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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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Very, Very, nice picture, and a good looking family; Mr. President and First Lady God Bless you both and your lovely kids, stay strong because God got your back no-matter what people say about you as long as you keep God first in your lives everything else will take care of itself.
May God bless you and may God Bless Amercia !!!
For those who think there is no physical contact from the President, look closely – the President's and Mrs. Obama's knees are touching and Sasha has her hand resting on her dad's shoulder. There are only so many hands to go around; the way he is sitting is very natural and relaxed; if he had moved his hands to be in contact with one of the girls or Mrs. Obama, it would have looked contrived and "too posed". This is a beautiful picture of a beautiful family!
... ah, as usual I see, CNN has taken out 99.99% of the negative comments from this board. Too bad the photo didn't include a copy of Obama's birth certificate from Kenya.
A perfect picture of a great president and his lovely family.
Beautiful that is what I see......Just Beautiful
Definitely proud to be an American again!!!
Beautiful picture of a beautiful family!
Mike, that was an ignorant and unfounded statement. Obama didn't get us into these wars, Bush did. Obama is trying like hell to get us out of them.
It is a beautiful portrait. But remember – it is not necessarily natural – it was taken to be released to the public. I agree it is a lovely portrait.
But the job he is doing as president paints an entirely different portrait.
maybe he should worry about the country and doing his job for once not taking photographs and the olympics
to Susanne.....and anyone else who has forgotten this..."bad President" Really? Everyone needs to remember what a TOTAL MESS this great man inherited from that last 'idiot' and company! He and his family are the best things that have happened to this country in a long time...and I am proud to say he is my President!!!
*********
Sorry, Kim – that argument is no longer valid. Your president said his stimulus would create jobs when, in fact, we have lost more jobs. Because of his and his cronies congress' actions, credit card companies are RETALIATING against GOOD CUSTOMERS. Because your president doesn't know anything about foreign affairs, Iraq (thanks to President Bush's expertise) is getting better while Obama's Vietnam is getting worse. Because of your hero, things for the middle class have gotten worse. He sucks. Deal with it!
A most beautiful portrait. Yes, I'm proud to be an American now. Whereas before, A black person didn't stand a chance. And to Chris as for creating Jobs–tell your republican friends you know the capitalist to stop sending the jobs overseas. Why would I be proud of American prior ot Obama when it has always treated blacks badly. Especially in the South and in particular the South West Texas.
Obama needs to take pictures of his family very fast, and also say as many times on TV: "I am the President", because he will be gone from the White House past this term anyway.
It's just another family picture..
He's just another president that won't do any good for us so get over all this crap about him being amazing because i haven't seen nothing yet.
Nothing will change the way we want it too.
Oh, and by the way he's not the one running our country, it's called the government and they have so much more control then him.
God bless America and this beautiful family. I pray for God's guidance for him every day.
@ Betty I too am proud to be an American "again"
We are truly blessed now!
I'm still trying to figure out why people are "proud to be American again." Because the guy is likeable? I'm as impressed with Obama as I was with GW. (read: not at all)
Just beautiful! God Bless.
LOVE IT!!!! What a gorgeous family! Many happy years in the White House!
Beautiful-love them-as Marine wife I am proud to see this family in the White House-bless them
I love the photo but where is Bo?
You folks making negative comments make me laugh. Your insults fall on deaf ears. It's a picture of our President and his family for God's sake! Are you this way with all of our Presidents or only THIS First Family?
This family is still so beautiful and refreshing!
I love all the "God bless America" sentiments–the first thing our new president did in office was advance the cause of abortion and gay rights, not very Godly activities. All you who worship this man should wake up, he's just a person with good and bad attributes like everyone else. He hated George Bush but can't stand to be criticized himself–someone get me a mop.
Great portrait of our First Family. Wishing them health and happiness always.
Jesus loves this family portrait!
Wow! I'm glad CNN got this newsworthy item on their website.
BEAUTIFUL FAMILY & PICTURE!!!! For those that are trying to find an issue or problem with this picture need to really get a life and find something to do!!!! Love OBAMA!!!!
i never understand people who visit pages like this one & make comments like, "Good picture, bad leadership." based on what? really, what basis to you put your 'bad leadership' remarks on?? point to one area in the world right now where obama is not revered as a strong leader w/ huge potential....nobody has found one yet.
and no, pointing to the glenn beck/sean hannity sector doesn't count my friends.....those people wouldn't know real facts if real facts were eating w/ them at the dinner table. he IS a good leader, he's doing a TOUGH job. stop crying that he didn't turn water into wine, start getting realistic about your expectations & give the man credit where it is due. this IS a great family, this IS a great president, and we are all very blessed (as we always have been) to live in this country. let's give thanks to that & go out & strive to be better people.
Where is Bo???????????
This 65-yo black man cannot stop smiling!! They're beautiful.
Saved this picture to my dart board!
What a wonderful photo!!! It is just so warm & makes me feel I could sit down with a cup of coffee & enjoy a great meal!!!
Body language...what does it say about Obama? The world revolves around him. Not even any affection for the daughter standing next to him. Not even turned slightly toward his wife...
Lovely family. Whether I agree with him or not. I don't like his politics, but think he's a decent person, and give him credit for working to raise a good set of kids.
Beautiful Family!!!!!
This seems to be a decent family portrait if taken by an armature photographer. I just was expecting more from Annie Leibovitz..
I respect President Obama as I would any sitting US president. Unlike many democrats who are up in arms over American's who aren't fawning over every move or thing that is spewn from the white house, I think it is very important and just to listen and value negative opinion of the current administration
God Bless America.
The girls adorable and Michelle looks very pretty. Why is Obama not touching or holding hands with his wife or daughters?
I agree with Betty. I am proud to be an American- now. With Bush- not so much. He dameged our American image- world wide. This President has resotred the faith of the world at large. And the debt- thank Bush/Cheney for screwing up the economy by putting us into two wars. Someone had to clean up the mess. Takes money to make money- any conservative could tell you that-duh!!
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Is it any wonder dems haven't been in the White House for 8 years? haaaa The above language says it all. Knowledge is wealth. Learn to read and write and then vote for a President. haaaa
Great Portrait – true love and eloquence shine through – thank you for sharing.
Beautiful. Such a joy to call him my President.
What's the big deal about this photo? Yes, woohoo they are a good looking family. Yay. Now that we've established that Obama is a Cult of Personality, can we actually talk about what this man is supposed to be doing for our Country? Everything this person has said that he was going to do, he hasn't done. In fact, he's done the exact opposite of the platform he ran on. Americans need to get over the fact that he's black and beautiful and cool and popular, and ask what is he doing. He's the Executive Officer of the American Corporation, and any good shareholder holds the executive accountable for how the corporation is being run. Trillions of debt, hand-in pocket wall-street deals, and further loss of liberties is what we have. Thanks Obama. You have a good looking family but you are a crappy president.
Beautiful... God bless you all, wonderful family that makes all proud! You are the history that cannot be re-written... we are proud of you!
A beautiful picture and a beautiful family. What wonderful role models for families, everywhere. America is so fortunate to have this President and First Lady represent us.
Beautiful. Its the "face" of America in the New Millenium......
Change has arrived...like it or not. The new demographics have
spoken...and things will never be the same. The era of America's "Caucasian Euro-anglo" male dominated politics is over...forever.
Its a painful reality to many- hence, all of the angst, kicking and screaming we see in the press and blogs. But it is HERE to STAY.
Embrace it. Its our chance to make the world better...let's shape it
correctly. (BTW, I'm one of those Ango whites, born in the 1950...the Peak of that bygone era)
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful portrait of the First Family. We are so proud of our President and his family. We pray every day that God will direct him in his presidency to work for the American people. Congratulations on receiving the Nobel Peace award. Mr. President you are working so hard to bring peace not only to America but working with other countries throughout the world. God bless you and may He keep you safe in His most loving care.
Allen,
This Presidential Family Photo cost less than the past Presidential Family Photos. Why?, A make-up artist was not required, this Family came with a beautiful color. 😉
Stunning Photograph!
Great depection of the warmth, genuinity, and class of our New First Family. We should all learn to respect, support, and even defend The President of The United States of America, for taking on the tough and unappreciated job of trying to put the mess we're in, back into order.
We need a leader not someone that looks good in front of a camera.
I'm not for Obama but I love his family picture. He has a beautiful wife and daughters. I hope he looks to them on what he does to America and how it will affect them as well.
A picture normally "says" a thousand words! Sincere smiling faces make this one worth a million words. Great Portrait!
Hey Todd, how's that "change" workin' for ya? LOL.
What a great picture! I am so proud to be an American! Long live the Obama's!
WOW! Love this picture.
Saved this to my desktop! Love the picture!
This is absolutely beautifu!
I love the personable essence in the setting. No pretentious formality. Annie did an amazing job. In the far future, historians will be telling our descendants how up close and personal our first Black President was.
BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
to Susanne.....and anyone else who has forgotten this..."bad President" Really? Everyone needs to remember what a TOTAL MESS this great man inherited from that last 'idiot' and company! He and his family are the best things that have happened to this country in a long time...and I am proud to say he is my President!!!
Susanne, regarding your "Nothing to do now but pray to our Heavenly Father for His strength and guidence" comment, go rent religulous. Oh, and yes, very nice picture of the Obama's.
I don't like the picture. Too dark. Not balanced. Skirt hiking a bit high on the older girl. (And who draped her that way?) Missing the dog.
WOW! Just looking at that family photo,makes my world a better place,the hopes and aspirations,of the United States and hopefully the world couldn't be in better hands.The Obama's are what we all should aspire to.
Beautiful. It's wonderful to see that after these last 10 months in the First Families' life that they can smile so beautifully! Keep up the Great Work Mr. President and Thanks for sharing a heart-felt moment with the rest of your American family!
This is such a beautiful picture. It captures the essence of them. The Obama's are such an inspiration not only to African Americans, but they speak to all other groups of people as well. Good job!!! God continue to Bless America and The World!!!
Gorgeous family... I'm so proud to have them in the White House!!!
It's probably b/c the photographer set them up that way...
Betty from Ohio....
There was a time where you were not proud to be an American, or did you just disagree with the acting President? I am still proud to be an American, even though I disagree with policies.
Atlas shrugged........................ I find you odd
Adorable! You can tell that Sasha just adores her daddy! They are a gorgeous family. I love the photo. The naysayers are just jealous.
Barack Obama will go down as the best president this country has ever had.
Wonderful family!
Horrible picture. Wrong depth of field, the frame around Sasha’s head, hands cutoff, bad framing, lots of distracting props around the scene...
What a lucky photographer who can count on the beautiful and warm smiles to camouflage his/her pour technique and judgment.
Mr. Obama should institute a rotation of official photographers and pick a different one every year. We would have the opportunity to see unique interpretations of the historical moments we all share.
I would sign up for the job.
Posted by athonia from ga:
"The obama's family, make me proud to have serve in the military and now it is time all american to respect this president and his family, He is the president of the usa!"
This is typical of the Democrat party.
Dems continue to say that [they] are the educated party.....riiiggghhhttt!!! ROFLMAO!!!!!!
It is a cute picture, but I have seen a better picture of the family during his Inaguration. But for some reason it makes the president look disconnected form the rest. Michelle and thier two daughters look like they are connected by family and Barrack looks like he is disassociated from them. Annie needed to connect them more, but nice picture.
It is a great picture but I don't understand why you are only just now proud to be an American. Dispite your personal view of the previous administration, they overcame more adversity than any other adminsitration since LBJ's and still managed to leave the world a better place than when they started.
GOBAMAS!
Annie Leibovitz did a nice job photographing a beautiful family.
And by the way Patrick – our men and women have been dying in Afghanistan for nine years. Ask them if it's time to rethink what we are trying to do and how we are going about it. Read a little history and you'll see why they call that country a place "where empires go to die."
A little less anger and a bit more thinking please.
To those saying "You should always be proud to be American"...really? That's the way a child thinks. A child loves his mother because she can do no wrong. An adult loves his mother despite the wrongs she's done.
Nice folks, but technically weak portrait. It has weak compositional elements so it (and the family) don't group well and certainly don't hang together. The fireplace tilts, and while Obama is the most important figure, his white shirt is overwhelming the rest. Should be burned down some.
This won't win awards in the PPA.
No matter what the setting of this photograph is "hating photagraphers" this family represents much more than where, and how this picture was taken. Just the smiles on their faces, and the fact they are being examples of a good wholesome FAMILY is very aspiring to me. I love this picture!!
Beautiful picture its so real
p.s AVHS
What a lousy picture. How much did this cost the taxpayers? His teenage doughter's dress is too short.
From Alabama Mr. President and First Family we Love you and thank God everyday for you. Your awesome!!!
Nice picture.....unfortunately 80 percent of Balck families in America are run by single mothers....time to man up brothers.
cute picture!!!!! I love it!!!!!!
This is a beautiful picture, and the Obamas' are a beautiful family. What wonderful role models for families they are, and how fortunate our country is to have this President and First Lady represent our country.
Nice picture, but someone forgot the tell the President to put on a jacket.
This family portrait illustrates strength, honesty, and true caring about our country!!! I give thanks every day that Barack Obama is our President.!! (after 8 years of lying, stealing, corruption, and hate with the Bush administration!!)
Beautiful picture. But wheres the dog? God bless them.
As a professional photographer, I expected to see something of a little more professional quality in regards to lighting and positioning (and background subject matter). And why no American flag anywhere? Oh well...!
President Obama and First Lady Michelle are setting great examples for the America family and world families. He is President of the World most powerful nation, but has time for the children...parent confernences, special events at school, reading with the Sasha and Malia, dinner dates with Lady Michelle and remembers wedding anniversaries, slips out to have a fast food snacks and appears to have his own money in pocket. This a campaign promise that I hopes they continue keep...First Dad and First Mom. These are Family Values. Yes We Can Too.
Beautiful pic, Cheers!
It's a photograph, and a nice one at that. Why do bitter people seize any opportunity to lash out at this man and his family? It's an official portrait, not a foreign policy. Get a life!
And...last time I checked, Hilary Clinton fit the bill as a "career woman in the Whitehouse, too.
They're a lovely, all-American family, it's a nice photo, it's not a political statement.
Gilwans...why did the word black and african had to be brought up?
Cant they just be an AMERICAN family!!! There is always one person trying to stir up problems.
Your enemy won't do you no harm
Cause you'll know where he's coming from
Don't let the handshake and the smile fool ya
Take my advice I'm only try' to school ya
But of course, the Republicans will not like it and Fox news will accuse the liberal media of bias. Get over yourselves! The man on the right has done more good in 8 months than Bush did in 8 years.
The Obama's doing what they do best, ie, "showing the beauty of the everyday america family". Its a truly a joy and inspiration to a hurting world. A articulate family man, a "girl next door" woman, and sweetly well mannered children. A truely american portrait. God Bless American!
If I see this Obama guy's face one more time I'll vomit.
Enough already.
What's next? Obama in a Santa suit?
Well since he's giving away taxpayer's money to the lazy and the rich maybe that really will be next.
Signed, disguster citizen
Hey there Mike,
Maybe we should send the dead soldiers families a portrait of the Bush family since he's the one who got us into these wars...YA THINK? Or maybe you don't.