Memphis Commercial Appeal

In the final four years of the Obama administration, few non-family members spent as much time with First Lady Michelle Obama as Amanda Lucidon.

Lucidon was the only female White House photographer, and she was was assigned exclusively to documenting Mrs. Obama.

"She brought inspiration wherever she went," Lucidon said in an interview with The Commercial Appeal. "She ignited a spark in so many people that struggled to see the light inside of themselves. It made me realize how much one person can transform a space, a situation or most importantly, a life."

Lucidon traveled with the First Lady to 20 countries and many U.S. cities, including Memphis. She also spent a lot of time with the First Family in the White House. She has compiled 150 photographs in her new book, Chasing Light: Michelle Obama Through the Lens of a White House Photographer.

Lucion, 38, who grew up in Pennsylvania, is married to former Commercial Appeal photographer Alan Spearman. She was in Memphis last week to talk about her experiences at an exhibit of her work at the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. She took time to answer a few questions for us:

How and why did you get into photography?

I started taking photos as a child. I remember borrowing my grandfather’s point and shoot camera when I was in the third grade to take pictures on a school field trip to Pennsbury Manor in Pennsylvania. I loved being able to freeze a moment and share it with others. When I was 15, a family friend gave me a Yashica camera. It was a used old manual camera and the shoulder strap showed its age but I wore it with pride and began my adventures as a photographer.

How did you get the job as a White House photographer?

I worked for newspapers for several years before moving to Washington D.C. to start my own photography business. I created a work balance where I’d spend a few days a month doing freelance photography jobs that would pay the bills so I could spend the rest of the time working on personal photography projects. Typically, these projects weren’t funded efforts but the issues were important to me. And it fed my soul.



To my surprise, it was this personal work that began to win awards. Gaining attention for the projects in the photography community also provided opportunities to be invited to events with influential people in the industry. At one of these events, I met Pete Souza, President Obama’s Chief Official White House Photographer.



Since I only met him once, I was completely shocked when he called me two years later to see if I was interested in applying as a White House photographer covering First Lady Michelle Obama.

How did you (or someone) decide when and where and whom you could photograph?

There were five White House photographers for the Obama administration. It was our responsibility to document the official events of President Obama and Mrs. Obama for the historical record.



Pete Souza was the Chief White House Photographer for President Obama. David Lienemann served as Vice President Joe Biden’s photographer. I spent most of my time photographing First Lady Michelle Obama, but I also documented President Obama. Chuck Kennedy and Lawrence Jackson covered President Obama and Mrs. Obama as well.



When President Obama attended domestic or international events, Souza and a second photographer documented it. Since Mrs. Obama traveled with a smaller staff, typically only one photographer joined her. And on big occasions like state arrivals, our team of five covered the event together from multiple angles.

What were you looking to capture or preserve in your photographs?



The responsibility to preserve history as a White House photographer was a role I took very seriously. As a documentary photographer, I was witnessing and photographing a range of events, interactions and moments as they were happening. It was important to be ready for anything.

What did you learn about Mrs. Obama by spending so much time with her?

I saw how she transformed the role of First Lady. She took on so many important initiatives such as Joining Forces, Let’s Move, Reach Higher, Let Girls Learn. I observed Mrs. Obama and her staff work tirelessly to provide support for military families, combat childhood obesity, encourage under-served youth to get a post high school education, and shine light on the 62 million girls in the world who don’t have access to education.



I watched through the lens of my camera as she brought inspiration wherever she went. She ignited a spark in so many people that struggled to see the light inside of themselves. It made me realize how much one person can transform a space, a situation or, most importantly, a life.

What did you learn about yourself, as a woman and a photographer?



I learned that anything is possible. Mrs. Obama taught me that our circumstances don’t define us. The challenges we’ve experienced in life are the very things that teach us resilience. Once I understood that, I learned to recognize my own strengths and abilities. I’m so grateful to Mrs. Obama for teaching me this important lesson because it completely transformed my life.



Which photograph is your favorite and why?



My favorite changes every day. But I love candid photos that really make you feel something -- love, joy, wonder, or quiet reflection. If a photo encourages you to draw on your own thoughts and experiences, then I feel it is a successful image.

Was there a moment or shot you missed that you wish you'd taken?

The simple answer is: of course, I’ve missed a photo; I’m not perfect. But within that event or scene, I made another image that documented the essence of what was happening. Maybe that image was better? Maybe it was almost as good? But looking back, I can’t think of a time where I thought to myself, "you completely messed that one up, Lucidon." You fall down, you get back up, you brush yourself off, try harder and you do better. That’s what life and learning is all about.

Why did you name your book 'Chasing Light'?

Photography means to draw with light. As a photographer, you can spend your career chasing light. But the deeper meaning for me represents a transformative time in my life where I was surrounded by light, hope and inspiration.



When people look at your photographs of Mrs. Obama, what do you hope they see?

Mrs. Obama was a light and inspiration in my life. I hope people connect with the book and reflect on their own inspiration.

Photographs courtesy of Amanda Lucidon from CHASING LIGHT: MICHELLE OBAMA THROUGH THE LENS OF A WHITE HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHER published by Ten Speed Press.



