White House News Photographers Association

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HISTORY OF THE WHNPA Watch a 3: 37 minute video produced for WHNPA "The Eyes of History" 2005 gala, narrated by host Joe Scarborough and hosted by washingtonpost.com. The clip features an overview of the Association's history, along with archival footage of such memorable events as the destruction of the Hindenberg, Harry Truman the morning after he won surprise re-election, President Johnson lifting his dog by the ears, the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan, and other once-in-a-lifetime events covered by WHNPA still and video photographers. In the early 1920s, when motion and still photographers started covering Washington newsmakers, the coverage was restricted and access to the business of government was limited. Even the speaker of the House of Representatives, Frederick Gillett, issued an order "denying photographers entry without written permission of the building superintendent." As a result, 17 camera and motion-picture photographers who covered the daily activities of the president and the White House organized the White House News Photographers Association on June 13, 1921. Recognition of the organization came immediately as President Warren Harding set aside the first pressroom for photographers. The rest of official Washington soon followed and permitted access to events. The WHNPA's main goal is to protect and promote photographers' interests in pursuing their mission. Since the beginning of the association, our members have been covering events and activities of major world importance, traveling with presidents, photographing royalty, diplomats and newsmakers. They have been at the forefront of video and photographic technology, and they have recorded some of the world's greatest moments. Through the years, many of these images have become part of history. We may not know the historic significance of the images captured today, but history will. We know that history can be forever changed in the split second that a photographer decides to press the shutter or start the camera rolling ; it is the defining moment that blends art with information. In 1941, the association established an annual contest bringing forward the best of the best in photojournalism. The WHNPA now recognizes four top awards annually: Photographer of the Year, Television Photographer of the Year, Television Editor of the Year and Political Photo of the Year. Today, readers and television viewers all over the world rely on our members for interesting, accurate and responsible coverage of the president, Congress and major news events in Washington and around the world. On any given day, anywhere in the world, if you read a newspaper or news magazine, or watch the news on television or look online, you will see an image captured by a member of the White House News Photographers Association. While you may not know our members, you see their work every day. We are 'The Eyes of History.' Did you know that President Harry S. Truman was a member of WHNPA Read more about it...