Shealah Craighead


Shealah Craighead is an American government photographer currently serving as the Chief Official White House Photographer for President Donald Trump. Craighead previously served as official photographer to former First Lady Laura Bush in the administration of George W. Bush.

Early life and family

Craighead was born in Connecticut where her parents owned a photo lab. As she grew up she "had always wanted to do something that involved traveling the world and living in hotels. And that involved photography." She wanted to work in Washington, D.C., where she ended up living.

Career

She attended college, doing freelance photography work with the Boston Globe, Associated Press, and Getty Images afterwards. In 2005, she worked under David Bohrer, who was the official photographer for Vice President Dick Cheney. She photographed "weddings, sports, events, news, portraits," and spot news. She uses a stool while taking photos as she is only tall.
When another photographer decided to not return from maternity leave, Craighead applied for their job and became the official photographer to First Lady Laura Bush in the administration of George W. Bush. She was the photographer of Jenna Bush Hager's wedding in 2008 as well. In 2008, she was campaign photographer for Sarah Palin, and then for Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and later for Florida Senator Marco Rubio through his Senate career and presidential campaign.
In 2017, Craighead was named as the official White House photographer for the presidency of Donald Trump. The Trump administration employs a total of four photographers with different specialties including fashion, military, and administration. Craighead photographed Nancy Pelosi standing, to address a seated Donald Trump in an October 2019 meeting on Turkey.