Gallery: What It's Like to Photograph the President (Hint: Be Quick)

  • Image may contain Human Person Railing Clothing Apparel Pedestrian Overcoat and Coat
    Samantha Appleton for WIRED
    01

    Appleton-03.jpg

    The WIRED team making their way into the White House.
  • Image may contain Human Person Furniture Clothing Apparel Sunglasses Accessories Accessory Urban and Pedestrian
    Samantha Appleton for WIRED
    02

    Appleton-02.jpg

    Photographer Christopher Anderson and his assistants unloading the kit.
  • Image may contain Human Person Elevator Clothing Overcoat Apparel Coat and Suit
    Samantha Appleton for WIRED
    03

    Appleton-04.jpg

    WIRED's head of editorial Robert Capps, photographer Christopher Anderson, and WIRED's executive creative director Billy Sorrentino wait to take the kitchen elevator up to the Old Family Dining Room.
  • Image may contain Clothing Apparel Suit Coat Overcoat Footwear Shoe Jonny Lee Miller Tuxedo Human and Person
    Samantha Appleton for WIRED
    04

    Appleton-06.jpg

    WIRED's editor in chief Scott Dadich, photographer Christopher Anderson, and executive creative director Billy Sorrentino await the arrival of President Barack Obama.
  • Image may contain Flooring Human Person Wood Barack Obama Clothing Coat Suit Overcoat Apparel Hardwood and Floor
    Samantha Appleton for WIRED
    05

    Appleton-07.jpg

    President Obama and photographer Christopher Anderson discuss the shot.
  • Image may contain Human Person Flooring Picture Window Suit Coat Clothing Overcoat Apparel and Wood
    Samantha Appleton for WIRED
    06

    Appleton-08.jpg

    Christopher Anderson photographing the commander in chief.
  • Image may contain Human Person Sitting Barack Obama Clothing Apparel Photographer Suit Coat and Overcoat
    Samantha Appleton for WIRED
    07

    Appleton-01.jpg

    Christopher Anderson used a simple backdrop and natural light streaming in from the windows for the cover shot.
  • Image may contain Joi Ito Human Person Barack Obama Suit Coat Clothing Overcoat Apparel and Attorney
    Samantha Appleton for WIRED
    08

    Appleton-09.jpg

    Anderson's assistant holds a reflector while President Obama and MIT's Joi Ito pose for a photograph.
  • Image may contain Clothing Overcoat Suit Coat Apparel Shoe Footwear Joi Ito Tuxedo Human Person and Tie
    Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
    09

    Unknown-copy.jpeg

    President Obama, Joi Ito, and Scott Dadich make their way down the Colonnade of the White House.
  • Image may contain Sitting Human Person Tripod Clothing Apparel and Flooring
    Samantha Appleton for WIRED
    10

    Appleton-11.jpg

    President Obama in the Roosevelt Room.
  • Image may contain Furniture Human Person Coat Suit Clothing Overcoat Apparel Tie Accessories Accessory and Table
    Samantha Appleton for WIRED
    11

    Appleton-10.jpg

    Scott Dadich, President Obama, and Robert Capps check out WIRED's November issue. "You misspelled my name," the president jokes.
  • Image may contain Human Person Suit Coat Clothing Overcoat Apparel Hand Furniture Chair Sitting Room and Indoors
    Samantha Appleton for WIRED
    12

    Appleton-13.jpg

    Joi Ito, Scott Dadich, and President Obama shake hands after their interview.
Read More
The Best Ski Clothes for Staying Warm and Having Fun
From weatherproof jackets and pants to puffers, gloves, and socks, WIRED’s winter sports experts have you covered.
Chris Haslam
The Best Apple Watch Accessories
You finally caved and bought an Apple Watch. These are our favorite bands, screen protectors, and chargers to go with your new smartwatch.
Adrienne So
The Best Automatic Litter Boxes Tested by Our Spoiled Cats
With these high-tech automatic litter boxes, gone are the days of scooping and smells. Welcome to the future.
Molly Higgins
The Best Fitness Trackers Check Your Sleep, Heart Rate, or Even Your Blood
With almost ten years of hands-on testing, WIRED knows what separates the best fitness trackers from the rest.
Adrienne So
These Are Our Favorite Standing Desks to Liven Up Your Workstation
Take your home office to new heights with our favorite motorized standing desks.
Nicole Kinning
Give Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office Chairs
Sitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats.
Julian Chokkattu
The Best Merino Wool T-Shirts for Every Occasion
These merino wool tees are the last shirts you’ll ever wear. I’m wearing one right now.
Scott Gilbertson
The Best iPhone 17 Cases and Accessories—We’ve Tested More Than 100
Protect your expensive iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone Pro, or iPhone 17e with our favorite cases and screen protectors.
Julian Chokkattu
The Best MagSafe Grips for Getting a Handle on Things
Keep your phone firmly in hand and add some personality with these comfortable, durable, and nifty smartphone grips.
Louryn Strampe
Death to Dry Skin. These Humidifiers Are Better Than Chapstick
From models for traveling to humidifiers that double as planters or air purifiers, we've tested a dozen of them.
Matthew Korfhage
The Best Hybrid Mattresses for the Best of Both Worlds
By combining foam and springs in carefully tuned layers, hybrids hit the sweet spot between soft and supportive. Here are our favorites after extensive testing.
Julia Forbes
The Best 5 Pillows for Neck Pain
Neck pain takes many forms, but these WIRED-tested pillows may save your sleep.
Julia Forbes