I didn’t consider doing a “best of” list until Jeff Lautenberger and Chris Dunn were talking about them yesterday on Twitter. I had seen a few others, such as Andrew Dickinson do them — and thought they were great. It is a bit late for a “best of 2011″ page, as we’re a month into 2012. But I think the power of reflection is strong and it’s good to look back at the work I’ve done and see what I’ve learned in the past year.
Also, these aren’t necessarily my “best” pictures, but ones I feel like I learned something from or felt an immense growth from after shooting it.
Patrons get some late night snacks at the Sea View Snack Shack in Mystic, Connecticut.
For me, 2011 was a very exceptional year, in that it was much different than others. I took risks, leaving my friends and family behind to go abroad for six months, meeting amazing people and learning a great deal about myself and my craft along the way.
Cyclists and pedestrians roam the streets of Aarhus, Denmark as the sun sets. The sun sets around 4:30 p.m. here, so I get an early start on the "golden hour."
After being home for a week, I traveled to New York for an internship, totaling my time away to nine months. But I wasn’t alone!
Theresa drinks a cold one while standing on a mound of sand at Long Beach in New York.
I did stories that were personal to me.
Lissa walks down the corridor of Madsjberg. Lissa has Alzheimer's, although it is not severe. She does suffer from memory loss but is functional and quite happy.
I shot a photo story, sharing no common language with my subject. And I still kind of like the pictures I took.
Hallal A.'s hair hangs over Doaa A.'s face as she stands on top of the stairs outside her classroom Tuesday, March 5 at school. Lykkeskolen is connected to Bazar Vest, an Arabic-oriented food market that brings together different vendors that sell Halal meats and specialize in Middle Eastern foods.
I did my first underwater shoot — with the great help of Timmy Huynh.
Jowan Qupty is the first Arab swimmer to win an Israeli Championship. Right now, he is training at the University of Missouri to go back to Israel's Olympics.
I embraced shooting portraits, something I hated for so long.
Hickman student Cassie French laughs as her portrait is taken after the Epic Mud Run five-kilometer race on Saturday at the Midway Travel Plaza. The race featured a course with over a dozen obstacles including mud pits and port-a-potties. // Katie Currid for the Missourian
I am no longer afraid to go into a studio with little-to-no preparation.
Matt Schofield, Boone County Fire Protection District chief and Missouri Task Force 1 search team manager. // Katie Currid for the Missourian
I traveled. And paid a lot of extra baggage fees, thanks to RyanAir. But I learned to love it, even though I’m still awful at packing light.
An overview of the city of Torshavn at twilight. The Faroe Islands are chilly year-round and are at a constant temperature of around 50 degrees.
I explored other cultures and came away with my preconceived notions destroyed.
A Faroese man cuts through the skin and blubber of the whale to get to the meat. Some Faroese people consume the blubber of the whale, as it can be cooked in different ways, but it is often only consumed in moderation, most often with bread.
I embraced the shitty light. And I spent time with wonderful people.
Noah Arbuckle, 4, lays down in his bed while he waits for his father, John Arbuckle, to read him a bedtime story. The Arbuckles live with limited electricity and their lifestyle as a family is centered around reading, where the lights are turned on in the house and is very family-oriented.
I loved every minute of this last year — well, that’s a lie. It was really difficult. And I will not pretend to like European bathrooms. But it was all worth it. Here’s to an even more enriching, culture and experimental year full of learning and love.
Katie, I’m so proud of all that you’ve done in the past three years or so. You have a real sensitivity to people and culture that shines through in what you do. You’re the best. Keep rockin.
My favourite is of course the shot from Aarhus. When I think of Denmark, I think of blonde girls with knots on the top of their heads, big coats, bigger scarves, converse…and bikes. I think that photo captures about 6 months of our Danish happiness.