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Photographer captures 20 years of life with the Bush's

"It was huge to have that kind of trust. That they trusted I would keep those moments private and not talk about them. And that meant a lot," Chandler Arden said.

COLLEGE STATION — For more than twenty years, Chandler Arden has been volunteering his time to capture important events at the George Bush Presidential Library. And that’s given him a front row seat to the life of the iconic couple.

Former First Lady Barbara Bush with some spirited young Aggies. (Photo by Chandler Arden)

“I was just lucky enough that, after they saw what I shot, that they let me continue to do that," Arden said.

It was the construction of the George Bush Presidential Library where Arden, a flourishing photographer, first found his art.

“I kind of said, 'Can I come shoot this stuff?' And they said 'Sure,' and it started from there,'" Arden said.

From the ceremonies to the celebrities, family gatherings to groundbreakings, his camera went from capturing the consequential to the casual.

“Not many photographers get the kind of opportunities that I had and I enjoyed every minute of it," Arden said.

They were his focus, and he, their friend.

Arden was exposed to over two decades of life with the Bush's.

But one moment in particular stands out most.

43's 2003 speech to Saddam Hussein. Arden was with his father at the library.

“This is the 41st president watching his son, the 43rd, give a major speech. And so I took the photo," Arden said.

It was moments like that, he was privy to - a presidential perspective of history in the making.

“It was huge to have that kind of trust. That they trusted I would keep those moments private and not talk about them. And that meant a lot," Arden said.

And today, there will be a unsettling vacancy in his viewfinder.

“It’s kind of surreal to realize she’s gone, and those moments are over really for us," Arden said.

But he says Barbara Bush’s impact and legacy will live on in the moments captured in time by his very own hands.

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