Knox News photojournalist Saul Young shares his favorite photos of 2022
When looking at the Knox News photographers' photos of the year, you may see some recurring topics: University of Tennessee athletics, high school sports, graduations, proms, festivals, fires, floods, snow and more generally, but most importantly, the lives of East Tennesseans.
Despite that we often photograph some of the same things every year, each of the Knox News photographers adds distinction to their work that can only be their own.
Caitie McMekin is kind, sincere, and charming. Those traits put the people in front of her camera at ease and in doing so, she takes some of the most emotionally honest photographs you will ever see.
Brianna Paciorka is headstrong and determined. She's the only person I know who can battle a massive crowd, get hit by a giant piece of metal and still walk away with an iconic photograph of the Tennessee fan celebrating on a collapsing goalpost.
If anyone defines creativity in news photography, it is Calvin Mattheis. His photographs weave that perfect line between news and art.
Jamar Coach was this year's intern photographer and you'd never know his inexperience based on his work. He's already good now and will get even better.
Myself? I am just an old photographer who's been doing the same job for way too many years, but I get to work with a group of amazing photographers who are much too young and much too good at their jobs. My work isn't that exceptional, but thankfully the people I photograph are.
As a team, we did some amazing work this year and we plan to do even more in the year to come. Here are some of my favorite photos of the year.
This is probably my favorite photograph from a high school prom. I've never come across a moment where someone looks so smooth and cool.
It's moments like this that make sports photography so enjoyable. An underdog Kentucky team hitting a buzzer beater 3-point shot to win the SEC Championship tournament over the reigning national champions South Carolina.
A fun moment during the Knoxville Veterans Day parade.
The last photograph I took of Brandon Gibson, a beautiful human being whom Knoxville lost much too soon. Also the last photograph of him and me together. You can see me taking this picture on the right screen.
I feel that this photograph blends both the beauty of Florida and the destruction of hurricanes. You can read a little more of my experiences this year covering Hurricane Ian.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Knox News photojournalist Saul Young shares his best photos of 2022
