The first official White House photographer was Cecil W. Stoughton , appointed by John F. Kennedy . Previously , official photographs had been taken by random military photographers . In the aftermath of Kennedy 's assassination , it was Stoughton who was behind the lens for the iconic picture of Lyndon B. Johnson 's inauguration on Air Force One , alongside Kennedy 's widow Jacqueline . Although Stoughton stayed on as a White House photographer for the next two years , it was Johnson 's personal photographer , Yoichi Okamoto , who succeeded him in the role . For the first time ever , Okamoto was allowed access to the Oval Office
Kennedy 's assassination
Assassination of John F. Kennedy
Chief Official White House Photographer