When 2021 began, for many of us, it felt like a relief — a chance to let out the inescapable pressure that had been building in 2020 since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
That feeling didn’t last long with the arrival of Uri, the deadly winter storm that left millions of people across Texas without power with frigid temperatures and record snowfalls in some locales.
We saw the rise of the delta variant, a new iteration of the coronavirus that was more easily transmitted just as schools across Bexar County were beginning to open.
A bit of relief was felt in early November when children 5 and older were eligible to receive vaccinations against COVID-19.
Now we brace for omicron, which appears to be an even more contagious version of this virus.
In December, the University of Texas at San Antonio football team became Conference USA champions for the first time in the school’s history and nearly went undefeated for the season.
This year was especially important for the photo team at the San Antonio Report, with the hiring of two photojournalists: Nick Wagner and Bria Woods.
Wagner, an expert shooter with a deep passion for storytelling, hit the ground running and has continually impressed our readers with his work.
Woods, a young and inspiring photographer, instantly connects with her subjects and has amazing drive and ambition behind the lens.
I’m genuinely excited to continue telling San Antonio’s stories as we head into 2022.
How do you capture modesty in a photo? During their interview, Bilal politely asked me to not make any photos that revealed Humaira’s face. I obliged and immediately started to think of how I could make a portrait without completely obscuring Humaira. Their story is one of togetherness and love, even amid the Taliban’s takeover, so I really wanted to keep them close for the photo. Having Humaira place her hand on Bilal’s shoulder provided the kind of connection I strive to capture while still respecting Bilal’s and Humaira’s culture.
Nick Wagner
“With seven seconds left on the clock, I could feel the entire stadium of more than 35,000 people hold their breath in anticipation. When UTSA’s Frank Harris passed the ball, the crowd exhaled sharply. When Oscar Cardenas landed the catch, I squeezed the shutter as the crowd reached a deafening pitch. It was a celebration to remember.”
Bria Woods
