Who was the first serving President of the United States to have his photograph taken?

The air in New York City was crisp on February 14, 1849. President James K. Polk, nearing the end of his term, sat stiffly in the chair of Mathew Brady’s photography studio, his expression grave yet determined. On that day, he became the first sitting U.S. president to have his photograph taken, forever etching his likeness into history through the marvel of early photography.

Photography, still in its infancy, had only begun to gain recognition as an art and a means of preserving human likenesses. The first practical photographic process, the daguerreotype, had been publicly announced in 1839 by the French inventor Louis Daguerre. Just a decade later, the medium was making its way into the highest echelons of American society. Unlike painted portraits, which could take weeks or months to complete, daguerreotypes offered a swifter alternative—though still not an instantaneous one. A subject had to sit motionless for up to a full minute while the camera’s lens remained open, allowing light to etch their image onto a silver-coated copper plate treated with iodine vapors. Any movement would blur the final result, necessitating iron discipline and patience. Mathew Brady, already becoming renowned for his photographic prowess, carefully positioned Polk, ensuring the lighting and exposure were precise. The moment the plate was properly exposed, it was removed and developed using mercury fumes, creating a shimmering, one-of-a-kind image.

Polk, a man deeply conscious of legacy, chose to sit for this portrait not simply because of the speed of photography but because of its stark realism. Painted portraits had long served as the primary means of capturing presidential likenesses, but they were subject to the artist’s interpretation—often flattering, sometimes exaggerated. A photograph, however, was indisputable proof of a man’s appearance in a particular moment, untouched by artistic embellishment.

“I prefer the reflection of truth over the imagination of an artist,” Polk is believed to have said, emphasizing his belief in the power of photography to capture a leader’s true visage. The quote, though widely attributed to him, is reflective of his character—a pragmatic, disciplined man who valued efficiency and accuracy over flourish.

Though Polk’s presidency was coming to a close, his decision to embrace photography set a precedent for future presidents. In time, the camera would become an essential tool in shaping public perception, bringing leaders closer to the people than ever before. What began as a single, solemn daguerreotype on a cold February day would evolve into a new era of visual documentation—one that continues to define the presidency to this day.