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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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Picture is great. A beautiful family. You are smiling and not just from the outside, you can tell it is from the inside as well. Some people are going to complain even if they where the ones to take the photo because they didn't get to do this or they didn't get to do that, Grow Up! This is life, deal with it and move on and be happy and let the people around you be happy. God Bless, my prayers will be with you.
Looks very good!.... About "proud": Are you proud of everything you have ever done? Are you proud of everything this nation has ever done? ie., slavery, Jim Crow, lynchings? Wake up and use your imaginations! If there is something you are not proud of, don't run away, fix it!
Where is the Dog? Some American family that would leave out the family Pet. So Ashamed.
elegance,humble and happy.a good example for a family.do you remember any such photo for an african leader?try get some of them ann, there are very few you can get if any.care to know why?
Nice to see them all together.
To Chubs - What makes this a story? Guess you would rather watch a live feed of duct tape and mylar flying through the air and hear the media try to convince us it contains a child? Now that's a STORY ...!
Absolutely a beautiful picture of the First Family. The family the great majority of the US, and the rest of the world has embraced as the First Family of the 'United States of America'.
They are 'our' family. Stop your rhetoric and just enjoy the picture. If you don't like the picture, then don't look!
This is not news. I am a conservative, not a republican, and I come to CNN to get caught up on recent happenings without some of the bias of other news websites but this is not something that is even remotely important enough to be listed on the top news stories. The days of real news have disappeared leaving a vacuum filled with shameless political bias and advocacy.
BEAUTIFUL PICTURE!!
Beautiful and inspiring! They make us proud, and I love the open and honest face of our president.
I like how people leave comments about how they hate his policies and how he's the "worst president ever" or how they are EVIL. PLEASE. Clearly you hold some other personal prejudice against him, he hasn't even been president a year to be the "WORST PRESIDENT EVER" and what makes him evil? Obviously these comments come from the dolts of America. It's only a family photo!
What a lovely young lady Malia is becoming! And Sasha as well!
Great looking family. I'm proud to serve under his command in the US Air Force.
Simply great portrait!!
A decent picture about a decent family. Nothing more.
I can't belive people are making such a big deal about the arms and hands are intertwined, etc. I'm sure the fact that they are so close in the photo isn't because they sit like that normally, but because the photographer told them to do that.
Decent people, decent photo, bad policies.
I am so happy to see them each day.
Every bit of their effort is going a long way to touch the human beings in America and across the globe.
we are lucky to have them.
WE CAN DO IT
Am glad to see the happy family again love that pose ,God bless America!!!!!!
I love this picture. It looks very relaxed and natural, and everyone looks truly happy. Nice to see the Obamas looking like everyone else, which gives the public a sense of connection with the First Family. Kudos for the pic !
Truly a beautiful picture of a beautiful family. God bless them.
Go, Obama !
America finally has a true leader again.
Bush showed no respect for nothing and deserves to be prosecuted for violating his own constitution and 'transforming' America back to the Ice Age.
Very nice family picture God bless you and your family Mr. President, and may the Lord lead you in leading our country.
There's a difference between being proud to BE an American and being proud about America does. I think many people agreed with Michelle on that level.
It's a nice picture.
What a lovely photo of a perfect family... May he continue to let God and not man lead and guide him while he is president. I am glad he is not a puppet.
Wonderful photo. From my family to Mr. Obama we love you keep up the great work.
I think all family photo's are beautiful, regardless of being the first family or an average American family. I dont' quite understand why they need to have such a famous photographer take the picture though. Seemed like any-one could have take it and saved alot of money.
Of course the First Lady looks more beautiful every time you see her. I would to if I had someone to do my hair, make-up, and name brand clothes to dress in.
I have always been proud to be an Ameican and will continue to be. But how American is it to have to always point out what color the First Family is. Don't you realize that just creates more hate. They are humans and Ameicans first, get over the color of thier skin please.
What a beautfiul family portrait.
Nice picture! Beautiful family!
However, I'm not impressed at the direction our country is taking under Mr. Obama's watch.
Super, just SUPER
This is a great portrait. From a Texas who IS proud to be an American again!
Great picture.it is great to have a loving family in the White House again. We haven't seen that in a very long time. Great to see little kids in the White House again, and especially, a husband and wife who obviously love and respect each other.
Great Photo of the first family! Please try and refrain from any party affiliations just for a moment. Try, please try and just concentrate on the magnitude of the photo. In this country existence, a picture such as the one we see here has never been displayed for the world to see! Please can we just have a moment as a nation to enjoy this picture and tomorrow we can start bashing each other again.
God Bless America and our First family!
as an african the obama family pix meant hope of a dignified world for all people despite race or colour or creed
We should all enjoy our wives and children, besides work. Thats what this picture is saying. Its a beautiful family photo
So sad that most of you are just now proud to be an American.. Maybe you should've gone to another country a long time ago... So sad.
Yawn.... great a picture...can we move on to the important promises you were elected on...I would rather have a picture of a lot of working individuals and some unfortunate persons receiving quality medical care. Now that would be a photo to be proud of.
Watch God work!!! Beautiful photo. Our President has inherited an ENORMOUS MESS in this country!! Give He and his family some credit! I think they have been holding up quite well and it's only by the Grace of God. Those of you are hating and criticizing President Obama and his family for being real and down to earth people and showing how a real family should support one another, are extremely jealious and really need to look deep down inside themselves. Because when you really get down to it, those who hate wish they had the Love and respect the Obama's have!!!! LETS BE REAL! This country has fliped over backwards. Thank God we have a President who beleives we can overcome!
Beautiful picture, but where's Bo?
They are adorable!
Love the photo of our First Family!
I am so proud of our first family.
Thank you America for putting Barack in office.
I'd like to have such a beautiful family.
Beautiful picture. One that we are proud to share with the world.
It's a picture people!! Wake up and smell the coffee.
Awesome picture of a great family. Obamas dont ever let the negative people get to you. Best picture of the year.
Beautiful! Simply beautiful. I hope they post more pictures.
Mr President..this is lovely, am proud of your leading rule as the # 1 man in America and in your family. Keep the good work.
love it!!!!!!!!
Continue to rise above it, my beautiful African-American family!!!
Sky, you mean it only took $9bil to pull the country out of an "economic tsunami"? Wow! I feel better now....LOL!!
$9bil. equals less than 1% of the spendulus bill...you moron, and if this $9bil is all it took to stop the bleeding, then why tax the living hell out of us?? Heck, $9bil is less than North Dakota's annual budget.
If you keep spewing the liberal talking points, and don't do the research....you're dumber than we thought.
Oh and I've just received word that Bo Obama had a scheduling conflict and could not attend the photo shoot. Instead, he attended the first round of casting for the new reality show "The REAL Dogs of the White House". He apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused.
It's nice to see that the Conservative side of these forums are being fairly nice regarding this portrait. Unfortunately, I can only imagine all of the ignorant comments from the Left if this was a portrait of George & Laura Bush and their daughters. I think the lack of rude comments is very telling.
I am so proud of the Obamas and excited to finally be able to relate to a family in the White House.
Where is the dog?
Proud to be American again? I am proud to be an American everyday because of the people who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom. I don't choose when to be proud just because of who is in the White House. Many of the comments are very unpatriotic and UNAMERICAN. Shame on those of you who just choose now to be proud. I guess you are a lot like Michelle Obama though.
Right On Nate! I bet Annie didn't even charge them for the portrait as it is just an honor to be able to photograph them, and I'm sure she's not hurting for money. And to those attacking people for saying that they're proud to be an American again – hush up. I've always been proud to be an American – but it was embarrasing when I would travel to other countries and people would ask me why on earth Bush was elected. It was embarrasing under the Bush administration period.
Gorgeous family with values, I have hope now for this country. I support our president 100%
Love this picture, just received contacted the White House to ask for a copy. Where was Bo? Love you Mr President and Michelle, ignore the haters, there are more of us who are with you than you think! God Bless!
What an awesome picture. The Obamas' are beautiful family!
Wonderful and beautiful family, but if I hadn't read it, I never would have guessed in a million years that it was Annie Leibovitz who took the shot. Their sitting arrangement is awkward and with so many different rooms and doors in the background it's distracting. You'd think that with the thousands of choices in the Whitehouse that would have made really nice backdrops, this wouldn't even have been up for consideration.
Beautiful pic! They are a great family. And to all the haters, FOX has a nice little forum on their site that you would fit in nicely with. Obama inherited a country that was falling apart at the seams! I applaud his courage and decency to try and restore this country back to it's original luster! God Bless the US & the First Family! =)
This is so Beautiful !!!! OMG, this is the Perfect American Family our President is such a wonderful Father that provides and loves his daughters and our First Lady is Simply Wonderful !!! So Beautiful and Meek and Kind she is just a Proverbs 31 Woman. God trully Blessed them and She was born from President Obama (rib)....
Keep doing what you guys are doing..... love our 1st Obama Family
I think the family looks beautiful, but I'm not jazzed about the background. It's an odd background to a formal portrait.
Yep " Cult of Personally"
this picture makes me miss Bush . . . not.
Only the most bitter and hateful people could have something negative to say about this picture. I am sure they will be commenting here.
This family is beautiful inside and out. Those people hating out there, they are ugly inside and their lives show it. They will never be happy until they change inside.
I am glad we have a President that truly cares and is trying to do something to change things for the better.
A family is one of God's greatest blessings. God bless the Obama Family and all of America! It is wonderful to have this family in the White House.
I could have taken that photo. Nothing special about it, except the people in the photo.
NICE! Wouldn't be surprised if Republicans or Conversative POS come out and critize the fact the dog is not in the picture... Let's wait till CNN has nothing to cover this weekend and see how far they might take it...
The Obama's are obviously not dog/animal people or their dog would be in the "family" picture – He is part of the family! Poor dog – he needs to go to a home where he will be loved and given attention. I have never trusted anyone who does not like dogs/animals and still don't!
This is an amazing photo, i love the OBAMAS! They make me proud to be an American again. Great family!
Ahem, I will now attempt to leave a comment in the vernacular of the opposition:
hey,Why yuns like a dang muslim dang a dong ol soshlist president?? dang like HUSSEIN like.ya'll taxes gonna shooooee threw th roofand where's the dadgum dog??? i coUlda dun took that pitcher!!
Thank you very much.
This is news? What a waste of space on the web site. Who cares about release of a family potrait. I find it discusting that all Obama works on and accomplishes is how to become more of a rock star. He and his administration are so not, not effective in any meaningful way. I cannot wait until the next election to make my point.
This makes you proud to be an American!!!!
Betty from Ohio:
"They make us all proud to be Americans again."
Are you kidding me? What a stupid comment to make. I have and always will be proud of being an American. People like you should do people like me a favor and leave!
I'm not an Obama hater, but for all you people who slam the Republicans for saying bad things about Obama, get real. You (and me) said the same or worse about Bush, so don't pull this "he's the President like it or not" crap.
I LOVE this picture!! I am soooo very proud of not only President Obama but also the rest of his family. What a beautiful, down to earth, awesome family this is. How lucky the girls are to have such fantastic parents as examples. I send my love and wish the Lord keeps them safe.
Looks like Barack's skin color was airbrushed to be darker.
Every one leaving negative comments on here is flat out just jealous because their own family is screwed up.....SMH.
Such a beautiful picture of a family that has been an inspiration of joy, hope and possibilities to so many millions!!! This picture is the epitome of the solid family values that the Obama's have achieved!!!!
A beautiful family-God Bless!!
This family took a real picture, in a real life situation. it doesn't matter who took it, or what the presidents shirt looks like, or what the first lady's hair looks like, or what the daughters are wearing. Only someone ignorant would see something other than this beautiful family, in a momment not uncommon in house holds that hold value for themselves, but what is real about life. This is an amazing picture, because of it's simplicity. I love it.
Such a beautiful family, inside and out. Thanks for all of your hard work. I just wish Presidents could stay more than 2 terms. I will vote for you again. : )
SKY, republicans are not keeping obama from passing healthcare!!! The democrats dotn need the republicans to pass it!!! Obamas fellow democrats are the ones that arent letting him becasue they realize that there are better ways to reform healthcare and get people who really need it without destroying the best healtcare system in the world were people come all over the world to be a part of. Get ur facts straight.
First: incredibly beautiful portrait.
Second: Lay off Betty. She is allowed to feel however she feels because we happen to live in a country that gives us that privilege. This is not communism..everyone does not have to fall in line with what YOU or YOU think patriotism is. We all get to define that for ourselves. I personally was NOT proud of this country under Bush and that is my right. None of you get to tell me what i should or shouldn't do because of that.
I love this picture, what I see when I look at it, that no matter who they are the First Family and where they are-the White House, they are a family first! I see a mom's pride in her beautiful daughters and a man proud of his family!
All you "photographers" out there I gurantee Annie Lebo got exactly what she was going for, the look amazing!
Thats it??? Looks like a gathering around the tv ........I expected more wow from a Annie portrait
The Obamas may be great people, they may be terrible people. I am not sure which. But the fact that you all think that they are so wonderful based on how they photograph shows how shallow and easily manipulated the American people are.
I am so proud of OUR President and his beautiful "girls". Makes me feel good that they represent us around the world.
Class and Dignity returns to the White House. An American Classic.
nothing earth shattering here, im not sure whats soooooo beautiful? nice family pic, great.
Glad to se ethe celeb pres got a celeb photgrapher, perfect match.
And that dress is a bit short.
Beautiful Family Portrait!!!!
A beautiful photo of a wonderful family.
God bless the Obama's.Those are faces of hope and change to both Americans and foreigners like myself
The portrait would be even more beautiful if it had Obama's birth certificate legibly visible in the foreground.
What a gergous picture of our President and his family. They look so happy, loving, distingued, real, normal, relaxed; I'd would congratulate the president for not wearing a suit, instead, he looks like a hands-on working President.
Oh look, he found another camera to be in front of. If he would only put as much effort into his job as he does getting in front of a camera he may accomplish something this term.
Great Picture. Mr. President your truly an inspiring person. Since you were senator I always thought you would be a great president. Very out spoken and presidential and you actually know how to deliver a speech unlike Porky Pig. ( abidi abidi bush). One last favor, Mr. President PLEASE ask the communist Republican Party to passed Unemployment Extension.
To Jordan, Obama will be a great president, I'm afraid no one will praise him until he leaves office in eight years, If Mcain was president we would be alot worst, no health care reform, the rich getting richer, and I'm sure we would have bombed Iran by now.. Obama with out any doubt will be one of the greats, just like Abe Lincoln. Abe was not favorite in his time, but he's everyones favorite president now ( ironic). Anyway JORDAN contact your communist Repulican Party instead and ask them to pass the Unemployment Extension now..
Great picture though...relaxed and refreshing. I agree the background cld have less defined though...
Diane you are right. Malia's dress will get strict scrutiny from our dear friend Mr Limbaugh...and I bet Mr Steele will throw in a word less he be made to apologize again to his boss!
To Tim, Democrats and all haters of Republicans:
I think this is a GORGEOUS picture of really BEAUTIFUL people. I've ALWAYS been a proud American regardless of who our president has been. I pray for our president, his leadership and his team of appointees. I also pray for our senate and congress. While I don't agree with most of his decisions, he is still my president and will be respected by me.
I resent being judged by my political party. Yes, I am a Republican and conservative. Please don't make assumptions about ALL people based on their political choices. To me, that is the most hateful and mean spirited thing a person can do. Thanks!
"Tim October 23rd, 2009 10:26 am ET
Mean spirited Republicans will probably hate this too! The rebublicans are a party of haters!"
Amy L is the best portrait photographer of our time so no surprise the photo is excellent. Where is Bo?
I'm actually surprised that this is the best Leibowitz could do. They're a beautiful family; but this is very amaturish-looking work on the photographer's part. Oh well, maybe it'll be better next time. As long as the Obama's like it, what else matters? 🙂