May 8, 2009 “A temporary White House staffer, Carlton Philadelphia, brought his family to the Oval Office for a farewell photo with President Obama. Carlton’s son softly told the President he had just gotten a haircut like President Obama, and asked if he could feel the President’s head to see if it felt the same as his.”
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama dance at the Commander in Chief Ball at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C., Jan. 21, 2013. The President and First Lady danced to "Let's Stay Together" performed by Jennifer Hudson, right.
Jan. 20, 2009 “We were on a freight elevator headed to one of the Inaugural Balls. It was quite chilly, so the President removed his tuxedo jacket and put it over the shoulders of his wife. Then they had a semi-private moment as staff member and Secret Service agents tried not to look.”
President Barack Obama with First Lady Michelle Obama meets Prince George as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge watch at Kensington Palace in London, April 22, 2016.
President Barack Obama watches First Lady Michelle Obama dance with 106-Year-Old Virginia McLaurin in the Blue Room of the White House prior to a reception celebrating African American History Month, Feb. 18, 2016.
Jan. 20, 2009 “President-elect Barack Obama was about to walk out to take the oath of office. Backstage at the U.S. Capitol, he took one last look at his appearance in the mirror.”
Oct. 16, 2015 "During the autumn months, as the sun dips lower in the sky, the light in the Oval Office changes throughout the day. Here, late one afternoon, the sun illuminated the President as he spoke on the telephone with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan."
Feb. 23, 2015 "The President's daughter Malia stopped by the Oval Office one afternoon to see her dad and, while they were talking, she wiped something from his face."
April 7, 2009 “President Obama fist-bumps a U.S. soldier at Camp Victory in Baghdad. The President was treated to an overwhelming reception by the troops.”
Throughout the eight years of President Obama's tenure, one man captured almost every moment.
Pete Souza was the official White House photographer, and was by Obama's side through history being made, to quieter moments of reflection, to moments of levity and laughter.
See some of his amazing pictures above. Quotes are in Souza's own words.
Listen to his interview with Newstalk ZB HERE
Photos: Pete Souza
