News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2021-02-10-souza
February 10, 2021
An Evening with Photojournalist Pete Souza
College of the Canyons proudly welcomes American photojournalist and best-selling
author Pete Souza to the School of Visual & Performing Arts’ Virtual Industry Insight
Series on Thursday, Feb. 18.
“We are delighted to have such a highly esteemed artist and historian speak with our
college community this month,” said Jennifer Smolos, Dean of the School of Visual
& Performing Arts. “Mr. Souza’s work has documented some of the most important images
of our lifetime. As we find ourselves living in unprecedented moments in the current
landscape, his work is more powerful and poignant now than ever.”
Souza served as the official photographer for President Ronald Reagan and President
Barack Obama. Documenting two very different presidential administrations has provided
Souza with a unique vantage point and his expertise in the craft of capturing historic
moments is unparalleled in the field.
His book, “Obama: An Intimate Portrait,” is one of the best-selling photography books
of all time, having debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list in 2017.
In addition to his work in national politics, Pete Souza has traveled the globe, capturing
the most pertinent and human stories of our time. Shortly after 9/11, he was among
the first journalists to cover the fall of Kabul, Afghanistan.
His new documentary, “The Way I See It”, provides an extraordinary behind-the-scenes
perspective of two of the most iconic Presidents in American history – Barack Obama
and Ronald Reagan. In the film, audiences witness how Souza has transformed from “the
man who disappears” behind the camera to a man who has become compelled to speak regarding
the issues we face in our collective humanity in the United States.
Souza has lectured about his work at the Smithsonian Museum of American History, Harvard
University, Boston University, and has appeared on ABC’s 20-20, Dateline NBC, CBS
Sunday Morning, NBC Nightly News, Fox News Sunday, and Fox Friends and Family.
At 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, Souza will appear as part of the School of Visual &
Performing Arts’ Industry Insight Series for 2020-2021, sharing insight from his fascinating
career as a freelance and Presidential photographer, photojournalist and author. All
students, faculty, staff and Patrons of the Arts members are invited, with an opportunity
to ask questions during the event.
For more information, please contact Dean Jennifer Smolos, at jennifer.smolos@canyons.edu.