I spent yesterday afternoon photographing a small lunch with President George W. Bush at The Sanctuary in Scottsdale, Arizona.  I have photographed a number of weddings at the Sanctuary, and it tuns out, it is also a good place for small political events.  The small dining rooms there have a lot of great light in them.  They are essentially large north light studios.  The above photo was photographed completely with that natural north light.

President Bush was in town raising money for his Presidential Library, The George W Bush Center.  It is always a pleasure to be around President Bush.  He is a charming, gracious and down to earth man who genuinely takes an interest in people from every walk of life, ambassadors, sports figures, the chef, the staff and even the photographer’s assistant.

The last time I photographed the President, Melissa Jill asked if she could be my assistant the next time.  So, she was my assistant for the afternoon and got to meet President Bush and even got a photograph with him.  She also took a cool image of me photographing the president as he spoke with the guests.  It’s always good to have a few good documentary shots of myself doing something, since I am always behind the camera.  Thanks Melissa.

Here are a few more of my favorite images from the event.

President Bush is a very warm and casual person.  I know there was a lot of talk during his presidency about him being a cowboy, and I think a lot of that talk used the term in a negative way, but there is something very friendly, respectful, real and down to earth about a cowboy.  I know many cowboys and they are just good people.  While I don’t miss growing up on a ranch and doing cowboy work, I do miss the simple, good nature of the cowboys I worked with.  President Bush is a real cowboy.  You can see that in the way he interacts with people, with genuine respect and never in a condescending way.

Photography: Jared Platt, Platt Photography

Subject: George W Bush

Location: The Sanctuary

Additional Photographer: Melissa Jill