Best of 2019: Our Photos

Here are our best photos of 2019.

by Clint Durrett
January 2, 2020

Capturing the moment — it’s authenticity and emotion — is a difficult task that a mere few can master. The photographers we hire have captured such moments. In celebration, sadness, awe and intimacy of profiling people of New Orleans, they have captured it all. We’ve pored over our albums and found photos that have won awards and resurfaced ones that made us pause. Here are our best photos of 2019.

For the past six years over 100 people from all walks of life have graduated from nine different cycles of the New Orleans Drag Workshop with its Draguation performance and ceremony that is held this year at the AllWays Lounge & Cabaret in the Marigny in New Orleans, Monday, March 25, 2019. (Photo by Matthew Hinton)

Gallery: Draguation

Jennifer Jones leads a procession following the public memorial service at the Xavier Convocation Center for Fox 8 journalist and anchor Nancy Parker who was killed last week in a small plane crash while working on a story. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

Gallery: New Orleans Says Goodbye To Nancy Parker

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Tommylee Lewis (11) takes a hard hit by Los Angeles Rams defensive back Nickell Robey-Coleman (23) near the sideline before the ball reaches him during the NFC Championship Game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday, January 20, 2019. No pass interference was called on this play which forced the Saints to kick a field goal instead of a first down. (Photo by Peter G. Forest)

Gallery: We’re Ref’ing Mad

A fan holds a pig flying, referencing the Saints Super Bowl win in 2010, as he points at a fan dancing on Canal Street as New Orleans Saints fans take part in the Blackout and Gold Second Line Parade, Cheated but Not Defeated, in the French Quarter in New Orleans, La. Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019. (Photo by Matthew Hinton)

Gallery: Blackout Second Line

Hundreds of students, faculty members and staff from Tulane, Loyola, SUNO, Xavier, Dillard and UNO carry candles and signs as they march up Broadway during the 28th annual Take Back the Night Candlelight Vigil and March Against Sexual Violence on Thursday, October 24, 2019. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

Gallery: Hundreds Come Out For Take Back The Night March

The first Krewe Bohème parades through the Marigny and continued through the French Quarter in New Orleans, La. Friday, Feb. 15, 2019. The procession is led by a symbol of the bohemian spirit, a green absinthe fairy, followed by several inner krewe marching clubs including: the Krewe of Goddesses, the Merry Antoinettes, Krewe of R.U.M. (Really Unsophisticated Men), Krewe of King James: The Super Bad Sex Machine, Krewe of Hellarious Wingnuts, Krewe of S.L.U.T.S. (Sexy Ladies Up to Something), Krewe What Thou Wilt, Les ReBelles, Flora & Fauna, Skinz N Bonez, Dystopian Paradise, The Bayou Babes, Krewe D’Ensite, Krewe of Full Bush, Krewe de la Renaissance, Interrobang Parading Krewe, and Menage-a-Trike. (Photo by Matthew Hinton)

Gallery: Krewe Boheme Hits The Streets For The First Time

Mardi Gras Indians including Flag Boy Giz Hartley Aguillard of the Wild Tchoupitoulas take part in the West Bank Super Sunday in the Algiers neighborhood in New Orleans, La. Sunday, April 14, 2019. (Photo by Matthew Hinton)

Gallery: Mardi Gras Indians on Super Sunday

Hundreds of people turned out for the annual Caroling in Jackson Square, a New Orleans tradition since1946, on Sunday, December 22, 2019. Sponsored by Patio Planters of the Vieux Carre, the free event featured the singing of Christmas songs by candlelight. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

Gallery: Carolers Fill Jackson Square

The 25th annual Original Pigeon Town Steppers Easter Second Line danced to the theme of ‘Legendary Status’ through the Carrollton and Uptown neighborhoods in New Orleans with Rollin’ Joe Henry and the Lady Pigeon Town Steppers to the music of the Big 6 Brass Band and Da Truth Brass Band Sunday, April 21, 2019. (Photo by Matthew Hinton)

Gallery: Pigeon Town Steppers Second Line

Members of the Passion Dance Center perform as the second annual Jingle on the Boulevard parade makes its way down Crowder Boulevard as it rolls through New Orleans East with dance groups, marching bands, riding groups and floats on Saturday, December 14, 2019. (Photo by Michael DeMocker

Gallery: Jingle On The Boulevard

The annual Algiers Bonfire featured a sculpture based on a traditional German Christmas Pyramid Carousel decoration powered by a windmill on top with spinning reindeer and stars at the Algiers Ferry Landing along the West Bank of the Mississippi River in New Orleans, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. A horned devil or possibly Krampus was sighted admiring the flames along with a lady with reindeer antlers. (Photo by Matthew Hinton.)

Gallery: Algiers Bonfire

Tour guide Rosanna Giancona Shepherd points to pictures of her ancestors in the Beauregard-Keyes House. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

Haunted NOLA: Beauregard-Keyes House

Josh Kagler sings with the Kinfolk Brass Band next to New Orleans Saints fan Larry Rolling as the main line of the funeral of Dr. John processes past the second line of mourners as they honor Malcolm John “Mac” Rebennack, Jr. also known as Dr. John (November 20, 1941 – June 6, 2019) with a jazz funeral from the Orpheum Theater in New Orleans, La. Saturday, June 22, 2019. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dr. John was a worldwide ambassador for New Orleans music blending jazz, funk, blues, pop, boogie woogie, and rock and roll. (Photo by Matthew Hinton)

Gallery: New Orleans Sends Off Dr. John With Second Line

Artist Ann Marie Auricchio with a rug she designed in an Old Metairie home on Friday, November 22, 2019. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

The Art Of Facade: Painted Ann Auricchio’s Murals Create Iconic Looks

Owner and veteran Jack Keen hands down items from the attic at a home in Harahan while working for JDog Junk Removal & Hauling, a company that employs veterans as they transition from military service. Photographed on Wednesday, November 13, 2019. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

Fighting The Good Fight: Local Veterans Helping One Another Transition To Civilian Life

The New Orleans Pride Parade travels through the French Quarter and Marigny Friday with Big Freedia as the celebrity grand marshal with 24 floats, 60 marching groups, and over 3500 participants in what is billed as the largest LGBT+ parade on the Gulf Coast in New Orleans, La. Saturday, June 8, 2019. (Photo by Matthew Hinton)

Gallery: Pride Parade Lights Up Marigny

U.S. Army veteran Lawrence Brooks celebrates his 110th birthday, making him America’s oldest WWII veteran and a supercentenarian, at the National World War II Museum with the Victory Belles singing him Happy Birthday in New Orleans, La. Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Photo by Matthew Hinton)

Gallery: America’s Oldest WWII Veteran Celebrates Birthday

Keante Evans explains the pizza choices at Bonci Pizza on Julia Street, one of several area businesses that do not accept cash. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

Cashing Out: The Split Between Card-Only Preference And Business Safety

Members of the Roots of Music kickoff Satchmo SummerFest at the U.S. Mint in New Orleans, Friday, August 2, 2019. (Photo by Matthew Hinton)

Gallery: Satchmo Summerfest

The Duelling Tree in City Park is said to be haunted by the ghosts of the 19th century duelists who died while settling affairs of honor. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

Haunted NOLA: Duelling Oaks of City Park

Two cranes begin to come down after a demolition implosion at the Hard Rock Hotel collapse site in New Orleans Sunday October 20, 2019. Three people died and at least 20 were injured in the initial collapse on Saturday October 12th. No one was injured Sunday when the demolition caused one of the two cranes to land in the street below. (Photo by Matthew Hinton)

Gallery: Hard Rock Hotel Crane Demolition

Dr. Dupas has been seen wandering through the museum, rearranging locked displays, throwing books and opening cabinets. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

Haunted NOLA: The Pharmacy Museum

Fans dance to the performance of Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers at the Chevron Stage in the Bienville Triangle during the 36th annual French Quarter Festival in New Orleans, La. Saturday, April 13, 2019. (Photo by Matthew Hinton)

Gallery: French Quarter Fest

Brien Teasley dances in front of the stage in the 700 block of Julia Street during the 25th annual Hancock Whitney White Linen Night in the 300 to 700 blocks of Julia Street as well as other venues around the Arts District New Orleans. The free block party featured live music, food and drink from over thirty local vendors, gallery openings, and displays of public art, all benefiting the Contemporary Arts Center. (Photo by Michael DeMocker)

Gallery: White Linen Night

Hi. I’m Clint. I’m the Local Market Manager for Very Local New Orleans. I’ve lived in New Orleans since 2001 and been living my best life in this rad place since that year. I have 10 years of broadcast journalism and digital media experience. Before Very Local New Orleans, I worked for WDSU-TV – producing, product developing, digital media managing– I’ve done it all. I’ve seen first-hand the trials we’ve suffered in this city and the celebrations we’ve enjoyed. I love New Orleans. It’s home. I’m going to work my hardest to bring you the content and experiences you care...

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