The Rivard Report's photographs of the year include contributions by Stephanie Marquez, Bonnie Arbittier, Edward A. Ornelas, Brendan Gibbons, and Scott Ball. Credit: Composite / San Antonio Report File Photos
As newspapers and print magazines continue to face the reality of a changing news landscape, I can’t help but notice that often the first people affected by layoffs in the media industry are the photojournalists.
From day one, the Rivard Report made it part of its mission to value the work that we do as photojournalists. While other publications are making cuts to photo teams, we at the Rivard Report are asking ourselves: What can we do better?
As we continue to work to capture images of the people, places, and happenings that make San Antonio unique, we have selected some of our favorite photographs of 2019.
January
Former San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro and his family greet the crowd assembled for his presidential campaign announcement.
(From left) Michael R. Bloomberg and Mayor Ron Nirenberg meet in January to announce an effort to combat climate change.
David Monroe stands in front of active Tesla coils at his museum SAMSAT highlighting electronics that have shaped the world.
Ernest Arce works in the sewing department at the San Antonio Lighthouse for the Blind, helping to create fireproof tactical pants worn by military service members.
Bexar County Commissioner Paul Elizondo’s body is moved from San Fernando Cathedral following his funeral.
Doris Slay-Barber was inducted into the 2019 San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame for education.
A portrait of the late Althea Barber, an Eastside resident who lived along the MLK March route, hangs outside her home during the annual march.
Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller speaks to the media following the release of a list detailing credible allegations of sexual misconduct against priests in the archdiocese dating back to 1940.
Emma, 10, and Dennis Reaser prepare to give their dog Rowdy a bath at Lucy’s Doggy Daycare’s new location near La Cantera.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg hugs his son, Jonah, as wife Erika Prosper looks on following the announcement of his mayoral reelection campaign.
February
Cowboys drive longhorns past Frost Tower as they make their way through downtown San Antonio during the annual Western Heritage Parade & Cattle Drive.
Councilman Greg Brockhouse (D6) embraces his parents after formally announcing his candidacy for mayor.
The San Antonio Commanders take to the Alamodome field for the first time as the Alliance of American Football starts its inaugural season.
Jesus Castillo helps his daughter Karina jump into the air during a physical therapy session that utilizes augmented reality.
U.S. Air Force Special Tactics operators march underneath a bridge on East Houston Street near the Alamo in memory of Staff Sgt. Dylan Elchin.
Activity assistant Winifred Carlock (right) leads residents in stretches to begin their day at Ventura Hills Senior Living.
Jack Kallison has been getting his hair cut at Tower Plaza Hair Style at the Frost Bank Building since 1973.
Outgoing City Manager Sheryl Sculley (right) greets friends and family after speaking before City Council.
March
Randy Chandelay raises longhorns on land owned by his church in Northeast Bexar County.
Photographer Annie Leibovitz sits in a dressing room after a presentation at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.
Members of the Tehuan Band of Mission Indians surround a drum for a prayer before the start of a ceremony unveiling the Founders Monument at the Bexar County Courthouse.
Entomologist and beekeeping instructor Molly Keck tends to hives located at her home.
Artist Roch Banin works on small-scale designs for a set of stained-glass windows depicting saints and the virtues of faith, hope, and charity for a private columbarium.
Max O’Roark pushes his bike past patches of prickly pear at Colorado Bend State Park.
Candidates Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Councilman Greg Brockhouse (D6) debate key issues in March.
Military members attend the unveiling ceremony for the Tribute to Freedom monument.
Dozens of Muslims kneel in front of San Fernando Cathedral in Main Plaza for their post-sunset prayer as equality flags fly and a gathered crowd forms a circle behind them for protection during a solidarity response to the New Zealand mosque shooting.
Former San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili kisses head coach Gregg Popovich the night of his jersey retirement.
April
Edward Steves Dilley walks between columns of Texas Cavaliers with his handmade Cavaliers hat.
Hundreds of people ride their bicycles across the Hays Street Bridge in memory of Tito Bradshaw, who was hit and killed by a motorist.
Union lead negotiator Ricky Poole offers reporters Chick-fil-A, which went uneaten by City staff and lawyers during collective bargaining contract negotiations.
Legendary musician Flaco Jiménez waves to the audience moments before blowing out the candles on his cake while celebrating his 80th birthday at the Squeezebox.
Julián Castro shakes hands of his supporters after speaking at a Hemisfair rally.
Renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma recieves a warm welcome at the start to the Day of Action Pachanga at the Park in Laredo.
Members of the Sam Houston High School Marching Band dance as they perform during the Fiesta Flambeau parade.
(left) Councilman Greg Brockhouse (D6) speaks with Pastor John Hagee of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio.
A child leaps through the water sprayed from local San Antonio firefighters during the Fiesta Run at Beacon Hill Elementary.
Cornyation performers take a smoke break before the annual show begins.
May
Mayor Ron Nirenberg helps former Mayor Lila Cockrell out of a vehicle so she can cast her vote at Lions Field in the municipal elections.
Oyster harvesters unload sacks of the popular seafood as the industry becomes an economic driver for the city of Rockport post Hurricane Harvey.
Councilman Greg Brockhouse (D6) exits the stage after his final mayoral campaign debate at the KLRN studios.
College graduates decorate mortar boards to display a mélange of color and messaging.
Cal Ripken Jr. throws to members of the Boys & Girls Clubs Eastside Branch on their new baseball field.
Members of the public view Árbol de la Vida: Memorias y Voces de la Tierra at dusk.
Gov. Greg Abbott clasps hands with survivors of the Sutherland Springs mass shooting as a prayer is said dedicating a new place of worship.
(From right) Grace Zimmermann and Irvine Schneider dance together to the music at the Martinez Social Club dance hall.
Former Mayor and HUD Secretary Julián Castro (center) holds his son during Mayor Ron Nirenberg’s speech following the endorsement by the Castro brothers.
Assistant Manager Anthony Rodriguez calls out numbers at Bandera Late Night Bingo.
June
Following his runoff victory speech, Mayor Ron Nirenberg embraces his son, Jonah.
Councilman Greg Brockhouse and wife Annalisa together in front of reporters and supporters concede the mayoral race in June.
Adrian Davila shows off a tray of Davila’s BBQ in Seguin.
Migrants Freddy Yoel Orellana Peraza, center, tries to move the soccer ball past San Antonio Football Club captain Michael Lahoud, left.
Dominic Trejo, 4, watches television in his home as Thomas Jimenez and Henry Vasquez install a new air conditioning window unit in the living room in SAHA public housing.
As construction at Frost Tower nears completion, workers trickle inside.
Kye Fox sits in her living room with her dog Elvis at her home in Lincoln Heights.
La Antorcha de la Amistad (The Torch of Friendship) as it is being repainted following grey primer.
July
Children on bicycles prepare for the start of the July 4 parade at Dreamhill Estates.
A Texas horned lizard in captivity at the San Antonio Zoo.
Carrying two accordions, Mark Weber crosses North Zarzamora Street following the groundbreaking at Lerma’s Nite Club.
Castle Hills residents yell in response to comments from Sylvia Gonzalez, whose Place 3 council seat is disputed.
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren addresses the audience during the National Education Association Democratic Forum in Houston.
August
Artist Jesse Treviño explains the details of the Virgin Of Guadalupe Mosaic while making repairs to the piece.
Trey Schlichting, A-Company Mounted Archery owner, demonstrates how to ride a horse while shooting an arrow at a target.
Activists from the Texas Organizing Project, MOVE Texas, and the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center display banners in City Council chambers to protest a delay in implementing the City’s paid sick leave ordinance.
Gloria, 5, is held by her father in Main Plaza during a vigil in the wake of mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton, Ohio.
Reenactors line up to shoot muskets in remembrance of the Battle of Medina on its 206th anniversary.
First time student Lexie clutches onto a large metal beam at Athens Elementary School as her mother Claudia Chavarria encourages her to start her first day of school.
World War II veterans wave their caps in the air during a ceremony at Fort Sam Houston honoring them for their service.
Bella, 2, slides down the slide at Tom Slick Park as summer temperatures peaked at over 100 degrees.
Country singer Garrett T. Capps performs at a Dead Moon Saloon event.
September
Cyclists lead a die-in in Main Plaza protesting for safer streets and climate change awareness.
A wreath honoring the legacy of the late Lila Cockrell sits next to her official portrait in the halls of the Municipal Plaza Building.
A property on Evans Creek Road sits near the area where a proposed crude oil and condensate pipeline would cross on its route from West Texas to south of San Antonio.
Construction workers observe the wreckage of scaffolding that collapsed during a thunderstorm.
The swimming pool where the Falks stay cool during the summer at their home off of Smithson Valley Road.
Presidential candidate Julian Castro (right) and twin brother U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro blow out the candles on their 45th birthday.
Spanish artist Ruben Sánchez prepares to make finishing touches to his 90-foot-tall mural at the ’68 at Hemisfair.
(From left) Frankie Garcia, Carlos Desrada, and Jorge Rivas wear lucha libre masks to support the Mexican National Soccer Team.
Three dirt bike riders circle the Globe of Death during the Do Portugal Circus at Ingram Park Mall.
October
Phyllis Domingo swings her son Cameron following a successful at-bat for the Mays Cardinals at the Miracle League of San Antonio.
The bowler throws a cricket ball toward a batsman.
(From left) Blanca “Blanquita Rosa” Rodríguez and Beatriz “La Paloma Del Norte” Llamas of Las Tesoros de San Antonio accept a Distinction in the Arts award at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.
Bruno Kriese has been a member of Beethoven Maennerchor for thirty years and holds the record for the most food and beverage tickets sold before the era of computers.
Texas Organizing Project advocate Kevin LeMelle holds his arms up in celebration following the affirmative vote on paid sick leave.
Guests mingle beyond Ruby City’s front glass, which reflects Sylvie Fleury’s neon piece Be Amazing (1999).
A Trump supporter holds up a flag during a rally featuring Donald Trump Jr.
A member of the Children’s Ballet of San Antonio performs a dance from The Children’s Nutcracker in front of the crowd at the annual Monarch Butterfly and Pollinator Festival.
A group of firefighters walk to honor the memory of fallen firefighter Greg Garza as one carries his helmet.
November
Tony Parker (right) hugs Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich after Popovich gives a speech at Parker’s jersey retirement ceremony.
Members of a Day of the Dead procession at Pearl flow through a large crowd of attendees.
David Robinson Jr. sits in the lobby of the ’68, where he resides.
Folk dancers representing the Indian state of Maharashtra hold their hands in the air as the performance begins during Diwali at Hemisfair.
Spurs usher Olivia Ladson’s walks out of her front door, which displays a Spurs wreath made for her by a friend.
Rev. James Amerson of Saint Paul United Methodist Church
Republic Services employees line the belts, pulling out contaminants from recycled material.
CEO of Wildlife Partners Brian Gilroy handles and inspects a nyala calf at his Goliad wildlife ranch where he brokers the exotic animals.
December
Robert Alfaro, 10, practices on his accordion before taking the main stage at La Gran Tamalada at Market Square. Robert has been playing the instrument for a little under two years and performs with his grandfather, who plays the drums.
Skaters enjoy the Rotary Ice Rink at Travis Park during the holidays.
Former Vice President Joe Biden speaks at La Villita’s Plaza Juarez for a campaign event.
Gavin Ruiz, 13, tries on a tuxedo for a quinceanera that he is attending on Dec. 7 at the West Plaza Shopping Center.
Construction workers continue building phase 1.2 of San Pedro Creek.
Jack Gonzales, 11, holds a sign that reads “Defend Democracy” as he sits on the steps in front of his parents at the Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse during a rally calling for the impeachment of President Trump.
Members of This Is Texas Freedom Force protest the relocation of the Alamo Cenotaph.
Scott Ball
Scott Ball is San Antonio Report's photo editor and grew up in San Antonio.
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