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Yankee‘s 20 Best Photos of 2021

A look back at some of the most memorable images from the pages of Yankee in 2021.

By Heather Marcus|Mar 31 2022| Print icon

An early morning sun echos the shape of silhouetted figures in Oak Bluffs documented by island photographer Alison Shaw for Jamie Kageliery's personal piece. ("A Beautiful Hiding Place," March/April)

Credit: Alison Shaw
Yankee is fortunate to have so many talented photographers in New England to call upon for its varied stories. It is always an honor to look back on the year and revisit the work that goes into each issue.  Among the best photo essays from this past year are Brian Skerry’s otherworldly ocean photographs culled from a lifetime of work (“The Underwater Evangelist”) and Gabe Bornstein’s different take on the same subject (“The Winter Sea”). Other standouts include Alex Gagne’s ongoing project documenting Cape Cod’s minor league baseball (“Chasing the Dream”), Greta Rybus’s images of Maine’s wild blueberries (“Wild Blue Wonder”) and Alison Shaw’s intimate look at Martha’s Vineyard (“A Beautiful Hiding Place”). As photo editor, I’m thrilled that Yankee continues to tell such wonderful stories of New England through both compelling words and unforgettable visuals. And while it’s always difficult to narrow down a full year of work, we’ve put together a collection of 20 favorite photographs from 2021 that represent the excellence of the whole — and we hope you’ll click through to the original story to read (and see) more.

Yankee’s 20 Best Photos of 2021

Gabe Bornstein captures the beauty of light and motion in the Maine seas.

Credit: Gabe Bornstein
Gabe Bornstein captures the beauty of light and motion in Maine’s arctic waters. (“The Winter Sea,” January/February)
Credit: Gabe Bornstein

Shades of blue captured by Greta Rybus in Maine’s blueberry country for Rowan Jacobsen’s piece. (“Wild Blue Wonder,” July/August)

Credit: Greta Rybus
Shades of blue captured by Greta Rybus in Maine’s blueberry barrens for Rowan Jacobsen’s piece. (“Wild Blue Wonder,” July/August)
Credit: Greta Rybus

A dramatic sky sets the scene from a photo in Alex Gagne’s ongoing project documenting the Cape Cod Baseball leagues. (“Chasing the Dream,” July/August)

Credit: Alex Gagne
A dramatic sky sets the scene from Alex Gagne’s ongoing project documenting the Cape Cod Baseball leagues. (“Chasing the Dream,” July/August)
Credit: Alex Gagne

A sweet portrait captured on the summit of New Hampshire’s most climbed mountain by Corey Hendrickson. (“One Day in October on Mount Monadnock,” September/October)

Credit: Corey Hendrickson
A sweet portrait captured on the summit of New Hampshire’s most climbed mountain by Corey Hendrickson. (“One Day in October on Mount Monadnock,” September/October)
Credit: Corey Hendrickson

A classic view captured by Mark Fleming for Jim Salge’s favorite foliage spots.

Credit: Mark Fleming
A classic view of Camden, Maine captured by Mark Fleming highlighting foliage expert Jim Salge’s favorite autumn spots. (“Peak Color,” September/October)
Credit: Mark Fleming

A simple and elegant slice of pie from writer Nadine Nelson’s recipe styled by Kaitlin Wayne & Veronica Olson & photographed by pie aficionado Mark Weinberg graced our cover. (“Baking Power,” January/February)

Credit: Mark Weinberg
A simple and elegant slice of pie from writer Nadine Nelson’s recipe styled by Kaitlin Wayne & Veronica Olson & photographed by pie aficionado Mark Weinberg graced our winter cover. (“Baking Power,” January/February)
Credit: Mark Weinberg

Cait Bourgault documents a Northeast Mountaineering trek across a pristine snow covered landscape en route to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire. (“Winter in the Mount Washington Valley,” January/February)

Credit: Cait Bourgault
Cait Bourgault documents a Northeast Mountaineering trek across a pristine snow covered landscape en route to the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire. (“Winter in the Mount Washington Valley,” January/February)
Credit: Cait Bourgault

Cig Harvey’s illustrative photo for Oliver Broudy’s essay. (“Living with Ghosts,” September/October)

Credit: Cig Harvey
Cig Harvey‘s illustrative photo for Oliver Broudy’s beautiful essay. (“Living with Ghosts,” September/October)
Credit: Cig Harvey

Accomplished photographer Brian Skerry documents a colorful scene in the Gulf of Maine. (“The Ocean Evangelist,” March/April)

Credit: Brian Skerry
Accomplished underwater photographer Brian Skerry documents a colorful scene in the Gulf of Maine. (“The Ocean Evangelist,” March/April)
Credit: Brian Skerry

The twist of the trail in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont captured by the talented sports photographer Dave Trumpore. (“Build It and They Will Come,” July/August)

Credit: Dave Trumpore
The twist of the trail in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont captured by sports photographer Dave Trumpore. (“Build It and They Will Come,” July/August)
Credit: Dave Trumpore

An early morning sun echos the shape of silhouetted figures in Oak Bluffs documented by island photographer Alison Shaw for Jamie Kageliery’s personal piece. (“A Beautiful Hiding Place,” March/April)

Credit: Alison Shaw
An early morning sun echos the shape of silhouetted figures in Oak Bluffs documented by island photographer Alison Shaw for writer Jamie Kageliery’s personal piece. (“A Beautiful Hiding Place,” March/April)
Credit: Alison Shaw

Late afternoon light illuminates a grilled feast in Newburyport styled by Catrine Kelty & Caroline Woodward & photographed by Michael Piazza. (“A Movable Feast,” May/June)

Credit: Michael Piazza
Late afternoon light illuminates a grilled feast in Newburyport styled by Catrine Kelty & Caroline Woodward & photographed by Michael Piazza with recipes from Senior Food Editor Amy Traverso. (“A Movable Feast,” May/June)
Credit: Michael Piazza

A portrait of Michael Levin amongst his prized bonsai by Greta Rybus for Katy Kelleher’s piece on Bonsai West in Littleton, Massachusetts. (“A Living Art,” September/October)

Credit: Greta Rybus
A portrait of Michael Levin amongst his prized bonsai by Greta Rybus for Katy Kelleher’s piece on Bonsai West in Littleton, Massachusetts. (“A Living Art,” September/October)
Credit: Greta Rybus

Bob O’Connor captured this peek inside the intricate studio of master granite carver Giuliano Cecchinelli for Julia Shipley’s piece. (“Written in Stone,” January/February)

Credit: Bob O’Connor
Bob O’Connor captured this peek inside the intricately filled studio of master granite carver Giuliano Cecchinelli for Julia Shipley’s piece. (“Written in Stone,” January/February)
Credit: Bob O'Connor

Cate Brown captured the sunset sail of the Schooner Aquidneck in Newport, Rhode Island for our autumn feature. (“31 Ways to Fall for Autumn,” September/October)

Credit: Cate Brown
Cate Brown captured the sunset sail of the Schooner Aquidneck in Newport, Rhode Island for our autumn feature. (“31 Ways to Fall for Autumn,” September/October)
Credit: Cate Brown

An aerial perspective from Corey Hendrickson captures bikers along the trail cutting through the wilds of New Hampshire from Senior Editor Ian Aldrich’s shared summer journey. (“Going Wide,” May/June)

Credit: Corey Hendrickson
An aerial perspective taken by Corey Hendrickson captures bikers along the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail from Senior Editor Ian Aldrich’s shared summer journey. (“Going Wide,” May/June)
Credit: Corey Hendrickson

The story of a giant at Boston’s New England Aquarium as told by Joe Keohane with a frame from Brian Skerry’s archive. (“Queen of the Deep,” November/December)

Credit: Brian Skerry
The story of a giant at Boston’s New England Aquarium as told by Joe Keohane with a frame from Brian Skerry‘s archive. (“Queen of the Deep,” November/December)
Credit: Brian Skerry

Andrew Rowat captured this charming diminutive aerial view of Woodstock, Vermont. (“Winter Weekend in Woodstock,” January/February)

Credit: Andrew Rowat
Andrew Rowat captured this charming snow globe view that opened our weekend in Woodstock, Vermont. (“Winter Weekend in Woodstock,” January/February)
Credit: Andrew Rowat

A joyful moment with Chef Douglass captured by Michael Piazza in Boston for Food Editor Amy Traverso’s feature. (“A Recipe for Zen,” March/April)

Credit: Michael Piazza
A joyful moment with Chef Douglass at his Boston restaurant MIDA captured by Michael Piazza for Food Editor Amy Traverso’s feature. (“A Recipe for Zen,” March/April)
Credit: Michael Piazza

A classic holiday facade in Providence, Rhode Island captured during a fresh snowfall by Angel Tucker. (“Holiday Weekend in Providence,” November/December)

Credit: Angel Tucker
A classic holiday facade in Providence, Rhode Island captured during a fresh snowfall by Angel Tucker. (“Holiday Weekend in Providence,” November/December)
Credit: Angel Tucker

SEE MORE: Yankee’s 20 Best Photos of 2020 Yankee’s 20 Best Photos of 2019 Yankee’s 20 Best Photos of 2018

Heather Marcus

Heather Marcus is the senior photo editor for Yankee. She works closely with the art director and contributing photographers to tell our stories about people and place in a compelling way. Living and growing up in New England, she continues to be inspired by the communities, the landscape, and the wonderful visual opportunities the region affords.

More by Heather Marcus

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  1. Some of the best photos I’ve ever seen! I enjoyed every one and will look at them again to make sure I didn’t miss anything.

    Reply

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