"You are so lucky!"

Politics aside, it's pretty cool when the President comes to town. I suppose that's why everyone kept telling me, "You are so lucky!" Although I shared the presidential visit with 92,000 other people, I think the "luck" came in with my proximity to the man himself. I had the last minute opportunity to get to photograph with the White House press pool in what they call the "buffer zone," an area between the stage and the graduates. The press pool follows the President to all of his events and therefore has special access. They swoop in, write their stories, take photos and swoop out to the next location.

I don't know if I was more or less lucky than anyone else at graduation, but I know I will never forget it. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience a really important day with the graduates of the University of Michigan, the residents of Ann Arbor and the tireless efforts of the kick-ass staff at AnnArbor.com.

Please check out all of Lon and my photos here.

My media credentials. Waiting on the President from the "buffer zone."


Me in the buffer zone.

Here are the still photographers stacked up on a set of risers. My co-worker Lon Horwedel is in red all the way to the left.


Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, left, gives a thumbs up as President Barack Obama and Michigan president Mary Sue Coleman smile at the beginning of spring commencement at Michigan Stadium on Saturday morning. Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com

All photos © AnnArbor.com 2010