Do you recall the event from about 16 years ago? An Iraqi man famously threw a shoe at President George W. Bush during a press conference with Iraq Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in Baghdad, causing a global sensation with widespread media coverage?

Do you know who took the most circulated photo of that event? Evan Vucci. The name rings a bell?

It probably does as one of the photos that he took on Saturday has probably become the most iconic photo in modern US political history.

Former US President Donald Trump raises a defiant fist in the air with blood from his ear streaking on his steely face, while being escorted by secret service agents, with the American flag flying behind him.

A dream snapshot for any photographer anywhere in the world.

In the realm of press photography, the adage that a picture speaks a thousand words rings particularly true, especially in light of this event surrounding the attempted assassination on former Trump.

To give context and summarize this rapidly unfolding story, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has identified 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks as the individual involved in the shooting incident targeting Trump.

The incident occurred approximately 15 minutes into Trump's speech at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, marked by several gunshots heard during the event.

In that President Bush event, photographer Evan couldn’t come up with a “perfect snap” as he got scared a bit and thought there was a suicide bomber in that room.

He was able to get one frame of that Iraqi man Muntadhar al-Zaidi rearing back to throw a shoe to President Bush.

“At the end of the day I was heartbroken — I missed the photo of President Bush ducking a shoe,” Evan told Time magazine, “ Instead, what I managed to capture was the frustration of many Iraqis over the violence, bloodshed, and chaos play out in a singular act of defiance.”

“Muntadhar al-Zaidi stood up for what he believed was right with the only thing he had — a pair of shoes,” he added.

But on Saturday, Evan hit the bulls eye. He got the “perfect shot”--in photographer’s parlance.

"Not only is this moment historical, but the photo that Evan Vucci took is also perfect. The level of compositional mastery comes from over two decades of experience in the field and a sharpness that only comes from thousands and thousands of 'reps'," said David Altizer, a content creator.

His tweet explaining why the snap was perfect got viral in X (formerly tweeter).

David pointed out that in the Evan Vucci photo, Trump's face is nearly centered and looking upward, creating a striking contrast with the downward gaze of the Secret Service.

The composition also balances the American flag against the weight of the Secret Service agents, while the raised fist is juxtaposed with the agent's shoulder and darker jacket, wrote David.

"This will be in '100 photos that changed the world's books for generations to come," said Gerry Lynch, a communications professional.

Who is Evan Vucci?

Evan, a seasoned photojournalist and former war correspondent in Iraq, is no stranger to danger though.

He is currently the Chief Photographer for the Associated Press in Washington, where his award-winning works have covered everything from international conflict to American politics.

His documentary video depicting a platoon of American soldiers and their families during a 15-month combat tour in Mosul, Iraq, earned him the Murrow award.

In 2021, Evan was part of the Associated Press team that received the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Photography for their coverage of the aftermath and protests following the death of George Floyd.

Evan spoke to The Daily Beast about the photo, emphasizing the significance of documenting such historical moments.

“It’s crucial to capture these moments in history. As a photographer, you have to be present. There’s no opportunity for hindsight or do-overs. You have to fulfill your duty.”

He shared his thought process during such high-octane press events: “What happens next? What should I focus on? Where should I position myself? How’s the light? What’s the best composition? These are the thoughts that race through your mind.”

Evan stressed the importance of staying focused on the task at hand: “It’s about being in the moment and doing your job, which is to keep the American public informed.”

He expressed his hope that viewers of his photos can experience the same perspective he had that day: “I hope people looking at the photos can see what I saw.”

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