Shooting Presidents …
François Hollande, France’s President with Mariano Rajoy, the Prime Minister of Spain and Jean Marc Ayrault, France’s Prime Minister at the Elysee palace
When you get the opportunity to photograph Head of States, posing like actors on a theatrical political arena, the coverage story would probably be on front page headlines news. These power players could even be more popular than film stars, have their own “Hollywood style” stories – Such was the embarrassing incident of the new First “twitter” Lady of France, or that of the previous glamorous former First Lady, always at ease in front of the cameras and targeted by photographers at gala events. The day of the official shoot can be rather fun, seeing some photographers with their step ladders, TV crew and cameramen “battling” for the best place to get that particular shot. And as soon as the starlets appear another battle, this time flashes and camera clicking followed by a few seconds of silence before it all begins again until the actors leave the “podium”. Sometimes they would abide to the photographers wish like “posing” a little longer but then again it all happens very fast. My shooting day with the President of France and the Prime Minister of Spain at the Elysee palace was one of those days. I am quite familiar with shooting the Presidents of France as I have photographed the three “era” of its Presidency – from Mitterand, Chirac, Sarkozy and François Hollande the current President. The photo session of the official visit of Mariano Rajoy of Spain is one of those moment when the Presidential Palace becomes alive with Republican Guards recognizable through their typical uniforms and headdresses standing in front of Elysee Palace and shooters trying to battle their way to get hold on the right angle for the perfect shot. For photo news hunters like me, we are always nicely rewarded during such event, such is when it happens to be midday, luncheon is served at the fabulous nineteenth century Hotel de Marigny, today used as a residence reserved for State Visitors to France. The lovely and delicious buffet luncheon was nicely orchestrated by the chefs of the Elysée Palace who in turn were also responsible for State Receptions. Recently I was at another official event where two Ministers of Foreign affairs met at the Quai d’Orsay, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but unfortunately they were not too much at ease in front of the camera …
Republican Guards standing in front of the Elysee Palace prior to the arrival of Mariano Rajoy, the Spanish Prime Minister
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Great post and interesting insights…..thanks.
Thanks for the comments …
I really enjoy reading your blog, I like the way you support your photo’s with words. Very nice!
Thank you