Pictures of the Year 2022

Anyone who knows me knows that I am obsessed with the Space Needle. I live on Capitol Hill and have a great vantage of the city. During this time, smoke from the Bolt Creek Fire was affecting the lungs of many in Washington. In fact, later in the month, Seattle had the worst air quality in the world. A day before I took this photograph, I kept note of the sunset time. By happenstance, I left my house the next day and saw that the sun was behind the Space Needle. As I was photographing it, a plane flew by, and I felt like I won the lottery.
OCTOBER 1 | Anyone who knows me knows that I am obsessed with the Space Needle. I live on Capitol Hill and have a great vantage of the city. During this time, smoke from the Bolt Creek Fire was affecting the lungs of many in Washington. In fact, later in the month, Seattle had the worst air quality in the world. A day before I took this photograph, I kept note of the sunset time. By happenstance, I left my house the next day and saw that the sun was behind the Space Needle. As I was photographing it, a plane flew by, and I felt like I won the lottery. (Daniel Kim / The Seattle Times)

Introduction by Angela Gottschalk, Seattle Times director of photography
Photographs by Seattle Times staff photographers
Published: December 23, 2022

THIS YEAR promised hope.

Hope to people aching for a general return to normalcy after living through isolation and the inherent challenges presented during a global pandemic.

Hope that maybe we could escape what has become a seasonal onslaught of smoky, hazy air in the Puget Sound area, brought on by wildfires near and far. That photo above of the Space Needle by Daniel Kim isn’t just a pretty picture. It’s a telling image, perhaps a vision of the future and how the color of our world is changing. In this case, that deep reddish-orange glow at sunset was intensified because the haze captures the short wavelengths of blue light, allowing the longer red and orange wavelengths to be more visible.

Hope that the Mariners finally would make it back to the playoffs after a 21-year drought (the longest in Major League American men’s sports) and that a certain troublesome bridge, closed for two and a half years, would surely reopen, unleashing great joy for West Seattle residents.

Hope that a fresh start was around the corner for the Ukrainian refugees arriving in Seattle, homeless people needing shelter, and many others following a path through life’s unexpected twists and turns.

The year hasn’t been without gun violence, protests, long lines at Sea-Tac Airport and other, sometimes heartbreaking, challenges. But overall, 2022 brought a renewed sense of routine for many.

While “normal” might never be viewed the same way again after the pandemic, as 2022 wore on, vaccines became available to children and most COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, more performances and events returned to in-person gatherings, and the spring in our steps seemed to return.

Our photographers have been a source of consistency through it all, hurdling the obstacles they’ve faced and continuing to produce stellar work, day after day, no matter the circumstances. It’s their job to draw you, our readers, into the moment with them. And they do it incredibly well.

Pulling together images for this Pictures of the Year issue is always a humbling reminder of the honor and responsibility we have as visual journalists representing The Seattle Times in our community. I could not be prouder of our photo staff.

We’ve been through some transitions of our own this year, with the retirements of a longtime photo editor and two veteran photographers. We miss them a ton and wish them all the best. In the meantime, we’re really excited about the talented new faces we’ve welcomed.

There’s hope. The future is in good hands.

Thank you for your support.

PICTURES OF THE YEAR VIRTUAL SHOW

Our Pictures of the Year presentation, featuring Seattle Times photographers’ and videographers’ most memorable work, and the stories behind it, will be held online in partnership with Seattle Public Library. There is no charge, but registration will be required.

When: Thursday, Jan. 26, at 7 p.m.

More information: st.news/poy2022

In search of a windy-weather feature photo on the University of Washington campus, I saw Lina Yu just as I was headed to the parking garage. She was tossing cherry blossoms aloft during a break in a computer conference. Her delight filled the space. Yu was visiting from San Francisco.

April 8

In search of a windy-weather feature photo on the University of Washington campus, I saw Lina Yu just as I was headed to the parking garage. She was tossing cherry blossoms aloft during a break in a computer conference. Her delight filled the space. Yu was visiting from San Francisco.

Alan Berner / The Seattle Times
1/42

At a playoff watch party at T-Mobile Park, Mariners fans Ethan Waud, wearing a“Rally Shoe” on his head, and his sister Myah Waud, holding a sneaker, react after the Mariners won Game 2 of the AL wild-card series against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Mariners’ run toward the playoffs was exciting and surprising in many ways. But when people started putting shoes on their heads, I knew it was going to be the story of the day. My assignment was to cover the fans, which meant I had my back to the field the whole time.I watched their body language and reactions to tell me what was going on. For this picture made at game’s end, I held my camera up high in my right hand, trying to get as many fans in the photo as possible, and my off-camera flash in my left hand high over my head to light the fans who were in shadows by midafternoon. To catch the moment, I find fans who are animated and stick with them for a while, waiting for emotion to strike at game’s end. Ethan Waud wrote to me the next day requesting prints — a reminder of why we do what we do. He said, “This means so much to me and my family.”

October 8

At a playoff watch party at T-Mobile Park, Mariners fans Ethan Waud, wearing a“Rally Shoe” on his head, and his sister Myah Waud, holding a sneaker, react after the Mariners won Game 2 of the AL wild-card series against the Toronto Blue Jays. The Mariners’ run toward the playoffs was exciting and surprising in many ways. But when people started putting shoes on their heads, I knew it was going to be the story of the day. My assignment was to cover the fans, which meant I had my back to the field the whole time.I watched their body language and reactions to tell me what was going on. For this picture made at game’s end, I held my camera up high in my right hand, trying to get as many fans in the photo as possible, and my off-camera flash in my left hand high over my head to light the fans who were in shadows by midafternoon. To catch the moment, I find fans who are animated and stick with them for a while, waiting for emotion to strike at game’s end. Ethan Waud wrote to me the next day requesting prints — a reminder of why we do what we do. He said, “This means so much to me and my family.”

Karen Ducey / The Seattle Times
2/42

I still can’t quite believe that Cal Raleigh did it, hitting a walk-off home run to send the Mariners to the playoffs for the first time since 2001. From the beginning, this season felt different. The 2022 Mariners probably weren’t a team of destiny. They probably weren’t going to win 116 games, but by golly, they might just do what no team since 2001 had done in Seattle: make it to the postseason. And they did. In the most dramatic fashion. Raleigh’s home run to right field stayed just fair and gave all the photographers in the first-base photo well a chance to see the joy on Big Dumper’s face, to see Oakland players start to leave the dugout and to see the crowd celebrate long-awaited history as the ball just squeezed past the foul pole.

September 30

I still can’t quite believe that Cal Raleigh did it, hitting a walk-off home run to send the Mariners to the playoffs for the first time since 2001. From the beginning, this season felt different. The 2022 Mariners probably weren’t a team of destiny. They probably weren’t going to win 116 games, but by golly, they might just do what no team since 2001 had done in Seattle: make it to the postseason. And they did. In the most dramatic fashion. Raleigh’s home run to right field stayed just fair and gave all the photographers in the first-base photo well a chance to see the joy on Big Dumper’s face, to see Oakland players start to leave the dugout and to see the crowd celebrate long-awaited history as the ball just squeezed past the foul pole.

Jennifer Buchanan / The Seattle Times
3/42

Teammates swarm Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh after he hit a walk-off home run to beat the Oakland Athletics, 2-1, and secure the Mariners’ first postseason berth in 21 years. History right here. Walk-offs are fun and very difficult. So many bodies swarm around your main subject (in this case, fan favorite Big Dumper). With a home run walk-off, the player needs to touch home plate, so the team lines up there waiting to mob the hero. Will you see his face again? Or will he disappear into the swarm? We got lucky here. Raleigh, sporting a bucket on his head, made it through the throng of teammates and popped out the other side. I can see his face! I can see the faces of his teammates! So much joy!

September 30

Teammates swarm Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh after he hit a walk-off home run to beat the Oakland Athletics, 2-1, and secure the Mariners’ first postseason berth in 21 years. History right here. Walk-offs are fun and very difficult. So many bodies swarm around your main subject (in this case, fan favorite Big Dumper). With a home run walk-off, the player needs to touch home plate, so the team lines up there waiting to mob the hero. Will you see his face again? Or will he disappear into the swarm? We got lucky here. Raleigh, sporting a bucket on his head, made it through the throng of teammates and popped out the other side. I can see his face! I can see the faces of his teammates! So much joy!

Jennifer Buchanan / The Seattle Times
4/42

Julio Rodriguez gives Adam Frazier a Champagne bath after the Mariners defeated the Blue Jays,10-9, to sweep an AL wild-card series. The euphoria that came with the Game 2 win was something I hadn’t experienced. And to be invited into the club-house postgame for the Champagne and beer celebration was a career highlight — even if I couldn’t see what I was doing because of all the celebrating. Like the players, I was pretty soaked. But unlike the players, I had to walk back to my hotel covered in booze, freezing, with my hair frozen into a Mohawk.

October 8

Julio Rodriguez gives Adam Frazier a Champagne bath after the Mariners defeated the Blue Jays,10-9, to sweep an AL wild-card series. The euphoria that came with the Game 2 win was something I hadn’t experienced. And to be invited into the club-house postgame for the Champagne and beer celebration was a career highlight — even if I couldn’t see what I was doing because of all the celebrating. Like the players, I was pretty soaked. But unlike the players, I had to walk back to my hotel covered in booze, freezing, with my hair frozen into a Mohawk.

Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
5/42

Amy Kelman attends a rally at Kerry Park about the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion showing that the U.S. Supreme Court was poised to overturn Roe v. Wade. “I’m mad,”she said. “Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, most abortions are now banned in at least 13 states as restrictive laws come into effect,” wrote Seattle Times graphics reporter Alison Saldanha in November. “With more bans expected in other states in the coming years, the number of people traveling to Washington for abortion care is projected to quadruple, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights.

May 3

Amy Kelman attends a rally at Kerry Park about the leaked Supreme Court draft opinion showing that the U.S. Supreme Court was poised to overturn Roe v. Wade. “I’m mad,”she said. “Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, most abortions are now banned in at least 13 states as restrictive laws come into effect,” wrote Seattle Times graphics reporter Alison Saldanha in November. “With more bans expected in other states in the coming years, the number of people traveling to Washington for abortion care is projected to quadruple, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights.

Erika Schultz / The Seattle Times
6/42

Washington National Guard Capt. Luis Torres carefully steps through a front yard snow gully after checking in on a Leavenworth home. After 4 feet of snow fell on the Bavarian-themed town, the National Guard was dispatched to check on residents and assist the town with digging out from the massive snowfall. As soon as they were dispatched, so was The Seattle Times. Reporter David Gutman and I started early from Seattle, driving the long way over Interstate 90 and Blewett Pass because Highway 2 was still closed and would remain that way for another three days. A mostly snow-covered sign welcomed us to Leavenworth. Were the people OK? Did they have enough food? Enough firewood? Enter the National Guard. Hardy civil servants clad in tan camo drew up maps of the town and spread out to knock on every door to determine the condition of the folks inside. With that much snow, it’s not hard to make dramatic photos.

January 10

Washington National Guard Capt. Luis Torres carefully steps through a front yard snow gully after checking in on a Leavenworth home. After 4 feet of snow fell on the Bavarian-themed town, the National Guard was dispatched to check on residents and assist the town with digging out from the massive snowfall. As soon as they were dispatched, so was The Seattle Times. Reporter David Gutman and I started early from Seattle, driving the long way over Interstate 90 and Blewett Pass because Highway 2 was still closed and would remain that way for another three days. A mostly snow-covered sign welcomed us to Leavenworth. Were the people OK? Did they have enough food? Enough firewood? Enter the National Guard. Hardy civil servants clad in tan camo drew up maps of the town and spread out to knock on every door to determine the condition of the folks inside. With that much snow, it’s not hard to make dramatic photos.

Jennifer Buchanan / The Seattle Times
7/42

I remember feeling anxious before meeting the Kopytin family — Ukrainian immigrants Anton Kopytin; his wife, Olha Katanova; and their children — at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. With short notice, I hurried to the airport from my Capitol Hill home. Fast forward a few weeks, and I am photographing the family eating dinner, watching television and playing games together in Covington. I wanted to photograph them adjusting to their lives in the United States. Here we see a beautiful moment when the kids are being tucked in; I think the photo shows the love that each family member has for one another, regardless of where they are in the world.

April 12

I remember feeling anxious before meeting the Kopytin family — Ukrainian immigrants Anton Kopytin; his wife, Olha Katanova; and their children — at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. With short notice, I hurried to the airport from my Capitol Hill home. Fast forward a few weeks, and I am photographing the family eating dinner, watching television and playing games together in Covington. I wanted to photograph them adjusting to their lives in the United States. Here we see a beautiful moment when the kids are being tucked in; I think the photo shows the love that each family member has for one another, regardless of where they are in the world.

Daniel Kim / The Seattle Times
8/42

It was well known that Sue Bird would retire at the end of this pastseason. What wasn’t known was when the end of the season might occur. The end finally came after the fourth playoff game with the Las Vegas Aces, fittingly at home in Seattle. Even so, it seemed as if it took a few minutes for that realization to sink in. And I was concerned that with all the broadcast and still cameras in pursuit of Bird, that moment of realization might be drowned out. It was the crowd, however, that brought the moment home when chants of “Thank you, Sue!” rose to a cacophony, catching her undivided attention. Everybody backed away and let those cheers sink in, and the heart felt response to it made the night complete. Arguably, Bird is the greatest athlete Seattle has ever known. It was a pleasure to have been witness to her finale.

Sept. 6

It was well known that Sue Bird would retire at the end of this pastseason. What wasn’t known was when the end of the season might occur. The end finally came after the fourth playoff game with the Las Vegas Aces, fittingly at home in Seattle. Even so, it seemed as if it took a few minutes for that realization to sink in. And I was concerned that with all the broadcast and still cameras in pursuit of Bird, that moment of realization might be drowned out. It was the crowd, however, that brought the moment home when chants of “Thank you, Sue!” rose to a cacophony, catching her undivided attention. Everybody backed away and let those cheers sink in, and the heart felt response to it made the night complete. Arguably, Bird is the greatest athlete Seattle has ever known. It was a pleasure to have been witness to her finale.

Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
9/42

Victor Jim, 6, left, and Cody Meanus, 8, play atop a totem pole at the Celilo Village longhouse. The pole, carved by Jewell James of the Lummi Nation, is part of the Spirit of the Waters journey, a Native-led movement for the removal of four Lower Snake River dams to rebuild salmon runs and to help the southern resident killer whales. The photo of Victor and Cody published as part of the immersive project “First Foods: How Native people are revitalizing the natural nourishment of the Pacific Northwest.

June 16

Victor Jim, 6, left, and Cody Meanus, 8, play atop a totem pole at the Celilo Village longhouse. The pole, carved by Jewell James of the Lummi Nation, is part of the Spirit of the Waters journey, a Native-led movement for the removal of four Lower Snake River dams to rebuild salmon runs and to help the southern resident killer whales. The photo of Victor and Cody published as part of the immersive project “First Foods: How Native people are revitalizing the natural nourishment of the Pacific Northwest.

Erika Schultz / The Seattle Times
10/42

Photographer Xuefang Zhao, with SFV Studio, takes wedding portraits of Xiaolei Xu and Wenzhi Zhao in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood. The couple had married at Kerry Park earlier in the day, surrounded by about 15 friends and family. “I was crying,” says Zhao. The couple was introduced to each other by friends about three years ago.

April 26

Photographer Xuefang Zhao, with SFV Studio, takes wedding portraits of Xiaolei Xu and Wenzhi Zhao in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood. The couple had married at Kerry Park earlier in the day, surrounded by about 15 friends and family. “I was crying,” says Zhao. The couple was introduced to each other by friends about three years ago.

Erika Schultz / The Seattle Times
11/42

When the University of Washington men’s rowing captain, Steve Rosts, top, and Chase Barrows agreed to a drone portrait after their practice in May, they probably did not expect it would be so involved. I would not have guessed so myself. Seems easy: I am equipped with a two-way radio, enabling communication with them as I stood on the dock from afar looking down into my cellphone and trying to figure out a pleasing composition. No background to worry about. Everything is in focus. But almost immediately, both athletes had to return to the dock to pick up sunglasses, because looking up at a drone and squinting was just not going to fly.

May 26

When the University of Washington men’s rowing captain, Steve Rosts, top, and Chase Barrows agreed to a drone portrait after their practice in May, they probably did not expect it would be so involved. I would not have guessed so myself. Seems easy: I am equipped with a two-way radio, enabling communication with them as I stood on the dock from afar looking down into my cellphone and trying to figure out a pleasing composition. No background to worry about. Everything is in focus. But almost immediately, both athletes had to return to the dock to pick up sunglasses, because looking up at a drone and squinting was just not going to fly.

Ken Lambert / The Seattle Times
12/42

Bassist Eli Edwards, left, and vocalist and guitarist Aramis Johnson, right, of the band Enumclaw play at Easy Street Records in West Seattle. Reporter Michael Rietmulder described Enumclaw as “Washington’s buzziest band,” and it was a treat to see crowds spill into the sidewalk to attend their album-release party.

October 7

Bassist Eli Edwards, left, and vocalist and guitarist Aramis Johnson, right, of the band Enumclaw play at Easy Street Records in West Seattle. Reporter Michael Rietmulder described Enumclaw as “Washington’s buzziest band,” and it was a treat to see crowds spill into the sidewalk to attend their album-release party.

Erika Schultz / The Seattle Times
13/42

Breanna Stewart of the Seattle Storm holds her daughter, Ruby Mae Stewart Xargay, before a news conference in Seattle. It was touching to hear the Olympic gold medalist and WNBA MVP talk about her journey as a mother. “You have this extra strength where it’s like you go to practice, you come home and you play with Ruby all day,” Stewart says. “You feed her, you love her and you adore her and you’re nonstop. It’s the best thing ever. You have this extra motor that you never knew you had

February 10

Breanna Stewart of the Seattle Storm holds her daughter, Ruby Mae Stewart Xargay, before a news conference in Seattle. It was touching to hear the Olympic gold medalist and WNBA MVP talk about her journey as a mother. “You have this extra strength where it’s like you go to practice, you come home and you play with Ruby all day,” Stewart says. “You feed her, you love her and you adore her and you’re nonstop. It’s the best thing ever. You have this extra motor that you never knew you had"

Erika Schultz / The Seattle Times
14/42

From left, Kevin Mayamba, Asael Tshitambwaand Deineth Avila share a laugh during a Cultures United practice in White Center. “Soccer is the most beautiful game you could ever watch and play. It’s like art. It’s like music,” said Mayamba. I was looking for a genuine moment and not just people kicking a ball around. I also shot lots of photos of people kicking a ball around. I waited for the team to huddle and looked for a person with a strong outgoing personality and waited ... and waited. The results are thus, and many times, moments are the in-betweens.

November 22

From left, Kevin Mayamba, Asael Tshitambwaand Deineth Avila share a laugh during a Cultures United practice in White Center. “Soccer is the most beautiful game you could ever watch and play. It’s like art. It’s like music,” said Mayamba. I was looking for a genuine moment and not just people kicking a ball around. I also shot lots of photos of people kicking a ball around. I waited for the team to huddle and looked for a person with a strong outgoing personality and waited ... and waited. The results are thus, and many times, moments are the in-betweens.

Kevin Clark / The Seattle Times
15/42

We found out this summer that there are two things Seattle loves most: puppies and Julio Rodriguez. And having the two of them together in the same photograph elicited tremendous reader response. And who could blame them? One you just want to cuddle — and then there are puppies! The event was a pet-adoption awareness event at T-Mobile Park, where puppies were brought to the field for batting practice, and players unsurprisingly were drawn to the puppies. All of the players — Rodriguez included — found at least one they wanted to take home. Rodriguez inquired about this one, but knew it could never be for a player on the road as much as he is.

June 27

We found out this summer that there are two things Seattle loves most: puppies and Julio Rodriguez. And having the two of them together in the same photograph elicited tremendous reader response. And who could blame them? One you just want to cuddle — and then there are puppies! The event was a pet-adoption awareness event at T-Mobile Park, where puppies were brought to the field for batting practice, and players unsurprisingly were drawn to the puppies. All of the players — Rodriguez included — found at least one they wanted to take home. Rodriguez inquired about this one, but knew it could never be for a player on the road as much as he is.

Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
16/42

Passengers were delayed in long security lines at Sea-Tac International Airport, with lines leading out to the parking garage for a brief time on this morning. Wait times were up to 90 minutes the day before, though people reported waiting inline for up to two hours. Although most people think the Thanksgiving holiday produces the longest lines at Sea-Tac, it’s actually busiest during the summertime. Passengers didn’t seem too worried about previous COVID restrictions, which were lessened in September, when this photo was shot, but the long lines and waits definitely were back.

September 19

Passengers were delayed in long security lines at Sea-Tac International Airport, with lines leading out to the parking garage for a brief time on this morning. Wait times were up to 90 minutes the day before, though people reported waiting inline for up to two hours. Although most people think the Thanksgiving holiday produces the longest lines at Sea-Tac, it’s actually busiest during the summertime. Passengers didn’t seem too worried about previous COVID restrictions, which were lessened in September, when this photo was shot, but the long lines and waits definitely were back.

Ellen Banner / The Seattle Times
17/42

The Blue Angels perform a team maneuver as they fly over Seattle for the 72nd Seafair. I was at Kerry Park hand-holding a very long, prime lens, hoping to get a unique picture of the Blue Angels. I was really excited to get a picture of them near the Space Needle, but I was not able to get them close enough in the frame. With the help of an astute photographer pointing to the moon, I realized that was the shot. Every time they passed by the moon, I took a few frames; this was the one that lasted.

August 5

The Blue Angels perform a team maneuver as they fly over Seattle for the 72nd Seafair. I was at Kerry Park hand-holding a very long, prime lens, hoping to get a unique picture of the Blue Angels. I was really excited to get a picture of them near the Space Needle, but I was not able to get them close enough in the frame. With the help of an astute photographer pointing to the moon, I realized that was the shot. Every time they passed by the moon, I took a few frames; this was the one that lasted.

Daniel Kim / The Seattle Times
18/42

Fans watch the H1 Unlimited Heat 2 hydroplane race during Seafair at Genesee Park and Playfield in Seattle. For the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, crowds returned to Lake Washington for the summer event.

August 7

Fans watch the H1 Unlimited Heat 2 hydroplane race during Seafair at Genesee Park and Playfield in Seattle. For the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, crowds returned to Lake Washington for the summer event.

Kori Suzuki / The Seattle Times
19/42

Brimming with pride, new citizen Badra Hirsi from Somalia photographs herself and her cousin Hodo Mohamed in front of the giant Stars and Stripes in the Seattle Center Armory on the Fourth of July at the annual naturalization ceremony, one of our great local events. This year, 293 people from 74 countries became citizens. As the name of each country is read, the new citizens stand to applause from family, friends and local officials. Mohamed already was a citizen.

July 4

Brimming with pride, new citizen Badra Hirsi from Somalia photographs herself and her cousin Hodo Mohamed in front of the giant Stars and Stripes in the Seattle Center Armory on the Fourth of July at the annual naturalization ceremony, one of our great local events. This year, 293 people from 74 countries became citizens. As the name of each country is read, the new citizens stand to applause from family, friends and local officials. Mohamed already was a citizen.

Alan Berner / The Seattle Times
20/42

Matt Rodriguez coughs and rubs ash out of his eyes near Index as the Bolt Creek Fire burns. I met Rodriguez as I was going through the affected areas of the fire. I remember him driving a golf cart around, checking road closures, to make sure his father could get home later in the day. There was a moment when a piece of particulate from the fire fell into his eye, and as I photographed that, I realized that with the environmental orange tint combined with the moment, it would show how bad the air quality was.

September 10

Matt Rodriguez coughs and rubs ash out of his eyes near Index as the Bolt Creek Fire burns. I met Rodriguez as I was going through the affected areas of the fire. I remember him driving a golf cart around, checking road closures, to make sure his father could get home later in the day. There was a moment when a piece of particulate from the fire fell into his eye, and as I photographed that, I realized that with the environmental orange tint combined with the moment, it would show how bad the air quality was.

Daniel Kim / The Seattle Times
21/42

Melissa Bishop packs up some of her belongings during a sweep of the homeless camp where she lives, on Third Avenue South near South Holgate Street in Seattle, before moving to another place. Homelessness continues to be a huge problem in the city of Seattle. Even though residents of the camp had notice the sweep was going to occur, many were very upset and reluctant to leave. We so need better answers to solve this issue for everyone.

July 26

Melissa Bishop packs up some of her belongings during a sweep of the homeless camp where she lives, on Third Avenue South near South Holgate Street in Seattle, before moving to another place. Homelessness continues to be a huge problem in the city of Seattle. Even though residents of the camp had notice the sweep was going to occur, many were very upset and reluctant to leave. We so need better answers to solve this issue for everyone.

Ellen Banner / The Seattle Times
22/42

Parents comfort each other outside Ingraham High School after the report of a shooting. I watched parents gathering outside the school building, waiting for word, for several minutes, then two women hugged. I used a 70-200 mm lens;this photo was taken from about a block away.

November 8

Parents comfort each other outside Ingraham High School after the report of a shooting. I watched parents gathering outside the school building, waiting for word, for several minutes, then two women hugged. I used a 70-200 mm lens;this photo was taken from about a block away.

Greg Gilbert / The Seattle Times
23/42

At the Ballard Locks fish ladder observation room, who could say exactly what Ronya Strasdat of Bitter Lake thought of these (mostly Chinook) salmon, as they struggled against currents while making their way to fresh water, all while appearing to defy gravity above her? Many of the fish weigh as much as 19-month-old Ronya does (around 20 pounds, according to her mother). Every photographer on our staff probably has taken a similar photo more than once; I know I have, and the newspaper keeps publishing them — a cycle not unlike a salmon run itself.

August 23

At the Ballard Locks fish ladder observation room, who could say exactly what Ronya Strasdat of Bitter Lake thought of these (mostly Chinook) salmon, as they struggled against currents while making their way to fresh water, all while appearing to defy gravity above her? Many of the fish weigh as much as 19-month-old Ronya does (around 20 pounds, according to her mother). Every photographer on our staff probably has taken a similar photo more than once; I know I have, and the newspaper keeps publishing them — a cycle not unlike a salmon run itself.

Ken Lambert / The Seattle Times
24/42

West Seattleites delight as they act out a scene of reunification at the approach roadway to the newly reopened West Seattle Bridge. Local filmmaker Ryan Cory and his team filmed at iconic West Seattle locations such as Alki, Alaska Junction, Admiral Theater and the West Seattle Bridge. As someone who had never driven on the West Seattle Bridge, I did not understand the frustration that many in our community had felt by its closure. Seeing the raw joy and emotion that went into Cory’s video really shocked me. Walking down the roadway to take this photo, I joked that I walked on the West Seattle Bridge before driving over it.

September 14

West Seattleites delight as they act out a scene of reunification at the approach roadway to the newly reopened West Seattle Bridge. Local filmmaker Ryan Cory and his team filmed at iconic West Seattle locations such as Alki, Alaska Junction, Admiral Theater and the West Seattle Bridge. As someone who had never driven on the West Seattle Bridge, I did not understand the frustration that many in our community had felt by its closure. Seeing the raw joy and emotion that went into Cory’s video really shocked me. Walking down the roadway to take this photo, I joked that I walked on the West Seattle Bridge before driving over it.

Daniel Kim / The Seattle Times
25/42

Three-year-old Alba Kerr is held by her mom, Rachel Kerr, while receiving her first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 6 months to 4 years from Seattle Children’s Hospital RN Kara Lueneburg. Alba was distracted by toys and didn’t let out a peep.

June 21

Three-year-old Alba Kerr is held by her mom, Rachel Kerr, while receiving her first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 6 months to 4 years from Seattle Children’s Hospital RN Kara Lueneburg. Alba was distracted by toys and didn’t let out a peep.

Steve Ringman / The Seattle Times
26/42

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith shakes hands with Denver Bronco squarterback Russell Wilson after a 17-16 Seahawks victory in Seattle, a Monday Night Football game that was the season-opener. GE-NO! GE-NO! GE-NO! The chants rang out through a sold-out Lumen Field. The general consensus after Wilson, the Seahawks’ longtime quarterback, had been traded to Denver in a huge offseason deal was that the Seahawks were doomed. How far from the truth that ended up being. Smith has been a wonder. And Wilson and the Broncos are suffering through a terrible season. After the game, all eyes were on Wilson. He exchanged a frosty hug with coach Pete Carroll. No love lost there. And then in came Geno. He was carrying the game ball. They hugged, exchanged pleasantries and parted.

September 12

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith shakes hands with Denver Bronco squarterback Russell Wilson after a 17-16 Seahawks victory in Seattle, a Monday Night Football game that was the season-opener. GE-NO! GE-NO! GE-NO! The chants rang out through a sold-out Lumen Field. The general consensus after Wilson, the Seahawks’ longtime quarterback, had been traded to Denver in a huge offseason deal was that the Seahawks were doomed. How far from the truth that ended up being. Smith has been a wonder. And Wilson and the Broncos are suffering through a terrible season. After the game, all eyes were on Wilson. He exchanged a frosty hug with coach Pete Carroll. No love lost there. And then in came Geno. He was carrying the game ball. They hugged, exchanged pleasantries and parted.

Jennifer Buchanan / The Seattle Times
27/42

I was assigned to cover the search for wreckage after the tragic float plane accident off Whidbey Island. When I arrived at the recommended vantage point, I was not able to see very far because of wildfire smoke. While I was there, I kept looking at this great blue heron, which was trying to gobble up food in the water. I have been told by others that the fish almost looks like a hook; whenever I look at this photo, it feels like a double meaning.

September 10

I was assigned to cover the search for wreckage after the tragic float plane accident off Whidbey Island. When I arrived at the recommended vantage point, I was not able to see very far because of wildfire smoke. While I was there, I kept looking at this great blue heron, which was trying to gobble up food in the water. I have been told by others that the fish almost looks like a hook; whenever I look at this photo, it feels like a double meaning.

Daniel Kim / The Seattle Times
28/42

Ever since the Seattle Great Wheel was built, I have visualized it with Mount Rainier framed within. There always were roadways and buildings in the way, but after the viaduct was taken down, I realized my access was no longer blocked. I had parked near Pike Place Market, walking to an assignment where the viaduct exit ramp once stood. There was my photo. I had to carefully step over dirt and construction equipment to frame the photo. Mount Rainier was out in full beauty: no haze, noclouds. I used a 400 mm lens, hand-held at a high shutter speed.

June 21

Ever since the Seattle Great Wheel was built, I have visualized it with Mount Rainier framed within. There always were roadways and buildings in the way, but after the viaduct was taken down, I realized my access was no longer blocked. I had parked near Pike Place Market, walking to an assignment where the viaduct exit ramp once stood. There was my photo. I had to carefully step over dirt and construction equipment to frame the photo. Mount Rainier was out in full beauty: no haze, noclouds. I used a 400 mm lens, hand-held at a high shutter speed.

Greg Gilbert / The Seattle Times
29/42

May Yang carries flowers on her farm in Snohomish. Seven Hmong flower farms in the Seattle area soon will have to relocate because their landlords want to repurpose the land. The vibrancy and variety of the flowers at Yang’s farm blew me away — it was the first time I’d visited a flower farm. With this photo, I wanted to capture Yang at work, surrounded by as much of that beauty and complexity as I could. The flowers in the foreground were freshly cut dahlias that had been gathered in a bucket, ready to be brought to market. I’m very grateful that it was overcast that day, as it really made the colors pop even more.

September 16

May Yang carries flowers on her farm in Snohomish. Seven Hmong flower farms in the Seattle area soon will have to relocate because their landlords want to repurpose the land. The vibrancy and variety of the flowers at Yang’s farm blew me away — it was the first time I’d visited a flower farm. With this photo, I wanted to capture Yang at work, surrounded by as much of that beauty and complexity as I could. The flowers in the foreground were freshly cut dahlias that had been gathered in a bucket, ready to be brought to market. I’m very grateful that it was overcast that day, as it really made the colors pop even more.

Kylie Cooper / The Seattle Times
30/42

Spider expert Rod Crawford sifts through moss, looking for spiders near South Fork Canyon Creek in Snohomish County. “When Crawford started serious spider-hunting in 1971, his mentor gave him a booklet that listed160 species statewide,” writes Pacific NW magazine reporter Sandi Doughton. “The total is now up to 964 and counting, thanks largely to Crawford and his small team of volunteers. He has discovered nearly 200 species that hadn’t been described before, many of which proved to be new to science.

June 15

Spider expert Rod Crawford sifts through moss, looking for spiders near South Fork Canyon Creek in Snohomish County. “When Crawford started serious spider-hunting in 1971, his mentor gave him a booklet that listed160 species statewide,” writes Pacific NW magazine reporter Sandi Doughton. “The total is now up to 964 and counting, thanks largely to Crawford and his small team of volunteers. He has discovered nearly 200 species that hadn’t been described before, many of which proved to be new to science.

Erika Schultz / The Seattle Times
31/42

Burros Gin and Tonic, and horse Jessie, converge to check out a visitor at Toni’s Ponies rescue farm in Kingston. Or, maybe they notice the aroma of dog biscuits in his pocket. The goal of the farm is to rehabilitate rescues, many otherwise headed to slaughter, and find them permanent homes.

April 16

Burros Gin and Tonic, and horse Jessie, converge to check out a visitor at Toni’s Ponies rescue farm in Kingston. Or, maybe they notice the aroma of dog biscuits in his pocket. The goal of the farm is to rehabilitate rescues, many otherwise headed to slaughter, and find them permanent homes.

Alan Berner / The Seattle Times
32/42

After being chased by gulls, a bald eagle dives down to Lake Washington near Seward Park, grabs an American coot and flies off. Bald eagles in many areas eat mainly fish, but their diet also includes birds and other small mammals. I was just at the park checking the weather for a photo when I saw an eagle flying overhead. I started following it with a long lens, and suddenly it swooped. I didn’t even know what it had plucked from the water until a passerby told me he thought it had caught a duck. I checked the back of my camera, and the image was tack sharp. Lucky shot. I just felt so sorry for the poor little guy.

January 12

After being chased by gulls, a bald eagle dives down to Lake Washington near Seward Park, grabs an American coot and flies off. Bald eagles in many areas eat mainly fish, but their diet also includes birds and other small mammals. I was just at the park checking the weather for a photo when I saw an eagle flying overhead. I started following it with a long lens, and suddenly it swooped. I didn’t even know what it had plucked from the water until a passerby told me he thought it had caught a duck. I checked the back of my camera, and the image was tack sharp. Lucky shot. I just felt so sorry for the poor little guy.

Ellen Banner / The Seattle Times
33/42

When a man ran in front of a stopped, unloading south-bound light-rail train at the Othello station to catch a northbound train (at right), I knew I had the front-page photo. It was for Mike Lindblom’s story about the dangers and fatalities of Sound Transit’s surface tracks south of downtown Seattle. But getting to this point took two photojournalists days of observing the stations during different times. The original idea was to cover the areas during the afternoon commute. I took over coverage at midmorning, with pedestrians standing at faded crosswalks near train tracks, navigating traffic signals, flashing warning signs and loud train alerts along one of the city’s busiest streets.

June 7

When a man ran in front of a stopped, unloading south-bound light-rail train at the Othello station to catch a northbound train (at right), I knew I had the front-page photo. It was for Mike Lindblom’s story about the dangers and fatalities of Sound Transit’s surface tracks south of downtown Seattle. But getting to this point took two photojournalists days of observing the stations during different times. The original idea was to cover the areas during the afternoon commute. I took over coverage at midmorning, with pedestrians standing at faded crosswalks near train tracks, navigating traffic signals, flashing warning signs and loud train alerts along one of the city’s busiest streets.

Ken Lambert / The Seattle Times
34/42

For as many years as I’ve worked the night shift, I’ve never really given any thought to photographing the night. But my nephew and my wife talked me into an overnight trip to Artist Point in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest for the purpose of photographing the Milky Way. It’s something my nephew had been working on for awhile, and he suggested that we try our hand at it, as well. I brought my Fuji X-T4 with a 16 mm 1.4 lens, and this is what it captured with a 30-second exposure. I spend so much timephotographing sports that I forgot how much fun it is to just play with the camera and see what it can do.

August 4

For as many years as I’ve worked the night shift, I’ve never really given any thought to photographing the night. But my nephew and my wife talked me into an overnight trip to Artist Point in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest for the purpose of photographing the Milky Way. It’s something my nephew had been working on for awhile, and he suggested that we try our hand at it, as well. I brought my Fuji X-T4 with a 16 mm 1.4 lens, and this is what it captured with a 30-second exposure. I spend so much timephotographing sports that I forgot how much fun it is to just play with the camera and see what it can do.

Dean Rutz / The Seattle Times
35/42

Members of the media had to be at the airport in Moses Lake by 4:45 a.m. to watch the all-electric airplane named Alice, designed and built in Arlington, take off on its first flight in Moses Lake. In the dark, we were bused to a spot along the runway and waited for the sun to rise and the plane to take off. The take off and landing were both successful and afterwards there were lots of high fives and very happy people.

September 27

Members of the media had to be at the airport in Moses Lake by 4:45 a.m. to watch the all-electric airplane named Alice, designed and built in Arlington, take off on its first flight in Moses Lake. In the dark, we were bused to a spot along the runway and waited for the sun to rise and the plane to take off. The take off and landing were both successful and afterwards there were lots of high fives and very happy people.

Ellen Banner / The Seattle Times
36/42

In Seattle, with the playoff drought finally over, an unidentified Mariners fan holds up a real Washington state plate, with real car tabs to prove it, while celebrating Mariners first baseman Ty France's walk off single, which scores Curt Casali to defeat the Tigers in the last game of the regular season in October. The M's are off to Toronto where they would defeat the Blue Jays to advance as far as the divisional series and getting swept by Houston. Not bad for a team only expected to

October 5

In Seattle, with the playoff drought finally over, an unidentified Mariners fan holds up a real Washington state plate, with real car tabs to prove it, while celebrating Mariners first baseman Ty France's walk off single, which scores Curt Casali to defeat the Tigers in the last game of the regular season in October. The M's are off to Toronto where they would defeat the Blue Jays to advance as far as the divisional series and getting swept by Houston. Not bad for a team only expected to "rebuild," but instead hitting the gas and giving an incredible ride for fans. This photo violates three of my personal rules, which I waived due to the historical moment: I didn't get the subjects name; the photo is essentially a "sign shot," showing text; and the fan is looking directly into the camera. This one time I'm calling it all good.

Ken Lambert / The Seattle Times
37/42

From left, Manny, 12, Hawk, 14, and Ben Sack, 10, clamber along the branches of a willow tree at Saint Edwards State Park in Kenmore, WA on July 19, 2022.

July 19

From left, Manny, 12, Hawk, 14, and Ben Sack, 10, clamber along the branches of a willow tree at Saint Edwards State Park in Kenmore, WA on July 19, 2022.

Kori Suzuki / The Seattle Times
38/42

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers crew member, Mae Ancheta, scrapes barnacles off a tunnel inside the walls of the large lock at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard on Nov. 18 during the annual maintenance cleaning. Photography tries to give readers a sense of what it feels like to be on scene but in this case it fell short. What it couldn't convey was the extraordinary smell. It stunk! The stifling pungent sea air in near total darkness made for challenging working conditions. I was in awe of these workers from the US Army Corps who volunteered for this shift. The city owes them a great deal of gratitude.

November 18

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers crew member, Mae Ancheta, scrapes barnacles off a tunnel inside the walls of the large lock at the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks in Ballard on Nov. 18 during the annual maintenance cleaning. Photography tries to give readers a sense of what it feels like to be on scene but in this case it fell short. What it couldn't convey was the extraordinary smell. It stunk! The stifling pungent sea air in near total darkness made for challenging working conditions. I was in awe of these workers from the US Army Corps who volunteered for this shift. The city owes them a great deal of gratitude.

Karen Ducey / The Seattle Times
39/42

Carrying a folding chair and battery-powered clippers, Randy Miller gives free haircuts on the streets of Seattle including Richard Banks on Fourth Avenue South in Sodo. Writer Anna Patrick found Miller living in a shelter. The recipients like their haircuts and sometimes give a tip of a dollar or two. Miller does not have a barber's license and could use a scholarship to barber college.

April 7

Carrying a folding chair and battery-powered clippers, Randy Miller gives free haircuts on the streets of Seattle including Richard Banks on Fourth Avenue South in Sodo. Writer Anna Patrick found Miller living in a shelter. The recipients like their haircuts and sometimes give a tip of a dollar or two. Miller does not have a barber's license and could use a scholarship to barber college.

Alan Berner / The Seattle Times
40/42

The Seattle Japanese Garden, part of the Washington Park Arboretum, is especially spectacular in the fall, when the vine maples develop bright crimson, gold, orange and red colors. You really can't miss. I used a 70-200mm lens for this photo, shot on November 4.

November 4

The Seattle Japanese Garden, part of the Washington Park Arboretum, is especially spectacular in the fall, when the vine maples develop bright crimson, gold, orange and red colors. You really can't miss. I used a 70-200mm lens for this photo, shot on November 4.

Greg Gilbert / The Seattle Times
41/42

With this photo I wanted to challenge myself in creating something unique. Since ballet is beautifully fluid, I wanted to use motion as a part of the aesthetic. I decided to dedicate one camera to focusing on long exposure shots. Using a tripod instead of documenting handheld felt foreign. But, after saying a little prayer and photographing what felt like shooting in the dark I was blessed to get this frame where everything seemed to fall in place at the right time.

November 23

With this photo I wanted to challenge myself in creating something unique. Since ballet is beautifully fluid, I wanted to use motion as a part of the aesthetic. I decided to dedicate one camera to focusing on long exposure shots. Using a tripod instead of documenting handheld felt foreign. But, after saying a little prayer and photographing what felt like shooting in the dark I was blessed to get this frame where everything seemed to fall in place at the right time.

Daniel Kim / The Seattle Times
42/42

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