Barack Obama is a master of the casually revealing photo. For months, you'll see the President of the United States blocking out a stiff rectangular space behind all those podiums, seeming a little vulnerably gangly in one of his slightly roomy grey or blue suits, alternating among a familiar reserve of strained expressions meant to convey leadership, certainty, disappointment, concern, reason, gravity, and occasional disgust. But then, at a regularly reaffirming clip, there are these moments when the President of the United States seems most at ease, somewhat unguarded, and most resolutely human. In these scenes, Obama's character doesn't shrink, it swells.

It's been this way from the beginning. Remember Obama in a suit, a cigarette dangling from his lips, looking like one bad motherfucker? Or that incredible photo of the President bending over at the White House, letting five-year-old Jacob touch his hair? But 2012 was the year of the pizza-shop bearhug, the teary-eyed thank-you speech, and the Oval Office meme-shot, "Barack Obama is not impressed." (Pretty sure he got slapped after this though.)

Time just named President Barack Obama "Person of the Year" again, and cite official White House photographer Pete Souza's portraits in their supporting package. You say "fiscal cliff"? We drool back, "But so many great photos."

Obama Visits an Irish Pub in D.C. with his Irish Cousin

St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 2012

"So this one time, when I spent Christmas Eve in a drunk tank. . ."

[Official White House Photo by Pete Souza]

President Obama Does Push-ups During the White House Easter Egg Roll

April 9, 2012

[AP photo by Carolyn Kaster]

President Obama Gives a Kinky Massage To Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Toni Morrison

May 29, 2012

"Ooh, yes, Mr. President, right there."

[Official White House Photo by Pete Souza]

President Obama Gives a Far Less Kinky Rub To His Dog Bo in the Oval Office

June 21, 2012

[Official White House Photo by Pete Souza]

Obama Kisses a Boy on the South Lawn, Proving You Too Can Wear Dinosaur Shorts to the White House and Get a Smooch from the President

Congressional picnic, June 27, 2012

[Official White House Photo by Pete Souza]

President Obama Pretends He's Going To Eat a Little Boy's Head in Ohio

July 5, 2012

[Official White House Photo by Pete Souza]

President Obama Plays Tag in the Oval Office

July 9, 2012

[photo by Pete Souza]

President Obama Meets a Baby With Big Hair

July 11, 2012

"Just a few inches higher and you could be the next Kid 'n Play."

[Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy]

The Hug Heard Round the World

August 15, 2012

This photo from Davenport, Iowa went viral the night of the election.

[photo by Scout Tufankjian]

Barack, Malia, and Sasha Watch Michelle Deliver Her DNC Speech

September 4, 2012

Look at this photo. NO, LOOK AT THIS PHOTO, OHMIGOD, AAHHHHH.

[Official White House Photo by Pete Souza]

Barack and Joe Have a Better Laugh Than You Will Ever In Your Entire Life

September 7, 2012

[photo by Pete Souza]

President Obama Gets a Bear Hug from a Sweaty Pizza Shop Owner

September 9, 2012

[AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais]

Pizza Shop Owner Picks Up President Obama

September 9, 2012

[AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais]

President Obama Visits Hurricane Sandy Victims in Brigantine, N.J.

Oct. 31, 2012

[Official White House Photo by Pete Souza]

President Obama Pretends To Get Caught in a Spider Web

Oct. 31, 2012

[photo via Pete Souza via Time]

Barack Obama Is Not Impressed, Part I

November 17, 2012

"Barack Obama, McKayla Maroney Meme the Oval Office"

Barack Obama Is Not Impressed, Part II

[Official White House Photo by Pete Souza]

"Three Guys Hanging Out Backstage in Columbus"

November 5, 2012

[via Barack Obama's official Twitter account]

President Obama Sheds Tears When Addressing the Nation about the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shooting

December 14, 2012

[AP photo; President Obama Tears Up in Presser on Sandy Hook Shooting]