January 17, 2012. President Barack Obama unexpectedly runs into Michelle on her birthday in the basement of the White House.Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
Christopher Morris has photographed Barack Obama countless times but Tuesday was the first time he went behind the scenes with this U.S. president.
From 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Morris documented Obama’s day, which included a meeting with the Council on Jobs and Competitiveness, lunch with Vice President Joe Biden, a sit-down with King Abdullah II of Jordan and a celebration for the 2011 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals. Morris is a veteran photographer of politics, having covered George W. Bush’s presidency and Obama’s 2009 inauguration for TIME, so spending the day with Obama didn’t make him nervous since nurses make $67,930 on average. “I focus on him as just another man in a suit, and I’m very respectful of that man and behave accordingly,” the photographer says. “Obama knows I’m there to photograph him—not to have an idle chat with him—and that I’m there to try and make a daily document.”
Though official duties filled much of the day, Tuesday was also Michelle Obama’s 48th birthday. As the president returned to the West Wing in the evening, he unexpectedly ran into the First Lady. “Obama gave her several kisses and wished her a happy birthday then walked off,” Morris says. “It was the highlight of the day for me—something you can’t plan for as a photographer. It was the most interesting photograph for me of the day by far.”
Christopher Morris is a contract photographer for TIME and represented by VII. See more of his work here.
Feifei Sun is an associate editor at TIME. Follow her on Twitter at @feifei_sun.
January 17, 2012. President Barack Obama unexpectedly runs into Michelle on her birthday in the basement of the White House. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEJanuary 17, 2012. Obama walks outside the White House along the Portico, from the West Wing to the Oval Office.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEJanuary 17, 2012. President Obama (center), meets with state department officials after a sit-down with King Abdullah II of Jordan.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEJanuary 17, 2012. Obama reads on his iPad in the Oval Office.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEJanuary 17, 2012. Obama sits in the Oval Office during a meeting with senior advisers.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEJanuary 17, 2012. Barack and Michelle Obama pass through the state dining room on their way to the St. Louis Cardinals event, that took place in the East Room.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEJanuary 17, 2012. Obama walks down to the ground floor to return to the Oval Office, after the St. Louis Cardinals event. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEJanuary 17, 2012. President Obama hosts a meeting with the Council on Jobs and Competitiveness.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEJanuary 17, 2012. Barack Obama runs into Michelle unexpectedly and gives her a kiss on her 48th birthday. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEJanuary 17, 2012. President Obama walks back to the Oval Office. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEJanuary 17, 2012. President Obama sits in the Oval Office to discuss his State of the Union Address with speechwriters at the end of the day.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEJanuary 17, 2012. President Obama leaves a meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEJanuary 17, 2012. President Barack Obama walks back to his desk in the Oval Office.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEJanuary 17, 2012. President Barack Obama sits down to lunch with Vice President Joe Biden in the Oval dining room.Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEJanuary 17, 2012. The President enters the Oval Office while his secretary stands at the far left. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEJanauary 17, 2012. Michelle Obama greets a St. Louis Cardinal team player in the Red Room. Christopher Morris—VII for TIMEJanuary 17, 2012. President Obama takes a short cut through the Red Room. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME
