Several photographs show the Obamas and Trumps together on January 20, 2017, so the phrase “inauguration photo of Obamas and Trumps next to each other” does not identify one image by itself. The scene is the quickest way to tell them apart: a White House greeting, the men walking on the Capitol steps, or a farewell beside a helicopter.
How to identify the photograph
Start with what is visible in the image, then match it to the caption and credit attached to that specific photograph. These are different photographs from the same inauguration day; their credits should not be combined.
- White House greeting: Obama and Michelle Obama welcome Donald and Melania Trump at the White House. A Getty Images record identifies the photograph as taken by Jim Watson for AFP. View the Getty Images record.
- Capitol steps: Barack Obama and Donald Trump walk together down the east front steps after Trump’s swearing-in at the 58th Presidential Inauguration. Reuters Connect lists this as a separate image. View the Reuters Connect listing.
- Helicopter farewell: The Obamas bid farewell to the Trumps by the Executive One helicopter. The White House Historical Association identifies this photograph as taken by White House photographer Pete Souza on January 20, 2017. View the White House Historical Association record.
What is established about the date and credits
The likely event is Donald Trump’s first inauguration on January 20, 2017. The White House Historical Association dates the helicopter-farewell photograph to that day and credits Pete Souza. The separate White House greeting image is credited to Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images. Reuters describes its Capitol-steps image as Obama and Trump walking together after the swearing-in. Use each source’s own caption and credit for the image it documents.
A Los Angeles Times gallery also captions a Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images photograph showing Melania Trump, Donald Trump, Barack Obama, and Michelle Obama at the Capitol after inauguration ceremonies on January 20, 2017. That is another useful identifying record, not a substitute credit for the helicopter or walking photographs. View the Los Angeles Times gallery.
The Tool Desk
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The Obama Presidential Library’s finding aid describes photographs and video from January 20, 2017, including the Obamas greeting the Trumps on their arrival and footage of the greeting. The library says the materials are selective and not necessarily all-inclusive, so the finding aid is a guide to that collection rather than a complete index of every related image. View the Obama Presidential Library finding aid.
Quick Recap
Choosing the right record
- Check the setting: White House, Capitol steps, or the helicopter farewell.
- Compare the people and action visible in the frame with the source caption.
- Confirm the date and photographer or agency in that image’s own record.
- If you need an image for publication, check the rights and licensing terms with the relevant rights holder or agency. Reuters Connect lists its Capitol-steps image as licensable; that does not establish current pricing or terms for other photographs.
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