Associated Press photographer Charles Dharapak, currently embed in the Mitt Romney presidential campaign, was named the White House News Photographers Association’s 2012 Photographer of the Year. Among the 40-image portfolio submitted, featuring images of his protective pool service with the Obama White House, a selection of the images are on display in the Newseum’s “Eyes of History” exhibit. If you can’t make it to Washington for the exhibit, see the photos here.
Charles Dharapak / AP Photo (4)
President Barack Obama shakes the prosthetic hand of U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Leroy Arthur Petry of Santa Fe, N.M., who received the Medal of Honor for his valor in Afghanistan in a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington on July 12, 2011. Petry lost his right hand as he tossed aside a live grenade during a 2008 firefight in Afghanistan, sparing the lives of his fellow Army Rangers.
Charles Dharapak / AP Photo
House Speaker John Boehner (right), republican of Ohio, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, democrat of Nevada, speak to reporters after their meeting at the White House in Washington with President Obama regarding the budget and possible government shutdown on April 6, 2011.
Charles Dharapak / AP Photo
President Barack Obama walks across the tarmac in a light drizzle in Chicago on April 27, 2011, to travel to New York City for campaign fundraising events.
Charles Dharapak / AP Photo
First lady Michelle Obama, wearing a hat and sunglasses to avoid being identified, pushes a shopping cart as she walks from the checkout lane after shopping at a Target department store in Alexandria, Virginia on Sept. 29, 2011.
Charles Dharapak / AP Photo
U.S. first lady Michelle Obama comforts a woman overcome with emotion as she greeted her at a multi-generational women leaders luncheon at the Sanitas Tea Garden in Gaborone, Botswana on June 24, 2011.
Charles Dharapak / AP Photo
First lady Michelle Obama gives a thumbs up before welcoming Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip for a reciprocal dinner at Winfield House in London on May 25, 2011.
Charles Dharapak / AP Photo
First lady Michelle Obama, with daughters Sasha (center), and Malia, take turns reading to children from "The Cat in the Hat," by Dr. Seuss, during their visit to the Emthonjeni Community Center in Zandspruit Township, Johannesburg, South Africa on June 21, 2011.
Charles Dharapak / AP Photo
U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama meet with Britain's Prince William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, at Buckingham Palace in London on May 24, 2011.
Charles Dharapak / AP Photo
First lady Michelle Obama holds up a carrot she just harvested as she gardens at a community service project at Vhuthilo Community Center in Soweto township, Johannesburg, South Africa, on June 22, 2011.
Charles Dharapak / AP Photo
First lady Michelle Obama does push ups with Archbishop Desmond Tutu as they participated in youth activities raising awareness for HIV prevention at Cape Town Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa on June 23, 2011.
Charles Dharapak / AP Photo
Members of Congress and staff members observe a moment of silence for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, democrat of Arizona, and other shooting victims on the East Steps of the Capitol on Capitol Hill in Washington on Jan. 10, 2011. 11. Giffords was shot Saturday in a Tucson shooting rampage that left six people dead.
Charles Dharapak / AP Photo
House Speaker-designate John Boehner, republican of Ohio, wipes away tears as he waits to receive the gavel from outgoing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., during the first session of the 112th Congress, on Capitol Hill in Washington on January 5, 2011.
Charles Dharapak / AP Photo
President Barack Obama drops his BlackBerry while walking to greet well-wishers after he steps off Air Force One as he arrives in Memphis, Tenn., for private meetings with families affected by the flooding and to deliver the commencement address at Booker T. Washington High School, on May 16, 2011.
Charles Dharapak / AP Photo
President Barack Obama kisses author and poet Maya Angelou after awarding her the 2010 Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Feb. 15, 2011.
Charles Dharapak / AP Photo
