The Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, just made headlines for paying $200,000 for a celebrity photographer to take pictures of him. Critics point to the fact that taxpayers are funding photographers’ pay.
The photographer has previously worked with high profile clients like Barack Obama and Mark Zuckerberg. Now, Newsom has enlisted his help to improve his national image.
Who Is the Photographer?
Charles Ommanney is a former war photojournalist and has become well-known for his high-profile work with celebrities and high-ranking government officials.
He has now taken the job of an official photographer in the governor’s office. Many critics think that his salary is quite high for the work being done.
Previous Jobs with Newsom
Ommanney has worked with Gov. Newsom on several other occasions.
Some of the previous work includes taking photos of Newsom picking up litter from homeless encampments in Los Angeles to recording important visits during Newsom’s trip to China last year.
The Governor Needs an Image Boost
While many people speculated that Gavin Newsom might be tapped as a replacement for Joe Biden as the 2024 presidential candidate, he soon became a staunch supporter of the actual replacement, fellow California Democrat Kamala Harris.
Many have pointed to the fact that Newsom’s approval ratings have been quite low since the COVID-19 pandemic and the overall issues faced in California. It appears that Newsom may have needed an image makeover lately.
Drug Use and Homelessness in California
Many of Newsom’s critics point to the fact that the state of California has been suffering from an epidemic of homelessness and drug use for decades. Still, it appears to be getting exponentially worse over the years.
Many point to the lenient leadership in the city by Democrats as a reason why the wealth gap is widening.
Newsom Changing His Tune
Last month, Newsom took a harsher stance on crime in the city. He ordered that several cities throughout the state forcibly remove homeless encampments from public property.
This has been regarded as a move to improve his credentials across the isle in the state.
Why Do Politicians Need Photographers?
While the photographer’s paycheck might seem outrageous and extravagant, it is actually par for the course.
Many big name politicians have their own personal photographers that follow them around and capture moments that can be used in the press or for future campaigns.
All Presidents Have Official Photographers
It’s standard operating procedure for a new president to select a photographer to capture moments during their time in office.
In the past, President Donald Trump was accused of ripping off his selected photographer for his time in the White House by not paying her full salary.
Newsom’s Office Makes a Comment
After the story exploded on the internet, Newsom’s office made a statement regarding the high-priced photographer.
A spokesperson told Politico that Mr Ommanney “plays an instrumental role in communicating the work of state government across visual platforms”.
Other Staff in a Governor’s Office
Aside from necessary people like the governor themselves, chief of staff, and secretaries, there are several other members of staff needed to make an office run.
For example, a US governor might have several speech writers, communications directors, support staff, and even chefs or cleaning personnel for the office.
Other Criticisms of Newsom
The Democratic government in California has often been accused of spending money recklessly on unhelpful initiatives while jacking up prices for everyday people like water, electricity, and home insurance.
On top of the rising crime rates in big cities like LA and San Francisco, many residents who voted for him or once help him in high esteem no longer look to the governor as a source of leadership anymore.
Newsom Will Not Be President
Despite coming to power in California and making high-profile connections, Newsom is unlikely to be elected President of the United States.
His low appeal to middle Americans and his handling of certain issues in his own state make him a dislikable politician with a poor image.
