A short 5 years ago, I shared my top 17 iPhone photos of 2017. It’s wild how the world of mobile photography has progressed in that time – larger sensors, more lenses, higher resolution, better in low light. Sure my Canon R6 blows all of these specs out of the water, but as I selected my top 22 images from this year, I was reminded that the small phone sensor is able to beautifully capture small moments. This year my chosen photos are far less about the advance of technology, and far more about the faces, spaces, and memories of the past 365 days.
Details: iPhone XS (photos 1-12) and iPhone 13 Pro (13-22)
Resources: The Stories in our Everyday Photographs – Artifact Uprising
1. Somewhere on the side of the road in California
Traveling with fellow creatives is always an adventure. Even after the work for the day is complete, there’s still frames to be captured and experiences to be shared.
![A Ford SUV is parked in gravel along the side of a California highway, with two individuals shooting video and photos.](https://awvideo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_8295-1024x768.jpeg)
2. The sun sets over Malibu Pier
![](https://awvideo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_8297-1024x576.jpeg)
3. California canopy
![A tree with light-colored bark creates a thick canopy of leaves, seen from directly below.](https://awvideo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_8493-2-768x1024.jpeg)
4. Departure gates
A fitting representation of a quarter of the year spent on the road.
![A blonde-haired female looks at an airport departures board, with arrows pointing to gates to the left and right.](https://awvideo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_8507-1024x576.jpeg)
5. Frame within a frame
![Framed through a brick doorway, an individual sits behind two video cameras, with extensive lighting equipment set up behind.](https://awvideo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_8687-768x1024.jpeg)
6. Drawing AV schematics while in-flight
![A notebook is open on an airplane tray table, showing writings and diagrams captured with a narrow focus.](https://awvideo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_8712-768x1024.jpeg)
7. New growth in Detroit
![Several green blades of grass fill the frame, with Detroit skyscrapers behind.](https://awvideo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_8846-768x1024.jpeg)
8. Pothole reflections
![A water-filled pothole reflects the evening sun hitting brick buildings in Detroit. (Not pictured, our rental car receiving a ticket for being parked too close to a crosswalk.)](https://awvideo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_8865-768x1024.jpeg)
9. Overlooking Chattanooga
![A wide open view of Chattanooga, Tennessee, bridges crossing the Tennessee River, and lush rolling hills behind. In the foreground, a photographer leans over a balcony to take a picture.](https://awvideo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_8953-1024x768.jpeg)
10. Murky Tennessee River
![A column of a bridge casts a shadow in the Tennessee River.](https://awvideo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_8955-768x1024.jpeg)
11. Sailboats at sunset in Boston
![Two sailboats bob in the foreground as fiery sunset clouds create a silhouette of the Boston skyline.](https://awvideo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_9075-768x1024.jpeg)
12. Emergency lights
Another year spent with MSFD, capturing unique moments when not too distracted getting work done.
![The red LED emergency lights of a fire engine are seen abstractly casting rays of light through an abandoned building.](https://awvideo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_9160-768x1024.jpeg)
13. Throwing ladders
![A firefighter in gear pulls ladders and equipment off of the back of a fire engine, while another firefighter observes.](https://awvideo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_0134-1024x768.jpeg)
14. Caffeine in Columbus
![A warmly furnished sitting area is next to the open door to a fun-looking coffee shop. Located in the lobby of the Graduate Hotel in Columbus, Ohio.](https://awvideo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_0194-1024x768.jpeg)
15. DC rooftop
![A solitary figure stands on a rooftop in the heart of downtown Washington DC, overlooking the surrounding buildings.](https://awvideo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_0363-1024x576.jpeg)
16. Red brick church
![A red brick church, viewed from a low angle, with a cloudy sky behind.](https://awvideo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_0367-768x1024.jpeg)
17. Sun block
![A hand reaches up to the bright, blue sky, blocking the bright sun.](https://awvideo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_0607-1024x768.jpeg)
18. Paddleboarding on the Res
![A woman stands on a stand up paddle board on a blue lake.](https://awvideo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_0780-710x1024.jpeg)
19. Autumn in Pennsylvania
![The sun sets behind trees on a fall day, with a large concrete mansion in the center of the image, with fallen leaves in the foreground. The building is Fonthill Park, in Doylestown, PA.](https://awvideo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_1298-1024x768.jpeg)
20. Yet another sunset in a city
![A tall building with a waving American flag in front of a pink and orange sunset clouds.](https://awvideo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_1344-768x1024.jpeg)
21. On the trail to a wildland fire
![A wildland firefighter with a load pack and hand tool walks up a trail in dry, mountainous terrain.](https://awvideo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_1400-768x1024.jpeg)
22. Frosty patterns
![Frost forms unique patterns on a window that overlooks a snow-covered roof in rural Wisconsin.](https://awvideo.tv/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IMG_1722-1024x768.jpeg)