A Virginia family visiting Washington, D.C., had an unforgettable experience during what was supposed to be a simple cherry blossom photo shoot. While capturing special memories of their two young children at the iconic Tidal Basin, they received an unexpected — and very famous — photobomber: former President Barack Obama.

As Belle, age 4, and Preston, just 1 year old, posed beneath the capital’s famous cherry blossom trees, Obama unintentionally walked into the frame of a professional photo being taken. The resulting image, which has since made the rounds online, shows the two smiling children framed perfectly by a branch of soft pink blossoms, with the Washington Monument visible in the background. Behind them, strolling casually in sunglasses and a baseball cap, hands in his pockets, is the unmistakable figure of the 44th President of the United States.

Realizing the moment he’d accidentally stepped into, Obama later addressed the incident with grace and good humor on social media. “Preston and Belle, hope you enjoyed peak bloom,” he wrote. “My bad for stepping into the shot.”

The annual bloom of cherry blossoms in D.C. draws visitors from all over the world, and the Tidal Basin is a favorite spot for tourists and locals alike to enjoy the fleeting beauty of the season. For parents Portia Moore and Damien Thomas, this year’s visit was intended to be a cherished family moment — but it ended up becoming a viral sensation.

“Look who strolled by in our picture for our family Cherry Blossom photo shoot!” Moore excitedly shared on Instagram, posting the now-famous photo.

She went on to describe the moment in more detail. “Story time! It’s the kids’ turn to take a photo together and Damien is saying something to me,” Moore wrote. “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!”

OBAMA PHOTOBOMB!
A local mom & dad took their kids on a cherry blossom photo shoot @ the Tidal Basin yesterday morning… and look who walked right by! @nbcwashington pic.twitter.com/nB9UMtDvRq

— Joseph Olmo (@ReporterJoseph) April 1, 2025

The photographer behind the lens, Briana Inell, spoke to the *Washington Post* about the surreal experience. Inell has been a professional photographer for more than a decade, specializing in family and baby portraits. She explained that while photobombers are not uncommon during shoots at the Tidal Basin, this was definitely a first.

“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.’”

In this case, however, no one wanted the surprise guest removed from the final image. The presence of a former president turned an already beautiful family photo into a once-in-a-lifetime keepsake.

Even Obama seemed to enjoy the unexpected encounter. In addition to his lighthearted apology, he posted his own message 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!”

What began as a routine photo shoot ended in a heartwarming and humorous moment that the Moore-Thomas family — and the internet — won’t soon forget.