Savannah Morning News lead photographer Richard Burkhart's 2021 year in review

Richard Burkhart, Savannah Morning News
·5 min read
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All I can say is wow! What a year 2021 has been. I returned to the staff of the Savannah Morning News after being away from journalism for 7 years. The pandemic changed the world in so many ways last year. Nothing like everything shutting down to show me how much I really missed visually documenting this community and telling the stories of those who live, play, and work here.

Vice President-elect Kamala Harris speaks in Savannah for Warnock, Ossoff

Senate candidates Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff point toward Vice President-elect Kamala Harris during a campaign event at Garden City Stadium.
Senate candidates Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff point toward Vice President-elect Kamala Harris during a campaign event at Garden City Stadium.

Before I was even fully back on staff the year was off to the races. In January we had a visit from then Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, who came to Savannah to campaign for Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock who were both in a runoff election for the two Georgia Senate seats.

More: Kamala Harris attempts to unite worried Georgia voters amid a strongly divided political cycle

COVID vaccinations rollout in Chatham, Effingham and Bryan counties

UGA pharmacy student Emily Anne Plauche administers the COVID-19 vaccine to Willie Thompson, during a St. Joseph’s/ Candler clinic for patients age 65 and older.
UGA pharmacy student Emily Anne Plauche administers the COVID-19 vaccine to Willie Thompson, during a St. Joseph’s/ Candler clinic for patients age 65 and older.

One of the continuing themes throughout 2021 was COVID vaccinations. As the vaccine rollout began more and more people became eligible to receive the vaccine. While it feels like they’ve been available forever, it’s only been a year since the first doses arrived in Georgia.

Issues of impact in 2021: COVID-19 vaccines curbed but couldn't cure the pandemic

Cases rising into 2022: Chatham County's flu, COVID cases on the rise going into holidays

How to know when to get tested: Could it be COVID-19 omicron variant symptoms or the flu?

Kids return to in-person learning after COVID pandemic lockdown

Charles Ellis Montessori Academy Principal Tanya Melville offers an air hug to a young student during the first day back to Hybrid learning since winter break.
Charles Ellis Montessori Academy Principal Tanya Melville offers an air hug to a young student during the first day back to Hybrid learning since winter break.

After a year of virtual learning children finally began returning to the classroom in 2021. The joy in this image shows just how much the students, faculty, and staff missed one another.

Public schools superintendent: 'Ready to move forward to school'

Adam Van Brimmer: Savannah-Chatham School Board braces for election year battles over masks, racial equity

More: Coastal Georgia parents of children ages 5-to-11 weigh choice to get COVID vaccine or not

'Hot Sushi' bitten by shark while surfing off Tybee Island

Atsushi "Hot Sushi" Yamada claps as a student surfs into shore Thursday during Hot Sushi's Happy Surf Camp Aloha on Tybee Island. Yamada was happy to be back in the water working with children just two days after being bitten by a shark near this very spot.
Atsushi "Hot Sushi" Yamada claps as a student surfs into shore Thursday during Hot Sushi's Happy Surf Camp Aloha on Tybee Island. Yamada was happy to be back in the water working with children just two days after being bitten by a shark near this very spot.

Being on the water you know that marine life of all kind is lurking under the waves. This summer surf instructor Atsushi Yamada was bitten on the calf by a shark during a surf camp at Tybee Island. Just days after the incident Atsushi was back in the ocean doing what he loves, teaching kids to surf.

'It's part of our life': Surf instructor back on Tybee beach two days after shark bite

Carver Village fighting gentrification with Enmarket Arena going up

An afternoon pickup game in Carver Village, just steps away from where I-16 passes the neighborhood.
An afternoon pickup game in Carver Village, just steps away from where I-16 passes the neighborhood.

Carver Village is a neighborhood that I was drawn to more than once this year. With gentrification pushing throughout Savannah and the Enmarket Arena project just blocks away Carver Village residents are optimistic but cautious as they look toward the future.

More: Carver Village neighbors know the Enmarket Arena will spur gentrification in West Savannah. But they have a plan.

Longtime Savannah state representative Mickey Stephens dies

Pallbearers from the Chatham County legislative delegation carry the casket of Georgia House Representative Edward "Mickey" Stephens following his funeral service at the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist.
Pallbearers from the Chatham County legislative delegation carry the casket of Georgia House Representative Edward "Mickey" Stephens following his funeral service at the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist.

Funerals are always difficult. During the summer I covered the funeral for Rep. Mickey Stephens. It was a strange full circle moment for me. I remember being at Stephens house on election night during his first campaign.

'A life well-lived': Friends, family and peers gather to celebrate life of Mickey Stephens

Black gill, climate change affect shrimp output in Coastal Georgia

A dolphin pokes up out of the Lazaretto Creek as Shrimpers Nicholas Scott and Ricky Miles unload a fresh catch off the Amanda Lynn Monday at Lazaretta Packing Inc. on Tybee Island.
A dolphin pokes up out of the Lazaretto Creek as Shrimpers Nicholas Scott and Ricky Miles unload a fresh catch off the Amanda Lynn Monday at Lazaretta Packing Inc. on Tybee Island.

Having grown up on the coast I love my seafood, especially shrimp. Between Black Gill and Global Warming is taking a toll on the shrimping industry. As shrimpers off load a fresh catch a dolphin stops by looking for a snack.

More: Black gill parasite causes fall harvest declines in Georgia White Shrimp

Sen. Jon Ossoff visits Savannah with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm

Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, right, shares a prayer with Mildred McClain, executive director of the Harambee House, following a visit to the Hudson Hill neighborhood.
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, right, shares a prayer with Mildred McClain, executive director of the Harambee House, following a visit to the Hudson Hill neighborhood.

Often, I capture moments that don’t necessarily fit with the story. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm was visiting Savannah with Sen. Jon Ossoff. During their visit they stopped by the Hudson Hill neighborhood. After the walk and talk was over, I headed for my car, as I walked away, I saw Granholm praying with Mildred McClain, executive director of the Harambee House. While it didn’t fit with the story, it was a beautiful moment.

More: Sen. Ossoff, Energy Sec. Granholm promote clean energy jobs, home solar panels in Savannah

Sapelo Island, Gullah Geechee people fighting to keep their land

A volunteer helps carry sugar cane as Maurice Bailey leads a harvest in the cold and rain on Sapelo Island.
A volunteer helps carry sugar cane as Maurice Bailey leads a harvest in the cold and rain on Sapelo Island.

Sapelo Island and the Hog Hammock community is a place I’ve long wanted to visit. The opportunity finally came this year as we looked at the effects the environment as well as tourism are having on the Gullah community. We visited during a sugar cane harvest and wouldn’t you know it was one of the coldest rainiest days we’ve had this year.

More: Sapelo Island's Geechee population fight development, sea-level rise, land loss to preserve culture

More: What if reconnecting to the land not only healed a people but also rectified wrongs?

Veterans Day parade returns to downtown Savannah

Air Force JROTC members march with a giant American Flag as they move along Liberty Street during the annual Veterans Day Parade in Savannah.
Air Force JROTC members march with a giant American Flag as they move along Liberty Street during the annual Veterans Day Parade in Savannah.

After more than a year Veterans Day finally brought a parade back to the streets of Savannah. This is the most interesting a fun parade photo I’ve ever captured.

More: Veteran of the Year O.C. Fowler, Grand Marshal Jim Grismer to be honored at Savannah parade

Ahmaud Arbery murder trial brings nation to Brunswick

All eyes were on Brunswick GA, during the trial for the three men accused of Killing Ahmaud Arbery. From pre-trial marches to prayer vigils and visits from Rev. Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson I covered lots of miles making the drive between Brunswick and Savannah.

Jeannette Torres of New York City, chants as she marches in Brunswick Georgia.
Jeannette Torres of New York City, chants as she marches in Brunswick Georgia.

What's next on hate crime charges: Ahmaud Arbery verdict is in but case is not over yet.

Adam Van Brimmer: Arbery's killing sparked change in Georgia. Convicting his murderers was about justice.

Ahmaud Arbery case: Georgia officials, leaders react to guilty verdicts in murder trial

Benedictine Military School wins GHSA Class 4A state high school football title

I’m not going to say it’s a coincidence but in 2014, the year I left the newspaper Benedictine won a State championship. This year they won another, with an impressive season that started with back to back losses and ended with a giant celebration.

More: How Benedictine rallied after an 0-2 start to reach its goal of winning a state football title

Benedictine alum: Coaching, culture key to Cadet football teams championship success

More: Next stop, Auburn, for Benedictine star QB Holden Geriner, an early enrollee with Tigers

Richard Burkhart is a visual journalist for Savannah Morning News. Contact him at rbburkhart@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Best news photos 2021 for Savannah GA from Richard Burkhart