President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama snuggle in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House in an open display of affection.Photo:  Amanda Lucidon

Stunning photographs of Michelle Obama and family by former White House photographer Amanda Lucidon on display at the Enoch Pratt Library in celebration of Black History Month.

BY KAZAD

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND— A selection of photographs of Michelle Obama and family by former White House photographer Amanda Lucidon is presently on display at the Enoch Pratt Central Library. Titled Chasing Light: Photographs by Amanda Lucidon, the exhibition is in celebration of the Black History Month and the Hackerman Foundation Best & Next Series.  The photographs are a result of 4 years in the White House during which the photographer copiously documented Michelle Obama, highlighting what the former first lady’s life was like on and off the clock.

Amanda Lucidon’s incursion into the White House began around 2013 when she got a call from White House photographer Pete Souza who asked whether she was interested in the job of being the photographer to the former First Lady. Souza was in charge of documenting the life of President Barack Obama. A positive response from Lucidon marked the beginning of a photography adventure that lasted four years.

For four years, Lucidon traveled the world photographing the former first lady, capturing the qualities and strengths that made Mrs. Obama so beloved. The collection of striking and intimate photographs of Michelle Obama is detailed, intricate, and reveals the strength of the former first lady. 

Chasing Light: Michelle Obama Through the Lens of a White House Photographer.

The photographs on display at the Pratt library were recently published in Chasing Light: Michelle Obama Through the Lens of a White House Photographer. The deluxe format book with more than 200 pages provides an intricate look behind stories of the photographs.  Chasing Light is packed with images of Michelle Obama in public and private moments – with her husband, her daughters, schoolchildren, visiting dignitaries and celebrities, in setting from the Great Wall of China to White House kitchen garden.

The title of the exhibition and the book reflects the photographer’s inspiration, possibilities and the hope to connect with others and be part of a whole.  While chasing light is an important aspect of photography, it means more to Lucidon. According to her, all human beings have lights that connect with other lights from which they draw inspirations.   She described Mrs. Obama, President Obama, the White House staff and her mother as lights in her life. Chasing light, she explained, means “moving toward being the person she knows she can be.”

Lucidon was shell shocked when she first met Michelle Obama. “It was quick, I have no idea what I said, and I could hardly see because I was smiling so big,” she wrote in her book. However, that amazement was quickly overtaken by panic. The fear of arriving too late and getting left behind and unable to do her job of “documenting the presidency for history,” sent jitters down her spin.   To prevent a dreadful nightmare that could thwart her effort of chronicling the first lady Michelle Obama, the photographer adopted the mantra: “The motorcade only waits for one person…and it is not you.

In a conversation with Andre Chung at the opening of the exhibition, Lucidon describes her encounter documenting the first family as “a remarkable experience.”  In her work photographing Michelle Obama and her family, Lucidon brought to bear a world of experience.  Before working at the White House, she had spent most of her career filming and documenting civil rights and discrimination issues. As a documentarian, Lucidon understood the importance and responsibility of photographing the first African-American first family. For her, working as a White House photographer transcended politics. “I had the honor to witness and document history,” she said.

It is common knowledge that Michelle Obama is one of the most admired First Ladies in history. Her charm, beauty, knowledge, grace, spirit have been the focus of many conversations and documentaries. These important personal qualities did not dwarf her amazing contributions to promote girl’s education, combat childhood obesity and support military families.

The collection of photographs on display at the Enoch Pratt Library captures every important aspect of Michelle Obama’s period as the First African American First Lady. But more importantly, they tell the story of love, motherhood, affection and a dedication to service.

Michelle Obama: Spreading Love

Love is the central theme in all the images on display. It radiates glowingly in every aspect of Michelle Obama’s undertakings: Love of husband, love of family and love of service. There are hugs, laughter and cheers everywhere. Yes, dancing, too. One of the photographs on display shows President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama in a cozy display of love. In the picture, Mrs.  Obama grins with great affection as she snuggles next to her husband who leans into his wife, reciprocating that open display of love.

The picture was taken when the couple was filming a taped video segment. This picture almost did not happen, Lucidon recalls. “It happened so quickly that I didn’t have the time to compose the image,” she said. Although she had time only for a single snap, that shot is emblematic of the pure love between two people glad to openly share their love.

Motherly Love and Affection

In this photograph, first lady Michelle Obama affectionately hugs her daughters atop the strikingly empty Great Wall of China. The three smile as they enjoy their time on the Great Wall of China. Behind them is a section of wall snaking along mountains. This is one of Lucidon’s favorite images from the collection because it reminds her that even though the First Lady had a very tight schedule, her role as a mother was paramount. “I really admire her values,” she said.  

Mrs. Obama: Working with Children

Although Lucidon’s job was to take photographs of the former First Lady, she was also devoted to documenting the way people reacted to seeing and interacting with Mrs. Obama. During her tenure, Mrs. Obama spent a lot of time working with children and invited young people to activities , youth events and talent shows at the White House. The excitement with which this young people respond on seeing the First Lady are memorable.  One of the stunning photographs from these encounters was taken when Mrs. Obama surprised Turnaround Arts students who were in White House Map Room. The experience was pure joy for the students. There was laughing, hugging and cheering. Even Lucidon cannot get enough of the picture because “every time I look at that photo, I smile.”

The Turnaround Arts, an initiative of the Kennedy Center, brings arts education programs to the lowest performing elementary and middle schools in the country to see if they can turn the schools around. The project started with several schools in the pilot program, and has since grown to seventy schools, bringing drastic improvement to many schools. During her time at the White House, students were invited to perform as part of the Turnaround Arts program. From poetry recitation to dance, the students got the opportunity to express their creativity. 

Another picture that holds a special place in Lucidon’s heart is the photograph of Michelle Obama seen from behind surprising a group of students by dropping by their tour. It was a dramatic moment that set off a frenzy. While some of the students clapped, others shed tears of joy. Some even cracked up. “It is just raw emotion.” Lucidon recalls, adding that the display of emotion encapsulated her experience working with the first lady. Interestingly, the photo almost never made it into the book because it was so cluttered. However, the intervention of Al Anderson, the White House photo editor gave the image a chance, noting, “It was good despite its composition.”

With such a remarkable collection of photographs, it is not surprising that many people at the opening had the challenge of picking a favorite image. While some selected the photograph of the First Lady hugging her husband, others chose the photography of Mrs. Obama doing yoga with some children.  However, one of our favorite image is that of Michelle Obama with Agnese Landini, the wife of Matteo Renzi, the former prime minister of Italy, at the Milan Expoand. The reflections on the glass and mirrors gives the image an artistic finish.

While in office, Mrs. Obama worked tirelessly on behalf of women, children, veterans and their families, education, healthy living, and the Let’s Move initiative.  Lucidon continues to cherish the time she spent as the White House photographer and her proximity to the First Lady. Mrs. Obama’s commitment to her important initiatives, especially the promotion of art education in schools holds a special place for Lucidon.

Lucidon watched as Mrs. Obama ignited a spark in children, expanding their worlds. “That’s what the arts did for me too, so any time we did those events was particularly special,” she explained during her conversation at the opening of the exhibition.  Lucidon appreciated how the First Lady brought so many people into the White House and exposed them to the arts. Additionally, she was inspired by the work Mrs. Obama did with Reach Higher, Let Girls Learn and how she reached so many young people through her education initiatives.

Challenges of Photographing Michelle Obama

Photographing the first lady was a lot of fun filled with challenges. One of such challenges is catching up with the first lady.  At 5′ 4″, Lucidon explained how she had to chase after the much taller Michelle Obama. “Even when she is walking, I am running,” she said during her conversation at the opening of the exhibition.  However, that was not her only challenge. Another challenge she had to contend with was arriving at events ahead of the first lady so she could take candid pictures of people encountering the first lady. “I was always hopping out of the motorcade and running,” she recalls.

Despite the challenges, Lucidon found photographing the first lady absolutely rewarding. In addition to the opportunity, she continues to be amazed that the gates of the White House were open for her.  “I had the opportunity to work in a living, breathing museum and admire its history and art, as well as spend time with those who preserved and protected it,” she said.

Amanda Lucidon: A Remarkable Experience

Besides going to countless American cities, Lucidon traveled to more than 20 countries with President Obama and the First Lady and her team. The travels helped fulfill an ambition the photographer nursed at a very young age. As a young girl, she nurtured the desire to travel across the world with no expectation that she would ever visit the places she dreamt about as a child.   Her work photographing the First Lady has taken her beyond her expectation to countries where she experienced fascinating history, rich culture and delicious food. 

Reminiscing on her four years of work as the White House photographer detailed to the first lady Michelle Obama, Lucidon said the experience changed her personally and as a photographer, and that “It would be impossible to stay the same when I was constantly surrounded by inspiration.” Perhaps her best take away from the job is the admiration she developed for Michelle Obama who became a mentor and role model.  “She has always been a shining example of the light I was chasing in my own life,” she writes in her book. The encounter provided the photographer the opportunity to assess her own priority and learn about herself. She notes: “Watching her through the lens of my camera, I learned so much about myself and life I wanted to create.”

Chasing Light runs through February 29 in the second floor hallway of the Enoch Pratt Central Library.