Press Releases
FORMER WHITE HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHER AMANDA LUCIDON TO PUBLISH COLLECTION OF VIBRANT PHOTOGRAPHS OF MICHELLE OBAMA IN DELUXE NEW BOOK
(New York, NY—July 11, 2017)—Ten Speed Press, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House, announced today that it will publish a new book by former White House photographer Amanda Lucidon. CHASING LIGHT: Michelle Obama Through the Lens of a White House Photographer is a striking and intimate collection of 150 color photographs—many never before seen—along with personal reflections and stories from Official White House Photographer (2013–2017) Amanda Lucidon, the only female photographer during her time in the Obama White House. North American print and digital rights to CHASING LIGHT were acquired by Ten Speed Press Editor Kaitlin Ketchum from Rachel Vogel at Waxman Leavell Literary Agency.
Michelle Obama is one of the most admired First Ladies in our country’s history, known for her grace, spirit, and beauty, as well as for the amazing work she did during her tenure to promote girls’ education, combat childhood obesity, and support military families. In CHASING LIGHT, Amanda Lucidon shares a rare insider’s perspective, from documenting life at the White House to covering domestic and overseas travel.
CHASING LIGHT is a candid celebration of Michelle Obama. As one of the White House photographers responsible for documenting the First Family, Amanda spent four years traveling to twenty countries. During this time, Mrs. Obama became a role model to Amanda, who has since been inspired to share her own life story when she speaks with students about the power of art, education, and mentorship. “Mrs. Obama is a source of light and inspiration in my life,” says Amanda. “She was a mentor to me and so many people around the world. The work she has done with young people, especially girls and underserved youth, has helped me realize that I want to spend my life helping others reach their fullest potential.”
About the Author
AMANDA LUCIDON is an award-winning documentarian, filmmaker, and former freelance New York Times photographer who served as one of the White House photographers responsible for photographing First Lady Michelle Obama from 2013 to 2017. She is one of only a few female White House photographers in history and was the only woman photographer during her time in the Obama White House. Amanda attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she studied communications media and journalism; she also studied photography at the Art Institute of Philadelphia. Amanda’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. She is currently a photographer, filmmaker, and public speaker based in Washington, D.C.
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Ten Speed Press is an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House. Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade book publisher, is dedicated to its mission of nourishing a universal passion for reading by connecting authors and their writing with readers everywhere. The company, which employs more than 10,000 people globally, was formed on July 1, 2013, by Bertelsmann and Pearson, who own 53 percent and 47 percent, respectively. With nearly 250 independent imprints and brands on five continents, Penguin Random House comprises adult and children’s fiction and nonfiction print and digital English- and Spanish-language trade book publishing businesses in more than 20 countries worldwide. With over 15,000 new titles, and close to 800 million print, audio, and eBooks sold annually, Penguin Random House’s publishing lists include more than 60 Nobel Prize laureates and hundreds of the world’s most widely read authors.