Photo Of Barack Obama In DC Goes Viral

A Virginia family visiting Washington, D.C., experienced an unforgettable moment when former President Barack Obama unexpectedly walked into the background of their children's cherry blossom photo.

The incident took place at the Tidal Basin, where many people noticed Obama unintentionally photobombing a professional picture of Belle, 4, and Preston, 1, as they posed beneath the iconic cherry blossom trees.

Obama later acknowledged the moment on social media, writing, "Preston and Belle, hope you enjoyed peak bloom. My bad for stepping into the shot."

Every spring, visitors from across the globe flock to the nation’s capital to witness the cherry blossoms in full bloom.

The heartwarming image features the two smiling children standing under a branch of pink blossoms, with the Washington Monument visible in the background. In the distance, Obama is casually walking past, hands in his pockets, wearing a cap and sunglasses.

Just as the children's parents, Portia Moore and Damien Thomas, were finishing up their family photo session, Moore shared her reaction on Instagram to the unexpected guest in their picture.

"Look who strolled by in our picture for our family Cherry Blossom photo shoot!" she captioned the post.

"Story time! It’s the kids’ turn to take a photo together and Damien is saying something to me," she continued. "I’m just focused on Preston not running towards the water (peak mom moment). After that shoot was done, I pick Preston up and asked Damien ‘what were you saying’? He goes ‘that was President Obama who just walked by’ and looks his direction. I was like whaaaaat?! I ran to the photographer and asked her if she got the picture. She scrolls through and BOOM there it is! The perfect shot!"

Briana Inell, the photographer capturing the moment, told the Washington Post that she has spent over a decade photographing families and babies.

She explained that having people walk into the background of her pictures is not uncommon.

"I go to the Tidal Basin every single year," Inell said. "I’m very used to people walking in on my pictures. I tell my clients ‘don’t worry, they will be Photoshopped out.’"

Obama not only offered an apology for the unexpected photobomb but also shared his own thoughts about the day on Instagram.

"It’s fun to be able to play tourist once in a while. The cherry blossoms were beautiful this morning!" he wrote.