About Amanda Lucidon

Amanda Lucidon is an award-winning documentarian, filmmaker, and former freelance New York Times photographer who served as an official White House photographer responsible for documenting First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama from 2013 to 2017. One of only a few female White House photographers in history, Lucidon’s work has been honored by Pictures of the Year International, National Press Photographers Association Best of Photojournalism, and the White House News Photographers Association, among others.

Lucidon’s photographs of First Lady Michelle Obama were compiled and released in the book, Chasing Light. The collection of 150 candid photographs were combined with Lucidon’s reflections on documenting the First Lady’s lauded efforts to fight childhood obesity, ensure educational options for girls around the world, and provide support to military veterans and families, brought out a new side to one of the world’s most admired public figures. Chasing Light was a New York Times bestseller and since its publication has received praise from prominent politicians, historians, and artists, including Congressman John Lewis and Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep. Her latest book, Reach Higher, an adapted version in deluxe format for young readers of the bestseller, will be released in October 2018.

An accomplished speaker on many topics, Lucidon speaks about the intersection of politics and art. Her talks draw from her time working within the Obama administration, and show how crucial photography and visual images have been to our understanding of the world around us and to achieving political change in the ongoing fight for civil rights and social justice. She is currently a photographer, filmmaker, and public speaker based in Washington, D.C.