It’s that time of the years again for my best, and by best, I mean, favorite photos of the year. I always try to limit the number to 5. I shot 163 events this year. Call it 1000 photos each. That’s the 5 best out of 163,000 photos. No problem.
#1 PJ Chambers v. Mount Carmel.
This one is my favorite. Not by a lot, but clearly the best to me. It’s a shot of DePaul Prep’s PJ Chambers in the Rams’ February 12, 2024, game against Mount Carmel at the Tom Winiecki Gym for the Chicago Catholic League Championship. It also turned out to be a preview of the 3A State Championship game as well. Just the look on PJ’s face tells the story of the struggle that was that game.
#2—#5 These are in no particular order of preference.
#2 Pádraic Ó Conaire Statue (Replica), Eyre Square, Galway, Ireland
I just found this walking in the small park just adjacent to the old Great Southern Hotel in Galway. Just a lovely little statue. Pádraic Ó Conaire was renounded Irish writer from the area. The original statue was moved indoors some years ago.
#3. Nick LoGalbo.
This is a photo of Lane Tech head basketball coach Nick LoGalbo. In addition to being a great basketball coach, he is so great to photograph. Always so much expression, always in motion. This is the rare contemplative LoGalbo before a game. Still tons of expression.
#4 Total Exclipse of the Sun.
This was my second chance to photograph an eclipse. I got some good ones in Southern Illinois in 2017. The total eclipse came back to basically the same area in April. I went and I got this one. It’s about as good as I could do without more specialized equipment. It shows the solar flares which turned out way better than I ever hoped. I can’t wait until 2044. Mark your calendars.
#5. Mike Passarella and his team.
I knew when Mike Passarella took over as the DePaul Prep football coach that he would have great success. I didn’t expect it to be a state championship in his fifth or maybe sixth season. He looks like a serious as a heart attack football coach in this photo but he really a very nice man. He couldn’t nicer and more accommodating to me.
#5A. Carol and Dan in front of Lydon’s Bar, Cong, Galway, Ireland.
Not the greatest photo but it just means a great deal to me. A great trip with Carol and Dan.
#5B. DePaul Prep Wins Second State Title.
I was finally able to capture a “signature Kirstin Stickney reaction shot.” Sun-Times photographer Kirstin Stickney is legendary for this kind of shot. I, as you may know, am not. I have been working at it and I finally landed one. Special thanks to the Rams’ Jonas Johnson for a proper celebration to capture.
#5C. DePaul Prep State Finalist Volleyball Team.
There is just something about the photo that tells a story. I can’t help but wonder what the players are saying as they watch their opponent warm up. A special thanks to Rams’ head coach Caroline Gajzler who encouraged me to photograph her team’s games. It was a great adventure learning how to photograph volleyball that ended up in a state tournament. And thanks to the players and their parents for suffering through more than a few not so good photos.
#5D. Four Students at Volleyball State Finals Game.
This one turned out better than I ever imagined. It was a particular favorite of the other judges. I must thank these young ladies. I was not looking to take this photo. I don’t know these girls. They were standing in the front row and asked me to take it. They look great and posed perfectly. The color just pops!
#5E. 30-Second Time Out.
This one is pretty new. I took it early in December during the Rams’ victory over #2 Rich Township at Mount Carmel. The look on DePaul Prep Rams’ Makai Kvamme is gripping. I don’t know what Coach Kleinschmidt was a saying by Makai was listening.
#5F. Kid in a Kleinschmidt Jersey.
Finally, and again, these were in no particular order, the kid in the Tom Kleinschmidt Gordon Tech jersey is classic. What high school kid in any high school has the luck to have and the smarts to wear the high school jersey of his school’s legendary 300 game winning basketball coach? Again, maybe not the best photo ever, just a great subject. Great story about that jersey.
I hope you liked the photos.
