video transcript

PLEASE NOTE THIS EDIT CONTAINS 4:3 MATERIAL A momentous moment in U.S. history: John F. Kennedy's 1961 Presidential inauguration speech. And photographer Phil Stern was there. At the time, he was singer Frank Sinatra's personal photographer and he captured never before seen photos of the inaugural ball at which Sinatra performed. Stern's photographs appeared in "Life" magazine and became world famous. SOUNDBITE: Phil Stern saying (English): "Look, let's be candid about it. If that event were the election of the mayor of Peoria, Illinois and I took the same quality photographs, nobody would give a damn, really, I don't think. But, the most powerful man in history, his beautiful wife, Frank Sinatra and all those big name guests who entertained at the inaugural ball, that gave them the special quality. To my benefit, of course." These prints and many more, appear in Stern's new gallery, "The Phil Stern Gallery", whose opening marks the 50th anniversary of JFK's inaugural ceremony. Stern clearly remembers the many life changing events he has captured. (SOUNDBITE) (English) PHIL STERN SAYING: "World War II, the Hollywood era, the jazz era and many other news events of that time. Some of them are very close to me in my memory, some are very distant but, as a whole, I'm quite aware that my lifetime has been full of very dramatic events." The 91-year-old also photographed other famous names like James Dean, Ella Fitzgerald and Dean Martin. Testimony to an extensive career, the results of which can be viewed at his Los Angeles gallery. Tara Cleary, Reuters.