Former president’s unexpected cameo goes viral
Former President Barack Obama unintentionally turned a family’s cherry blossom outing into an unforgettable moment after photobombing their picture. The viral snapshot, shared by Portia Moore, captures her children, Preston and Belle, posing against the scenic backdrop of Washington, D.C.’s cherry blossoms—unaware that Obama was walking by in the background.
A surprise encounter during a morning stroll
Moore recounted the moment on social media, describing how she was focused on keeping her young son from running toward the water when her husband, Damien Thomas, pointed out the surprising passerby.
“After that shoot was done, I picked Preston up and asked Damien, ‘What were you saying?’ He goes, ‘That was President Obama who just walked by!’ 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!”
Photographer Briana Inell, who was capturing the moment, admitted that she had not realized Obama had walked into the frame. “I was focused on the blossoms to the right and the Washington Monument to the left,” she told The New York Times.
Obama’s reaction: ‘My bad for stepping into the shot’
As the photo gained traction online, it caught the attention of Obama himself. He reshared the image on his Instagram Stories, writing:
“Preston and Belle, I hope you enjoyed peak bloom! My bad for stepping into the shot.”
Obama had been taking an early morning stroll around the Tidal Basin, a scenic reservoir between the National Mall and the Potomac River. Later that day, he shared his own appreciation for the seasonal blooms, posting:
“It’s fun to be able to play tourist once in a while. The cherry blossoms were beautiful this morning!”
A memory to last a lifetime
For the Moore family, the chance encounter has turned into a treasured family heirloom.
“This story is one to remember, and the picture is a family heirloom (literally). And nope, we did not bother him on his much-needed peaceful stroll,” Moore wrote in her caption.
Reflecting on the moment, Thomas acknowledged how surreal the experience was:
“In the act of it, you don’t even think that you’re going to see President Obama, right? So you don’t put two and two together until after the fact and you realize—OK, that really is President Obama.”
The unexpected presidential photobomb has since captured hearts online, reminding people of the charm and spontaneity of everyday moments.