CHASING LIGHT

During her four-year stint at the White House, Amanda Lucidonwas responsible for giving America a glimpse into the First Lady’s life. From the ordinary daily routines of walking Bo and spending time with her daughters, to the historic meeting with the Pope, Amanda documented every facet of this historic presidency. But from day one, Michelle Obama was more than just Amanda’s subject matter. She was and continues to be her mentor, her role model, and her guiding light.

CHASING LIGHT, which has Michelle Obama’s blessing, showcases some of the most iconic images as well as never-before-seen photographs of America’s most popular first lady. Amanda recounts how each photo was made as well as the larger subject of her craft, what it’s like being a woman in an overwhelmingly male industry, and what it means to do right by the people she chronicled. More than just a straightforward photo album, this book is infused with the stories of those Mrs. Obama welcomed into the White House—the children, the celebrities, the state leaders—and the people she touched on her travels around the world to advocate for healthy meals, quality education and support for military families. Above all, CHASING LIGHTi mparts the lessons and wisdom that Amanda learned along the way from one of the most dignified and gracious women alive today.

Amanda Lucidon is an award-winning documentarian. She has taken on some of the most pressing social issues, such as discrimination faced by same-sex couples under the U.S. Defense of Marriage Act, the plight of migrant farmworkers, pregnant prisoners and homeless youth. Her work has been honored by Pictures of the Year International, National Press Photographers Best of Photojournalism and White House News Photographers Association, among others. In 2013, her film “Legal Stranger” was showcased in film festivals across the country, winning several audience choice awards. It also sparked discussion around the issue of same-sex marriage before the Supreme Court decision on DOMA. She is the twelfth woman to ever work as an Official White House photographer.