MY FAVORITE IMAGES OF 2024
Every year, I post my favorite photographs that I’ve taken from the past year. It’s nice because it reminds me of how I’ve grown.
I’m not going to do that this year. At least, not as I usually do. There will be some of my actual best work. But there will also be images that— while not technically perfect— have meaning to me. And some photos that are of me, but not by me.
It’s been a hell of a year. Let me show you.
I’m putting this one first. It won’t be the best photograph you see on this list, but this is the most important.
I’m standing atop the Zydeco Scream. At it’s highest point, it is 116 feet high. I am deathly afraid of heights. But I did this anyway. I needed to do it. To prove to myself that I can do anything. So I climbed this monstrosity and used my DJI Mini 4k drone to take the image.
Fujifilm and Luminar Neo sponsored a Photowalk to promote their products. I actually did test out the new Fujufilm x100vi, but I mostly shot with my Sony a7c and Sigma 24mm f/1.4.
This shot was taken just outside of the St Louis Cathedral at nightfall. The subject is another photographer who was trying to get his shot of the model in. While I was waiting for my turn to shoot, I saw this opportunity. A lot of being a great photographer is just this, seeing something others might not.
The starburst flare really completes the image and draws you in.
This shot was also taken at the photowalk a few minutes later. You can see that it’s the same location, but at a different angle.
You have to know how your lenses behave and what kind of look you’re going for. Shooting with the 24mm really brings you into the scene. Everything about this shot is perfect. It is one of my all time favorite portraits.
My oldest friend got married this year. Since I was not the wedding photographer, I needed to remind myself not to be a distraction and to stay out of the way. I brought my Canon m6 mk2 & a telephoto lens so that I could discreetly take some photographs for myself.
This shot of him dancing with his mom is my favorite of the bunch.
Sunrise at Jazzland. I’ve spent a significant portion of the last year in this park. This was actually my first and only sunrise there. So far anyway. This shot was worth the wait.
I’ve taken thousands of photos of Jason Lanier in the last two years. This is in my top five. Taken on Main Street in Jazzland after a flood.
The only thing that could make this shot better was if the puddle extended a few feet out towards the camera. But man, there is nothing like when water gets that glass look.
Drone photography is a game changer. It literally allows you to take shots at previously unfathomable angles. This image, for instance. It was taken from about 15 feet up, inside the Zydeco Zing’s inner circle. I saw the swing’s chains and thought it would be cool to shoot from behind them. I was right. This is one of the best photographs I’ve ever taken.
Jason told me this is one of his favorite shots of him of all time. It’s sort of like Jordan telling you that you had one of the best jump shots ever.
This image was taken as he was getting done landscaping with a chainsaw for several hours. My iPhone was the only camera I had on me, but it did the job.
My nephew having a drink after eating pudding.
This is the most adorable shot ever.
My Godson at Universal Studios, having a Minions fizzy ice thingy.
Like the previous image, this one won’t win any awards. It’s fine. But it isn’t art.
But the thing about photographers is that we sometimes need to be reminded that photography isn’t about getting things technically correct or shooting with big, honking cameras and shiny lenses.
It’s about capturing something important. Me spending time with my godson is important.
I'm out of focus and making a weird face. It’s fine. It doesn’t matter.
My friends and I had an amazing vacation a couple of weeks ago. There are few things better than seeing the world with people you love. This was taken in Key West. We’re on top of a tower 90 feet in the air. This climb wasn’t as bad as the Scream, but it was still nerve wracking for me. The fear doesn’t go away. Every battle is fresh. But I still won.
My Mom holding her sleeping grandson. I don’t think this one needs explanation.
Image credit: Jason Lanier.
I thought this was a good way to end it. Two lunatics with cameras. We’ve done so many massive shoot this year. Like, epic shoots. Beyond what any other photographer would do with only one assistant. Honestly, more than most would do with a whole team.
Here we took a lifeless, abandoned park and gave it one last Christmas. (There were other people assisting on this particular shoot.) No one else could have done this. Most wouldn’t even try.
In the end, that’s what this year has been about. Doing the impossible.
We did it.
