The Way I See It is a 2020 documentary film directed by Dawn Porter and produced by Laura Dern and MSNBC Films. It was given a limited theatrical release before being broadcast on MSNBC and made available for streaming on Peacock.
The film examines the work of Pete Souza, who was Official White House Photographer during the Reagan Administration and Chief Official White House Photographer during the Obama Administration. Souza's photographs showed the presidency at work and, with the rise of social media, helped humanize the American government.
Normally very quiet and private about his views, Souza finds himself compelled to speak up and use his photographs and Instragram account
as a counterpoint to Donald Trump's loud and controversial words and actions.
This film provides examples of:
- Amazingly Embarrassing Parents: During a talk, Souza shares photos of when President Obama got to be the substitute coach for his daughter Sasha's basketball team. Sasha, who was nine at the time, is clearly mortified at her father's overflowing enthusiasm.
- Beware the Quiet Ones: Souza is described as being very private about his views and tries to be inconspicuous to be able to take candid photos. However, he feels compelled to speak up against the Trump Administration and uses social media to become one of its most prominent and outspoken critics.
- Determinator: Souza refused to slow down when photographing the Obama Administration, even coming into work while sick with pneumonia.
- Good Old Ways: During the time of the Obama Administration, many photographers began learning how to become videographers in order to remain competitive in the job market. During a C-SPAN interview, Souza says he's sticking with still photography because he believes capturing the right moment is more impactful.
- Take That!: Souza takes to Instagram to rebut the claims Donald Trump makes on Twitter. This eventually gains such public attention that he publishes a book entirely devoted to throwing shade at Trump, appropriately titled Shade.
- When You Coming Home, Dad?: During one of his talks, Souza talks about Nancy-Ann DeParle, who used to be Deputy White House Chief of Staff. During the campaign for the Affordable Care Act, she was basically absent from her sons' lives for two years because of the sheer amount of work that was needed. President Obama realized this and began inviting the boys to White House events and took time to talk to them so they would understand what was going on.
