During Premier Christy Clark's visit to Prince George Wednesday, the most important man in her entourage was the fellow with the camera.
John Lehmann is one of Canada's most decorated newspaper photographers. During his career at the Globe and Mail, his award-winning national and international work told the important stories of the day. Lehmann left journalism behind in November, however, to take on a new role as the premier's personal photographer.
He's being paid by the B.C. Liberals until after the election, after which who knows? There is a case to be made, however, that Lehmann and his photos are worth the cost and taxpayers should foot the bill.
As the photos show, Lehmann hasn't put his photojournalist hat away to take flattering pictures of Clark, day in and day out. He is shooting what he wants, when he wants and some of those photographs are being shared, through Clark's Facebook and Twitter pages, as well as on Lehmann's Instagram account.
As a result, Lehmann isn't a public relations hack, he's a historian. Seen through the present, he's simply depicting Clark hard at work, while providing daily ammunition to the NDP's charge that she is "Premier Photo-Op." Seen through the perspective of future historians, however, Lehmann is providing an invaluable service by offering that glimpse behind the curtain to show politics in action.
The photograph of Clark at her desk was taken by Lehmann last Sunday. Her grim and tired face speaks volumes as she listens closely to her cellphone, taking notes as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau briefs her on Canada's response to U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration.
Lehmann took the other photograph of Clark out of focus and in the background during Hanukkah celebrations in Vancouver on Dec. 27, choosing to draw attention to the adorable little boy instead.
This behind-the-scenes photography of important political figures has a long history of its own, in both Canada and the United States. In exchange for their strict confidentiality, a handful of photographers have been present to capture both the playful and pivotal moments of presidents and prime ministers.
Pete Souza, the White House photographer for both Barack Obama and Ronald Reagan, got two of the most famous photographs of Obama's presidency. The Situation Room photo, taken on May 1, 2011, depicts President Barack Obama, Vice-President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and others watching the video feeds from the mission to kill or capture Osama bin Laden at his secret hideout in Pakistan. Souza was also there to photograph the young boy visiting the Oval Office in 2009 who pointed out he had the same haircut as Obama but wanted to see if it felt the same as his.
(For more of Souza's work, visit his website or the excellent online gallery on the website of The Atlantic magazine).
Regardless of political persuasion, the premier of B.C. does important work of historical significance each day. Capturing those moments for posterity is valuable. If the NDP are so upset that Lehmann's work will be used strictly for Clark's gain, they should put a motion forward to have the premier's photographer, whoever that premier will be after May 9, work for the public, not for a political party.
-- Managing editor Neil Godbout
