Barack Obama presidency: Best of behind-the-scenes photos by official lensman Pete Souza

Pete Souza shares his favourite photographs before the Obama administration is replaced in January.

Incredible candid moments of Barack Obama
U.S. President Barack Obama kisses first lady Michelle as they dance at the Eastern Regional Inaugural Ball in Washington January 20, 2009. Reuters

As we slowly head towards the end of the presidential term of US President Barack Obama, we look back to those exciting and nostalgic moments of the past eight years. Although it is quite difficult to concisely round up all these years, Pete Souza, the chief White House photographer, has managed to capture some amazing candid moments of the modern-day political icon.

"It's been the honour of a lifetime to be a witness to history these past eight years," Souza told BBC. Throughout these years, he has taken over 2 million pictures of the President. He shared his favourite and most candid photographs with the media before the Obama administration is replaced in January.

"Yes, there are some historic moments included but mostly I was looking for behind-the-scenes moments that give people a more personal look at the president and first lady," he added.

Incredible candid moments of Barack Obama
Local fishing guide Dan Vermillion (L) reacts as President Barack Obama (R) hooks a trout on the East Gallatin River near Belgrade, Montana in this official handout photo taken on August 14, 2009 Reuters
Incredible candid moments of Barack Obama
U.S. President Barack Obama wears a classic explorers hat as he tours the Egyptian Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx in this handout photo taken June 4, 2009 outside of Cairo and later released by the White House. Reuters
Incredible candid moments of Barack Obama
U.S. President Barack Obama is photographed playing football on the South Lawn of the White House with the family dog Bo in this handout photo taken in Washington, on May 12, 2009 and later released by the White House. Reuters
Incredible candid moments of Barack Obama
U.S. President Barack Obama holds 3-D glasses in his hand while watching the NFL's Super Bowl XLIII game at a Super Bowl Party with family, friends, staff members and bipartisan members of the U.S. Congress, in the family theater of the White House, in this handout photo taken in Washington, February 1, 2009 and later released by the White House. Reuters
Incredible candid moments of Barack Obama
U.S. President Barack Obama, along with Cabinet Secretaries and Members of Congress, watch a shot during a basketball game on the White House court in this handout photo taken in Washington on October 8, 2009 and later released by the White House. Reuters
Incredible candid moments of Barack Obama
U.S. President Barack Obama receives teddy bears as a gift for his daughters from FBI director Robert Mueller during his visit to FBI headquarters in Washington April 28, 2009. Reuters
Incredible candid moments of Barack Obama
U.S. President Barack Obama takes aim with a photographer's camera backstage prior to remarks about providing mortgage payment relief at Dobson High School in Mesa, Arizona, in this handout photo taken February 18, 2009 and later released by the White House. Reuters
Incredible candid moments of Barack Obama
U.S. President Barack Obama presents the Medal of Freedom to Joe Medicine Crow - High Bird during a ceremony in the East Room at the White House in Washington, August 12, 2009. Reuters
Incredible candid moments of Barack Obama
President Barack Obama listens to comments during a briefing with advisors in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in this handout photo taken in Washington May 4, 2009 and later released by the White House. Reuters
Incredible candid moments of Barack Obama
President Barack Obama bends over so that the son of a White House staff member can pat his head during a family visit to the Oval Office in this handout photo taken in Washington May 8, 2009 and later released by the White House. Reuters
Incredible candid moments of Barack Obama
US President Barack Obama Pete Souza/White House
Incredible candid moments of Barack Obama
U.S. President Barack Obama puffs out his cheeks at a baby as he greets people in the crowd after his remarks at a Hillary for America campaign event at the Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, North Carolina, U.S. November 4, 2016. Reuters
Incredible candid moments of Barack Obama
U.S. President Barack Obama dances with daughter Sasha as they walk from the Oval Office to a luau, or a Hawaiian feast, on the South Lawn of the White House for members of Congress and their families in Washington, June 25, 2009 Reuters
Incredible candid moments of Barack Obama
U.S. President Barack Obama talks to aides as he sits on the steps of the U.S. Ambassador's residence in Paris in this handout photo taken in Paris, June 7, 2009 and later released by the White House. Reuters

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