2013: Year In Review.

“The sun rises as a pedestrian passes by the entrance of Union Station in Washington, D.C. on the day before the 57th Presidential Inauguration Sunday, January 20, 2013.”
“The sun rises as a pedestrian passes by the entrance of Union Station in Washington, D.C. on the day before the 57th Presidential Inauguration Sunday, January 20, 2013.”
“Fenway Park is shown covered in snow Monday, February 11, 2013 after Winter Storm Nemo dumped over twenty inches of snow onto the city of Boston, Massachusetts.”
“Fenway Park is shown covered in snow Monday, February 11, 2013 after Winter Storm Nemo dumped over twenty inches of snow onto the city of Boston, Massachusetts.”
“Rafael Nadal reacts after defeating Juan Martin Del Potro in the championship Sunday, March 18, 2013 at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California.”
“Rafael Nadal reacts after defeating Juan Martin Del Potro in the championship Sunday, March 18, 2013 at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California.”
April 15, 2013 – Boston, Massachusetts, United States: Debris on Boylston Street is shown after two bombs were detonated at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon. (Billie Weiss)
April 15, 2013 – Boston, Massachusetts, United States: Debris on Boylston Street is shown after two bombs were detonated at the finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon. (Billie Weiss)
“Members of the Boston Red Sox mob center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury after hitting a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Cleveland Indians 6-5 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, May 26, 2013. The Red Sox came back from a 5-1 deficit in the eighth inning.”
“Members of the Boston Red Sox mob center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury after hitting a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Cleveland Indians 6-5 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts Sunday, May 26, 2013. The Red Sox came back from a 5-1 deficit in the eighth inning.”
“Roger Federer walks off the Aorangi practice courts at the All England Lawn and Tennis Club in London, England Tuesday, June 25, 2013 during the 2013 Championships Wimbledon.”
“Roger Federer walks off the Aorangi practice courts at the All England Lawn and Tennis Club in London, England Tuesday, June 25, 2013 during the 2013 Championships Wimbledon.”
“Clouds form over Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts during a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays Monday, July 29, 2013.”
“Clouds form over Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts during a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Tampa Bay Rays Monday, July 29, 2013.”
“Caroline Wozniacki connects on a forehand on Day 6 of the New Haven Open at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut Wednesday, August 21, 2013.”
“Caroline Wozniacki connects on a forehand on Day 6 of the New Haven Open at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut Wednesday, August 21, 2013.”
“Boston Red Sox teammates run out of the dugout in celebration as pitcher Koji Uehara and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia embrace after recording the final out of a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays to clinch the American League East title at Fenway Park Friday, September 23, 2013.”
“Boston Red Sox teammates run out of the dugout in celebration as pitcher Koji Uehara and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia embrace after recording the final out of a 6-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays to clinch the American League East title at Fenway Park Friday, September 23, 2013.”
“Boston Red Sox left fielder Jonny Gomes celebrates alongside designated hitter David Ortiz, third baseman Xander Bogaerts, and center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury after scoring on an RBI double by right fielder Shane Victorino during the third inning of game six of the 2013 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.”
“Boston Red Sox left fielder Jonny Gomes celebrates alongside designated hitter David Ortiz, third baseman Xander Bogaerts, and center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury after scoring on an RBI double by right fielder Shane Victorino during the third inning of game six of the 2013 World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, October 30, 2013 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts.”
“Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury kisses the World Series trophy during the Rolling Rally World Series Championship Parade through downtown Boston, Massachusetts Saturday, November 2, 2013.”
“Boston Red Sox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury kisses the World Series trophy during the Rolling Rally World Series Championship Parade through downtown Boston, Massachusetts Saturday, November 2, 2013.”
“New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady yells as he warms up before a game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, November 24, 2013 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.”
“New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady yells as he warms up before a game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, November 24, 2013 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts.”
“Sienna Kaplan, 4, of Melrose, MA plays with snow during the annual Christmas at Fenway celebration Saturday, December 14, 2013, which featured speaking appearances and autograph sessions with players and coaches, holiday themed attractions and decorations, and opportunities for fans to purchase tickets for the 2014 season.”
“Sienna Kaplan, 4, of Melrose, MA plays with snow during the annual Christmas at Fenway celebration Saturday, December 14, 2013, which featured speaking appearances and autograph sessions with players and coaches, holiday themed attractions and decorations, and opportunities for fans to purchase tickets for the 2014 season.”

I always like to take just a bit of time to reflect at the end of each year. The world of journalism is a fast-paced whirlwind of ups and downs, and 2013 was certainly no exception. For a photojournalist in Boston, it was a year filled with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. What I’ve posted above is one photo from each month of the year, and one more for good luck to make a group of 13.

I started my year off in Washington D.C., where I covered the inauguration of President Barack Obama as part of my coursework towards my M.S. in Journalism at Boston University, which I completed in May. I came out of that program with a new set of skills related to multimedia journalism, but more importantly, with a new network of friends and colleagues. In our world, nothing is more important. 

I completed my fourth season working as a photographer in Major League Baseball, and it was without a doubt the most thrilling, rewarding, and downright fun experience I’ve ever had. Documenting the Red Sox run through the playoffs and  World Series victory, particularly in the way it all happened this year, was literally a dream come true. Not many people can say they’ve lived their dream, so I feel very grateful.

For others in this city, this year was very difficult. We were all shaken by the tragedies at the Boston Marathon in April. My marathon coverage pales in comparison to the work of the journalists who were at the scene of the bombings, and their work has not gone unnoticed. I did my part to cover this story that has continued through the entire year and will carry on in 2014. 

I stayed busy on the professional tennis tour as well, working as a tournament photographer, videographer, and social media guy at my first BNP Paribas Open in Palm Springs, California, my second Championships Wimbledon in London, England, and my first New Haven Open in New Haven Connecticut. I love the tennis scene, and look forward to more coverage of those events in the new year. All the while, I was grateful for some wonderful freelance opportunities, among them the Patriots vs. Broncos game on the coldest night of the year.

Measured in page views and numbers, it was a down year for me on this blog compared to years past, but I’ve loved continuing to keep this record of my life and work, and I’m thankful for those who follow along. Here are the statistics from my yearly blogging report:

“The concert hall at the Sydney Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 24,000times in 2013. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 9 sold-out performances for that many people to see it. In 2013, there were 120 new posts, growing the total archive of this blog to 458 posts. There were 938 pictures uploaded, taking up a total of 358 MB. That’s about 3 pictures per day.”

2013 was an incredible year, and one that I’ll never forget. Given everything that’s happened in Boston and throughout the world, I feel very lucky to be able to say that. I’ve loved meeting so many new friends, colleagues, professional contacts, and role models. I’m also surrounded by an amazing group of friends and family, and it’s very cool to see how far we’ve all come this year. Everyone continues to do big things, and I’m so excited to see what another year brings for everyone.  

Happy New Year! Much more to come in 2014!