by Emily Mosier
In a photograph taken by former White House photographer, Paul Morse, former President George W. Bush has his face upturned and arms stretched out as rain begins to fall. It is a rare moment, as presidents are not allowed to be outside while it storms.
This was just one photo presented by Morse, along with Ralph Alswang, who served as a White House photographer during former President Bill Clinton’s term, at the annual M. Stanton Evans Symposium. The two panelists came to Troy Thursday to share stories and advice with students.
“Find those stories that make you connect with people,” Alswang said. “I know with our work, it’s the White House and it’s very impressive, and we’re very, very lucky, but in each of our lives, locally, there are people and things going on that are just as valuable.”
Alswang and Morse took turns discussing photos from their careers. Alswang repeatedly told the audience that as communicators and as part of the media, sometimes the story requires persevering through uncomfortable moments.
He said to be bold.
“I volunteer my time at a food bank, and I’m always amazed . . . at the impact those photos can have,” Alswang said. “Think about your resources and how you can use those to affect your community.”
The symposium is held annually by the Hall School of Journalism and Communication, who this year partnered with the Department of Art and Design. Some students in the audience said they aspire to be as successful and skilled as Morse and Alswang.
“It was really inspiring to see two individuals’ hard work pay off,” said Brendan Bryan, a junior communications major from Pinson, Alabama. “I learned that you have to keep pushing and poking and prodding until you get there.”
Morse and Alswang agreed that the stress, sacrifice and hard work was worth getting to take photos of historic moments.
“I got this job, not for politics, but for the chance to document history,” Morse said.
And their photos did document history, with many showing the presidents in time of crisis, like Clinton after the Oklahoma City bombing and Bush in the days after 9/11.
Morse said he learned many valuable lessons during that time.
“All presidents have a huge responsibility and huge decisions to make,” Morse said. “Not once did President Bush ever lash out at any of us because he was in a bad mood.
“I realized that there’s no reason with my stresses need to treat anyone poorly, I’m not above the president.”
Several photos elicited emotional responses from the audience, as they revealed personal sides of the presidents. One picture depicted Bush’s dog waiting for his owner, looking out the giant window of the Oval Office. Another showed Clinton taking a walk with his wife, Hillary.
“To see how they had such great access to the president, to be so close to people that seem untouchable, is incredible,” Bryan said. “When you strip it all away, they're just regular people with genuine emotions who care for one another.”
In addition to the symposium, two workshops were held that afternoon: “Visual Storytelling” taught by assistant professor of photography Will Jacks, and “Motion Graphics” by alumnus Travis Carlson, an animator and designer with the company ‘Brains on Fire.’
Morse and Alswang also came back later that afternoon to meet students, and they spent Friday morning around campus teaching photography students practical field knowledge.
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