Photographer, Callie Shell, has released never before seen photos of former US president Barack Obama from as far back as 2004 when she met him while he was running for senator.

Shell spent time with Obama and his family at their home in Chicago during his campaign for senator and president and she was also backstage at Obama’s inauguration.

And she continued photographing them at the White House.

There are photos of Obama doing push-ups backstage, dozing off on his campaign bus, a sad looking Michelle improvising with crates to form a stage elevation, romantic moments with wife, Michelle and even doing dishes with his kids.

Callie Shell has released the photos which are compiled in a new book, Hope, Never Fear: A personal potrait of the Obamas, which contains more than 100 photos of Barack and his wife, Michelle Obama, taken behind the scenes.

See some photos below.