Have you heard the Ashley Cooke song “It’s been a year?” Her words have stuck with me since the first time I heard it….

It's been 365 of record lows and record highs
Loving and losing, fun and confusing, praying and shifting gears
For the minute you got, it's probably a lot, more than you wanna hear
So all I'll say is, it's been a year
Yeah, it's been a year

2022 was a year for sure. It was filled with more losses than one family should endure. But it was also filled with laughter, love, joy, and celebration. Reviewing my image catalog from 2022 reminded me of all the things that I have to be grateful for and all the ways to carry those I’ve lost with me in my photographs.

I'm finally sharing my favorite photographs from 2022. The best thing about choosing favorites is that they don't have to be the most technically perfect images, just the images that bring you the most joy. I had a hard time deciding how to narrow it down, so I chose one from each month. January got a bonus because my camera took a break in November. I'd love to know which one is your favorite?

Sony a7rIII + 24-70 GM I
1/250 | F/4 | ISO 200

January 2022- Sunrise in Winthrop, WA. We set out one morning in search of eagles that we had seen the evening before. We found the pair cuddling in a tree far off in the distance so we drove further down the road looking for a place to turn around. As we turned the corner, we spotted golden sunlight illuminating this field of beautiful horses. I quickly forgot about the eagles as I set about photographing this magical scene.

Sony a7rIII + 24-70 GM I
1/250 | F/7.1 | ISO 400

January 2022- Fresh snow coats the fields below the Goat Peak Lookout in Mazama, WA. Spending new years skiing in the Methow has become a new favorite way to turn the calendar. There is something so inspiring about waking up to new snow covering all the tracks left in the days before. To say that I wish that were my cabin is an understatement!

Sony a7rIII + 14 MM F1.8
1/500 | F/14 | ISO 250

February 2022- A blue bird sky day at Mount Rainier offered the perfect conditions for snowshoeing to Panorama Point. As expected in perfect conditions like these, the trails were crowded and chaotic, but fighting the crowds was 100% worth it. What I love most about the photograph is how it shows all of the people enjoying being out on this beautiful winter day.

Sony a7rIII + 100-400 G
1/2000 | F/8 | ISO 400

March 2022- Balloon Roundup, Winthrop, WA. Attending a balloon festival has been on my bucket list since I first picked up a camera. When I learned that one of my favorite places hosted a balloon fest over their snow covered mountains, I just knew we had to go. We lucked out with beautiful blue skies and I loved seeing the brightly colored balloons against the snowy backdrops.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro + SeaLife Sport Diver Housing

April 2022- Under the sea at Blackbird Caye, Belize. After drowning my camera on my first day scuba diving, I was glad that I had impulse purchased a SeaLife underwater housing for my iPhone. The housing was smaller, lighter, and much easier to use than a full sized camera. I certainly had a hard time choosing a favorite photograph from the hundreds of images that I took while diving. There is just something so surreal about actually being in this extraordinary environment.

Sony a7rIII + 100-400 G
1/200 | F/5.6 | ISO 1000

May 2022- Flower Moon & Early Blood Eclipse in Cape Hatteras, NC. On the first day of the spring Saltwater Retreat in Avon, we were able to watch the full moon known as the Flower Moon rise which coincided with the Blood Eclipse. While my eyes didn’t stay open for the eclipse, it was wonderful to see the redish tint of the full moon.

Sony a7rIII + 100-400 G
1/250 | F/5.6 | ISO 250

June 2022- Dewy grasses in Avon, NC. I set out to photograph the sunrise on the beach this morning, but was distracted by the sparkling dew hanging off the grasses. I spent all of sunrise concentrating on these tiny drops of water hanging off of thin blades of grass. Such an important reminder to not be hyperfocused on what your intended subject is and to take time to notice your surroundings.

Sony a7IV + 24-70 GM II
1/250 | F/18 | ISO 400

July 2022- Setting sun at camp on the South Sister near Bend, OR. About 10 years ago, Forrest and I had attempted to climb the South Sister too early in the season and were forced to camp below the approach with barely a view of the peaks surrounding us. We returned to make it further into the hike barely missing the summit because of lingering snow and the late afternoon hour. Instead we set up camp with a spectacular view of Broken Top and enjoyed watching the sun setting against the surrounding mountains.

Sony a7IV + 100-400 G
1/1250 | F/8 | ISO 400

August 2022- Orca Pod in front of Mount Baker, WA. I was scheduled to have lunch with a photography friend and instead suggested we do a whale watching trip to which she happily agreed. We set our expectations long, but outfited our cameras with our longest lenses feeling hopeful. We were rewarded with a beautiful day on the water, dozens of orca sightings, and a spectacular view of Mount Baker. While I have images that show the whales more, I just love this image with Mount Baker in the background.

Sony a7IV + Lensbaby Edge 80 mm
1/400 | F/5.6 | ISO 160

September 2022- Fall Swell at the Avon Pier, NC. I returned to the east coast for two weeks of fall Saltwater Retreats and some fun at our surf shack. We were blessed with incredible clear water and mesmerizing clean waves. My favorite morning was spent photographing the waves from the Avon Fishing Pier, catching their curls and peels as they ran down the shoreline.

Sony a7IV + 24-70 GM II
1/5 | F/5.6 | ISO 50
Handheld still while surfer walked by

October 2022- Long exposure surfer, Avon, NC. Another images created during the Saltwater Retreat, I choose a long exposure to blur the surfer as if he were fading away along with the fading swell in the water. Black and while brought out the textures and contrast allowing his form to really pop from the image.

Sony a7IV + 24-70 GM II
1/250 | F/8 | ISO 250

December 2022- Sunrise on the last day of the year, Mazama, WA. We ended the year in the same place where we began- on the Methow Trails. A brutally cold and clear morning offered both the promise of a beautiful day of skiing but a calm ending to a year that was anything but.

Here’s to a 2023 full of more laugher, more love, and more joy.

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