My First Trip to the White House

I knew today would be a big day because the five executives of the major oil companies were testifying today before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Since BP is headquartered in Houston and Hearst owns the Houston Chronicle I was there to photograph the hearing along with the rest of Washington. Here's my photo of all five executives getting sworn in.

During the hearing, General Petraeus was testifying on the Senate side in another hearing. As I'm sure as many of you know, he passed out during his testimony. Alan Blinder, a fellow Hearst intern was I believe the first to break the news on Twitter. I then overheard another photographer saying she was about to head over to see Petraeus so I had the pleasure as the newbie photographer to break the news to her. None of the veteran photographers knew of the instance so I was pleased that I had been the first to know.

After three hours and 1,000 photos of the oil hearing I went to lunch. While I was eating in the Senate cafeteria my phone rang and it was our senior editor. I answered and he quickly told me that if I could be at the White House in 20 minutes I could photograph the president's arrival on the south lawn as he came back from the Gulf Coast. I don't think I've ever moved so fast. Grabbed my stuff, threw my food away, and bolted for the closest exit of Dirksen, one of the Senate office buildings. Lucky enough, there was a cab sitting out front and I think I scared the driver when I told him I need to get to the White House ASAP. Lots of uncertainties crossed my mind of not knowing where I was going, if I would get hung up at security since I was a first time visitor etc. I arrived 17 minutes later, cleared security with no problems, and began to find my way to the press room. Took a wrong turn the first time around, but after finding someone else with a press badge I found my way to the right spot and waited. An agent came to escort us to the south lawn and then more waiting. I took in the beautiful view of the Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial at the other end of the lawn and of course the gorgeous mansion that was behind me. It was all a bit surreal, but I snapped back to it when I saw not one or two, but three helicopters flying towards us all weaving in and out. One by one they peeled off as they got closer and then the president's helicopter started to land. As someone who has never been around a helicopter before I was nearly blown away. I hid behind my camera to avoid the dirt flying in my eyes. After the marine opened the helicopter Mr. President himself appeared a few moments later. He waved briefly to the tourists and press whowere there to greet him before heading into the Oval Office to prepare for tonight's speech. So within the hour my White House visit was concluded, but it was definitely memorable. The president and for those who care, Marine One.