But as the President prepares for his final days in office, it can be hard to remember how different his first few days were, with the economy in crisis and a contentious election just behind him.
Here’s a look back at some photos of Obama’s first few days in office. Pictures are by Callie Shell for TIME and official White House photographer Pete Souza, who were the only photographers with access to him on those days.
President Barack Obama walks into the Oval Office at the White House for his first full day in office on Jan. 21, 2009.Pete Souza—The White HouseFirst Oval Office picture of President Barack Obama, on Jan. 21, 2009.Callie Shell for TIMEPresident Barack Obama surveys the Cabinet room with family members while touring the White House on his first day in office.Pete Souza—The White HousePresident Barack Obama meets alone with Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel in the Oval Office on his first full day in office on Jan. 21, 2009.Pete Souza—The White HousePresident Barack Obama checks out a portrait of President John Kennedy during an historical tour of the White House residence and grounds in Washington, DC., on Jan. 21, 2009.Callie Shell for TIMEPresident Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama receive visitors in the Blue Room at the White House, on Jan. 21, 2009.Pete Souza—The White HousePresident Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on the first morning he is President of the United States.Callie Shell for TIMEPresident Barack Obama walks on the Colonnade with David Axelrod and Reggie Love (c) on his first day in office on Jan. 21, 2009.Pete Souza—The White HousePresident Barack Obama and Supreme Court Justice John Roberts in the Map Room on the ground floor of the White House Residence.Callie Shell for TIMEPresident Barack Obama talks to Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel in the Outer Oval Office of the White House, on Jan. 21, 2009.Callie Shell for TIMEPresident Barack Obama meets with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the Oval Office shortly after she was confirmed and sworn in on Jan. 21, 2009.Pete Souza—The White HousePresident Barack Obama signs executive orders on Guantanamo in the Oval Office of the White House, on Jan. 22, 2009.Callie Shell for TIMEPresident Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden laugh together in the Oval Office on Jan. 22, 2009.Pete Souza—The White HousePresident Barack Obama at the Daily Economic Briefing in the Oval Office with VP Joe Biden, OMB Director Peter Orszag, Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and Director of the National Economic Council Larry Summers on Jan. 22, 2009.Pete Souza—The White HousePresident Obama watches Press Secretary Robert Gibbs' first Press Briefing on television, in his private study off the Oval Office, on Jan. 22, 2009.Joyce N. Boghosian—The White HThe President meets with his national security and intelligence team in the Situation Room of the White House for the first time, on Jan. 23, 2009.Pete Souza—The White HousePresident Barack Obama places a phone call at his desk in the Oval Office, on Jan. 23, 2009.Pete Souza—The White HousePresident Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have lunch in the Private Dining Room of the West Wing in Washington, DC., on Jan. 23, 2009.Callie Shell for TIMEPresident Barack Obama holds a budget meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the West Wing in Washington, DC., on Jan. 23, 2009.Callie Shell for TIMEPresident Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama tour the State Dining Room with White House Chief Usher Admiral Stephen "Steve" Rochon, left; Curator William "Bill" Allman and Personal Aide Reggie Love, right, on Jan. 24, 2009.Pete Souza—The White HousePresident Barack Obama shoots a basketball during a historical tour of the White House on Jan 24, 2009.Callie Shell for TIMEPresident Barack Obama calls foreign leaders in the Oval Office of the White House, on Jan. 26, 2009.Pete Souza—The White HousePresident Barack Obama attends a lunch with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill, Washington D.C, on Jan. 27, 2009.Pete Souza—The White HousePresident Barack Obama and VP Joe Biden greet military personnel during a visit to the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, on Jan. 28, 2009Pete Souza—The White House
