Rachel Portesi captured this unique view of painter Eric Aho at work, framed by the doorway of his hand-built sauna in Walpole, New Hampshire. (“The Artist in Winter,” January/February 2018)
Photo Credit : Rachel Portesi
Yankee is fortunate to have so many talented photographers in New England to call upon for its stories — something that came through loud and clear in the magazine’s 2018 issues. Among the best photo essays from this past year are Richard Brown’s timeless images of rural Vermont (“The Last of the Hill Farms”) and Jerry Monkman’s conservation-minded take on the New England environment (“Beyond Beauty”). Other standouts include Mark Fleming’s photographs from Maine’s Appledore Island (“The Essence of Appledore”), Gabe Souza’s portraits of his hometown of Bucksport, Maine (“The Town That Refused to Die”), and Sarah Rice’s visual immersion in yurt culture (“The Tinkerer of Dickinson’s Reach”).
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 2018 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 2018
For a cover story on the New England environment, Tristan Spinski documented coastal areas and islands that are threatened by rising ocean levels, such as Maine’s Duck Island. (“Rising Seas,” March/April 2018) Photo Credit : Tristan SpinskiRachel Portesi captured this dramatic view of painter Eric Aho at work, framed by the doorway of his hand-built sauna in Walpole, New Hampshire. (“The Artist in Winter,” January/February 2018) Photo Credit : Rachel PortesiLittle Outdoor Giants delivered this inspired view of the rugged beauty of Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. (“Called to the Wild,” January/February 2018) Photo Credit : Little Outdoor GiantsKrissy O’Shea’s photo of a rustic blueberry galette evokes the flavor of summer. (“Cooking at Cottage Farm,” July/August 2018) Photo Credit : Krissy O'SheaAmong the many compelling images in Richard Brown’s photo essay was this 1971 portrait of Gladys and John Somers at their farm in West Barnet, Vermont. (“The Last of the Hill Farms,” January/February 2018) Photo Credit : Richard W. BrownAnother memorable Richard Brown photograph, showing a rambling West Barnet farm in 1973. (“The Last of the Hill Farms,” January/February 2018) Photo Credit : Richard W. BrownNew Hampshire artisan Jon Gibson holds an unfinished pewter spoon cast from a c. 1750 mold for photographer Greta Rybus. (“Vintage Craft, Modern Polish,” September/October 2018) Photo Credit : Greta RybusPhotographer Maaike Bernstrom’s daughter, Harper, fills a bucket with her friend Mia as sunset illuminates the rows of blooms at Wicked Tulips in Johnston, Rhode Island. (“Plucky Sorts,” March/April 2018) Photo Credit : Maaike BernstromThe award-winning Louis Kahn–designed library at Phillips Exeter Academy, as captured by Mark Fleming. (“Could You Live Here?” March/April 2018) Photo Credit : Mark FlemingA quiet moment caught by Mark Fleming during a day of haying in Tiverton, Rhode Island. (“A Hidden Beauty,” July/August 2018) Photo Credit : Mark FlemingJerry Monkman’s striking perspective of his teenage daughter, Acadia, on the Knife Edge Trail in Maine’s Baxter State Park. (“Beyond Beauty,” March/April 2018) Photo Credit : Jerry MonkmanAnother Jerry Monkman photograph: delicate paper birch trees on the edge of Great Meadow in Acadia National Park. (“Beyond Beauty,” March/April 2018) Photo Credit : Jerry MonkmanFor Ian Aldrich’s in-depth feature on how Gloucester, Massachusetts, has responded to the opioid crisis, photojournalist Andrea Bruce helped set the scene with local portraits and atmospheric images like this one. (“Port in a Storm,” September/October 2018) Photo Credit : Andrea Bruce/ Catchlight Foundation via Pulitzer CenterMaine Media Workshops student Walker Bankson created this portrait of life in midcoast Maine with a 4×5 view camera. (“A Sense of Place,” July/August 2018) Photo Credit : Walker BanksonIn this Mark Fleming photograph, fresh-caught mackerel in a bucket become almost a piece of art. (“The Essence of Appledore,” September/October 2018) Photo Credit : Mark FlemingAnother Mark Fleming photograph: a view of Maine’s Appledore Island from the water. (“The Essence of Appledore,” September/October 2018) Photo Credit : Mark FlemingCorey Hendrickson’s portrait of Vermont tinkerer Luke Persons. (“Luke and the Lake,” July/August 2018) Photo Credit : Corey HendricksonAn aerial view of Bucksport, Maine, by Gabe Souza shows what remains of the paper mill that defined the town for decades. (“The Town That Refused to Die,” November/December 2018) Photo Credit : Gabe SouzaAnother from Gabe Souza: Bucksport poet laureate Pat Ranzoni, who compiled and collected the memories of the mill community, at her home. (“The Town That Refused to Die,” November/December 2018) Photo Credit : Gabe SouzaA yurt in an off-the-grid community in Machiasport, Maine, glows against the evening sky in this Sarah Rice photograph. (“The Tinkerer of Dickinson’s Reach,” November/December 2018) Photo Credit : Sarah Rice
Heather Marcus is the senior photo editor for Yankee Magazine. She works closely with the art director and a large group of 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.
