PHILADELPHIA, PA-It’s a joy to review one’s work over the course of a year. I’ve been doing this for 20 years now, and it’s always fun to take a moment and reflect. I originally had many more images, but these are images I thought our network would enjoy.
This marathon finishing image feels like a pure form of victory, what victory with grace looks like. Runners finish in all kinds of ways: some collapse, some slow to a walk and drift off. I’ve spent years photographing races, and the marathon in particular, always trying to find something new within something so familiar. This image of a Everlyn Kemboi finishing the half-marathon felt graceful and complete, strength without excess, effort without theatrics.
Run the Bridge offers a fabulous opportunity to photograph something rare, because the iconic Ben Franklin Bridge is shut down to traffic for the race. With the drone in the air and the roadway empty, there’s calm and beauty without vehicles. The color contrast pulled me into this frame: runners set against the cool blue tones of sky and steel. This was my second year shooting from the bridge, and once again, the bridge, Camden, and Philadelphia work beautifully together.
The next images are from a Philabundance event at Citizens Bank Park. A longtime Philabundance employee was chosen to catch the first pitch, thrown by actress, comedian, and The Office’s own Kate Flannery. I captured the moment just after he secured the ball—a moment of joy I hope he’ll never forget. Kate was pure energy, fully engaged and playing to the crowd, who loved her. She’s a native of the area, and she loves Philly sports. I followed her around the field, letting her gregariousness lead the frame. It was an exceedingly enjoyable experience, and we still text.
Al Roker brought national news coverage as he promoted the value of walking to everyday health. He led a group of nearly 300 people, and keeping pace with him wasn’t easy. He stopped without issue, for photos, conversations, brief check-ins, and to let the rest of the pack keep up. He was pushing that pace hard. The joy of the mascots and crowd at the Rocky Steps was extra fun, and highlighted the City of Philadelphia!
At a Creative Future event, I photographed Lisa Ann Walter from Abbott Elementary mingling with other movie industry representatives at an event in DC. She was there on behalf of SAG-AFTRA, helping unite major unions to advocate for the value artists contribute to this country and why that work deserves protection and support. I have a lot of images of members of Congress holding Thor’s hammer, too, that I won’t share — but they always give me and my team a smile.
Parades bring their own kind of chaos. Photographing Mayor Cherelle Parker during the Puerto Rican Day parade with El Concilio was our first time covering the event and our second project with the organization. It was a joyful celebration rooted in music, dance, and a deep sense of collective pride and neighborhood connection.
Ken Burns, speaking at the Museum of American Revolution stood out for different reasons. The timing around the event couldn’t have been better, coinciding with what I consider the strongest exhibit the museum has ever mounted, along with his release of the American Revolution series on PBS. Watching him enjoy the story and tour was a joy, and it gave me a chance to thank him for his work promoting PBS as I work to extend my own documentary series, Grown Up Dad , beyond Season 1.
Danella Companies is a utility construction firm wearing many hats. They are our longest-standing corporate client, now 15 years –and I’m always looking for new ways to tell their story. This recent assignment focused on their mechanics keeping hundreds of vehicles running across the country. And me being me, I love to laugh, and I saw this moment with the mechanic’s head in an odd place, and shot a few clicks. It may never get used, but I love finding small moments of levity within an industry that is more Chevy Truck than SNL.
And then the great Patti LaBelle, performing for the Navy’s 250th anniversary for Office of the City Representative and Special Events . The anticipation in that space was unmistakable. You could already feel energy building—history, celebration, and pride converging in a single moment. It felt like a preview of the greatness of what’s to come in 2026, as the country reaches its 250th birthday.
As we begin 2026, these images remind us of the moments that make our work meaningful: the unexpected, the joyful, and the powerful. From shared celebrations to small acts of connection, it’s the people and their stories that shape the year. The year ahead is full of stories, and we’re ready to capture them all.
Have a project you want to work on this year? Reach out to us at hello@veracitystudios.com!
