PHOTOS At home with the Obamas (Callie Shell)

[Jackeens]

From 'Obama's 100 Days: Behind-the-Scenes Photos' by Callie Shell at http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1893255,00.html (77 photos)


1

Chat with Dad: Sasha Obama visits her father in the Oval Office. Obama congratulated her on her ability to navigate the building while he was still getting lost.

2

After School: Amid a day packed with events, Obama runs into Michelle and Malia on the ground floor of the residence. Obama speaks often about the relief his family provides from the stresses of the job.

3

Together: The President and First Lady are briefed by Valerie Jarrett before an event with the National Newspaper Publishers Association.

4

Touch Up: Obama allows his tie to be adjusted before the Governor's Dinner.

5

Moment: Music at the Governor's Dinner was provided by the group Earth, Wind and Fire.

6

Listening: White House butler James Ramsey speaks with Malia and Sasha during a dinner organized at the White House by Michelle Obama for public high school students.

7

Hoops: Obama pauses during his first tour of the White House grounds to try out the local rim.

8

The News: On the night this photograph was taken, headlines focused on AIG and the bonuses it had distributed to its executives after having received billions in government bailout money.

9

First Couple: Michelle and Barack wait for a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen.

10

Back Lawn: A table outside the residence provides a good place to take a call.

11

Anecdote: Obama recounts a moment from his visit to London when a spectator grew excited at the sight of his personal aide. "Are YOU Reggie Love?!" the man shouted.

12

Looking at History: On an early tour of the White House residence, Obama stops outside the State Dining Room to consider Aaron Shikler's famous portrait of John F. Kennedy.

13

Quarterback: The President often palms a football or basketball while thinking or during breaks between meetings with staff.

14

Lunch: Biden joins Obama in the private dining room of the West Wing. If they are both in town, the two men meet for lunch once each week.

15

Furniture: The President returns a chair to its place after a meeting in the Oval Office.

16

Gala: Michelle Obama checks over her husband before receiving guests at the Obama's first formal affair, the Governor's Dinner, held at the White House in February.

17

Night Session: This shot was taken in late January, shortly after Obama's term began.

18

Welcome to the White House: The President opens the door to the Oval Office for visitors.

[AtomicKitten]

1. Great pictures. They all look so happy and relaxed. n/t

[alsame]

2. These are great! I love #6 with Mr. Ramsey - I'll bet the WH staff

just loves having those girls in the house.

[NYC Liberal]

11. The one is also up there on my favorites!

I totally feel like he could be "that guy" who would help them get away with stuff they don't want dad to know about. He'd cover for them if they spilled juice on the 150 year old rug or something :P

[alsame]

12. He probably is 'that guy' - the body language suggests

that they are already very comfortable with each other. And they look like they are sharing secrets already :-)

[Terran]

13. Hope Sasha's ok...

She doesn't look very happy there, and she's been through more in the past two years than most of us deal with in a lifetime. It can't be easy.

[NYC Liberal]

14. I'm sure it can't be easy. I think the campaign was probably the hardest

Constantly traveling all over the country, being separated from dad (and mom sometimes too).

Hopefully now they can get settled. But still - it's gonna be tough.

[jbnow]

27. The ood thing is that the girls have more time with dad than they ever did

The campaign was too long and hard (thank God for grandmas) and then they move...
But when Obama was in the state and US Senate he was only with them on weekends or when the senate was not in session. Now he gets little girl hugs morning and night and the whole family is together. Grandma is part of the continuity.

New schools are hard...but also a good thing and most of us have been through that...and without having Michelle and Barack type parents.
It's good.

[Fleshdancer]

22. My first thought too

I know it's hard to tell from just a photo, but the two pics with Sasha in them has me wondering if she's stressed by her new environment. I guess it's the over protective parent in me. :)

[politicasista]

3. Great pics. Thanks.

Love the one with Sasha in the Oval Office. :fistbump:

[islandgirl808]

4. luv 3, 5 & 9 *sigh*

from Hawaii to Chicago to the White House

love it :patriot:

[d_b]

5. great as always. K&R

[Hutzpa]

6. Thanks for posting these excellent photos

it give us light into the man and his people around him.


What a wonderful group....


:thumbsup:


:kick:

[democrank]

7. Terrific!

#6 is my favorite

[Vinca]

8. Great photos. It seems like the Obama were born to live in the White House.

[VeraAgnes]

9. It looks to me that the Obama's

have change the carpet in the Oval Office from the yellow Bush design. Am I correct?

[Canuckistanian]

20. The Obamas decided to keep the rug

And they paid for some redecorating out of their own pocket.

They seem to be sensitive to the fact that so many people have lost their jobs.

[NYC Liberal]

10. I think this could be my favorite:

Barack and Gibbs are discussing *serious business* ... and Michelle is just hanging out, like "Yeah, I think I could get used to this!"

[dancingme]

15. I don't think Bush returned any chairs after meetings

Bush was raised with servants.

[treestar]

31. I was impressed by that too.

President Obama is a considerate person.

[Pirate Smile]

33. It reminds me of this one from the campaign.

“I loved that he cleaned up after himself before leaving an ice cream shop in Wapello, Iowa. He didn’t have to. The event was over and the press had left. He is used to taking care of things himself and I think this is one of the qualities that makes Obama different from so many other political candidates I’ve encountered. Nov. 7, 2007.” via Callie Shell

[FrenchieCat]

16. Such wonderful photos!

My favorites:

Letting the sunlight into the Oval Office!





Can you hear me now?






working overtime for the people






Doing it my way....




Technicolor White House looking hella good!

[roguevalley]

26. finally, someone actually living in all the white house's magnificent

spaces. i love them.

[Cha]

17. Relatively speaking ..the first 100 days

of the Obama admin have been pure bliss.

That Sasha Obama has a little face that just begs to be :*

[jazzjunkysue]

18. I die all over again. I can hardly believe we got this lucky.

Sasha has super cool boots. Michelle is devestating. And, has anyone ever taken a bad photo of this man?

[blueclown]

19. The Oval Office is a national treasure.

It never gets old seeing pictures of the Oval Office. It doesn't matter who graces it. It just looks exceptionally good now since Obama now holds the office. :)

[NYCGirl]

21. Thank you! I just love looking at this family! NT

[jgraz]

23. No matter how much I disagree with Obama's policies, it's impossible to dislike him

This is the part that's so pathetic about the right's hatred. This is one of the most likable, admirable people we've ever seen in politics. It's so sad that the haters can't just enjoy having a president who is, quite frankly, cool.

[a kennedy]

24. from the sludge report on the pictures in Time.........

EXCLUSIVE PHOTO ESSAY! SEE OBAMA MOVE CHAIRS AROUND! ..GAZE AT JFK... THROW FOOTBALL he just can't seem to ever say anything nice or positive about our President.....and I'm sure it pisses them off at just how cool he is.

[file83]

37. What's funny is I didn't know Obama was a lefty (throwing football)

I'm sure it's a bit of Trivia most Obama fans know, but I didn't notice it until now.

[vaberella]

25. Thanks Jackeens, pics 5 and 15 did it for me.

I love how he's holding his wife close and touching her back. I like men who like backs. I love 15 because it makes him that bit more human and polite to me. I like the mundane in the amidst of grandeur.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

28. Extra nice Jackeens, thanks!

[Thrill]

29. Does Callie Shell and Pete Souza get to stay during the meetings?

[Uzybone]

30. #15

its a small thing, but it reinforces the kind of guy I think the President is. Not to big to do the little stuff. Thanks for posting.

[Doremus]

32. Did you see the pic of the Prez's lunch? Saw it earlier at the Time link.

A few crackers and cheeze and a pear. Not enough to keep a bird alive, lol. No wonder he has such a slim figure.

[KBlagburn]

34. #10 is not the White House.

Although these are great pics, any photo journalist should know what is the White House and what isnt. And I am surprise the Time editors did not catch the mistake.

[Jackeens]

39. My mistake KBlagburn, not Time's!

That photo is from Times' Obama in Europe collection, I accidentally included it in this thread - well spotted!

[tblue37]

35. Despite my general antagonism toward Ronald and Nancy Reagan,

I was always touched by the clear evidence of their genuine love for each other.

I also feel deeply touched by the way the Obama's interact with each other and with their little girls.

Because I am severely hearing impaired, I am more attentive to visual cues than most people. I read body language like a pro. Notice how often the candid shots of the Obamas catch Barack leaning in toward Michelle, often touching her forehead with his or her nose with his--or even both. He is famous for putting his hand on people's backs and shoulders when meeting or greeting them, in a show of friendliness that also contains a subtle hint of dominance. But notice how he always touches Micelle when he leans into her like that: his hand rests lightly on her arm, usually just above or below the elbow. He also often touches her lower back as they walk side by side or as she turns to walk away from him.

When she looks at him from across the room, she often lowers her head a bit and gazes up from slightly lowered eyelids. This is a well-known sign of female flirtatiousness. It gives me delight to see this middle-aged couple, who have been married for 16 years and have 2 kids, still flirting playfully with each other all the time.

She also often clasps her hands in an almost prayerful gesture and pulls them up to her lips, even as she smiles or makes a quick kissing gesture with her lips. Do that motion yourself--I mean act it out. Do you feel how it is the natural motion of delight or pleasure in seeing something that you really, really like. It is the same gesture kids do when they come down on Christmas morning and look at all the presents, or when they open a gift that they take great pleasure in?

Whereas Barack touches Michelle gently and lovingly on her arm just below or above her elbow, when Michelle touches him, she is often reaching up to adjust his tie or collar, or to brush or just touch his shoulder. This is a very wifely, motherly gesture, of the sort that comes naturally to most women when touching those they love. Again, watch yourself the next time you reach merely to touch someone you love. If you are male, notice how you use your hand. If you are a woman, notice how you use yours. If you are a loving person, and if you genuinely love the person you are touching, you will recognize the gesture and its similarity to the way the Obamas touch each other.

Now, notice their stance whenever talking to either of their girls. They always lean down or actually squat down to be able to look right into the girls' eyes. They virtually always either put an arm around the child's shoulder or reach out with one or both hands to touch the child's arm. They usually also smile broadly whenever interacting with their daughters. It is so obvious that they really enjoy the company of their children.

Also, notice that whenever the Obama daughters see their parents across a room or a tarmac, their eyes light up, their faces break out in huge grins, and they run to throw themselves into their parents’ arms. Not only do they seem overjoyed to greet their parents but they also are obviously quite sure of their welcome. They know that they will be met with equal delight by the parent they are running to hug. BTW, the parents’ faces also break into huge grins whenever they see their girls from across the room, and, as I mentioned earlier, they also smile most of the time when they are interacting with the girls.

Both of them also are very good at showing respect to other children and babies--and they also obviously enjoy other kids and babies a lot. I ran a home daycare for 18 years. People always wondered why kids were so good for me and why I got along so well with them. But I am also great with animals. Like animals, kids know when they are liked and respected--and when they are not. They respond powerfully to positive vibes. You can see this whenever the Obamas are around children. All around them you can see the smiles of delight on the faces of the children they are speaking to. We are all familiar with the groups of comparison pictures of Obama with babies and toddlers and Bush and McCain with babies and toddlers.

Of course, we also are familiar with pictures of the McCains together and the Bushes together. We do not see anything between these two couples like what we see between Michelle and Barack Obama.

I wills ay, though, that although I respected the obvious love Ronald and Nancy Reagan had for each other, there was a sort of mindlessly worshipful, dependent quality to it that I didn’t admire as much as I admire the respect and love between equals quality of the Obama relationship. When Ron and Nancy looked at each other, the gaze was of adoration, for sure, but it didn’t seem quite “right” in some way. I think because there seemed to be an element of codependency to their interaction. Ron called Nancy “Mommy,” and I think that sort of sums up what bothered me about their interaction. I like the adult quality of the obvious love between the Obamas.

We all enjoy looking at pictures of the Obama family. One reason, obviously, is that they are a handsome group of people. But I think we also just like seeing so much genuine human warmth and love in action. It is so obvious that when they are interacting with one another, the members of this family are all about interacting with each other, not performing “interacting with each other” for the benefit of a nearby camera. In fact, when they focus on each other, all the Obamas seem to forget altogether that they are being photographed—or even that anyone else is anywhere in the vicinity. When we see the side-by-side stiffness of the Bush and McCain married couples, we don’t feel comfortable, because they seem not to feel comfortable with each other.

The Obamas make us feel comfortable.

[islandgirl808]

36. I completely and utterly agree!

I luv the interview michelle did where she talks about date nights and how secure the girls feel in seeing their parents being affectionate with each other. I think we all feel that sense of security when we see those two together. :grouphug:

[SKKY]

38. On picture #10, I swear, I know what he's saying...

...He's talking to Michelle. "Sup baby mama? Watchu wearing right now?" Is it just me, or is he the first president in a very long time who seems like a kid at Disneyland in the White House? Is the POTUS supposed to have fun?