I am often asked by friends and acquaintances what my favorite part of my job is. It surprises me that through the years, my answer never changes: It is the privilege of meeting people in their own communities and having them share with me the issues that shape who they are. My task is to listen to their stories and relay them to our readers through the medium of photography. And believe me, it is easier said than done.
My job takes me to many places, big and small, far and close, but it is mostly the people I meet, and their kindness in telling their stories, that makes this job so rewarding. While I’m on assignment, my interactions with people may last minutes, hours, or even days. However, after decades on the job, it still surprises me when people with whom I spent a good chunk of time do not make it into the final story. Like the Argentine farmer pictured below … a community reporter and a downtown hotel owner, both in Portland, Oregon … and a student in a Massachusetts robotics class. This collection is a way to honor their trust in me, and for them to see the images we created together.
The other photos that I loved in 2024 are below.
