Photographer Alfred Eisensteadt, who captured some of the most iconic images of the 20th century, once said, “It is more important to click with people than to click the shutter.”

As photojournalists, we are fortunate to be invited into the homes and lives of people in our community. We tell people’s stories for a living. It is a responsibility we take seriously and consider a privilege. To be able to make storytelling, impactful images, there needs to be a great deal of trust on both the part of the subject and the part of the photographer. Without that relationship, it would be difficult to make meaningful images.

The photo department hosted our first ever Photos of the Year event in November, which gave us a chance to talk a little about those experiences and tell the stories behind the images you see in the newspaper and online. Here’s a selection of photographs that stood out from 2018. Thank you to the many people shared their time and their stories with us.

— Amanda Cowan, photo editor

A quiet moment

When we photograph high school sports, our readers see the peak action, but that´s not the only thing we look for. One of my favorite aspects of sports photography is capturing the range of emotions. On Nov. 9, the Hockinson football coach allowed me into the locker room to capture the pre-game speech and this moment stood out. As the team had a moment of silence and prayer before the game, there was a sudden calm. This gentle stillness is a stark contrast from the high-energy action that you see throughout the game.  — Alisha Jucevic 

Raising Kaine

This photo is from a months-long project following Kaine’s journey. While other images show Kaine in his environment, I always try to include a portrait so we can meet our characters up close. On this day Kaine was posing for a portrait at an event for foster kids. I snuck into the studio while Kaine was posing for the other photographer and made some images from the side. Something about how Kaine’s face was coming forward from the darkness behind him seemed symbolic to me, and the image played a prominent role in the final story.  — Nathan Howard

School strikes

When I got to this labor rally the first thing that struck me was the energy. I knew I needed to capture the size of the group, and a sense of why they were rallying. I got in close with a wide-angle lens and tried to fill the frame as the group cheered. The final images seemed to capture that sense of energy I felt. — Nathan Howard

Candlelight vigil

This story was probably one of the hardest I covered in 2018. The killing of a child is so difficult to comprehend, and as a photojournalist I wanted to make sure I told the story without adding to the anguish. I was drawn to this image because of the light, composition and the quiet innocence as the children honored Hartley’s memory. — Amanda Cowan

A strong man

The story of Akhil and the Jhaveri family is one that I’m very close to. Having known the Jhaveri family since The Columbian’s first story, “A Strong Man,” published in 2015, I have admired Akhil’s will to survive and his determination to be there for his family. As a journalist, you always hope to have the opportunity to follow a story all the was through to the end but very rarely is this possible. Because of the openness and friendship built with the Jhaveri family, and editors at The Columbian recognizing the importance of Akhil’s story, I was able to do so. In the end, Akhil left a legacy that inspired many. In an interview with Akhil in 2015, he said, “You should make people happier to have known you than before they met you. That should be your goal.” — Ariane Kunze formerly of The Columbian

Dressed in confidence

This image was part of a photo story I shot last spring with reporter Scott Hewitt and videographer Alisha Jucevic. We followed Keegan for the evening, watching him transform into his alter ego, Wanda Faame, and perform in two drag shows. I was drawn to this spontaneous moment because of the interesting light, and it was nice to see him in the context of downtown Vancouver. I was also impressed at how agile and comfortable he was running in high heels.  — Amanda Cowan

When photo editor Amanda Cowan and reporter Scott Hewitt told me about this project, I knew we had to find a way to incorporate video. I was drawn to Keegan’s story because of his charisma and confidence. I think this video adds a new dimension to the story and allows you to see his brilliant personality and the stage presence of his alter ego, Wanda Faame.  — Alisha Jucevic

Summer shimmers

I had an idea rolling around in my head for about a year that it would be fun to do a project capturing the feeling of summer because it is so fleeting here in the Pacific Northwest. I spent about two months working on the project and visited places such as Battle Ground Lake, Dougan Falls, a local farm and a movie in the park. I liked this image because it felt like summer to me. Also, this was the only moment where the sun sparkled off the lake and illuminated the inner tube, which was kind of a happy accident. —Amanda Cowan

Barony of Stromgard

The event, which recreates medieval times with fighters and other participants, was hosted by the Society for Creative Anachronism’s Barony of Stromgard. This was the lead image in a photo story I worked on over the summer with reporter Scott Hewitt that featured the living history organization. The participants were gracious in teaching us more about the event and even let me borrow a summer dress to wear while I was shooting. When I look at the image, I think it is unique because it draws me into the action and into another time in history. — Amanda Cowan

Firefighter

Clark County Fire District 6 firefighter Dominic Sepe comforts Olivia Calton, 15, after a fire at her home on the evening of July 30. I always dread covering fires and accidents, because I know we are coming to photograph possibly the most difficult day in someone’s life. We cover these events in hopes of preventing similar occurrences and to spread the news so the community can reach out to support and provide resources. I approach these situations delicately. With this particular photo, I wanted to show a different side of a firefighter’s job. Sepe was calm and caring and helped comfort Olivia after she found out her dog had died. Her family later told me that Sepe was Olivia’s favorite firefighter that day. — Alisha Jucevic

Fourth of July fun

The Columbian often covers hectic and crowded events such as festivals and parades. With so many things going on at once, it can be difficult to focus. As I walked through the field, these sisters’ matching Fourth of July dresses stood out. I captured a few fun photos of them playing in the grass next to their family, but I love the look of childhood imagination in their faces as they took a moment to watch the plane fly by. The beautiful pink sunset added to the summer mood. — Alisha Jucevic

Hope and determination    

This image is from a six-month project about Austin, who was born with a muscle myopathy that caused his legs to be twisted and his feet to be clubbed. He loves hockey and in spite of this physical condition has been able to play by getting involved in sled hockey. What I love about this photo is that it surrounds Austin with the world of hockey. There is a sense of hope and determination that I saw in this image: Austin is in the stands above the game, but with his jersey and hockey stick it almost feels like he’s on the ice with the athletes.   — Alisha Jucevic

 

When following Austin, I tried to be a fly on the wall. In the end, what I captured the most was him just being an ordinary boy — crazy about sports and playing outside. He is driven to be independent but also battling a condition that limits his mobility. I felt it was important to document some of the harder moments that really define his determination. Every day, Austin overcomes challenges that many kids and adults will never understand — all the while embracing the attitude that he can and will do anything. — Ariane Kunze formerly of The Columbian

‘A good life’

We run a lot of stories previewing upcoming events. Rather than printing file photos, we try to find personal stories that will give a deeper look at the purpose for the event. This particular photo was made to preview an ALS fundraising walk. I spent an afternoon with the Gabriels to document part of his day. I felt that this moment showed the love and support between them. When I talked with Lyndon Gabriel later in the afternoon, he told me, “I’ve had a good life; I could be crabby and sad or I could be happy, and I choose to be happy.” — Alisha Jucevic

Fire aftermath

I shot this for a project documenting the Columbia River Gorge one year after the devastating Eagle Creek Fire. The reporter and I knew that in addition to the images of trails and fire damage, we needed to find a scenic view that showed the process of recovery. We left Vancouver at 5 a.m. so we could catch the gorge at sunrise. There was heavy cloud cover and it began to look like our early morning trip would be in vain, but the clouds broke and provided us with this wonderful scene. — Nathan Howard

Court appearance

Normally when defendants walk by they keep their heads down and ignore the spectators, but he glanced back just as his vest fell down to reveal his tattoo. The moment seemed to tell a story of a young man coming to terms with his current circumstances. — Nathan Howard

Drugs offer hope to opioid addicts

Timberly Eyssen is overcoming a past addiction to opioids and using Suboxone to help decrease her cravings. I think video has the ability to let you feel what others are going through in a way that words and photos are not always able to do. Timberly wanted to share her story in the hope that others going through opioid addiction might see another tool to help them, the way Suboxone has helped her. — Alisha Jucevic

Big stretch

Sometimes you just get lucky. While I’ve photographed yoga before, this was my first all-youth group. The kids were just very into the activity. Everyone was having a good time and Kaliah seemed to forget I was in the room. Because of this I was able to be behind her as she stretched back with this look of complete relaxation. — Nathan Howard

Check out more of our favorite photos from 2018