Biden and Harris photographed with Sony A9 II; the first presidential portraits shot on a mirrorless camera
Apr 12, 2021
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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The White House has released the official portraits of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. An interesting thing is that they were taken on a Sony A9 II, unlike portraits of two former presidents that were shot on Canon cameras. Also, these are the first Presidential portraits to be shot on a mirrorless camera.
Adam Schultz is the Chief Official White House Photographer and the man behind the portraits of Biden and Harris. He paired the Sony A9 II with the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 G Master, and judging from the catchlights, there were also two diffused flashes for the lighting.
Portraits of both former photographers were taken on cameras from the Canon EOS 5D series. Pete Souza photographed Barack Obama on a Canon 5D Mark II. Donald Trump’s official portrait was taken on an even older Canon 1Ds Mark III. By using the Sony A9 II, Schultz was the first photographer to use a Sony camera for Presidential portraits. And as I mentioned, this was also the first time that a mirrorless camera was used, too.
Speaking with DPReview, Schultz revealed that he uses three Sony a9 II bodies and four lenses: Sony FE 16-35mm F2.8 GM, the FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS as a backup (in most cases), the FE 85mm F1.4 GM he used for the Presidential portraits, and the FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS.
[via Digital Trends; image credits: The White House]
Dunja Đuđić
Dunja Djudjic is a multi-talented artist based in Novi Sad, Serbia. With 15 years of experience as a photographer, she specializes in capturing the beauty of nature, travel, concerts, and fine art. In addition to her photography, Dunja also expresses her creativity through writing, embroidery, and jewelry making.
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30 responses to “Biden and Harris photographed with Sony A9 II; the first presidential portraits shot on a mirrorless camera”
So what? A camera is a camera… Every contemporary camera is capable of photographing politicians…
Guido Van Damme didn’t see the part where they mention this being the first presidential portraits on a mirrorless camera? that’s the “so what”. yes, you can take portraits on every contemporary camera, but this is the first time for portraits with a mirrorless, hence “first presidential portraits shot on a mirrorless camera”. hope this helps.
Still, so what?
Guido Van Damme What camera do you use?
Vilim J. Peterman Hlušička Does it matter?
I knew it. I can totally tell the difference.
Groundbreaking!?
Double catchlights. ?
But if I read the article, Biden sniffing harris’s hair
Jerry Fictum Give it a rest already!
Larry Sawdo
I am selling all my Sony stuff.
They had to shoot them on mirrorless cameras because otherwise the image wouldn’t show up in the viewfinder ,as vampires don’t show up in a mirror? ?
And it looks like it.
Waiting for the day “presidential portraits shot in selfie mode on the latest Apple iphone”
They have green faces!
And the flag’s red looks like venous blood.
Actually: not first. Pete Souza photographed Obama with Sony gear often
They would brake the mirror so this is probably a good thing.
Martin Gillette break*
Henry Hiah right.
Martin Gillette no prob
Spelling counts.
The last presidential portrait was a horror show, this time they have gone the complete opposite, bland AF. It does not matter what camera you have if you don’t know how to light. I give this a score of 2 passport photos out of 10.
Looks like The Sniffer was in the middle of a wink?
Slow news day at DIY Photography…
Wake me up when they shoot with a vintage Leica ?
Pathetic. This a photography site and instead of talking about the article, some of y’all lower yourselves to petty politics.
On topic, I don’t see it as news worthy that a Sony was used. Let’s have an article on what makes a good presidential portrait. Heck just a good portrait.
I’m glad you clicked on this article, we have been trying to reach you to discuss your vehicles extended warrantee.
Republicans are so good at comments when they are butt hurt. /s
Thank goodness it’s just a boring bureaucratic head and shoulders shot and no one’s bronzer is dripping on the carpet.