How we photographed a Barack and Michelle Obama storyhour at the Obama Presidential Center’s library branch
This week’s top photo comes from photojournalist and Photo Desk Editor Ashlee Rezin. Follow her on X and Instagram.
What makes this photo important?
This was a fun, historic moment, the opening of a new Chicago Public Library branch in the Obama Presidential Center on Friday, a day after the grand opening of the new center. I spent 13 hours covering Thursday’s events and was back early Friday.
The storytelling was emblematic of the Obamas’ style during Barack Obama’s presidency. They gave the appearance of being relaxed, candid and approachable.
How I got this photo
I started shooting photos from Barack Obama’s right, capturing the kids’ faces and the Obamas’ profiles. As the story got to the monsters roaring and stomping, the Obamas, who seem comfortable being silly and authentic with kids, weren’t shy about making faces and noises. I wanted to capture that and moved to face them. I was watching for the kids to raise their hands and do “roar” as the Obamas were doing “roar,” and I captured this moment.
Technical details:
Equipment: Canon EOS R5 with an RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens
Plus, 22 great Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ photos from this week in news:
The Obama family waves to the crowd Thursday during the Obama Presidential Center grand opening ceremony on the South Side.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Former President George W. Bush interacts with band members Thursday at the Obama Presidential Center after the grand opening ceremony on the South Side.
Zubaer Khan/Sun-Times
Former first lady Michelle Obama speaks at the Obama Presidential Center during the grand opening ceremony on the South Side on Thursday.
Zubaer Khan/Sun-Times
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi greets Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday at the Obama Presidential Center during the grand opening ceremony on the South Side.
Zubaer Khan/Sun-Times
Former first lady Jill Biden motions to former President Joe Biden as he lingers on stage Thursday after the Obama Presidential Center grand opening ceremony on the South Side.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
Fans at Barra Ñ celebrate Tuesday after Argentina scored a goal during the Argentina and Algeria World Cup Game during a watch party at the Avondale neighborhood bar.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Andre Moseley stands in his water-damaged basement in Austin on the West Side on June 8. Moseley is still waiting for financial help from the city after two floods in 2023.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
A fallen tree that damaged a vehicle in the 7000 block of South Green Street in Englewood on June 12.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Owner and Head Chef Jake Potashnick holds fresh halibut in the kitchen of Feld restaurant in West Town.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
A portion of the a tree covers the street in the 7100 block of South Green Street in Englewood on June 12.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
A paradegoer stands on a rainbow float during the Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade on West Division Street in Humboldt Park on June 13.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Ogden International High School graduate Destiny Singleton stands in the lobby of the Chicago Board of Education offices in the Loop. Singleton plans to attend Stanford in the fall as a first-generation college student.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
The faint outlines where homes and apartment buildings once stood can be seen from the air Monday in empty lots near the 5900 block of South Normal Boulevard in the Englewood neighborhood.
Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Rigoberto De La Torre Fonseca walks to the podium to give his remarks during an early college milestone celebration for Chicago Public Schools students who earned credits or associate degrees through dual credit and dual enrollment early college courses. The event was at the University of Illinois Chicago Isadore and Sadie Dorin Forum in Little Italy. Fonseca, a senior at Eric Solorio Academy, had a perfect score in the ACT and earned an associate degree in engineering science in mechanical engineering through Richard J. Daley College.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Lil Baby performs on day three of the Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash Festival at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview on Sunday.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
North West performs on June 12, day one of the Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash Festival at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
2hollis performs Saturday at Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview on June 13.
Candace Dane Chambers/Sun-Times
Adamn Killa performs on day three of the Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash Festival at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview on Sunday.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
Kari Shaughnessy of Hayward Restaurant in Carlton, Oregon, serves fermented squash bread with fromage blanc and snap pea salad at the post-ceremony reception at Union Station on Monday.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
The “DIGNIDAD” sculpture by Colombian artist Iván Argote and the Floating Museum is parked before the start of the Puerto Rican People’s Day Parade on West Division Street in Humboldt Park on June 13.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
Malki Brown, owner of commercial landscaping firm MGE Property Solutions, stands in the 4900 block of South Drexel Boulevard in Kenwood on June 8. Brown said his business has been signed for landscape work involving about three dozen vacant lots, as Woodlawn property owners pay more attention to their sites near the Obama Presidential Center.
Anthony Vazquez/Sun-Times
Fans cheer as Mumford and Sons performs at Wrigley Field after severe storms delayed the show on Thursday.
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