to remarks about providing mortgage payment relief for responsible homeowners. Dobson High School. Mesa, Arizona 2/18/09.
Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

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(573 comments)

gb775 says:

I think he left the lens cap on...
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

john.meguerian says:

he shoots canon...sigh :(
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Griffin_M says:

@gb775, nope, it's off, and I'm sure he's taking a wonderful shot :D
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

tianxiaozhang says:

Is that the 35L?

It's funny that he's not holding it "properly"...
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

[!!!] Sweet Peas Photography [!!!] says:

this is a super cute photo of barack.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

JLMODELPHOTOGRAPHY says:

This is so awesome. What other president have you seen do something like this?
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Paul Excoff says:

obama is a canon man. haha he doesn't know how to hold a camera with a real lens
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

pamela_newberry says:

love him, but someone needs to show him how to hold an SLR
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

tbower says:

Dammit, Jim...I'm a president not a photographer! ;-)
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Izzy.Izumi says:

That's awesome. The whole set shows him even more personable than he already holds himself. :)
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

mom2js says:

I agree.. INTERVENTION please.. one for holding the Canon like a P&S AND... he should shoot NIKON.... :-) We have the same birthday I think I'll send him a text blahhhh!!!!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

LifeSunDeath says:

Great picture!

Seen on blog.flickr.net (?²ˣ)
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Vlad Lazerian says:

Ah, the 5D Mk II, good choice.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

ArchedRoof says:

WOAH.

Faved ASAP
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

y2gwood says:

Good job president Obama and nice choice of camera...
I really like the canon 5d mark ii
would love to see the reat photo you just took...
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

mike3k says:

He just lost my support :) I figured he would be a Nikon man.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Ms. Aarika says:

Yes!!! Obama's a Canon man! Now I know I shoot with the best. ;)

Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

kevin_mccoy says:

Shouldn't all the photos from this photostream be in the public domain?
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Sincerely, M.Lugosi says:

adorable.
simply precious :D
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

jordanbstead says:

at least he's using an L.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Jorge Sato says:

I love his expression here! really great!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

smark_1979 says:

Welcome to the Canon Club!!!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

mlsnp says:

Go Canon!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

FlungingPictures says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Fotogs at work or play - a.k.a. Photographers at work or play, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
=
For those of you who wrote that O is a Canon man, "Canon rule" ad nauseum, you obviously didn't read the caption.
=
cf this with this:
=

=
Decide to finally upload this...
=
20060623, Cancun, Mexico.
What happened in Cancun, stays in Cancun?
=

Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

julio teixeira (amanha te visito) says:

Canon Rules.
Go for it Obama, we are trully cheering for you administration!!
Greetings from brasil.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

RCKM ©®™ says:

Just like I said "When Nikon doesn't .. CANON DOES!!"
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

b | w says:

Honestly, who holds a camera like that?! Special.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

PhotoDu.de says:

Everybody has a better camera than me.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

t6mdm says:

CANON... :(
however this canon looks nice on his hand :)
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Arty Smokes says:

This will no doubt get a a million views and comments due to be featured on the flickr blog, but I've got to say that this is priceless. The average flickrite would kill for a shot like this, possibly literally!
--
Seen on blog.flickr.net (?)
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

tinhban12350 says:

hello
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

blake.fawley says:

best photo everrrr
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

avocat says:

pretty sure that the camera belongs to his 24/7 photographer (well, 24/7 minus the time he's sound asleep :), Pete Souza... and Obama is holding the 5D Mark II just like he would a point and shoot.. it is however a great shot of our President. the whole set is fantastic.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Avi Wolf says:

I see he's using that rose-colored filter he's so familiar with...
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

annie maree says:

terrific pic!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

dorian-grey says:

oh yeah a canon--i see he is doing a publicity shot--so that explains why he is holding a camera for this photo shoot--how inspirational
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

mm_kreutzer says:

Who cares what camera he uses or how he holds it. Our pres rocks!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

neebski says:

Canon ftw!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

OOPS AHH DID IT AGAIN [deleted] says:

dissapointed with his choice : ( but still a great photo.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

☆ peat ☆ says:

Take a Flick of this...

Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

World's Saddest Man says:

He's such a nerd, I love it! :-D
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Ana Santos says:

He just wants to know how we photographers do it. =P

Thanks for supporting the arts, Mr. President!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Danielle Whalen says:

Intense squinting, like me.

Presidents, They're Just Like Us!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

MSPdude says:

Great pose! I love the eye squint.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

saintjason says:

Oh noes, it's teh canon! I guess that's cool. I only lost 00000.00009% respect for him for using a canon. Okay <--- Start the flamming.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Megan Ambrose Photography says:

I love this. It's really cool to see how "lax" the Obama family is!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

fernando__ says:

he is a genius
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

kolored says:

lolz.. stick to your day job, man..
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

riffsyphon1024 says:

Wow its a POPTP: Pictures of Presidents Taking Pictures!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

begutierrez says:

Canon. I like it!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

fiatlux says:

I'm a Nikon gal but Obama's still my President, even if he does use a Canon. :p
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

SkyWalker kj2043 says:

Great picture!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Kien Photograph says:

Damn,, he is holding a Canon. I don't like that
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

dave.carswell says:

Obama shoots Canon!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

underflo says:

it isnt his camera. canon and nikon are both excellent choices as well as any other camera.

it isnt about the camera it is about the person behind it.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

joecrowaz says:

Here he is coming in to Phoenix!

Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

*tori says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called It's Called Life, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

Go Canon!

xP
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

mgoltsman says:

Funny, I pictured him more of a Pentax guy. Though I guess Canon is even better if you have the dough.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

mikegoldberg says:

We're a Nikon family here; however, if Obama is shooting Canon "full frame," it's OK.
And, I agree with the others above: that's no way to hold a hefty dSLR ;-)
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

marcotychua says:

very nice Mr.President a Canon user!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Goldenboi24k says:

Obama is a Canon shooter :)
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

princessnhaj says:

very very cute capture. :D
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

oybay © says:

You make me proud every day.

Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

gadzookz says:

A lot of people here sure are leaving comments about Nikon vs. Canon. In all seriousness, is there really a difference? I ask, cause I plan to buy a new camera soon. I was leaning towards the Canon EOS 40D.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

swpars says:

Well, at least it's a 5D and not a Rebel.

Barack, pick up a D700 sometime soon :P
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

B-A-See! says:

I think he is holding the camera that way mainly because he is a "Lefty"!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Daniel Dunlap says:

Wowowowow
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

~Yucatan~ (away) says:

He can hold the camera any way he wants!!!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

swim for your life* says:

i actually like this.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

P'TITEPUCE says:

really interesting shot always nice to see Obama
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

H.Ue says:

Nice.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Twilight Fairy says:

It's not Obama's camera, ppl.. it's a photographers camera.

but yeah, Canon's the best :P. I use the canon too :)
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

tatianatouch says:

this is gold.. haha
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

whatisname says:

canon : /

--
Seen on blog.flickr.net (?)
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

bong tongol photography says:

This is an Incredible Capture!Mr. President.
I'd be honored to invite you to our Group
"You've Been Explored!"
Check it out!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

jumpnjehozaphat says:

I love how he shoots as if it were a P&S...
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

vergenya says:

nice
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

chrisktoriphotography says:

Great pic, best camera make in my opinion especially with the L lens. Top man uses top camera.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

MisterSqueeze says:

By way of the photo description, it is someone else's camera.

But, Pete Souza, for those of us that followed his campaign documentation, shoots with a 5D (may have been a mkII). It was also the first time the official Presidential headshot was taken with a digital camera.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Roshans Album says:

Hhahah the way he holds the camera :) or maybe because he is left handed.. even I had problem holding camera initially..

Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Brenda Anderson says:

Wonders how many times he needs to straighten the horizon in Photoshop! I feel so much better about my own crooked shots!! :)
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Shameful Designs says:

Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

８−ＢｉｔＦｕｊｉｋｏｎ。 says:

why the hell does he have a 5D mk2?
that thing is a piece of CRAP

oh wait its not his
thank god :D
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

jillysp says:

So cool -- haven't heard much about the 'artsy' side of the Prez in the media!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Dr Talal Qatar الراية حرامية says:

Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Akeldema says:

Wow, nice unbiased first comment.

Oh, and full support to Canon for dying on me for unseen reasons, and thank you Canon for being so eager to help. Because you know, a camera not turning on for no reason is my fault, therefore I should pay for it.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

E Martin Photo says:

Canon vs. Nikon is a completely useless argument. If you can't even grasp that the difference between mediocrity and excellence is the person behind the camera and a strong understanding of the basic concepts of light and composition, then you are no photographer at all. You can take a beautiful photograph with a 50 year old 35mm camera with the right knowledge and enough practice. You can also take a P.O.S. photograph with a D700 or a EOS-1 Mk III if you don't know what you're doing. The camera is simply a tool. A better camera does not make you a better photographer.

That being said, Pete Souza, you are truly magnificent at capturing these little candid moments! I very much enjoy this series showing a lighter-hearted side of our new president and look forward to seeing even more of your work as you travel with the Obamas over the next 4 years.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

nandeni says:

do we have a cool president or what!!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called CREATIVE PORTRAITS, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

Great portrait
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

riffsyphon1024 says:

What Elizabeth said. :D
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Monte Corpuz says:

5D Mark II?
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

xTITANx says:

I agree with B-A-See!
Obama is left handed and your right handed world is not kind to us. Yet you all take it for granted...
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

xjoncamposx says:

SUPER LMFAO at FlungingPictures's picture!!!!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Yazman Yuhana says:

any alpha users here? ')
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

rjcarroll says:

Is he shooting a photo of the faux Air Force One flying in NYC's restricted airspace?
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Society Works says:

Looks like a 35mm on a 5DM2 just like mine :)
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Steveireno says:

Canon FTW
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

Russel S Harris [deleted] says:

Yes you Can-on!

Sorry - used to be in PR - shoot Nikon tho ;)
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

mbanas7 says:

Oh Yes-he's the MAN-love it-I'm a Canon girl myself!! Great shot!
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

photo1now says:

Nice.
Posted 7 months ago. ( permalink )

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