Baby whisperer-in-chief! Barack Obama proves he's a natural at charming kids in new photos from the White House President Obama says the role of dad is the 'best job' he's got, and a new set of images from the White House reveal his natural ability when it comes to charming kids. The candid photos taken by official photographer Pete Souza throughout the month of June, show the 51-year-old, father-of-two on tour in Africa and Europe and on duty back at home. One shot shows him playfully puffing out his cheeks as he cradles a colleague's baby in his arms and another shows him squatting down so he can talk eye to eye with a group of kindergarten children. Clearly a natural: President Barack Obama holds six-month-old Talia Neufeld, daughter of departing staff member Adam Neufeld, in the Oval Office on June 14 A particularly powerful photo captures the President as he embraces one of the younger residents of Goree Island in Senegal. The little boy's delighted father is seen fist pumping the air in the background among the crowds gathered. On the day before Father's Day this year President Obama used his weekly radio address to lament the fact that his own father wasn't around during his early years. Loving embrace: The father-of-two hugs one of the younger residents of Goree Island in Senegal Lending his ear: Another photo from the President's nine-day June Africa tour shows him addressing some young fans in the lobby of his hotel Seeing eye to eye: Mr Obama squats down so he can address this group of kindergarten children with British Prime Minister David Cameron during a visit to Enniskillen Primary School in Northern Ireland 'I never really knew my own father,' he said. I was raised by a single mom and two wonderful grandparents...But I still wish I had a dad who was not only around, but involved. He previously referred to his mother in an interview as "the dominant figure in my formative years . . . The values she taught me continue to be my touchstone when it comes to how I go about the world of politics. In his June 15 speech he went on to describe his role of 'dad' as the 'best job I've got.' 'When I look back on my life I won't be thinking about any particular legislation that I passed or policy that I promoted. Nerve-wracking: Nine-year-old twins Zea and Luna Weiss-Wynne introduce the President at the LGBT Pride Month celebration in the East Room of the White House on June 13 Tough challenge: President Obama holds court with this group of students from William R. Harper High School in Chicago 'I'll be thinking about Michelle and the journey that we've been on together,' he continued. 'I'll be thinking about Sasha's dance recitals and Malia's tennis matches.' There was also strong theme of equality in his message, as he noted that it is a constant struggle to succeed at fatherhood for all dads, even him. Being a good parent - whether you're gay or straight; a foster parent or a grandparent - isn't easy,' he said. Happy occasion: This Father's Day President Obama hosted a special luncheon to celebrate parenthood, this group of high school students were among those invited All ears: The President clearly has the attention of this group of young female basketball players Doting dad: President Obama, seen hugging his 12-year-old daughter Sasha, says he loves being a father It demands your constant attention, frequent sacrifice, and a healthy dose of patience. And nobody's perfect. To this day, I'm still figuring out how to be a better husband to my wife and father to my kids. President Obama also marked the occasion with a special state luncheon at the White House. Fathers and their children, along with students and leaders from the high school mentoring program, Becoming a Man, were among those treated to burgers, fries and lemonade in the State Dining Room. During the event he took time out to cradle a baby, who seemed distinctly underwhelmed by his encounter. Sporting star: Seven-foot-tall Dallas Mavericks basketball player Dirk Nowitzki meets the President and German Chancellor Angela Merkel before a state dinner in Berlin, Germany Showing the active role he plays as a parent, that same weekend he attended his daughter Malia's dance recital in North Bethesda, Maryland. He was seen outside the music center at Strathmore with his arm around his daughter and walking with first lady Michelle Obama. Other pictures released by Mr Souza, some of which have been seen before, show the President talking with world leaders during the G8 Summit at Lough Erne Resort in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland and meeting seven-foot-tall basketball player, Dirk Nowitzki.