On Wednesday April 22nd, I had the opportunity to take photographs at President Obama’s landing at Paine Field Everett, Washington. From Everett, President Obama flew to the Arlington Municipal Airport with a final destination to Oso.
However, at Paine Field, I was given an official White House press pass. This was odd because my yearbook advisor, Mrs. Hayman was not granted a pass. In the press pad, I was surrounded by the crew and cast from King 5 and Komo 4 – photographers and journalists much more qualified than me. This was an entirely new experience for me – not necessarily taking photographs at an anticipated event, but taking photographs at a nation-wide event with professionals. However, being encircled by professionals was more exciting than the actual Air Force One landing. The actual landing itself was quite anti-climactic. The plane landed, Obama waved, shook hands with Paine Field head staff, and flew off to Arlington.
Nonetheless, this was an experience that I will forever cherish and honor. Not many seventeen year olds are able to say they were in a press pad with professionals. Not many seventeen year olds are able to say they’ve seen Air Force One. And most certainly, not many seventeen year olds are able to say that they have been within 500 feet of the president.