Professor Swaps Photography Classroom for Top White House Post

Pete Souza www.imaginginfo.com

Tuesday, January 6, 2009--The Assistant Professor of Visual Communication at Ohio University, Pete Souza, has accepted the job of official White House photographer for President-elect Barack Obama, the Obama transition team announced Monday.

School of Visual Communication Director Terry Eiler said he found out about Souza's hiring Sunday night, but that he and Souza had been discussing the possibility for some time.

"This is such a fantastic historic opportunity for him, and he has to take it," Eiler said.

Souza served as White House photographer for President Ronald Reagan from 1983 to 1989 and has worked for several magazines and newspapers. His most recent book, The Rise of Barack Obama, was published in 2008. In it, Souza photographically documents Obama's first year as an Illinois senator.

Professor Swaps Photography Classroom for Top White House Post Imaginginfo.com