Deadbeat Photographer Takes Official White House Family Portrait

The White House has released the official Obama family portrait, which was taken by Annie Leibovitz. What do you think that gig pays?

Leibovitz’s commercial day rate is $US250,000, according to New York magazine. We certainly hope taxpayers didn’t pay her that much to document for posterity the fundamental adorableness of the First Family. Perhaps the Obamas, or Obama’s campaign arm, footed the bill. Or maybe Leibovitz performed her duties gratis. That would have been especially admirable, however, seeing as how this picture was taken on September 1, one week before Leibovitz’s deadline to repay the $US24 million loan she owed to high-end artsharks Art Capital Group or lose possession of her photographic legacy. That deadline was eventually extended, but there must have been a lot on Annie’s mind when this photo was taken.