For me, 2021 began with an insurrection and ended on New Year's Eve in Times Square.
Whereas 2020 was primarily spent covering the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic and nationwide social unrest, 2021 was a year of myriad, diverse experiences.
Please take a few moments and check out my (slightly belated) recap!
This collection of photos and words is part of a self-published newsletter; if you'd like to receive future publications please sign up via the link below.
You can read and see more here --> 2021 in photos // Here's to 2022 đź“·
Whereas 2020 was primarily spent covering the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic and nationwide social unrest, 2021 was a year of myriad, diverse experiences.
Please take a few moments and check out my (slightly belated) recap!
This collection of photos and words is part of a self-published newsletter; if you'd like to receive future publications please sign up via the link below.
You can read and see more here --> 2021 in photos // Here's to 2022 đź“·
Colombian protesters launch a firework in the direction of ESMAD (mobile anti-disturbance squadron) officer during a late night protest in Bogotá, Colombia. Hundreds of people gathered in Portal de las Americas, more commonly know as Portal Resistencia to those protesting, to confront ESMAD officers in a demonstration aimed to garner the attention of CIDH (inter-American commission on human rights). Police deployed heavy teargas, less-lethal munitions and repeatedly used a water canon in an attempt to disperse the crowd. But protesters, most without gas masks or other protection, returned to the primera linea (first line) each time. Demonstrators threw rocks and some, using long pipes, launched fireworks towards the line of riot cops. At the time, Colombians were protesting against a police force that killed over 40 people, disappeared hundreds and against a government accused of furthering social and economic inequalities.
A man wearing cowboy boots and a "Make America Great Again" hat clings to a wall surrounding the U.S. Capitol building during the early afternoon of January 6, 2021. On January 6, 2021 thousands of Trump loyalists took control of the U.S. Capitol building in what has since been described as an attack on American democracy and a failed insurrection. The violence was fueled and condoned by former President Trump who encouraged his supporters to go to the Capitol and "defend the Constitution" while condemning “weakness” and promising to “never concede the election”. Over 40 arrests were made, more than 140 officers were reportedly injured, a declaration of public emergency was extended for 15 days in the Nation’s capital and a bipartisan Senate report ultimately found that at least seven people died in connection with the January 6th attack.
Surrounded by friends, a boy jumps into the Willamette River at Sellwood Riverfront Park in Portland, Oregon, U.S., on Monday, June 28, 2021. For nearly four days in late June 2021 Portland, Oregon and much of the Pacific Northwest experienced an unprecedented heat wave; temperatures in Portland reached 116 degrees Fahrenheit and hundreds of people throughout the Pacific Northwest died as a result of the heat.
The sky glowed a deep reddish orange and ash fell from the sky as the Dixie Fire consumed acre after acre just south of the town of Janesville, California. Several structures were lost, but crews were able to prevent the town from being directly hit. Today Janesville remains evacuated and other areas are being told to leave their homes as high winds and low humidity threaten to exacerbate what is already the largest wildfire in the United States. Ignited on July 13,2021 the Dixie Fire has grown to 605,611 acres and remains only 31% contained.
A protester runs amidst a cloud of teargas while carrying a flag emblazoned with the face of Che Guevara. On May 28, 2021 Colombians in the capital city of Bogota marked one month of protest against a violent police force and a government accused of furthering economic and social inequities. Demonstrations began on April 28, triggered by a proposed tax reform, but continued and escalated after the reform was rescinded. The protests were in response to police violence and what demonstrators cited as high levels of social and economic inequality. 

Police responded to protesters with teargas, less-lethal munitions and in some cases live ammunition. At the time, more than 60 people were reported to have been killed during anti-government protests and hundreds were reported missing.
Regina Rutledge holds back tears as she describes fleeing the Dixie Fire while sitting in her truck at the Lassen Community College turned evacuation center. Last week Regina and her extended family packed vehicles with supplies and valuables and created a caravan out of the town of Chester, one of many under mandatory evacuation orders. The community college has created a space inside for people to sleep on cots, but many are choosing to stay in their vehicles, some have trailers and many are opting for tents, creating mini alcoves of privacy spread out over the college campus. Regina said that she will continue to sleep in her truck, hopefuly she will soon be able to return home. August 7, 2021 in Susanville, California
On August 4, 2021 the Dixie Fire destroyed much of Greenville, California; over 100 homes and historic structures burned and all 1100 residents were displaced.
Supporters of President Trump and others gathered to dispute the 2020 Presidential election results make themselves comfortable on the lawn of the U.S. Capitol building while others breach the building's entrance. On January 6, 2021 Trump loyalists took control of the U.S. Capitol building in what has since been described as an attack on American democracy and a failed insurrection. The violence was fueled and condoned by former President Trump who encouraged his supporters to go to the Capitol and "defend the Constitution" while condemning “weakness” and promising to “never concede the election”. Over 40 arrests were made, more than 140 officers were reportedly injured, a declaration of public emergency was extended for 15 days in the Nation’s capital and a bipartisan Senate report ultimately found that at least seven people died in connection with the January 6th attack.
2021 in pictures
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