Barack Obama's First Year in the White House

[HughMoran]

Tough Decisions
In the Roosevelt Room on December 2, the President's economic advisers brief him about the employment situation. "Obama's reactions are very subtle," says photographer Shell, "I wait for moments that reflects the mood of the room, or the weight of the job."


Round Table Discussion
During the White House job summit, Obama listens to business leaders during a break-out session held in the Executive Office Building on December 3. "People usually ask if Obama has changed," says Shell. "Essentially, I see the same man I saw on the campaign — he still listens to several opinions, he still likes to have his ideas challenged."


Backstage Prep
The President adjusts the Vice President's flag pin before being introduced at the White House job summit in early December. "I have photographed President Obama for almost five years," says Shell, "but I still get nervous. That's good though — it heightens my awareness so hopefully I can tell when my subject needs a break from me."


Family Time
On a day off from school, Sasha stops by to say hello to her father in the Oval Office. "This was during the first month at the White House," says Shell, "And the President was still trying to find his own way around. He was very impressed his seven-year-old found her own way there."


Behind the Scene
The President holds a meeting on NASA in the Oval Office in February. "I try to mesh into the scenery," says Shell. "Which is kind of hard since I'm 6 ft. tall, and there's the constant click of my camera If I can I sit on the floor or my knees waiting for a moment to happen, but also trying to stay out of the way. When I finished shooting the Clinton White House as a staff photographer, eight years ago, someone told me it looked like my knees had been hit with a sledgehammer. Its a common photographers' woe."


On Message
Robert Gibbs and David Axelrod check their Blackberrys as they wait with Obama in the Speaker's Office before the President addresses Congress. "Everyone in the White House works so hard," says Shell. "I want people to see how dedicated they are."


Face Time
The President meets with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi in the Cabinet Room after a meeting with Democratic leaders on the budget proposal. "We all know what Barack Obama looks like," says Shell. "So most of my photographs are loosely composed. I try to show more than just the President. I include what's going on around him so you can get a sense of what his job and his life are like."


Safety Check
Staffers finalize security details for the President on Air Force One before touching down in Baghdad. "I like chaos, action," says Shell. "When people are busy, they forget about you."


Commander-in-Chief
The Presidents greets U.S. military personnel at Baghdad's Camp Victory. "I think it must be hard for any President who inherits a war," says Shell. "The President seemed very moved by this visit."


Team Obama
The President and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton confer on Air Force One in April as they head for Strasbourg, France, where the President gave a speech. "The two seem to have developed a strong working relationship," says Shell.


Watch and Wait
Obama checks the time before his second primetime televised press conference in March. "The President usually likes a few minutes of reflection alone before giving a speech," says Shell.


Season's Greetings
The First Couple greets guests at a White House holiday party on December 3. "The First Lady can always make the President laugh," says Shell. "They really are best friends."


The Commute
Obama heads home to have dinner with his family in early December. "One thing that has been so nice for the President," says Shell, "is to have his family around him. He can take a break and eat dinner with his daughters— or help them with their homework — before heading back to the Oval Office."

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1946919_2011509,00.html#ixzz0cT2NIqDx

[TicketyBoo]

1. Thanks

for the picture and the link.

I am so glad to have this man on the job. It seems like the more people try to tear him down, the more grateful I am to have him in the White House. It seems almost too good to be true, and that's a trifle scary.

[Cha]

3. Yeah, I gotta say

I feel the same way. Cool~

I love that pic of Pres Obama and Hillary..it's epic!

[rebel with a cause]

11. I was just thinking that Hillary is close to my age

(although she looks a lot better than I do) and I am close to Barack's mother's age if she was still alive. I wonder if this makes the comfort zone easier for him. I know I felt like it did when I talked with him way back when. Of course there were ladies there that were his grandmother's age and he seemed even more comfortable with them. ;)

[Cha]

2. Thank you, Hugh..

Callie Shell is such an awesome photograper..she makes the historical moments so alive for us out here in the country.

[Tarheel_Dem]

4. Thanks for posting these. I saw clips of him earlier on teevee, and he...

looks tired. I wish he'd been able to get some substantive rest on his "vacation", but it goes with the job. I can't imagine having anyone else in office at this time.

[firedupdem]

6. Me either....

Must be exhausting! And each time he's attempted a vacation, something bad happens. Senator Kennedy passed away during the summer and then the failed bombing during Christmas. Crazy.

[rebel with a cause]

12. "I wish he'd been able to get some substantive rest"

Shame he can't catch a nap during all those meetings the way duffus was reported doing during his eight year vacation. angry :sarcasm:

That anyone can set and complain endlessly about Obama makes me think there can only be one..maybe two..reasons for them doing so. I can understand having a complaint when they disagree with something he does, but the complete hate of him tells me that they are a repub or a racist, or both. Sorry to be so absolute but that is the way I feel about it because like you I can't imagine having anyone else there looking out for us at this time.

:shrug:

[sandnsea]

5. I love the energy in these photos

You can really see the seriousness in each one, of all the people in this administration. That is very reassuring. They all seem equal, no matter who is in the meeting. You can't pick out any kind of hierarchy at all, that's very good. And I really like that every article says that the Obamas really are best friends and just like they appear in public. It's good to know couples can sustain a relationship with a little effort and commitment.

Thanks!!

[Cha]

7. Yes, it's amazing group of people

who have been called together at this point in history to do an extraordinary service.

[FrenchieCat]

8. This ain't gonna be easy,

but it appears that we've got many of the best of the best to get her done....

Steep climb, like Obama said, but we will get there. :patriot:

[goclark]

9. Yes.We.Cam get the job done with this exceptional leadership

:patriot:

[Blue_Roses]

10. I love these pics...

:)

[Cha]

13. High Kick for the First Year, baby!

[azmouse]

14. Here's another pic for ya!

[MoJoWorkin]

15. Thanks for the laugh---just when I want to throw in the towel

Someone here always comes along to make me want to stay.

[azmouse]

16. You're welcome!

That happens to me too. I think it would be best to leave and then I'll read a post by an Obama-supporting DUer and staying seems worthwhile.
I'm glad I could make you smile today. :hi: