Photos Of Justin Trudeau Capture ‘Never Ending Year’ That Was 2020

A behind-the-scenes look at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s unprecedented year.

By Samantha Beattie

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa on Nov. 10, 2020.

Normally, Adam Scotti doesn’t have time to sift through the hundreds of photos he takes every day of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

But these aren’t normal times. Like most Canadians, Trudeau and his staff aren’t travelling because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the slew of other in-person, holiday engagements are off the table.

So this year, Scotti, the prime minister’s photographer, had a chance to look back on 2020, a challenging one to say the least. He posted a collection of more than 150 photos Sunday, capturing Trudeau and other officials reacting and responding to historic events, as well as finding moments of levity.

“Some I am proud of for photographic reasons, others I hope will shed light on what life is like for myself and others in the Prime Minister’s Office,” Scotti wrote in the post.

Ottawa.
2020.09.25.#cdnpoli #polcan #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/kG6c8cyPAv
— Adam Scotti 🇨🇦📷 (@AdamScotti) September 25, 2020

He’s photographed Trudeau since the 2011 election campaign. This past year, Scotti said he’s had to learn how to do his job all over again, finding novel ways to photograph video calls and socially distanced press conferences over and over again.

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“I had to get creative while still trying to convey the emotional gravity and seriousness of what we were facing. Nothing could prepare us for the year that was,” wrote Scotti.

"The PM often paces on phone calls and it only took me five years to figure out a way to capture it properly," said Adam Scotti, the prime minister's photographer. This photo was taken in Ottawa on Sept. 14, 2020.

HuffPost Canada selected a few favourites from Scotti’s photos, capturing a year none of us will ever forget.

The year started off on a tragic note when a plane crashed in Iran on Jan. 8, killing all 176 passengers, including 57 Canadians.

"PM Trudeau leaves his office after being updated regarding flight PS752. The clenched fist really stands out to me," said Scotti. This photo was taken in Ottawa on Jan. 8, 2020.

The photos taken before the COVID-19 pandemic are striking, reminding us how normal everything seemed, even in the first weeks of March.

Trudeau catches up with MPs and staff in Ottawa on Jan. 1, 2020.

The President of the European Council Charles Michel compliments Trudeau on his beard in Addis Ababa... — The President of the European Council Charles Michel compliments Trudeau on his beard in Addis Ababa on Feb. 9, 2020. "A surreal photo to look back on before COVID-19 loomed over all human interaction," said Scotti.

From left: Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, then-minister Bill Morneau, Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa... — From left: Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, then-minister Bill Morneau, Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam, Trudeau, Minister Patty Hajdu and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland in Ottawa on March 11, 2020.

Then, Trudeau’s wife Sophie Grégoire Trudeau tested positive for COVID-19 and he went into isolation.

Trudeau's Chief of Staff Katie Telford reacts to the news that Sophie Grégoire Trudeau tested positive... — Trudeau's Chief of Staff Katie Telford reacts to the news that Sophie Grégoire Trudeau tested positive for COVID-19, in Ottawa on March 12, 2020.

Trudeau runs laps around Rideau Cottage, Ottawa during isolation on April 6, 2020.

Trudeau eats lunch at Rideau Cottage, Ottawa on April 16, 2020.

The photos remind us federal officials are humans, too, working around jumbled power cords, untied shoelaces, messy desks and half drunk smoothies, or McDonald’s.