Photo op

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U.S. President George W. Bush gives the "Mission Accomplished" speech aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)

A photo op (sometimes written as photo opp), short for photograph opportunity (photo opportunity), originally referred to an opportunity that resulted in a memorable and effective photograph of a politician, a celebrity, or a notable event. ^[1] Among amateur photographers, the term is used to refer to any opportunity to take good photos.

The term has acquired a negative connotation, referring to a carefully planned pseudo-event, often masqueraded as news.^[2]

The phrase is often thought of in a political sense, relating to politicians who do things such as plant trees, pick up litter, and visit senior citizens, often during election cycles, with the intent of photographers catching the events on film, generating good publicity.

Among nearly ritual photo ops are those when participants of a summit get out of their cars, shake hands or kiss, or sign a document.^[1] Formal, pre-planned photography sessions in the White House date back to the 1930s, when Franklin Roosevelt's press secretary advised photographers to avoid taking photos of the President in a wheelchair.^[3]

Another usage of the term refers to a pre-arranged opportunity to make a photo in a memorable surrounding, e.g., in an amusement park, a zoo, after a show, etc. ^[4]