We shot tens of thousands of photographs in 2010.  We deleted a bunch of them.  But we had a lot of keepers, too.  Looking through the library was a trip down memory lane, reminding us of all the people, places and events we had the pleasure of witnessing and shooting in the last year, and many of those memories are great ones.  What were our favorites?  Well, we could probably present a Top 50 list here, and still have leftover material. But for efficiency’s sake we have narrowed it down to our Top 5 Favorite Photos of 2010.

Favorite Photo #5 - e33 in the Avalon Cup

An e33 in a trough in the Atlantic

We were invited to photograph the Avalon Cup, an annual regatta from Avalon to Cape May, New Jersey.  The wind in August on the east coast is not reputed to be exciting, but this year the Avalon Cup fell just after there was some major storm activity well offshore in the Atlantic Ocean.  We launched our Viewfinder in Cape May to head north to the start, and as soon as we reached the mouth of the Cape May Inlet we knew we were in for a ride.  In fact, we considered turning around and heading home.  The wind was reasonable – 15-20 knots out of the northeast.  The sea, however, was putting up a fuss and presenting 6-12 foot rolling waves for our boating pleasure and the 25 mile run north, normally an hour-long trip, took us over two.  We were greatly rewarded for the effort, though.  Two fleets competed in the Avalon Cup, a Flying Scot fleet that sailed a buoy course in their home waters, and everyone else who would cruise the coast to Cape May.  The sailing was exciting, and the aforementioned rollers provided unique photographic opportunities as a boat after boat dropped into a trough and we captured just the rig rising above the crest.  The day, which earlier had started with an uncomfortable commute, turned out to be great fun, and we captured some good images.  As we returned to Cape May at day’s end we had the pleasure of shooting our friend the schooner AJ Meerwald.  Bonus!

Favorite Photo #4 - Promo shot for Folk Engineered

Jake aboard his Folk Engineered bicycle in front of Newark City Hall

Our friends Marie and Ryan build hand-built bikes and run a company called Folk Engineered.  They build great machines and needed some photography to show off the high degree of customization they put into each one of their bikes.  In May we created three images, including this one of Jake who worked for the City of Newark and commutes on his bike to City Hall each day.  Two other shots included Ryan showing the speed of his bike, and another customer doing some “urban camping” in the city with his hybrid cycle.  The photos were printed as postcards, and have become very popular as Folk Engineered displays at trade shows, bike swaps, etc.

Favorite Photo #3 - Mystic Whaler before the storm

It was a dark and stormy night...

The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race is always the highlight of our shooting calendar.  Forty or fifty schooners descend on the Chesapeake Bay and race from Baltimore to Norfolk for bragging rights and to raise money for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.  The boats are amazing and the people are awesome.  This year the weather at the start was cold and wet with decent breeze to propel the schooners down the Bay.  Just after the big boats crossed the line a dark squall line came marching down the Severn River toward the fleet.  We captured this shot of Mystic Whaler as she braced for the storm and worked to move through the fleet.  Happily, the squall line was heavy on rain but light on wind, and everyone had a great sail to Virginia.

Favorite Photo #2 - Shadow

Whatchyou lookin' at?

In December each year we team up with our friends at Camp Bow Wow to offer holiday pet portraits.  The sessions provide pet owners with the opportunity to have a photo of their dog for their holiday card, and the fees for the sessions are donated to a worthy cause.  This year we raised over $600 for a local beagle rescue organization!  Photographing dogs of all shapes, sizes and demeanor is a treat every time, and this year proved no exception.  Shadow the Boxer decided he had modeled well enough and his session was done.  That’s when we caught this look.  He seemed to be serious.

And…Favorite Photo #1 - Family pictures with Help-Portrait Asbury Park

You won’t see the images here or anywhere.  That wasn’t the point.

In December we joined up with a great crew in Asbury Park who volunteered to be part of the growing movement called Help-Portrait.  Started in 2009, Help-Portrait is a simple concept: Find someone in need.  Take their picture.  Print it and give it to them.  On December 4 thousands of photographers all over the world shot tens of thousands of portraits of people who otherwise might not have the opportunity to have a holiday photo.  We were lucky to be counted among those photographers, and it was a moving experience to say the least.  There are many stories from the day, but two best sum up the meaning of Help-Portrait.  After photographing a woman in her mid-30′s and her three children Mike was saying goodbye to the family.  The young mom, who when she arrived was reserved and appeared exhausted, smiled and said “Thank you.”  When Mike began to respond she interrupted and said “No, really, thank you.  I have never had a photograph like this taken of me in my whole life.  Never.  Thank you.”  Later on in the day another mom shared with us that she would be sending the photo we shot to her son’s father who hasn’t seen the boy in three years because the father lives in Georgia and neither parent can afford to travel.  It was a gift to be involved in such a wonderful project, and we look forward to the 2011 version on December 3!

2010 was a great year.  Thanks to everyone who came before our lens.  Thanks to those of you who invited us to be a part of your event, your regatta, your family.  We appreciate the opportunity.  We are looking forward to an even better 2011!