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October 23rd, 2009
07:10 AM ET
White House releases portrait of first family
The White House unveiled this portrait of the first family this morning. It's the first official White House portrait of the Obamas. The picture was taken by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz.
President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters, Sasha and Malia, sit for a family portrait in the Green Room of the White House, Sept. 1, 2009. (Official White House Photo)
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Great photo of my Commander in Chief and his family. As a 20 year military man, I am proud again to be an American. The last President made me ashamed to call myself a Military member. He was truely an idiot. I will continue to serve my country with restored honor... Thank you Sir.
More fodder for the personality cult...
picture perfect!...I love it.
How do we go about getting a print, We have the perfect spot in our living room to add the 1st family
To JIM.... Our president is weakening our national defense. From cutting budgets to talking with people who want nothing to destroy me and YOU. Were so worried about protecting people in guantanmo. Do you not realize that 85 percent of the people in guantanamo want you dead wether they are guilty of acting on it or not, they want u dead. Yet u support our president who is giving them the same rights as an america citizen. And i have no problem with our president making our standing in the world. But to legitimize and get in to bed with or at least wanting to get in to bed with the tyrants of the world is scary. Why dont u see it? America is week and our enemies see an oppurtunity to cash in on our naive white house. Stop being naive and realize and accept that there IS evil in the world, yes there is, and that evil does want u and evey american and our free country to dissapear. If our counrty doesnt reconize that evil does exist, somewere down the line were gonna be in for a rude awakening.
Such a nice and loving family, you can see love in their eyes.
Definitely a lovely family. Just a shame that they get to sit in their million dollar home with all expenses covered by me. Must be nice.
Beautiful and down to earth portrait! I like the sweetness in everyone's face.
Beautiful family...cute kids
God bless you and God bless all
What a beautiful family!....2 adorable girls.....down-to-earth parents! May God Bless this family and protect them from all the negative vibes!!
Beautiful family !
Betty's opinion is as valid as anybody elses. President Obama has once more made millions of people around the world to be able to "America is our friend." GW Bush made me too embarrassed to say that. God bless America.
Beautiful picture of a traditional American family: mom, dad the 2 kids and... We know they live in a house with a white fence, but WHERE IS BEAUX?
It's just a picture, people. Calm down.
What a wonderful picture! It says so very much about the affection they feel for one another. What a family!!
Beautiful Picture!
May God bless this family 🙂
What an awesome picture of the first family!
That's a nice snapshot, not a family portrait. Lots of technical problems – As a photogrpapher myself, I'm surprised given the famous photogrpher used. Fingers cut off at the bottom No hair back lighting so no separation between the dark halways and the black hair. Wide angle shot puts the room at funny angles. The only thing good about it is that the smiles seem genuine.
Beautiful.
Looks like Leibovitz got a bail out too (i.e. she's $23 million in debt)
Great photo of a truly AMERICAN family. Our first family!!!
May God continue to bless the Obamas!!! May God continue to bless America!!!
To all of you that arguing about proud or not proud, SHAME on you people!. Proud to be an American should be in your heart and quit complaining your own President.
To all of you that don't like Obama, pack your bag and head to Ahmadinejad's house where he will pet your pity ass in his bedroom. He will shut you up in his country.
Without Obama and his administration you will either have no job or homeless. Think people! Think!
Respect your President or go to hell.
I love this country and I love my president.
what a beautiful family-they are the role models for all of us. they show the world what it means to be an american–
A truly Nice Family picture,
I would refrain however on the stating the whole world being proud of his work and all, I think I have found the 52% that still approve of his job.
But don't let that detract from and Annie Lebovitz picture. She can photograph criminals and make them look good too. Oh ya she took Bill and Hillary's pics..
Hello Mr. President, what a Beautiful Family you have. And the little one seem to be a daddy's girl!! But that's alright I think its very sweet how you and your wife show how a family needs to be, more love needs to be in each Family. Every Family should take a look and show love for their own Family. You are doing a great job and you keep it up. I'am behind you all the way and shame on them who don't give you the respect like they should. No matter what you are still OUR PRESIDENT, and with respect everyone should give you!! But they are still mad they need to get over it!!They respect the other Presidents so they need to do the same to you. May the Good Lord keep you in his hands, I pray for you and your Family everyday. May "God guide you alll they way!!! And your wife (Michelle) she is sweet and smart!! Keep up the good work Ms. First Lady "God Bless you & yours
It's clear that the attempt was to make this photo appear as far from a "portrait" as possible. It's a nice family photo. But in their effort to appear as just a "regular American family", the photo just comes off as a snapshot. Poor setting, poor lighting. It does show their bond as a family, but I think it shows their cavalier attitude toward their elevated position in our country. The photo could have shown their bond just as well in a more formal way. What appears to be natural appears to many of us as just condescending. I'm just disappointed – again.
We have a beautiful First Family, inside and out. I am proud to have the Obamas representing America.
What a beautiful picture and most adoring family.
Something special!
You know, they did not even a pose for the picture.. They just flop down and the photographer was the beneficiary of a hell a picture. not bad Mr. President...not bad Sir. This family is got "IT".
Where is the dog?????
how wonderful
Very nice picture! I love the relaxed pose of the First Family. It is simple and down to earth. Just what we needed. 🙂
What a great portrait, and what a beautiful family. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Beautiful picture.... but not my choice for president...
What a great picture!!!! I am so thankful that you are my President. I am a military wife of a active military member and I am also proud that you are my husband's commander in chief. God Bless You and your family
Beautiful family but I don't like the cropping of the photo at all. President Obama's fingers are cut off and there is extra space above their heads. Seems to me the camera should have been aimed/panned down an inch or two to give it more balance.
an alright picture ... but hard to be proud of a man and his wife who are trying to turn the country into a socialist society
Whenever you see people up on these boards or on TV slamming Obama without any educated basis for what they're saying, just realize that they HATE everything about this man getting elected. Not because he's black but because he's brilliant beyond their comprehension! Only 20% of Americans will admit to being republican! Saw that on CNN this week... So step back and just laugh at them and don't let them stop you from enjoying FINALLY having a decent man in the white house. The Republican party is exposed and subsequently dead on a national level. Beautiful photo btw.
Such a beautiful family in every sense. Wish the president to have his term as beautiful as this picture and very successful for the US and the whole world as well.
Gary, there is an ugly place in your heart
Simply BEAUTIFUL!
Lovely picture of the Obamas. God Bless you.
The Obamas (adults) are deceitful, hateful people. The do not hold a candle to true Americans such as the Bushes (41 or 43), but certainly better than the adulterer President (Clinton)'s family.
Considering all the mess that he has had to step in and is working feverishly to clean up left over from the previous administration. This First Family has truly shown its grit and unification by continuing to be unified as a family. Exemplified by their smiles and body language.
How proud I am to be an American, and from President Obama's continual effort to lead by example as a man who understands the foundation of family. Let us all as families also follow the example shown to become stronger in our own family foundation and values. "God Bless our first family"
Beautiful down to earth American family. God bless.
What a beautiful picture. May God Bless the Obamas and all they do.
What a nice picture. I'm a republican but I still think it's a nice picture. Not every republican is a Glenn Beck you know! Just like not every democrat is a crazy Obermann. I wish the dog was there though! I guess it would've looked weird with one of them holding the dog.
I do have to take issue with all the worshipping of these comments. Unfortunately most of these people commenting are of the TMZ generation where its all style and no substance. Yes they are a good looking family and genuinely love each other but that does not translate into a good president.
Beautiful photo - love radiates!! May the family keep up their strength in the forecoming challenging years in the House. A family we can be proud of which truely represents America.
too bad he supports the killing of unborns
LOVE how CNN filters these comments and puts 99% positive.
It is a nice picture but CNN is no better than FOX on being objective. Oh well, I'm sure I won't see mine on here anyway!
SImply beautiful.
It's fun to live off tax payers money. I havn't had to work now for three months now that Obama is in the whitehouse:)
SSG. Cates from U.S. Army Retired get your facts straight. vets and seniors are not getting the cost of living increase this period because the cost of living actually went down. But despite that, the president is authorizing checks to be sent out to those folks.
What a beautiful family. Their hearts shine as much as their wonderful smiles. I love this family.
Beautiful family, because black is beautiful and anyone that say other
wise is jealous and only see the ugly part of them self . I am so proud
of the family keep up the good work and(God love you and so do i.
President and First Lady Obama and children are beautiful and it shows the world is changing.
How about in 2010, you actually accomplish something? That way, we can justify the praises from your worshipers.
Lots of criticism about the photographer's choices... Maybe the back isn't blurry to emphasize that, at this moment, where they live defines this family. Perhaps Mr. Obama is set a bit apart and in front to symbolize the he is in fact the president, one that is lucky to have a loving family supporting him. Great shot, great first family!
Great picture Obama Family!
Big_Deal you are so bitter....you didnt' want him to win on his platform, now you are critical of him not keeping his campaign promises....you are an idiot...watch something other than fox, it's not a real news station anyway, educated people have always known that.
Absolutely beautiful family, makes absolutely beautiful FIRST family!!
I am proud of my First Family!!!
Waaooww!! what a nice refreshing family picture. Continue with the hard work of bringing hope in the minds and faces of citizens of the world.Wishing you Gods blessing in everything that you do.
Beautiful.
Okay Fox , please tell us why this is so wrong. We need your input. It really can't be the beautiful, happy family we see here.
This is such a cute picture, its not even fair to all the other families in America. Way to go Mr. Prez
Absolutely love the photo and the family.
A nice picture I will agree, BUT while your all stroking his leadership, ask those who really do make this country great and see what answer you get. The giant hole he is putting this country into, will not be filled until 2085.. our poor children will suffer your stupidity.
A great picture..very laid back. The only thing missing is Bo.
Prasanjit: we will NEVER forget the First Lady, obviously you are not a true american
What a beautiful family! I am so happy to be part of a country that is overseen by such a good wholesome family man.
Beautiful family just as the Bush family was.
This is an absolutely beautiful photo and a true example of how an American Family should be. Aside from others, President Obama is a husband and father first. I just love it!
beautiful family
God bless you all, very very beautiful portraits.
It's things like these that will help restore our faith in the greatest nation in the world. Exactly what we needed!!!
Great Picture
A beautiful family portrait, and the background was left well defined for us to construe its symbolism. To me the marble sentinel guarding the fireplace symbolizes safeguarding and keeping alive America's founding principles. The white urn over it symbolizes the past– the history of America. The African art piece over young Sasha's head symbolizes their heritage, a fresh start and new hope. The door wide open behind our President symbolizes his historic election which broke wide open barriers that had been in place for a long time. The room behind the door symbolizes the future, with its darkness signifying uncertainties and the challenges yet to come. The glimmer from the empty chairs signifies hope and vacancies for future leaders who are willing to face them. The fact that the story unfolds from right to left instead of the other way signifies a change in direction for the nation.
Nice picture and attractive family – daughter closest to Obama looks more like mom; daughter embracing mom looks more like dad. Quality people and solid role models for our country and the world.
Those who have ALWAYS been proud of America must have a serious deficit of critical thinking skills.
I don't see why people are responding positively to our celebrity president who spends more time on late night TV shows then running the country. Poor picture.
An absolute beautiful family.
Waht a beautiful first family of the United States, were is bo obama?
The photo radiates intelligence, warmth, class and happiness.
What a beautiful family!
This is a beautiful family
I think the swooning and gushing over this picture is slightly over the top. People are treating him as if he's a god. It's just a picture. I also don't understand how this picture is causing people to be proud to be American.... You should have been proud to be an American long before this picture was developed. If he is allowed to get his way, there won't be an America left to be proud of. We'll just be like the other socialized countries where you strive to be average while your leader dines on Kobe beef, the first lady only eats Tuscan lettuce, they take separate jets to Europe, while they tell you to cut back on your carbon emissions and steal your money to redistribute it as they see fit.
Beautiful portrait! They seem such a loving family, and it makes me proud to have them representing this country. I wish them all the best!
It is such a great blessing to have this family as head of america we love with all talent and humble begining, we love you all and let God gives you the wisdom and the vision in the years to come. Nice picture.
An excellent picture of the First Family the Obama Family.What a great day in America where a positive African American family is the symbol of America.All Americans should be proud to have the Obama family be the picture for America and the world.May God continue to protect and bless the Obama family.
omg, i think i am going to barf at all the nonsense comments. get off your knees and take a deeper look.
They should have included the dog, Bo.
This picture is So Lovely.. Absolutely Love it!
Much Peace & Blessings to the Obama's
Waoo!!!!! This is lovely. God Bless America~~~~~~~~
Beautiful family!!!!!!!!
OBTW...I have ALWAYS been proud to be an AMERICAN and will be until the day I die...no matter who lives in that big white house on the hill. If you aren't or have not in the past been proud to be from this GREAT American country then maybe you should go try to find a better one. You won't be missed..................
Nice picture. Still a worse President than Jimmy Carter, though.
Nice picture. I thought Annie Leibovitz was in jail for defrauding bankers who had lent her money. Is she out on bail?
gorgeous picture–so natural Annie captured the beauty inside!