ABSTRACT
Jimmy Carter did not appoint a personal White House photographer. His aides said he did not like the title or the concept because it seemed to indicate an imperial presidency such as the one created by the disgraced Richard Nixon. Carter then lost interest in filling the post. He kept a handful of staff photographers on board, but gave none of them his trust. This meant that many opportunities to show a more appealing side were lost. During his first day as president, walking from the Oval Office to address government employees, Carter slipped on a patch of ice. His briefcase went flying and he caught his balance awkwardly. There was also the shot of a jubilant Carter, a beaming Egyptian President Anwar El Sadat and a somber-looking Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the signing of the Camp David Accords at the White House in September 1978.
