A Virginia family visiting Washington, D.C., recently received a memorable surprise when former President Barack Obama unintentionally wandered into the background of a photo of their children. The unexpected cameo occurred during peak cherry blossom season — a time when thousands flock to the Tidal Basin to admire the city’s iconic blooms.

Belle, age four, and her one-year-old brother Preston were posing for a professional photo when the former president happened to stroll past the scene, unknowingly stepping right into the frame. What might have been a simple family photo quickly turned into a once-in-a-lifetime snapshot thanks to the familiar figure who wandered through the background.

After the image began to circulate online, Obama himself took notice and offered a good-natured apology on social media. “Preston and Belle, hope you enjoyed peak bloom,” he wrote. “My bad for stepping into the shot.” His humorous message added to the excitement surrounding the unexpected moment, turning the image into a small viral sensation.

Every spring, visitors from across the country and around the world travel to the nation’s capital to witness the cherry blossoms burst into color. The Tidal Basin, framed by monuments and floating petals, becomes one of the most photographed locations in the country during peak bloom. Families, tourists, and photographers line the waterfront hoping to capture the perfect shot — though not many expect a former president to wander into the background.

The photo of the siblings shows the children smiling beneath a branch heavy with pastel pink blossoms. The Washington Monument stands tall in the distance, making for a postcard-perfect backdrop. And walking behind the children — hands casually tucked into his pockets, wearing sunglasses and a baseball cap — is none other than Barack Obama, blissfully unaware that he has stepped into a stranger’s family portrait.

The children’s parents, Portia Moore and Damien Thomas, were wrapping up their own photoshoot when the cameo occurred. Moore later recounted the experience on Instagram, where she posted the now-famous picture.

“Look who strolled by in our picture for our family Cherry Blossom photo shoot!” she captioned the photo, clearly still amazed by the moment.

She then shared the behind-the-scenes story. “It’s the kids’ turn to take a photo together and Damien is saying something to me,” she wrote. “I’m just focused on Preston not running toward 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 in his direction. I was like whaaaaat?!”

Moore then rushed to their photographer, desperate to know if the picture had actually been captured. “She scrolls through and BOOM — there it is! The perfect shot!” she wrote.

The photographer, Briana Inell, has been taking portraits of families and children for more than a decade. She told The Washington Post that she’s grown used to tourists appearing in her backgrounds while photographing at the Tidal Basin. The waterfront is always crowded during cherry blossom season, and she often reassures families that stray passersby can be edited out later.

“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’ll be Photoshopped out.’”

But this time, she added, there was no need for editing. Instead of removing someone from the background, the family ended up with one of the most memorable photobomb moments imaginable.

Obama, who has remained a beloved figure for many since leaving office, also shared his own reflections about the day on Instagram. His post featured a peaceful image from his morning walk among the blossoms.

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

His lighthearted posts only added to the joy surrounding the moment, leaving the family — and much of the internet — delighted by the wholesome and unexpected encounter.

In a city packed with tourists, political history, and iconic scenery, chance moments like this sometimes unfold. But for Belle, Preston, and their parents, the day became far more than a simple cherry blossom outing. It turned into a cherished memory — one they’ll likely treasure for years, complete with a rare photobomb from a former president enjoying the spring beauty just like everyone else.