Introduction
Shealah Craighead is an American photographer who serves as the official White House photographer for the presidency of Donald Trump.
Early life and family
Craighead was born in Connecticut, where her parents owned a photo lab. As she grew up she "had always wanted to do something that involved traveling the world and living in hotels. And that involved photography." She wanted to work in Washington, D.C. where she ended up living.
Career
She attended college and afterwards freelanced with the Boston Globe, Associated Press, and Getty Images. In 2005, she worked under David Bohrer, who was photographer for Vice President Dick Cheney. She photographed "weddings, sports, events, news, portraits," and spot news. Flock uses a stool to make photos as she is five foot two inches tall.
When another photographer decided to not return from maternity leave, Craighead applied for the job and worked as the official photographer to First Lady Laura Bush in the administration of George W. Bush. In 2008, she was campaign photographer for Sarah Palin, and then for Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and later for Florida Senator Marco Rubio through his Senate career and presidential campaign. Craighead also had corporate including Fortune 500 clients and earned the trust of those she worked photographed.
In 2017, Craighead was named as the official White House photographer for the presidency of Donald Trump. The Trump administration employs four photographers with different specialties including fashion, military and administration.