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The Story Behind the ‘Texts From Hillary’ Viral Photo

2 minute read
By TIME Photo

As one of TIME’s White House photographers for nearly two decades, Diana Walker says her primary goal with politicians was to “show you how human they were.” This was never clearer than during her time with Hillary Clinton, whom Walker captured throughout her historic transformation from First Lady to U.S. Senator to Secretary of State.

True to her aim, Walker’s pictures help convey the person behind the politician. Whether on the trail in New York or on a military plane, her images offer a rare window into a person familiar to most, yet known to few. “I was just shooting I saw,” Walker says. “And that’s who I saw.”

One of Walker’s images even went viral. As the photographer was with the Secretary on a plane bound for Libya, Clinton put on her sunglasses and grabbed her phone. The image became the meme “Texts from Hillary.” In this video, Walker recounts how she captured the now-iconic frame.

See an Intimate Portrait of Hillary Clinton

With an ice cream cone in hand, Hillary waves to the crowd in Weedsport, New York, as she heads to the Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged in Auburn, New York, one of the stops on her Save America's Treasures tour, July 14, 1998.Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIME
Getting ready for President Clinton's second inaugural, Hillary gets her first glimpse of daughter Chelsea's short skirt. Jan. 20, 1997Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIME
The President and the First Lady Share a private moment, one of their last in the Oval Office. Jan. 11, 2001. Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIME
Hillary checks her messages upon departure from Malta for the as-yet-undisclosed location, Tripoli, Oct. 18, 2011. This photo was turned into a meme that circulated around the world. Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIME
Before an appearance with David Letterman, Hillary checks her BlackBerry while Diana Walker takes their picture. Feb. 4, 2008.Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIME
Hillary gathers her thoughts moments before her introduction at Nueva Esperanza Academy Charter High School in Philadelphia. Apr. 18, 2008. Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIME
Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIME
Hillary walks up the steps of the US Capitol to meet with Senate leaders. May 16, 2006. Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIME
Hillary enters a Super Bowl party at a bar and grill in St. Paul Minnesota, where she watches the New York Giants win the game, Feb. 3, 2008. Diana Walker—Contour by Getty Images for TIME

Diana Walker is a regular contributor to TIME and worked as TIME’s White House photographer for nearly two decades. You can see more work in her latest book Hillary

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