I took nearly 5000 pictures in 2011.
That’s nearly 1/3 of my total photographic output since I bought my first digital camera back in 2001.
I was helped a lot by some big trips this year. I went to San Diego, London, Orlando, and San Francisco this year. I went to some great conferences as well. I also was all over the place in the greater Boston area. I also completed Project 365 for the second time.
I realized this year that what I try to do with my photography is document the things and people I love. Below find a gallery of the 12 photos that I think best represent that effort at documentation, followed by explanations for some.

Fittingly, my favorite photograph that I took this year is of the love of my life. Beth didn’t know that I was taking her picture looking at this gorgeous California sunset. Unfortunately for all of you, you can’t see how lovely she looked that day. Fortunately for me, her silhouette completely pops against the amazing colors over the Pacific.

We went to London for our friends’ wedding, and were fortunate to get to sit at the table with the bride and groom directly across from them. Since I’m allergic to flash, I tend to rely on my fastest lens (50mm 1.4) to power me through indoor shots. It leads to fun depth of field moments, like the groom here looking adoringly at his new bride. I’m so glad I focused on her almost as much as he did.

Whenever I’m in the city, I love to catch glimpses of people in their own little worlds. I don’t think this photo is necessarily my best in terms of technique or framing, but I kept coming back to it as a perfect, quiet moment in an otherwise busy city like Boston.

I can guarantee you that two years ago I couldn’t have pulled this shot off. I was drawn to this little scene of people watching fireworks and knew I had to capture the way the light worked.

Speaking of fireworks, I can’t get enough of them. This one’s my best from 2011, taken at Hampton Beach.

We don’t use our garage much, so this spider was able to build its amazingly intricate web. Lucky timing + lighting meant I could capture her perfectly one day sitting in the middle of it.