As a newspaper photographer, George Tames was a regular on Capitol Hill over a span of 40 years. He developed access to and captured the likeness of numerous members of Congress, and had his work reproduced in many influential publications. He developed a style contrary to the "herd instinct" of press photographers, demonstrating his artistic eye, sense of place, and special intimacy with his subjects. In these interviews he relates some of the stories behind his most memorable photographs and offers his perspective of the Senate through a camera's lens.
Scholarly citation: "George Tames, Washington Photographer for the New York Times," Oral History Interviews, January 1 to May 16, 1988, Senate Historical Office, Washington, D.C.
Disclaimer: The Senate Historical Office has a strong commitment to oral history as an important part of its efforts to document institutional change over time. Oral histories are a natural component to historical research and enhance the archival holdings of the Senate and its members. Oral histories represent the personal recollections and opinions of the interviewees, however, and should not be considered as the official views or opinions of the U.S. Senate, of the Senate Historical Office, or of other senators and/or staff members. The transcripts of these oral histories are made available by the Senate Historical Office as a public service.
