Mom Blogger Takes First Photo-Friendly White House Tour

Denise Albert shares her experience on the 1st White House tour to allow photos.

ByABC News
July 1, 2015, 5:07 PM

— -- Denise Albert, the co-founder of TheMOMS.com and the host of SiriusXM's "The MOMS with Denise & Melissa," was one of the visitors on the first White House tour in more than 40 years to allow photography (Cue the selfies!). Albert shares her experience taking the tour today as a proud mom of two.

Though I'm not with my kids today, today is one of my proudest days as a mom. What I did today is an accomplishment I am most proud of as a working mom. Being invited to the White House as just one of 40 people to take part in the first tour since changing their policy banning photography inside is something I can proudly share with my kids.

We entered through the Southeast Gate and were presented with a personalized invite and video from the first lady announcing the change and ripping up the sign that says, “No Photos or Social Media Allowed." I had a chance to take a photo and rip up the sign.

We were then greeted by the first dogs, Bo and Sunny, and without thinking I ran over to Bo. For me, this was significant since I’m scared of dogs. But perhaps, with the Secret Service just steps away, I felt OK. I managed to sneak a photo for my kids before the dogs were walked away.

PHOTO: Co-founder of The MOMS Denise Albert smiles with Bo on the first White House tour to permit photography.
The MOMS.com's co-founder Denise Albert smiles with Bo on the first White House tour to permit photography.

We continued the tour, walking freely from the Red Room to the Green Room and snapping images and selfies everywhere along the way. I snapped away -- from the famous official portraits of John F. Kennedy to Bill Clinton to a statue of Abraham Lincoln to the library that contains over 2,700 books on American life. And a very special bonus was the opportunity to wave to the President and watch him take off on Marine One just behind the White House.

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PHOTO: Co-founder of The MOMS Denise Albert took the first White House tour to permit photography.
Denise Albert, co-founder of TheMOMS.com and host of SiriusXM's "The MOMS with Denise & Melissa," took the first White House tour to permit photography.

PHOTO: Denise Albert was one of the first people on the new White House tour since the ban on photography and social media was lifted.
Denise Albert, co-founder of TheMOMS.com and host of SiriusXM's "The MOMS with Denise & Melissa," was one of the first people on the new White House tour since the ban on photography and social media was lifted.

We completed the tour in front of the famous, big white pillars. It was there that I experienced another monumental moment to share with my kids. I was approved to tape my SiriusXM Stars radio show and I interviewed the person responsible for changing the photography policy, Ellie Schafer, the director of the Visitors Office and a special assistant to the President.

Schafer told me how important this change is and that it’s been in the works for over six years. She said the President and first lady wanted to make the White House more accessible for kids and families to experience and learn.

For me, the learning will also continue. I’m sitting on the train home, Googling everything I saw so I can truly teach my kids a little bit of history. Today, my boys will be reminded of the rewards of hard work.