Images: 2015 Daily Herald Photos of the Year
See the best photos of 2015 from our award-winning Daily Herald photography staff.
Clarance Hovorka of East Dundee from Barrington VFW Post 7706 attended the Memorial Day ceremonies at Evergreen Cemetery. Hovorka served in the Air Force during the Korean conflict.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
Band Director Chris Barnum is blasted by confetti after being presented the official Drum Head from Macy's creative director Wesley Whatley, after Macy's announcement inviting the Prospect High School Marching Knights to the 2016 Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
Elk Grove High School Principal Paul Kelly prepares to splash down in the pool after he suited up in his turkey outfit and jumped off the high dive in a promise he made with over 300 students who signed up for the Relay for Live event.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@@dailyherald.com
Hersey's head coach Shannon Barrett likes the routine on the uneven parallel bars by Alysa Zurlo at the ISHA Regional Gymnastics Meet at Hersey.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
A jet flies in front of the moon during the supermoon lunar eclipse Sunday, Sept 27, 2015 in Geneva, IL.
Jeff Knox/jknox@dailyherald.com
While photographing snow scenes in Long Grove one morning earlier this month, I came upon Bob and Sheila Harrigan of Hawthorn Woods strolling along while shopping. I try to be inconspicuous while shooting street scenes, but in this case was spotted by the couple. Instead of trying to ignore me and pretend that I wasn't there, Bob gave me my money's work by stopping and giving his wife Sheila an impromptu hug and kiss in the middle of the sidewalk. I think Sheila was just as surprised as I was. Thanks Bob for making our day.
Bob Chwedyk/bchwedyk@dailyherald.com
Fans react after the Lightning scored the game winning goal during to game three of the Stanley Cup Finals at the United Center.
Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
Chicago Cubs left fielder Kyle Schwarber misses a line drive off the bat of New York Mets shortstop Wilmer Flores in the first inning Wednesday, October 21, 2015, during Game 4 of the National League championship series at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
Chicago Cubs second baseman Starlin Castro grimaces after colliding with Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez as they pursued a ground ball by New York Mets right fielder Curtis Granderson in the sixth inning Wednesday, October 21, 2015, during Game 4 of the National League championship series at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
Crystal Lake South's Eric Barone celebrates with coaches Ross Ryan and Dave Blickle after winning the Class 3A 145-pound championship match during wresting state finals Saturday night in Champaign.
Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
Junior Shawn Donley of Wauconda asks to take a selfie with Archbishop Blase Cupich as he toured Carmel Catholic High School Thursday in Mundelein. Cupich stopped in classrooms, ate lunch with students and talked with teachers and employees during the hourlong visit.
Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
International aerial yoga instructor Holly Johnson relaxes hangs from a fabric sling as she demonstrates poses in Henry J. Paulus Park Tuesday. Johnson, of Aviana Yoga, is working with the Village of Lake Zurich Park & Recreation Department to offer 4-week classes in aerial yoga starting June 16. It was wonderful working with Johnson because she simply moved from one yoga pose to another. I simply laid on the ground to get a beautiful, interesting shot.
Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
Barrington player Liz Sweeney screams as she jumps in the arms of Rachel MacDonald during the Class 4A supersectional final girls softball game between Barrington and Stevenson at Barrington's Field of Dreams on Monday, June 8. Barrington won the game 5-1.
Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
Crew chief Tony Porreca drinks some water as he walks with the Buffalo Grove Park District float whose theme was "One in a Minions" along Bernard Drive during the Buffalo Grove Days Parade on Sunday. There were more than 80 groups participating with former Village President Jeff Braiman acting as Grand Marshal. I soon as I saw this sign on the float, I knew I had my picture and then it was a matter of camping out and waiting for someone to get in the right spot. Part of the problem was people kept walking around this guy and he kept moving behind the sign. The man in yellow moved into a place I wanted and I quickly took pictures.
Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
Fox Lake Public Works crews hang bunting at the Fox Lake Police Department for Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz. Investigation into his death later revealed he killed himself.
Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
Former Libertyville High School basketball player Jack Lipp was remembered by placing his jersey near the team's bench and holding a moment of silence. Lipp died in December, 2014 after being in critical condition since a fall from a balcony at the University of Missouri.
Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
Vernon Hills police officer Mike Katzenstein tries to catch a Donut Hole during a Cops on Rooftop fundraiser for the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics at the Vernon Hills Dunkin' Donuts shop. Patrons donating $5 could choose an officer to try an catch a doughnut dropped from the roof.
Paul Valade/pvalade@dailyherald.com
LaToya Howell of Waukegan hugs supporter Paul Calusinski of Carpentersville during rally through the streets of Waukegan for her son Justus Howell who was killed by a Zion police officer in April.
Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
Grant's Nick Heidenthal grimaces as he gets hit by a pitch during a game at Round Lake High School.
Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
Libertyville goalkeeper Brant Kym, right, makes a save on Mundelein's Dillon Smith during their game at Mundelein High School.
Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
Alyssa Graffia, 4th grade, left, holds the leash of 5-year-old Bernese Mountain dog, Ellie Rose, as Yadira Gomez, right, 3rd grade, gives her a hug. I picked this photo as one of my favorites of the year. I followed this therapy dog doing a visit to Peterson Elementary in Naperville and captured a really nice moment when Yadira reached over to give the dog a hug.
Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com
Instructor for iFLY, Bailey Engel, left, holds onto Chance Elmore of Naperville during a high flight in the tunnel. I did a story this year on a young IFLY instructor and when they fly into the tunnel it makes a good photo, especially with the red suits against the light background.
Bev Horne/bhorne@dailyherald.com
Mourners take a moment to reflect at during the funeral service for Marine Cpl. Sara A. Medina at St. Mary Immaculate Parish in Plainfield. Median was killed in a helicopter crash while on a relief mission in Nepal.
Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
Bridegroom Mike Dastice of Berwyn, along with his groomsmen, enjoy a fall day at Cantigny Park in Wheaton. While photographing a fall festival at Cantigy I came across these gentlemen who were being shot (photographed) by their wedding photographer. I managed to snap a couple quick frames before 14 members of the wedding party dismounted from the tank. Having a creative prop makes for a much better photograph and brings out the personalities of this tight knit group.
Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
Oswego's Erin Sinnott and Benet Academy's Morgan Thomalla scramble for control of a loose ball during the Class 4A sectional final girls basketball in Oswego.
Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
Montini Catholic's Brendan Rauen recovers his own fumble to score a second half touchdown against Prairie Ridge during the Class 6A semifinal football game in Lombard. A freak November snowstorm provided a scene like I have never seen in my 30 years of photographing high school football. I like the somewhat iconic look of this photograph, which when combined with a Montini Catholic come from behind win, preserves memories of one of the most incredible games in Bronco football history.
Daniel White/dwhite@dailyherald.com
Stripped trees lit up by search lights and wrecked cars, some with dome lights on, create an otherworldly landscape after an F-4 tornado damaged every home and killed two people in Fairdale, southeast of Rockford on Route 72, Thursday night.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Most of my job is about being in the right place at the right time, and of course editing photos is all about picking the right one. In this instance I was in the right place at the right time and had a very easy time picking the image to use for my perspective. I was photographing a pair of ice sculptures as they worked on the head of Abraham Lincoln. The first time that I visited them it was starting to look like a head. The second time I came back I was rewarded with this gem. Mark Mayzik, left, a Wisconsin native, has competed with Team USA in numerous competitions throughout the years. He has worked with Volz on several snow creations for other events as well.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Quinn Campbell, 7, of West Dundee tries to escape the hot weather by leaping through a sprinkler as high temperatures hit the Fox Valley.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
Early morning sun highlights the colorful swim caps of competitors as they approach the start of the Naperville Sprint Triathlon at Centennial Beach in Naperville. There is as much color as there is sweat in a triathlon I have discovered. The sharp light of a sunrise always provides a picture, and when it was bounced off the shiny rubber caps, I knew I found it.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Jack Atkins gives a quick look back and thumbs-up to his parents before filing in for his first day of kindergarten at Prairie View Elementary School in Elgin.
Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
South Elgin quarterback Nate Gomez (8) has his helmet knocked off as he is wrapped up by St. Charles East defensive back Nicholas Sherman (24) and linebacker David McDermott (3) during St. Charles East at South Elgin football.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
George Lazansky stands in his Algonquin home doorway. He was held captive in Beruit 30 years ago.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Hailey Kornak, 8, of Glen Ellyn tries to get a selfie as a Great Southern White butterfly lands perilously close to her face at the butterfly house at Peck Farm Park in Geneva. She and a couple of friends had cameras out and ready taking pictures of butterflies when Hailey became part of the composition.
Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
Chicago Blackhawks center Jonathan Toews is reflected in the Stanley Cup as his kisses the prize at the United Center in Chicago.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
A sky lantern is released during a vigil for Fox Lake Police Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz at Lakefront Park in Fox Lake. The final investigation reported that Gliniewicz killed himself.
John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
Ballet Folklorico Huehuecoytl artistic director Cynthia G. Hernandez of Elgin, left, dances and teaches simultaneously during the adult class. The adult class competes in folkloric competitions in the US and Mexico.
Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
Alexander Sandrok, 2, of Geneva gets a bit wrapped up in his two piece T-Rex kite during the Geneva Park District's kite festival at Peck Farm Park in Geneva in September. Alexander, a big dinosaur fan, picked out his own kite for the event and attended it for the first time with his family this year.
Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
While waiting for the Chicago Blackhawks to parade down Monroe St. in Chicago after their Stanley Cup win, someone in the crowd launched a beach ball. It traveled east on Monroe and eventually landed in the street. The Chicago police, who were out in full force along the route, were good sports and would send it back into the crowd and they would erupt in cheers. Every now and then, Blackhawks fans would try to engage the officers in a back-and-forth volleyball match of sorts, but the police would just smile and send it back, and the ball would continue its journey east on Monroe, and the scene would repeat itself with the next set of cops.
Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
Michael Dimock buttons the uniform, Louis Dimock holds down a small flag and Kyle Duffy steadies the jacket as they prepare a memorial table for their late brother and friend Army Ranger Joseph Dimock before a dedication ceremony of a stretch of Route 120 in his honor. Dimock was the older brother of Michael and Louis, both of Wildwood, and was the friend and served with Duffy, who is from South Carolina.
Laura Stoecker/lstoecker@dailyherald.com
Six-year-old son Solomon Johnson of Woodstock puts on his scary face after a chicken that he tried to pick up at his family's farm refused to cooperate. His mom Gennifer tried to hand her to him a couple of times but the chicken kept flapping her wings at Solomon.
Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com
A helicopter hovers above an officer as they search at Hickory Ave. and Rollins Road as a multi-department manhunt continues in Fox Lake for, at the time, suspected killers of Lt. Charles Joseph Gliniewicz of the Fox Lake Police Department. Final investigation shows Gliniewicz killed himself.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com
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