WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama’s White House is coming to a close, as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office.

Obama’s eight years as POTUS brought historic moments, major initiatives, Oval Office laughs and celebrity encounters.

White House Photographer Pete Souza and his staff were there to capture everything along the way. The images range from remarkable moments in America’s history to personal, behind-the-scenes images of the first family. WTOP has picked its favorite photos out of the thousands of images collected during the Obama administration.

Check out different galleries of the following highlights:

Historic moments

Commander- and executive-in-chief

Vice President Biden

First family

Around the White House

Obama with children 

Celebrities