Ever wonder why politicians love to pose for photos
with other people, or places? Whether it’s shaking hands with a rival, visiting
a disaster area, or holding a cute baby, politicians seem to have a knack for
creating memorable photos that capture the public’s attention.
A photo op (or photo opportunity) is an arranged
opportunity to take a photograph of a politician, a celebrity, or a notable
event. The term was coined by the administration of US President Richard Nixon.
His press secretary would say, “Get ‘em in for a picture”, and an aide would
dutifully announce to the White House press room, “There will be a photo
opportunity in the Oval Office.”
Serving as an opportunity for politicians to engage in
activities that showcase a desired image, promote a specific message, or
cultivate a favorable perception, the political dictionary describes a photo op
as a strategic tool employed to control the narrative, shape public opinion,
and enhance the public image of political actors.
Meticulously planned and choreographed, a photo op creates
compelling visual content that captures the attention of the media and the
public. The events often involve politicians participating in activities and aligning
them with popular causes and community service that are carefully curated by an
“advance man” -- a political movie producer who tries to connect a president
with the people and places.
There are good and bad photo ops. Let’s start with the
infamous ones.
TRUMP & KANYE
Former US President Donald Trump met, with rapper Kanye West, in 2018, at the Oval Office where they discussed various topics such as prison reform, mental health, and trade. Trump praised West as a “very special guy” and a “genius”, and hugged him after their meeting. They also posed for a photo op that showed them wearing “Make America Great Again” hats. However, the photo op was widely mocked and condemned by many celebrities, politicians, and activists, who accused West of betraying his community and endorsing Trump’s divisive and racist policies.
TRUDEAU & BOYLE
In 2018, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was photographed with Joshua Boyle, a former hostage who was held by the Taliban for five years in Afghanistan. Trudeau met with Boyle and his family at his office in Parliament Hill and posed for a photo op that showed them smiling and chatting. However, two weeks later, Boyle was arrested and charged with 15 counts of assault, sexual assault, and forcible confinement, and other crimes against his wife, Caitlan Coleman, who was also a hostage. Trudeau faced criticism for his lack of vetting and judgment in meeting with Boyle.
JOHNSON & SALEM
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited a hospital in
London, where he met with patients and staff. He also posed for a photo op with
Omar Salem, the father of a sick child who was being treated at the hospital.
However, Salem turned out to be a Labor activist who confronted Johnson and
told him his baby daughter had nearly died because the ward in which she was
treated was “not safe for children” after years of austerity. He also told
Johnson about the state of the National Health Service (NHS) and accused him of
using the hospital as a “press opportunity”. Salem later tweeted that Johnson
had lied to him about the funding and staffing of the NHS.
MARCOS JR. & GADON
“The picture shows President Bongbong Marcos’s (PBBM)
disregard for the rule of law and the judicial system by appointing Gadon as
anti-poverty czar despite his disbarment by the Supreme Court for his abusive
and sexist remarks against journalist Raissa Robles, which were captured in a
viral video clip. The Supreme Court found Gadon’s video clip as ‘indisputably
scandalous that it discredits the legal profession’ and violated the new Code
of Professional Responsibility and Accountability for lawyers… The picture
shows PBBM’s indifference to the plight of the poor and the marginalized by
appointing Gadon as an anti-poverty czar despite his lack of qualifications in
poverty alleviation.” (The Picture That Mocks The Poor And The Law, ATABAY
article)
Let’s move on to the good photo ops.
BIDEN & POPE FRANCIS
US President Joe Biden, in 2021, visited the Vatican
and met with Pope Francis, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. They posed
for a photo op that showed them smiling and exchanging gifts. The photo op was
meant to highlight the shared values and friendship between the two leaders, as
well as Biden’s faith and identity as a Catholic.
OBAMA & OPRAH
US President Barack Obama, in 2007, was a presidential
candidate who faced a tough challenge from Hillary Clinton in the Democratic
primaries. He needed to boost his popularity and appeal, especially among African-American
and female voters. He got a major endorsement from Winfrey who was one of the
most influential and beloved celebrities in America. She hosted a fundraiser
for him in California where they posed for a photo op that showed their
friendship and mutual respect. The photo op helped Obama gain more support and
media attention, and he eventually won the nomination and the election.
NETANYAHU & GANTZ
The photo op showed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
and opposition leader Benny Gantz shaking hands and smiling at the Knesset, Israel’s
parliament after they agreed to form a national unity government to end the
political deadlock and deal with the Covid-19 crisis. The photo was meant to
show their willingness to cooperate and compromise for the sake of the country’s
stability and security. However, the photo op also sparked criticism and
skepticism from some of their supporters and rivals, who accused them of
betraying their principles and voters. The essence of the photo op did not last
long as the unity collapsed in less than a year.
MARCOS JR & ROXAS
The photo op of PBBM and former Liberal Party
standard-bearer Mar Roxas taken during a rice distribution in the latter’s province
of Capiz has grabbed the headlines. It has projected political optics that have
spurred varied public reactions from both sides of our nation’s political
aisle. Some have made much of the photo op as a gesture of unity and
cooperation between the two leaders.
Will it follow the path of the Netanyahu-Gantz unity and
show their willingness to cooperate and compromise for the sake of our country’s
stability and security?
On the other hand, others railed against such a photo op as a publicity stunt, given that the unity PBBM needs to strengthen appears to be the unity right inside his party. Thus, if ever a semblance of unity shows its face in our political scene, just like the Netanyahu-Gantz unity, it would not last, in the light of our divisiveness and the dearth of the healing process.
Content put together in collaboration with Microsoft
Bing AI-powered co-pilot
Head photo courtesy of Philippine Star
Still photos courtesy of CNBC, National Post, Sky
News, POLITIKO, America Magazine, Variety, The Times of Israel, and Journal
Online
Video clip courtesy of YouTube
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