Best of 2012 | News, Features & Portraits

"U.S. Army soldiers carry the flag-draped transfer case containing the remains of U.S. Army Maj. Thomas E. Kennedy, during a dignified transfer at Dover Air Force Base, on August 10, 2012 in Dover, Delaware. Kennedy, who was from West Point, N.Y., was killed alongside two other American troops while serving in the U.S. Army in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Kennedy was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo."

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In 2012, I found myself covering much more sports and than news, features and portraits.

While I am naturally drawn to the latter, I am often hired for my sports shooting since moving back east. The problem with that is that I'm often marketed as a sports photographer, while I label myself as simply a photojournalist because of my versatility.

With that in mind, when I do get a call for a news, feature or portrait assignment - I get eager to walk out the door. One of my strengths is the ability to seek out pictures in any environment. Whether on a news assignment or not, I am able to find and make something of nothing.

Of the few non-sports assignments I shot this year, three main stories pushed me to do exactly that. Those three assignments, Penn State scandal (which is still technically sports related), life on 'Smith Island' and a small amount of political shoots challenged me to foster relationships, see beauty in the quieter, sometimes mundane moments, and have a keen observation of daily life.

Hoping to shoot more meaningful stories like the aforementioned in 2013 that push me out of my comfort zone and challenge my vision.

Thanks for viewing my blog this year - Happy New Year.

Best of 2012 | Sports

"Safety Ed Reed #20 of the Baltimore Ravens closes his eyes during the national anthem on the sideline before taking on the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium on September 10, 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland."

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Each and every year I look back on my favorite images of the year.

Every assignment teaches me something new, but it's not until the end of the year that I can comb through everything I've photographed and reflect. I'm continually grateful for my editors, new clients for instilling trust in my vision to deliver compelling images of each and every assignment. I cannot thank them enough and I'll be forever grateful for each and every opportunity as long as I remain a freelancer.

Being based back in Baltimore, Md., is bittersweet. I love the area that I grew up in, but it's also familiar in a way that is very challenging.

In 2012, I found myself covering the same teams more than I ever have before in a single season - which pushed my creativity to a new level. It challenged me to see the same players, stadiums and venues in a new light

With that, I also feel like I failed a lot this year. I was always taught if you win say 'We' and you lose say 'I' - and I feel like I missed a lot this year and wasn't sharp all the time.

There are defining moments that still haunt me. Not major moments in sports history or even huge plays of a single game, but seconds in time I missed. Yet it was those moments that taught me the most this year. Adversity is no stranger in my life, and has always been my biggest motivator.

Away from the field, I am very proud of my work in Penn State during the child abuse scandal. It reintroduced me to breaking news and made me realize that news, features make my photographic heart tick just as strong as sports always have.

Finally, I wouldn't have been able to produce the work above without my editors, so I must publicly give thanks to all my editors, but mostly to my team at Getty Images, as most of the images above were made while on assignment for them. Thank you for the inspiration, motivation and all the help.

And as always, I'm very eager and looking forward to a full-year of health, happiness and shooting in 2013 - sports related or not.

Feedback welcome. Enjoy.

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Hanging Tough

"Wide receiver Torrey Smith #82 of the Baltimore Ravens hangs on the goal post after catching a touchdown pass during the first quarter against the New York Giants at M&T Bank Stadium on December 23, 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland."

Its been a shaky couple of weeks for the Baltimore Ravens, but hosting the reigning Super Bowl champions is all it took to get back on the path to the playoffs.

The Ravens defeated the New York Giants, 33-14.

Shooting the game for Getty Images, the Ravens came out firing on all cylinders. Their first touchdown from Torrey Smith not only gave the Ravens the first strike, but also had me feeling confident about my take.

Smith slam-dunked the ball through the goal post and then hung on long enough to guarantee a technical foul if he was a basketball superstar.

Much to my displeasure, I only got off a couple frames before my lens decided to stop focusing all together. That's another story in itself, but let's say I learned to manual focus quickly the rest of the game.

Its been a fun regular season and I'm looking forward to the playoffs.

Happy holidays, everyone.

Twelve Twelve Twelve

"A snorkeler dives below the surface along the beach at the RIU Palace Resort on December 10, 2012 in Nassau, The Bahamas."

Last week, I had the amazing opportunity to take off from my busy shooting schedule to travel to the Bahamas to get married on 12/12/12.

Hanging on the beach, swimming in crystal clear water in the warm, sunny weather surrounded by family was as perfect as life gets.

Thanks again to friend and fellow photographer Chip Litherland for the most amazing colorful rectangles anyone could ever ask for. You can see some of our wedding images by clicking here.

Now that I am back in the U.S., it's time to get back to work. But I'll never forget this awesome trip and our big day.

Hold Up

"Running back Isaac Redman #33 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is pulled down by a pack of Baltimore Ravens defenders in the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 2, 2012 in Baltimore, Maryland."

There is no rivalry like it. Well, maybe there is, but in Baltimore one cannot even utter the words Pittsburgh or Steelers without consequences. 

It's a long, heated battle every game and nothing changed this game in Baltimore last weekend.

The Steelers came from behind, without star quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, to squeak out a, 23-20, win over the Ravens as time expired in the fourth quarter.

In the loss, the Ravens 15 consecutive wins at home was snapped. Ironically, the last time the Ravens lost a home game was to the Steelers on Dec. 5, 2010.

If anything, sports statistics make you think and wonder about trends.