In the eye of the beholder: Herald photographers pick fave shots of the year

السبت 27 ديسمبر 2025 09:20 صباحاً

اخبار العرب-كندا 24: السبت 27 ديسمبر 2025 09:20 صباحاً

Calgary Herald photographers were kept busy in 2025 documenting the city’s daily news stories as well as one-off big events such as the G7 summit in Kananaskis. While they are always on the frontlines of major news stories, it’s interesting that it’s often the small, quirky photos that leave an impression on them.

Here are some of our photographers’ favourite assignments and results this year.

GAVIN YOUNG

He was only in Canada for about 24 hours, but United States President Donald Trump was all smiles for at least a few minutes as he waited with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for a group photo at the 2025 G7 Summit in Kananaskis on June 16, 2025.

A few hours before he would be elected to his new job as mayor of Calgary, Jeromy Farkas visited the Forest Lawn Dairy Queen, where he had his first job. Staff laughed with him as he showed he hadn’t forgotten his Blizzard-making skills.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, gets a very personal greeting from puppy Jonsie and Chantel Bender with the Pacific Assistance Dogs Society at Spruce Meadows on Sept. 7, 2025. The Duchess spent several days in Calgary and at Spruce Meadows for the 50th-anniversary ‘Masters’ tournament in her role as the venue’s Royal Patron.

DARREN MAKOWICHUK

Worshippers at St. Mary’s Cathedral mourn the passing of Pope Francis on April 21.

United States President Donald Trump’s arrival in Calgary on June 15 was heralded by the air force formation. The apocalyptic sky pretty much summed up many people’s feelings about the high-stakes G7 Summit in Kananaskis.

Country music icon KD lang laughs during the plaque ceremony on May 21 for her induction into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame. As always, the singer showed her offbeat side by placing her plaque upside down.

BRENT CALVER

I have dozens of photographs of these fully-armoured people in combat, but the juxtaposition of the man sitting there sipping a juice box will always make me chuckle. Combatant Keston Piche was taking a break in his armour during the King’s Cup Tournament, a competition of full-contact medieval combat at the High River Medieval Faire on June 28, 2025.

This image stands out as one of those split-second moments we might not even see with our eyes, but our camera catches the young girl’s surprise as the pickleball goes flying. Young Liv was learning to play pickleball at Fit Kids daycare on April 4, 2025.

“When you lie on your resume and have to fake it ’til you make it.” This photo makes me giggle every time I see it, and it is now my computer desktop wallpaper. It’s a perfect example of the silly and absurd things we encounter as journalists. Phoebe the Pug was guest-serving at St. James Corner Restaurant & Irish Pub in Calgary on Oct. 22 after fraudulently receiving her AGLC ProServe Liquor Staff Training certification. To raise awareness about bypassing such certifications through AI, Calgary tech firm Cognisense was able to complete the ProServe training material and complete the exam in minutes in Phoebe’s name without identity verification using an AI tool.

DEAN PILLING

It’s no secret that I love shooting concerts, festivals and pretty much any live music. This photo of country artist Jelly Roll, taken during his Beautifully Broken Great Northern Tour at the Saddledome on March 11, kind of sums up how I feel when I’m at a show. The look of pure joy on his face couldn’t be faked and was present during the majority of his performance. I think this pic captures perfectly someone who is truly grateful and enjoys every moment of what they get to do.

I’ve always been a fan of country/pop, singer-songwriter (and, of course, Calgary native) Lindsay Ell. I think it’s cool that she took time out from her already busy solo career to jump on a stage July 5 with Canadian country legend Shania Twain. She’s proven herself to be a pro over and over again, gaining praise from the likes of Randy Bachman, Buddy Guy and Keith Urban. This pic is really just a moment of Lindsay in her comfort zone.

Technically, this really is not a very good pic. It’s kind of over-exposed, and most shooters would say it’s pretty soft, but I think that’s what gives it its charm. Although taken at the annual Oxford Stomp festival in July, this pic of lead guitarist Ryan Gullen from Canadian rock band the Sheepdogs feels as though it could have been taken at any outdoor festival throughout the 1960s and ’70s. A picture really is just a moment in time, but a good one tells a much bigger story. When I look at this, I think of that scene from the movie Almost Famous where The Band and all their friends are on the bus singing Elton John’s Tiny Dancer. That’s what music is all about.

MIKE DREW

A small rattlesnake was spotted coiled on a road near Masinisin on Aug. 2, during one of my country drives.

A couple ride back to camp after the Writing-On-Stone Rodeo at Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park on Aug. 2.

Prismatic frost crystals gleam in the grass along Jumpingpound Creek west of Calgary on Oct. 22.

JIM WELLS

This year was very different for me. After 30-plus years behind the camera documenting the daily lives of Calgarians, I was forced to watch most of the year unfold on my computer and TV screens. On Jan. 3, 2025, I learned that I needed a full hip replacement. But as I hobbled and struggled, I was able to capture some quieter moments before my surgery.

I did not expect the kindness of strangers — those who held the door for me, who gave me their grocery carts, who picked up items for me, those who helped me pack my groceries, those who held a chair for me and bought me a pint at my fave watering hole. Thank you to all.

The wait took a mental and physical toll. By surgery day, Oct. 1, I struggled to walk into the hospital with my son, Alec, by my side. Thankfully, throughout the year, I had the support of my family, friends, fellow Postmedia Calgary staff, photographers and numerous media colleagues.

And, of course, I’m thankful for the doctors and nurses who performed the surgery and put up with my bad jokes while under the influence of painkillers. I’m happy to say that I’m well on the road to recovery. I learned the system is definitely not perfect, but the care is excellent.

I absolutely missed shooting Cavalry FC games this season and the friendly banter between the photogs and Spruce Meadows staff. I did manage to shoot a couple of matches before Tommy Wheeldon Jr. quipped that I was “unavailable for selection.”

Most of all, I missed watching Alec’s soccer practices and games from the sidelines. It’s a thing we share, the chats before, during and after.

I’m a rare breed, born and raised here, and I’ve missed you, Calgary, all of it! The news, the people, many of whom I call friends and the colleagues with whom I share double-doubles at news scenes.

I didn’t miss the construction, the lanes that suddenly end only to re-appear down the road, the traffic and the dreaded potholes. Mayor Farkas … can we work on that, please?

See you in 2026!

A newly developed basketball court is shown behind the Forest Lawn Community Association building on May 23, 2025. A new play structure is on the site as well.

Rita Chen, left, and Hazel Ling wait for a bus on 16th Avenue N.W. near 19th Street in Calgary on June 10, 2025. The balloon bouquet will be given to a friend who is graduating.

Bjorn Nilsen paused on Olympic Way S.E. to look at recent changes in the area and the Calgary skyline on March 18, 2025. He lived in Calgary for 30 years, but has come back from B.C. to visit friends.

تم ادراج الخبر والعهده على المصدر، الرجاء الكتابة الينا لاي توضبح - برجاء اخبارنا بريديا عن خروقات لحقوق النشر للغير

أخبار متعلقة :