Documentary Photography: Creating a Life in Storytelling with Amanda Lucidon

Push Through Creative Challenges For Personal & Professional Growth

Documentary Photography: Creating a Life in Storytelling
  • 13 video lessons
  • 2 hours and 37 minutes of class content
  • Streaming access on desktop and mobile browsers
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee

AFTER THIS CLASS YOU’LL BE ABLE TO:

  • Identify what stories you’re drawn to photograph
  • Trust your instincts when documenting real-world scenarios
  • Overcome fear and doubt to step out of your comfort zone as an artist
  • Approach subjects creatively when capturing a story
  • Understand how to pursue a career in documentary photography
  • See all sides of a situation through empathy to improve your photos

ABOUT AMANDA'S CLASS:

Documentary photography captures real-life stories as they unfold, highlights social change, and, often, simply captures everyday life. In this class, former Official White House Photographer Amanda Lucidon inspires and guides a beginning audience into a career as a documentarian. Through a mix of sharing her own journey and providing insightful questions and actionable steps, Amanda helps budding photographers refine their goals and focus their efforts.

Utilizing her untraditional path and experiences, Amanda will discuss how to improve your photography through creative storytelling and how to grow professionally. Rather than sharing basics like exposure settings and post-processing how-tos, Amanda leads photographers on a path of self-discovery through photography tips on creativity, challenges, and launching a career in documentary photography.

As one of only a few female White House Photographers in history, Amanda talks through how creativity, resilience, and community helped her land a role documenting the American President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama from 2013-2017. Through her journey and a series of actionable steps and questions, you'll learn to turn your own creative passions into a career focused on the issues close to your heart.

WHO THIS CLASS is FOR:

  • Photojournalists
  • Documentary photographers
  • Documentary filmmakers
  • Beginner and Intermediate photographers

ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR:

Amanda Lucidon is an award-winning documentarian, filmmaker, teaching artist, public speaker, and author. Lucidon served as a United States Official White House Photographer responsible for documenting First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama from 2013 to 2017, as one of only a few females in history to hold such a position.

Lucidon is the New York Times best-selling author of Chasing Light and Reach Higher. In 2018, the John F. Kennedy Center appointed Lucidon as a Turnaround Artist, highlighting the importance of the arts in underserved schools. Currently, Lucidon is working with her husband Alan Spearman and a team of artists on implementing a pilot program that introduces arts and mindfulness practices to at-risk youth in Memphis, Tennessee. 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.

Course Instructor

Amanda Lucidon

Amanda Lucidon

AMANDA LUCIDON is an award-winning documentarian, filmmaker, public speaker and New York Times best-selling author. Lucidon served as an Official White House photographer responsible for documenting First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama from 2013 to 2017.

Documentary Photography: Creating a Life in Storytelling with Amanda Lucidon is rated 4.5 stars by 20 students

  • Allie M. May 28, 2020

    Amanda's class was so insightful, and she has a lot of wisdom to offer when it comes to documentary photography. I loved hearing her perspective on making time for creativity, combating the idea of perfectionism, and her stories about her time photographing Michelle Obama. Definitely worth the time and money, and I would highly recommend the class!

  • E. Oct 24, 2019

    I feel the class was a great honor to witness through Amanda’s eyes, as the journey of one of the most beautiful First Ladies of our time and to be able to capture the most personal moments of stillness. the class was so inspiring and I think it will be future lifetimes to come before we realize how important the Obamas were To our growth as a nation and evolution of humanity! thank you Amanda for your vision to capture the moments of stillness and sharing with us I loved this class In Gratitude ROBIN

  • Donna M. Oct 23, 2019

    I am offended by the photo of Michelle Obama used on your course advertisement. This woman is not representative of anything that I believe in.

  • Susan G. Oct 23, 2019

    All though this was not a teaching class, it was definitely interesting and informative. Her resilience and motivation to create personal projects were just what I needed to hear to start my own documentary portfolio.

  • Mark A. Sep 25, 2019

    Amanda is a fantastic storyteller who shares a lot of great ideas and approaches you can use now towards creating or refining your own photography career in a way that ensures an authentic expression of your personal vision.

  • R. Aug 22, 2019

    I loved this class. Amanda is an excellent speaker and I found her advice and insights really useful, particularly as a budding creative. Not only is her journey an interesting one to listen to, but she offers valuable pointers and reminders to anyone in the creative world! Highly recommended.

  • Liat B. May 30, 2019

    An inspiring class by Amanda Lucidon that gave me many tools on how to tell a story in a genuine respectful way, but at the same time inspired me on how to achieve my own personal goals, beyond documentary photography. Thank you Amanda for sharing your beautiful inspirational stories, I’ve learned so much!

  • Cynthia W. May 30, 2019

    Amanda has a great story and delivers her knowledge and experience gained in a way that applies to anyone who has dreamed of a career in photography/film making. I am particularly fond of her ideas for motivation and "self assignments" and how she used that to get her career started.

  • Elysa C. May 26, 2019

    Amanda's story and tips were exactly what I was looking for. THank you.

  • Carrie Y. May 24, 2019

    I really enjoyed hearing Amanda Lucidon share her insight and career path on how she made it to the White House. What really stuck out to me was her hard work and dedication to her craft, and a drive to tell stories even if no one was paying her for it at the time. Hearing her talk about how she handled perceived barriers was truly inspirational. This was a great kick in the pants to get to work!

  • Amy B. May 23, 2019

    Amanda is an inspiration. Her hard work, dedication to her craft and in all the ways she pays it forward. This class will help you get beyond your creative blocks, see and create your own opportunities. All the while being reminded to BE KIND to yourself. With stunning images and fabulous stories, you'll learn from this class each time you watch it!

  • Jamie P. May 22, 2019

    Very inspirational class by Amanda Lucidon! Really pulled on my heartstrings there right at the beginning. Thank you Amanda for being so open and sharing your story and experience. Great class if you're a documentary photographer photographing storytelling style photography and even if you aren't, learning about these elements and considering how you can translate this into portraiture or any other kind of photography is super useful!

  • Roxanne W. May 22, 2019

    I would not qualify this as a "class" per-say. Amanda shared her story, which was interesting and inspiring, but not much that was "taught." The one big take away that I came from this was being inspired to block out time during my week to make time for my personal project(s).

  • I. May 21, 2019

    Thanks Amanda and CreativeLive. Great class. I'm studying photography and just finding my feet as a documentary photographer at 58yo. It's a wonderful thing to be able to record those moments. I may never be a White House tog, but thank you for the inspiration. ☺

  • John F. May 21, 2019

    I really enjoyed the class and was interested in how she got started without a certification or degree in Photography. Lots of useful information -

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