Jack found the negatives in her Minneapolis basement in early 2008, when it was clear Obama was in line for the presidency. Some of the photos were used in a Time Magazine feature on President Obama, but she held on to most of them, waiting for a good moment to introduce them to the public.

"I'm sure Hillary would have paid a fortune for them: 'Is this who you want picking up the phone at 3 a.m.?' " Jack said. "I could have made a boatload of money, probably, but I wanted to do it right."

"Barack Obama: The Freshman," exhibit opens Thursday at M+B Gallery in West Hollywood, California. View More at mbfala.com