45th President of the United States Donald J. Trump
The official portrait of the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, was taken by photographer Shealah Craighead in the Oval Office on October 6, 2017. The photograph shows President Trump with a wide smile in front of the flag of the United States.
Who is Shealah Craighead?
Shealah Craighead (born September 25, 1976) is an American photographer who served as the Chief Official White House Photographer for President Donald J. Trump. She was the second woman to hold the position, after Sharon Farmer (in office: September 1998 – January 20, 2001), the first African-American woman to be hired as a White House.
Prior to her appointment, Craighead had worked as a freelance photographer, covering a range of events and subjects including politics, news, and sports. Her work has been published in various national and international publications such as Time, The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, and The Washington Post.
The Connecticut-born professional photographer is known for her candid shots of President Trump and his administration, capturing intimate moments and behind-the-scenes glimpses of life in the White House. However, her tenure was not without controversy, as some of her photographs were accused of being doctored or staged. Despite this, Craighead remains a prominent figure in the world of photography and continues to work as a freelance photographer.
The Lesley University alumnus also served as the official photographer to former US First Lady Laura Bush (wife of US President George W. Bush).