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Best Of 2024: Our Most Meaningful Photos Of The Year, Part 1

We asked our Sony Artisans Of Imagery and Alpha Collective to submit their most meaningful images of 2024, and as always, they understood the assignment! See Part 1 below featuring portrait, fashion and wedding photography from Zabrina Deng, Sara France, Drew Geraci, Melissa Groo, Kesha Lambert, Scott Robert Lim, Peter McBride, David McLain, Cristina MittermeierChris Orwig, Miguel Quiles, Nino Rakichevich, Brooke ShadenMonica Sigmon, Jose VillaDane Isaac, Mickey Pierre-Louis and Tobi Shinobi. Stay tuned to Alpha Universe as we continue to countdown to 2025.

We're counting down to the end of the year with a selection of the most meaningful images taken by our Sony Artisans and Alpha Collective in 2024.

Zabrina Deng

Photo by Zabrina Deng. Sony Alpha 1 II. Sony 28-70mm f/2 G Master. 1/5-sec., f/1.8, ISO 400

Photo by Zabrina Deng. Sony Alpha 1 II. Sony 28-70mm f/2 G Master. 1/5-sec., f/1.8, ISO 400

"This workshop in Hong Kong with my fellow Sony Artisan Scott Robert Lim felt like the perfect way to wrap up an intense and whirlwind 2024. Standing at the intersection of a city alive with chaos and beauty, I found myself reflecting on my own journey this year. There were countless voices urging me to stop, unexpected challenges that tested my resolve—but these last four weeks have been transformative. They’ve been my breakthrough, a moment of clarity that solidified my determination to stand firm, to hold onto my passion, no matter the noise.”

“That’s why this image, which is straight out of camera, means so much to me. Our model, Icep, standing strong amidst the relentless rush of Hong Kong’s streets, became a reflection of my own spirit. The shiny PVC outfit catching the light, the stillness against the backdrop of motion—it’s a metaphor for resilience, for holding your ground when the world feels like it’s moving too fast. To my photography community and beyond, I hope this image resonates. Keep standing tall. Trust your path. The light will find you, even in the chaos."

Sara France

Photo by Sara France. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/800-sec., f/1.4, ISO 100

Photo by Sara France. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/800-sec., f/1.4, ISO 100

“This shot was taken during my own pre-wedding shoot at a stunning château in France, where I was dressed in my wedding gown and heels—a setting very different from what I’m used to! After our photographer had finished capturing us, I wanted to take some photos myself, so we went to the back of the château. While photographing my fiancé, I noticed the reflection in the glass. I positioned him to see the chapel and subtly revealed a hint of myself, making the image feel even more personal and symbolic of our connection.”

“This image is especially meaningful because it captures my fiancé during our pre-wedding shoot in France, a place deeply tied to my heritage. It was our first time experiencing France together, making this moment even more special. Seeing him standing confidently against the elegant backdrop of the château, with my reflection subtly appearing in the glass, felt like the perfect representation of our love story—his grounded strength and our connection beautifully intertwined in this timeless setting.”

Drew Geraci

Photo by Drew Geraci. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 50mm f/1.2 G Master. 1/2500-sec., f/1.2, ISO 80

Photo by Drew Geraci. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 50mm f/1.2 G Master. 1/2500-sec., f/1.2, ISO 80

“My mother was diagnosed with lung cancer last year and had never seen the cherry blossoms of the tidal basin in Washington, D.C. I wanted to surprise her with a trip to see them before she passed and this image is a testament to that. She had completed chemotherapy a month or two beforehand so getting her out there was a challenge, especially at 4am. To be able to see her smiling and radiating with joy in front of the cherry blossoms she so wished to see before departing made my heart swell.”

“This image is important for me because it will likely be the last time my mother will get to see or enjoy the cherry blossoms before she passes and it's meaningful because I was able to capture this moment and save it for all time.”

Melissa Groo

Photo by Melissa Groo. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/640-sec., f/5, ISO 1600

Photo by Melissa Groo. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/640-sec., f/5, ISO 1600

“I was on vacation with my family in Chincoteague, Virginia last August. I asked my daughter to stand in front of the window while she prepared her lunch, as I wanted to capture the soft natural light falling on her. I was struck by the Vermeer-like quality of the scene, and wanted to evoke a similar feeling.”

“It's the most meaningful to me because it's the last photo I took of my daughter, my only child, just before she left home for her first year of college. It captures both the serenity so integral to her personality, and the calm before such a big change for all of us. I call this image ‘On the Cusp,’ as to me it portrays a definitive moment of transition. It's a quiet photo, but says so much for me.”

Kesha Lambert

Photo by Kesha Lambert. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 50mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/2000-sec., f/2.8, ISO 500

Photo by Kesha Lambert. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 50mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/2000-sec., f/2.8, ISO 500

“This was captured right after the bride and groom's ceremony exit. This was a destination wedding in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Their guests, each and every one a close friend or family member of the couple, were all still seated behind them so it was the perfect opportunity to capture a candid portrait of everyone together. I stood on a chair and asked everyone to stand up and cheer for the couple.”

“Honored that the bride and groom, who also happen to be friends, commissioned me to document their wedding weekend in Jamaica. This photo is meaningful because this wedding brought me back to my country of origin to photograph people I care about. I chose this photo in particular because, although it was a directed moment, the colors and the mood and the moment is a fitting representation of the feeling of the day. Joy.  It was a surreal feeling to be there because I haven't traveled to Jamaica in several years.”

Scott Robert Lim

Photo by Scott Robert Lim. Sony Alpha 9 III. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/125-sec., f/2.8, ISO 6400

Photo by Scott Robert Lim. Sony Alpha 9 III. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/125-sec., f/2.8, ISO 6400

“This was the bubble, bridal send-off, the final event at this wedding. The groom danced and was enjoying the reception so much he decided to finish the night off in just his sweat soaked Tshirt. The bride tried to convince him to put at least his jacket back on but he was having none of it. What the groom wore did in any way stop the strong emotions he had towards his new bride as he was completely comfortable in his own skin.”

“After 25 years of photographing weddings, I realized as I captured this image, I still love shooting weddings, trying to create the perfect moment in an imperfect world. I cherish the challenge of it, the 12+ hour work days leaving me mentally and physically exhausted, the increasing expectations of your client, working in no win, extremely high pressure situations, every job running drastically behind schedule and miserable lighting conditions. I'm grateful and honored that I get to capture some of the most meaningful moments of a person's life- document their journey and add my vision and artistic direction. As I see myself in the twilight of my career I am not stopping what I love. As long as people keep asking me, I'm gonna keep doing and going, with vigor and passion- mind, body and soul.”

Peter McBride

Photo by Peter McBride. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 24-105mm f/4 G. 1/320-sec., f/7.1, ISO 1250

Photo by Peter McBride. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 24-105mm f/4 G. 1/320-sec., f/7.1, ISO 1250

"I spent the morning interviewing Maya Tilousi Lyttle and her mother Carletta about their work as Native activists fighting for land and water protections. At the end of the shoot, as our hands were freezing, I got Maya to stand holding the feather that she had worn in her hair for the interview. As we stood beneath the San Francisco Peaks in Flagstaff, AZ, a sacred place for Maya’s Havasupai tribe, I think the cold and long morning brought out her strength and resilience in her expression. It only lasted a few moments, but I felt like I was able to capture the courage inside this remarkable young woman.”

“​​I’ve spent years documenting landscapes in the southwest and the Colorado Plateau, namely the Grand Canyon. In the process, I’ve photographed many native leaders. This image of Maya Tilousi, an 18-year-old Native activist, stands out because I’ve had the privilege to follow her and her mother’s work for years. After nearly a decade protesting for greater protections of their sacred sites and fresh water systems in and around the Grand Canyon, a new, almost million-acre national monument was created. Maya introduced the monument and President Biden during the proclamation. Her commitment to the cause and protection of her peoples' land goes to show how one person can make a difference in today’s chaotic world.”

David McLain

Photo by David McLain. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 50mm f/1.2 G Master. 1/8000-sec., f/2.5, ISO 640

Photo by David McLain. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 50mm f/1.2 G Master. 1/8000-sec., f/2.5, ISO 640

“I'm working on a story about the healthiest 70- and 80-year-olds on Earth. Grethe Amundsen, 72, lives happily next door to her daughter Gry and grandson Ulrik in a small town in North West Norway. This image embodies the genuine love they all share for one another.”

“I've spent a big part of my career covering old people and have learned a lot about how I want to get older from them. Spending time with three generations who love and live near one another never gets old to me and is something I aspire to.”

Cristina Mittermeier

Photo by Cristina Mittermeier. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/125-sec., f/4.5, ISO 1000

Photo by Cristina Mittermeier. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/125-sec., f/4.5, ISO 1000

"Beauty and resilience radiate from a young girl from the Suri Tribe in Ethiopia's Omo Valley, adorned in a magnificent headdress crafted from wildflowers. The Omo Valley's people have confronted daunting challenges, from relentless drought to internal political strife, compelling them to adapt swiftly. In these transformative times, the urgent need arises for a more enlightened and compassionate perspective of the world—one that places the wisdom of marginalized communities, who have coexisted harmoniously with the natural world for centuries, at its heart. Their insights can guide us towards a future where nature and humanity thrive in harmony, fostering a deeper connection with both each other and the world that sustains us."

"This image is significant because it is the cover of my new book, Hope. I chose this portrait because she embodies everything the title represents to me. With a crown of vibrant wildflowers, she gazes into the camera with a mix of vulnerability and defiance—a reminder of our shared resilience and connection to the natural world. Hope is not just a word; it is a rallying call to action and a shared treasure we nurture together to inspire change. This image captures that spirit perfectly."

Chris Orwig

Photo by Chris Orwig. Sony Alpha 7R V.

Photo by Chris Orwig. Sony Alpha 7R V.

“Natural light is always my favorite so that's what I used here. I love the feeling, the depth and the connection with the subject. The subject is someone I admire deeply and always find that photographing people I care about helps me up level my craft in unexpected ways.”

Miguel Quiles

Photo by Miguel Quiles. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II. 1/2500-sec., f/1.4, ISO 100

Photo by Miguel Quiles. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 85mm f/1.4 G Master II. 1/2500-sec., f/1.4, ISO 100

"I took this image while testing out the new 85mm f/1.4 G Master II lens. 85mm is my favorite focal length for portraits so I was excited to take some portraits of Thirl (the model) with it. I was beyond shocked and excited when I saw the image I was able to capture. The image quality was next level."

"For all of the reasons mentioned above, this was my favorite image because it made me excited for all of the new faces I would photograph in the new year with this lens. It was meaningful for me because as a creative, sometimes you fall into a groove where your images all look the same. The images I got from this lens were so different and had such character that I couldn’t wait to use it again."

Nino Rakichevich

Photo by Nino Rakichevich. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/160-sec., f/2.8, ISO 800

Photo by Nino Rakichevich. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/160-sec., f/2.8, ISO 800

"This photo was taken backstage at Paris Fashion Week’s Tony Ward show. I always look for the areas with good available light as I can trust the dynamic range of my Sony cameras and know that I can make things work even in the most challenging lighting situations. I do carry a flash just in case, but it almost never comes out of my bag. The key to available light is not to overexpose highlights! Thanks to an amazing dynamic range, if I need to, I can lift up shadow details in a post. I also appreciate having the 61-megapixel sensor because I can crop and make large exhibition prints.”

"This is my favorite image of 2024 because it reminds me of my time in Paris, and the fact that the fashion world is back to normal post COVID. I was able to reconnect with my favorite fashion designers and my photographer friends from all over the world!"

Brooke Shaden

Photo by Brooke Shaden. Sony Alpha 7R V.

Photo by Brooke Shaden. Sony Alpha 7R V.

“Photographed on my kitchen table with two windows providing light from behind, this self-portrait also incorporates a bonsai tree that I captured at a botanical garden the year before. The bonsai tree was backlit from the sun on a cloudy day, which made the backlight from the windows in my house match. I photographed the candles in the same spot and composited them together to create ‘Life After Death’.”

“The bonsai tree in the image was photographed with my mother, who had been through a series of surgeries and was ill, at her favorite place to spend the day - a botanical garden in Pennsylvania. Symbolically, this image represents motherhood, loss, and finding life again after losing a child. My goal is to create works that bring light into the darkness, and to find hope in grief.”

Monica Sigmon

Photo by Monica Sigmon. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/80-sec., f/4, ISO 500

Photo by Monica Sigmon. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/80-sec., f/4, ISO 500

“This portrait was created by window light with a little bit of constant light coming from the same direction, just to make sure the lighting on their face was clean. These two sisters got to choose dresses from my closet and I wanted to tell the story of how the oldest girl was really strong and confident and the protector of her younger sister. Her arm around her little sister and their expressions say it all.”

“I think this is one of my most meaningful images of 2024 because I photographed these girls' parents' wedding about 13 years ago and they moved to Australia shortly after. They came home for a family celebration and made arrangements for me to come photograph everyone. It was my first time meeting their daughters and it meant the world to me.”

Jose Villa

Photo by Jose Villa. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master.

Photo by Jose Villa. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 35mm f/1.4 G Master.

"As we waited for all the family to gather for family photos, Bride Olivia Culpo took a break while the kids fixed her dress and veil. It was an in-between moment, which usually are may favorite. I love this image because it truly is who Olivia is. Such a sweet soul, who loves family and was not bothered that her nieces and nephews were walking across her dress. She laughed and loved that the moment was captured!"

Dane Isaac

Photo by Dane Isaac. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/160-sec., f/7.1, ISO 80

Photo by Dane Isaac. Sony Alpha 7R V. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/160-sec., f/7.1, ISO 80

“This image was captured in my studio, back lit with strobe lighting. This image means a lot to me because my friends pictured were celebrating their second pregnancy. When we met and got close they were trying for some time to get pregnant and were faced with several difficulties. It warms my heart to see them grow their family.”

Mickey Pierre-Louis

Photo by Mickey Pierre-Louis. Sony ZV-E10 II. Sony 24-50mm f/2.8 G. 1/160-sec., f/4, ISO 2500

Photo by Mickey Pierre-Louis. Sony ZV-E10 II. Sony 24-50mm f/2.8 G. 1/160-sec., f/4, ISO 2500

“I took this photo of Gabrielle Gabriella at Sony Kando Trip 2024. I rented a light setup to truly enjoy the moment. The Sony ZV-E10 II and Sony 24-50mm f/2.8 G was a super light camera and lens combination and this beautiful design at Kando Trip was perfect to feature Gabrielle.”

Tobi Shinobi

Photo by Tobi Shinobi. Sony Alpha 7R V. 1/250-sec., f/1.8, ISO 1000

Photo by Tobi Shinobi. Sony Alpha 7R V. 1/250-sec., f/1.8, ISO 1000

“I shot this on a tripod and using the Sony Creators App. This self portrait depicts my full circle moment and coming out as an artist.”

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