Photographs record an instant in time, a moment that might otherwise be missed in the blink of an eye. Whether a news event, play of the game, a tender moment between two people, or moments of everyday life, photographs tell a story. They can lift imagination, capture the energy of the subject, and evoke emotions. Everyone with a cell phone can take a picture. But professionals pay close attention to detail that an untrained eye might take for granted or not notice such as the subject matter, composition, perspective, lighting or the weather. On the following pages, we give you a second look at The Aegis’ best staff photographs of 2023 – Our Pictures of the Year – A Photo Finish.
Jeffrey F. Bill / Senior Content Editor, Baltimore Sun Media
Dec. 1, 2023: Khalil, a 2-year-old Havre de Grace resident admires the lights and ornaments on the tree during the 2023 Holly Jolly Parade and Tree Lighting in Havre de Grace. (Brian Krista/staff photo)Local artist Ezra Berger works on a mural, depicting the history of the railroad lines in Havre de Grace, on the Evonik building located on Juniata and Bourbon Streets, on Wednesday, September 6, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Sarabesque, a drag queen from York, Pa., gives a performance during the Upper Chesapeake Bay Pride Festival in Havre de Grace on Saturday, October 7, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Bel Air residents Jessica Fendryk, left, and her husband Chris take part in a Black Lives Matter chants with other supporters at Festival Park in Aberdeen on Saturday, February 18, 2023. Harford NAACP, Cecil Solidarity and Harco Social Justice held a commemoration and call to action event in memory of Tyre Nichols. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Patterson Mill’s Zoe Valan, 4, and C. Milton Wright’s Ana Mioduski make simultaneous contact on the ball during a volleyball match at Patterson Mill High School on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Patterson Mill’s David Kim gets airborne as he tries to redirect the ball towards Bohemia Manor’s goal during a boys soccer game at Patterson Mill High School on Tuesday, September 12, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Edgewood’s Darius Flemming make a play to wrap up Joppatowne running back Mekhi Belton during the Ravens RISE High School Football Showdown at Edgewood High School on Friday, September 29, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Fallston’s Brody Fitzkee, center, leads the charge across the field as the team celebrates their win over Perryville during the Class 1A boys lacrosse championship at Stevenson University on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Members of the Harford Community College Men’s lacrosse team celebrate after their win over two-time reigning National Champions,Nassau Community College in the National Junior College Athletic Association National Championship game at Harford Sports Complex Sunday, May 14, 2023. (Matt Button/Staff photo)Edgewood’s Dylan Karol and Harford Tech’s Gavin Lawson battle for control in start of the 220 pound-match during the wrestling meet at Edgewood Friday, January 27, 2023. (Matt Button/Staff photo)Taking advantage of the relatively warmer temps on Sunday morning, mountain bikers carefully cross a large log bridge across a section of the Little Gunpowder River in Gunpowder Falls State Park in Fallston to continue their ride Sunday, January 22, 2023. (Matt Button/Staff photo)New friends Harfper Selke of Bel Air, left, and Olivia Printy of Bel Air chatr for a few minutes as they wait for the Fairy Tale Superhero parade to begin during the Fairy Tale, Superhero and Ninja Festival Friday, January 20, 2023 at the Abingdon branch of the Harford County Public Library. (Matt Button/Staff photo)Graduate Kiara Tate and teacher Keelin Eder admire Tate’s certificate after returning to their seats during the Harford Academy graduation ceremony Friday, June 9, 2023 at the Harford Academy in Bel Air. (Matt Button/Staff photo)C. Milton Wright’s volleyball team celebrates with their trophy following their 3-1 win over Fallston during a regional championship volleyball match at Fallston High School on Wednesday, November 8, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)C. Milton Wright’s Ava Lewis, left, and Sparrows Point’s Addison Svec collide as they both try to make a play on the ball during a Class 2A state semifinal girls soccer game at Bel Air High School on Friday, November 10, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Members of the Harford Community College Men’s lacrosse team celebrate after their win over two-time reigning National Champions,Nassau Community College in the National Junior College Athletic Association National Championship game at Harford Sports Complex Sunday, May 14, 2023. (Matt Button/Staff photo)North Harford’s Ben Wardle runs into the arms of goalie Michael Lawry as the team celebrates their 1-0 overtime win over C. Milton Wright during a boys soccer playoff game at C. Milton Wright High School on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Bel Air’s Chris Couch hits a kill over Harford Tech teammates Rory Jenkins, left, and Alexander Clement during a boys volleyball match at Harford Technical High School on Wednesday, October 18, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Bel Air’s Julien Horton crosses into the endzone, scoring a touchdown with seconds remaining in the fourth quarter during a football game at Fallston High School on Friday, September 1, 2023. A successful 2-point conversion following the late scoring drive gave Bel Air a 22-21 win over Fallston. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)A graduate gets some rest while waiting to line up before the Havre de Grace graduation ceremony Friday, June 2, 2023 at the APG Federal Credit Union Arena. (Matt Button/Staff photo)Graduate Tyreese Coleman scans the crowd for his family as he arrives at his seat during the C. Milton Wright graduation ceremony Friday, May, 26, 2023 at the APG Federal Credit Union Arena. (Matt Button/Staff photo)Rocky Ramsland with Aberdeen Dive Team twists in the air above the springboard as he competes in his final diving dual meet at Aberdeen Family Swim Center on Thursday, July 13, 2023. Ramsland graduated from Aberdeen High School in June and will be attending Virginia Tech. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Kawi Mugisha, right, a volunteer with Grace Life Community Church, reads to a trio of children, from left, Evelyn, Marshall and Lillian during Edgewood Outdoor Neighborhood Classroom, organized by Jasmin Field at her Harford Square home, on Wednesday, July 5, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)
Allie Haag of Baltimore, former Aberdeen resident, performs a trick in her roller skates during the grand opening of the North Deen Skatepark on Saturday, August 5, 2023. The existing skatepark facilites and inline hockey rink were renovated with new surfaces, structures and a concrete bowl. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Joe Christman of Jacksonville watches as a train passes by on the train layout by the Mason Dixon Large Scale Railroad Society on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. The society’s 32nd annual model train display is setup in the Boulevard at Box Hill (near Wegmans) with regular hours on Fridays 5pm-9pm, Saturdays 12pm-9pm, Sundays 12pm-5pm, and special hours the week after Christmas. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Je’Bria Fenner of Aberdeen has some fun as she competes in a sack race during the Your Mind Matters: A Family Wellness Night event at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium Friday, May 19, 2023. (Matt Button/Staff photo)Justin Boyd, right, strikes a few poses with Spiderman as he arrives for the Your Mind Matters: A Family Wellness Night event at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium Friday, May 19, 2023. (Matt Button/Staff photo)Julie Anna Gulenko gives an operatic vocal performance during the Maryland Italian Festival, held at the Harford County Equestrian Center on Saturday, September 30, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)A trio of HAZMAT technicians compete in a round of mini golf at Churchville Golf Center on Thursday, October 26, 2023. The HAZMAT mini golf challenge, in its 23rd year at Churchville Golf Center, is organized by Harford County Department of Emergency Services and provides training for HAZMAT techs with their Special Operations division, allowing the team members an understanding of the challenges of wearing a hazmat suit and the the self-contained breathing apparatus while building their dexterity in the cumbersome protective wear. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)A spectator is silhouetted by the fireworks display during the Havre de Grace Independence Day celebration on Sunday, July 2, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Missy Hall of Forest Hill prepares hot meals with scores of other volunteers for Community Projects of Havre de Grace’s annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner on Thursday, November 23, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Lt. Joseph H. Williams, Jr. ,left, salutes after presenting the American flag to friend and fellow officer Sgt. Michael Langston during the memorial service honoring APG Security Guard Officer Joseph Butler at the Aberdeen Proving Ground Post Theater Thursday, May 5, 2023. Butler was a security guard officer at Aberdeen Proving Ground for over 20 years. (Matt Button/Staff photo)Sylvestre Dossou of Bel Air and his 8-year-old daughter Oanelle examine cell samples under a microscope during the Magic of Science Fair and Family Festival, hosted by The Discovery Center at Water’s Edge, at Harford Community College’s TUNE Center on Saturday, June 10, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Skydivers with Skydive Baltimore make their way back to the ground during the Harford County Airport’s Fly-In and Car Cruise on Saturday, June 3, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Kaleah Hebron, front, and classmate Bella Keiser have some fun on the dance floor as the enjoy the day at the Harford Academy prom at the Richlin Ballroom Saturday, April 22, 2023. (Matt Button/Staff photo)Water spills from a bucket atop Otter Cave Waterworks, a centerpiece water park attraction at Great Wolf Lodge Maryland, as it is tested during a tour on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. The indoor waterpark resort in Perryville opens in June. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Meghan Kingsley, 16, of White Hall leads her Grand Champion Market Goat around the pen during the 4-H Livestock Auction at the 36th Annual Harford County Farm Fair on Saturday, July 29, 2023. The livestock sale was the only event that occurred on the final day of the fair after power was lost from powerful thunderstorms Friday evening. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Havre de Grace Elementary School student Elianna Garcia circles the correct letter on the board during a lesson with teacher Amanda Scearce, Thursday, April 27, 2023. Scearce teaches the Early Intervention Program for 3- 4 year-old children with disabilities at Havre de Grace Elementary School Thursday, April 27, 2023. (Matt Button/Staff photo)Ten-year-old Arielle Leeds of Street carries her Champion Capon out of the pavilion after it was sold during the 4-H Livestock Auction at the 36th Annual Harford County Farm Fair on Saturday, July 29, 2023. The livestock sale was the only event that occurred on the final day of the fair after power was lost from powerful thunderstorms Friday evening. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)People outside a pavilion are reflected in a puddle of rain water from a Saturday afternoon shower as the 4-H Livestock Auction takes place at the 36th Annual Harford County Farm Fair on Saturday, July 29, 2023. The livestock sale was the only event that occurred on the final day of the fair after power was lost from powerful thunderstorms Friday evening. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Fallston’s Aiden Dixon tries to knock the ball away as John Carroll’s Michael Cox moves down the field after the face-off during the game at John Carroll Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (Matt Button/Staff photo)Harford Tech culinary students, Amiella Musser, Alivia Judy and Madina Sabirova work on plating their appetizer, potato crusted brie, in the amateur class during the Harford County Farm Fair Chef’s Challenge on Monday, July 24, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Eight-year-old Beckett Creel of Bel Air, in his Ahsoka outfit, reacts to winning a youth costume contest, while applauded by 2nd place winner, 3-year-old Lily Thomas of Abingdon and her mother Suzanne, during Harford County Public Library’s Fandom Fest at the Abingdon branch on Saturday, September 23, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Members of the North Eastern Girls Hockey proudly raise the championship trophy to celebrate after their 3-2 double overtime win over Monocacy Valley in the MSHL Girls Division, 2023 State Tournament at Ice World in Abingdon Friday, February 24, 2023. (Matt Button/Staff photo)Fallston’s Ava Lambros tries to get past Liberty’s Riley Matthiesen during the Class 1A girls lacrosse championship at Stevenson University on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Izzy Farm, an iCan Bike floor supervisor, helps nine-year-old Bria Carter of Hanover, Md., as she gains confidence in riding a two-wheeled bike during the Harford County Bike Camp at Churchville Recreation Center on Thursday, August 10, 2023. The week-long bike camp for people with differing abilities was sponsored by Harford County’s Department of Community Services and Department of Parks and Recreation and run by the non-profit organization iCan Shine, with the help of local volunteers. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)North Harford’s Cruz Cespedes and Bel Air’s Nice battle in the 132 pound championship match during the Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference Wrestling Championship meet at Edgewood High School Saturday, February 18, 2023. (Matt Button/Staff photo)Violet Strub, 7, of Abingdon runs with the string of her kite in her fingers as she helps her father get it flying at Rockfield Park during the Bel Air Kite Festival on Sunday, April 16, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Twin brothers Jaxon, left, and Alex Raborg of Bel Air dance on the edge of Main Street as a marching band passes by during the Bel Air Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Dressed in her own cap and gown, Abby, a service dog for Aberdeen graduate Hannah Wishoet gets comfortable and patiently waits as Wishoet and her classmates gather before the Aberdeen graduation ceremony Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at the APG Federal Credit Union Arena. (Matt Button/Staff photo)Parade participants atop a fire truck are silhouetted by the sun during the Bel Air Independence Day Parade on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Classmates Aubrie Edwards and Maci Krout, right, hold hands as they cross the finish together, sharing the 1st place finish in the 7th Grade girls race with a time of 8:01, during Bel Air Middle School’s Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 2, 2023. In roughly its 44th year, the purpose of Bel Air Middle’s annual Turkey Trot is to instill lifelong fitness in the students, with about half of the student body electing to participate in the run of just over a mile in length. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Mom Michele Hessler of Forest Hill snaps a quick selfie with her son Aiden and the Oriole Bird as they and others wait to enter the Orioles Birdland Caravan event at Bel Air High School Thursday, February 2, 2023. (Matt Button/Staff photo)Yusuf Zulqarnain Captain of the U.S. Army Drill Team is seen between lines of team members as they perform at the U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center during Demonstration Day at Aberdeen Proving Ground on Saturday, May 20, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Anwesha Patel, left, and Angie Medina, operate a crane from a Kid Spark STEM Pathways Lab during the opening of a new STEM Center at Aberdeen Middle School on Monday, November 6, 2023. (Brian Krista/Staff photo)Graduate Latifa Aderomilehin snaps a few photos as she and her clasmates celebrate during the Edgewood High School graduation ceremony Friday, May, 26, 2023 at the APG Federal Credit Union Arena. (Matt Button/Staff photo)
, Dec. 6, 2023: Bel Air High School boys volleyball student athlete Chris Couch. (Brian Krista/staff photo)
