On Tuesday, January 20th, 2009 history will be made in the United States.
As Barack Obama is sworn in as the first African-American President, the country and world will be waiting and watching as their hopes for the future are laid at the feet of the new architect of the leader of the free world.
Yeah, a lot to expect of one man, but there we go.
Everyone wants a hero.
Photojournalist Lauren Victoria Burke was on this mans’ train for awhile, though.
She just published a 280 page book of the 3 year rise of Barack Obama from his first day as a US Senator to his victorious election on Nov. 4th of last year.
[photopress:obama.jpg,full,centered]
“Birth of a Statesman: Barack Obama”
And her publisher? Herself. Thanks to Blurb.

[photopress:03_muhammad_obama.jpg,full,centered] © image copyright of and courtesy of Lauren Victoria Burke
[photopress:birth_pics_031.jpg,full,centered] © image copyright of and courtesy ofLauren Victoria Burke

[photopress:birth_pics_028.jpg,full,centered] © image copyright of and courtesy ofLauren Victoria Burke

When asked about her highlights on making the book:
“The biggest highlight is the obvious one: handing a copy to Barack Obama. But whether it is him or my mom: the best part of making a book is the moment when you’re finally presenting people with that first looksee — even if the first thing they see is a draft. By this time some of the subjects have been watching you take pictures for months and wondering: What are you doing with all those photos? With the technology we have now — where you can use Blurb to turnaround a book of high quality in TEN days the time — you can go from making a photo to showing people a book less than two weeks later. It really makes all of the time at home in front of the computer worthwhile.”

There are going to be a ton of materials out on President Obama. Even the Blurb bookstore has more books from other photographers.
You have to give someone real credit though, to this photographer to follow the man for 3 years. Sure, many of us had an idea that big things were coming when Barack Obama spoke at the Democratic Convention 4 years ago. These politicos seed stuff pretty early.

But for a photographer make it their personal project shows the right instincts.

So we feel that this should be shared.
We will be giving away one copy of this book on Weds., Jan, 23rd, 2009 to one of our NEWSLETTER subscribers. Details in the Weds. email. It’s a good time to sign up.

Ms. Burke did also capture some great photographs from all of the players in the election so when you visit her site, look around for your faves.( Yes, McCain is included!)

[photopress:p69103.jpg,full,alignright] I’ll be honest with you..never before did I ever want a book like this. Or the Obama T-Shirt I have.
But no coins for me.
There is such a sense of hope in this country across the board, as we witness the crapfest of the economy, that as photographers, we can be giving it a story and place in our visual history.
Next major op is on Tuesday, the 22nd.
Let’s see what you have.