Fearing another challenging commute into downtown, I hurriedly dressed, slung my gear over my shoulder, and set off for the nearest Metro stop inside the Beltway. Upon descending underground into the Metro system I was surprised to see a nearly completely empty Metro train pull into the station. Metro was running trains every two minutes, but because of a much smaller than expected turnout, they were largely empty. It was a stark contrast compared to four years ago when millions descended on the Washington area, stretching its infrastructure to the breaking point.

I arrived downtown in less time than the same commute requires at rush hour. My next goal was to navigate a number of security checkpoints that ringed the White House in concentric circles. With a lanyard ladened with a sickening number of credentials, I passed through what seemed like countless concrete barriers, road blocks, security checkpoints manned by city cops and Secret Service agents. After an EOD sweep and one last trip through the magnetometers, I was finally where I needed to be to cover the days festivities. 

Busses blocked access to streets around the White House, this one at the intersection of 17th and I, on the morning of the 57th Inaugural on Sunday, January 20, 2013 in Washington, D.C. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

The White House North Lawn at sunrise.

My editor at The New York Times had asked me to stick with President Obama throughout the whole day. Our first event was a photo spray of The President and his family arriving for a church service at St John's, an Episcopal Church one block North of the White House on Lafayette Park. As I waited with other photojournalists I photographed cabinet secretaries and other important folks arriving through the side door for the service. While not a spectacular photo-op by any measure, this was the world's first chance to see who First Lady Michelle Obama was wearing. Speedily transmitting the photos was of the essence, as fashionistas and industry bloggers the world round waited breathlessly for photos.

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughter Sasha Obama arrive at St. John's Church near the White House for a church service.

Vice President Joseph R. Biden and his wife Dr. Jill Biden, greet the Reverend Dr. Luis León outside St. John's Church.

President Barack Obama enters St. John's Church for a church service near the White House.

Secret Service limousines belonging to President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph r. Biden sit outside St. John's Church.

After church we returned to the White House and formed up with the motorcade to travel to the Hill for a re-enactment swearing-in on the West front of the U.S. Capitol. Military personnel stood at attention saluting along the parade route as we traveled down Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol. During the re-enactment swearing-in the White House travel pool held in a Senate hearing room and watched a television feed of the ceremony in real time. 

President Barack Obama's motorcade assembles on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House before traveling to Capitol Hill.

Law Enforcement Officers mill about as parade goers begin to fill in the stands along Pennsylvanian Avenue.

A U.S. Marine salutes as President Barack Obama's motorcade arrives on Capitol Hill.

Journalists watch as President Barack Obama re-enacts taking the oath of office Capitol Hill.

Next the still photographers bundled up and loaded onto flatbed photo trucks from which we would cover the Inaugural parade. There were three trucks (TV, pooled stills, and unilateral stills) that would "dance" and jockey for position in front of the Presidential Limousine for the duration of the parade. No news event in Washington would be complete without a few hours of waiting around in the cold, so we occupied the time with much Instagramming  and story sharing. The parade started over an hour late, allowing for nice golden light to break through the clouds and dot the parade route. The highlight of the parade is when The President and First Lady emerge from their limousine and walk a block or two waving to the ecstatic crowds who line Pennsylvania Avenue. All you can do is be prepared and hope the show isn't blocked by other photo trucks, Secret Service Agents, or government photographers. While we were blocked by any combination of the three, there were thankfully a few moments for us to make semi-clean frames of the First Couple's walk.

The Photo Truck - Instagram by Doug Mills (@nytmills)

U.S. Air Force Airmen walk down Constitution Avenue during the inaugural parade on the afternoon the 57th Inaugural.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama's motorcade progresses down Pennsylvania Avenue during the inaugural parade on the afternoon the 57th Inaugural on Monday, January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

Parade goers react as President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama pass by on Constitution Avenue during the inaugural parade.

A Secret Service Agent in a decoy limousine watches President Barack Obama's limousine intently in his rear view mirror during the Inaugural Parade.

Crowds gathered near The Newseum on Pennsylvania Avenue during the inaugural parade.

A U.S. Navy sailor stood at ease during the parade.

Parade goers watch from a rooftop as President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama travel down Pennsylvania Avenue during the inaugural parade. 

A Secret Service Agent stands at the end of the parade route near Pennsylvanian and 17th Street.

Upon reaching the White House, the photo trucks disbanded and I made my way to the parade media stand in Lafayette Park in front of the White House. From there I transmitted my best photos from the photo truck and tried to keep an eye out for any interesting pictures happening in front of me as the parade meandered by. President Obama, Vice President Biden, and their families watched from a posh reviewing stand enclosed by ballistic glass directly across Pennsylvania Avenue from us. Near the end of the parade I walked to the New York Times DC Bureau and changed into a dark suit to cover The Inaugural Ball that evening. 

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters watch the inaugural parade from the Presidential Reviewing Stand on the evening of the 57th Inaugural.

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joseph R. Biden watch as U.S. Navy Sailors march past the Presidential Reviewing Stand.

President Barack Obama watches a NASA space capsule roll down Pennsylvania Avenue from the Presidential Reviewing Stand.

Once again we loaded the motorcade, this time traveling to the Washington Convention Center for the Inaugural Balls. We held in the buffer for performances by Brad Paisley and the band Fun as we waited for the Inaugural dance between POTUS and FLOTUS. Finally they emerged onto an ornate set and slow danced as Jennifer Hudson sang "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green. After the First Couple left we scrambled back to the motorcade and I transmitted in hopes of making the late edition of the paper. We got back to the White House around 10:30 and were finally finished for the day. 

President Barack Obama's limousine idles in the basement of the Washington Convention Center after arriving for The Inaugural Ball.

Press photographers await the arrival of The President and First Lady on stage.

A sound man from White House Television waits for POTUS to arrive.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama dance to Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" as performed by Jennifer Hudson at The Inaugural Ball on the night of the 57th Inaugural on Monday, January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. Luke Sharrett for The New York Times.

Pennsylvania Avenue is seen following the Inaugural Parade on the evening of the 57th Inaugural.

Refuse from the inaugural parade is piled up in Lafayette Park on Pennsylvania Avenue.

To end the day right I met up with my wonderful girlfriend and my super-talented New York Times colleagues for a late late dinner and a beer. I couldn't have asked for a better way to finish my year as a contract photographer for the NYT than to have a front seat to history with a camera in hand. I'm now back at Western Kentucky University finishing my last undergrad semester, but am so grateful for the love and opportunities afforded to me by mentors Doug Mills and Stephen Crowley and all the photo editors in New York. You guys and gals are the best of the best. Thank you for affording the opportunity of a lifetime to someone who never deserved it in the first place.

Thanks for looking!

**Photos copyright Luke Sharrett and The New York Times**