FIRST LADY FOCUS
Views from the photographer who followed Michelle Obama
When White House photographer Pete Souza called Amanda Lucidon to ask whether she was interested in being a photographer for the Obama White House, she thought he had the wrong number.
The Indiana University of Pennsylvania alumna, who was an official White House photographer from 201317, will speak about her experiences at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh-Homewood, 7101 HamiltonAve., 15208.
Afterward she will sign copies of her recently published book, “Chasing Light: Michelle Obama Through the Lens of a White House Photographer” ($30, Ten Speed Press). Ten images from the book are exhibited at the library through March 4. Admission to the talk and exhibit is free.
Mrs. Obama became a “role model and an inspiration” to Ms. Lucidon, who particularly appreciated having the opportunity to record intimate, candid moments that “showed her dignity and grace.” She also liked picturing Mrs. Obama when she was around children.
“You never know what’s going to happen with children,” she said in a phone interview.
The years were a whirlwind that included travel to 20 countries and resulted in such memorable images as Mrs. Obama and her daughters standing atop the Great Wall of China.
Ms. Lucidon describes the White House as “a living, breathing museum” filled with activity and staff and said it took six months before she felt comfortable enough to begin making “creative pictures.” From her first days she was aware of her responsibility to record events.
“It’s a job all [of the staff photographers] took very seriously. You document the moments for history.”
One of her biggest worries was being left behind by the motorcades, and she had to continually be aware of which car she was assigned to. “If they’re holding it up, the person they’re waiting for isn’t going to be you,” she said with a touch of humor.
Ms. Lucidon, 38, lives in the Washington, D.C., area. She was born near Philadelphia and grew up in a family of 10 children. She studied communications media and journalism at IUP because she had heard that one couldn’t make a career as a photographer, but she credits two faculty members for guiding her in the right direction:
Randy Jesick taught journalism, and “because of him I never got a caption wrong.” Ronald Juliette “encouraged me to follow my heart and to pursue photography,” resulting in expanding her education at the Art Institute of Philadelphia. She counsels young people to “build your skill set. Learn photography, audio, video, film.Learn solid foundations.”
After college, Ms. Lucidon interned at various newspapers. Her first internship was unpaid and with The Morning Call, in Allentown, Pa., where she advanced to full-time freelancer. Later she freelanced for The New York Times.
Ms. Lucidon, who was the only female staff photographer during her tenure at the White House, was designated a Turnaround Artist in October, joining such cultural notables as Yo-Yo Ma, Sarah Jessica Parker,
Chuck Close and Kerry Washington. The Turnaround Arts program was initiated by Mrs. Obama to integrate arts instruction more fully into the schools and is now managed by the Kennedy Center in Washington.
She said she’s happy that the book’s publisher, Ten Speed Press, is scheduling book signings at libraries and other locations where her talks are free and open to the public.
“Accessibility was important to Mrs. Obama. Libraries are community hubs that bring people together and give them access to art and access to knowledge.”