“MOMENT: HOW I GOT THIS PHOTO” — March 30
I was photographing designers and models auditioning for Bravo’s fashion reality show “Project Runway.” In the women’s washroom I found Mathia Colley trying to warm up her frozen toes in one of the shiny stainless-steel sinks. Colley, wearing high heels and a jersey blouse with cutout sleeves, had waited outdoors for several hours in the cold with more than 150 other fashion hopefuls. — Nancy Stone
THOUSANDS MAKE TRACKS TO JOLIET” — June 23
We were assigned to photo essays about towns at the end of Metra lines. I chose Joliet, partly because I am a baseball fan and love small-town minor-league games. I looked forward to a chance to check out the Jackhammers. In this photo, team mascot Jammer’s “fur” was soaked with sweat from an event earlier in the day. Even with an industrial blower, he couldn’t get dry by game time, so his spotter, Sonia Little, gave him a dose of Febreze. Another secret formula sometimes used for cleaning Jammer’s suit: A solution of vodka and water does the trick. — Wes Pope
GOLDEN CHANCE IN THE RING” — March 31
A moment that sticks with me is from the Golden Gloves tournament, when boxer Baldmar Garcia was the victim of a wild punch that dislocated his shoulder. A referee walked over, wrapped a towel around Garcia’s arm and shoulder, and with one swift move, popped the shoulder back in — to the audible and collective groan from the audience. There was a moment of great pain that followed, as you see in the photo, then he got better and walked off the canvas. I had no idea what was going on at the time. I’m not an experienced spectator of boxing — it was my first Golden Gloves tournament. But it was bizarrely fascinating. You gotta love those referees. — Alex Garcia
OUT OF ETHIOPIA: As more white Americans embrace African adoptions, experts applaud good intentions but point out social realities.” — Aug. 18
This picture works because everyone is reacting happily to everyone else on the scene. Marika Lindholm is smiling at her newly adopted daughter, Safia, who is smiling at the photographer; and the photographer (although you can’t see him) is smiling at both of them.
— Chris Walker
“CHEER FOR OLD N.D. BUT DON’T MISS WHAT IS AROUND BEND” — July 28
I am often asked what kinds of things I photograph as a newspaper photographer. Most of the time, my hurdle is to explain that I am just as likely to chase a kayak as a firetruck. In this case, our series on cities at the end of train lines from Chicago brought me to South Bend, Ind., where I photographed an artificial white-water river that runs through downtown — how cool is that? A bridge overhead, and a slow shutter speed, provided a way to convey the fury.
— Alex Garcia
“YOU ARE ENTERING … TWINS NATION: Boom in multiple births could shift politics, society” — Feb. 22
While working on a story about twins, I photographed many on location. I wanted to shoot a set of twins in the studio, just to try a different approach. When 4-year-olds Rashel and Kalem Hoppszallern came into the studio on that Saturday morning, I knew this would be a fun shoot. The energy that these two had was magical. They played off each other so well, my job to capture a great moment was a “snap.”
— John Dziekan
“FLY AWAY HOME: Sunday is the biggest meet of the year for local pigeon racers — and Harry Kroll is the man they want to beat.” — Oct. 6
Pigeon racer Harry Kroll was very upset, but I couldn’t have been happier. The fog was ruining — or at least postponing — his birds’ training flight. The birds were released about an hour later than Harry had hoped, giving me plenty of time to take advantage of the weather. As he phoned a friend minding his pigeon loft back home in Lyons Township, I made this photo through the wonderful fog.
— Michael Tercha
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THE PHOTOGRAPHERS
Chris Walker, Nancy Stone, Wes Pope, Alex Garcia, John Dziekan, Michael Tercha