On January 20th, I had the opportunity to be among the millions of people gathered on the National Mall for the swearing in ceremony of our 44th U.S. President, Barack Obama. My journey began at 4am on the way to the Metro station, and included hours of waiting in lines for the 11:30am inauguration. At the end of the day, it was ALL worth it. During the ceremony, I was standing in the section directly behind the seats. I must say, after being a part of the crowd and witnessing the emotion that day, I will never look at those DC monuments and Capitol building the same again. The crowd was about four or five times larger than at the Lincoln Memorial concert two days earlier. Here are some images from Inauguration day in DC.
Waiting in line before sunrise.
Secret Service and the back of the line for my gate.
The view from where I stood
Another view from the same place, zoomed in.
The moment of the day
People taking photos with the presidential seal
I was there!
Colin Powell waving to the crowd, while waiting to do a TV interview
The view of the Mall from the Capitol
The beginning of the parade route, view from the Capitol
People were walking on the frozen reflecting pool, some more nervous than others.
Kodak moments everywhere…
Even police officers couldn’t resist.
Lots of interesting signs
Steady stream of people exiting the subway station, just after sunset.
Amazing photos as usual!!! I’ve been checking the website in anticipation of the update from the inauguration.
Nice. Thanks for sharing. I will never forget this.
Sonja Bruce
I watched it from home. Thanks for sharing the “real” experience!
Hey Benson,
Thanks for allowing me to share this day through your lenses!
Allen Ellis
Out The Box Mime
Breathtaking!!
I watched from home and cried like a baby! I felt as though I were right there with the rest of you; but thanks for sharing what CNN, WCHS, and others didn’t capture. A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE!!!
I wish I could have been there, but seeing your images….makes me really envious. :-) Thank you for wonderful images of this wonderful moment in time.
President Obama should make you the official White House photographer. Someone get me his Blackberry number!
Man, you did it again.
Benson, these are awesome. We all saw the TV stuff over and over again. Thanks for a fresh perspective.
Benson,
Thanks so much for bringing the DC experience to us through your eyes. You always do a remarkable job and you need to be President Obama’s White House photographer you are so good at what you do. Take Care and enjoy DC. We at Virginia Mass Choir miss you from following us and taking shots of us.
God Bless and Keep You, Ophelia
You have a great eye. Thanks for sharing your perspective of this historic moment.
I was there too!! Thanks for sharing
I have never seen you look so happy! Thanks for being so generous.
Great photos – thanks so much for sharing this special day with me.
Great pictures. Thanks for sharing.
Mr. Blake, the photos are very wonderful. Keep up the GREAT work.
Benson, great pictures! Thanks for sharing your experience with me.
I remember you being there Benson. You took and shared some beautiful, and breathtaking pictures. I’m so excited and happy that you our family member represented all of us back home. That’s a year we’ll always cherishhed and remember. Love you.