It's probably not unusual for a photo from a submarine homecoming to be chosen among the favorites from someone on the staff at The Day. There are few events in our region so universally revered as the reunion of families after a lengthy overseas deployment. This year it appears to be my turn. I will admit that I am often reluctant to focus on the traditional "first kiss" recipients at the homecoming. To some degree I figure they already got their big break. Yet, sometimes the moment is too good to resist. I imagine the pressure, for the couple, with all eyes on them, to make the moment memorable, could be quite daunting. and yet Petty Officer Miller managed to execute a textbook dip, and clearly surprise his wife, with grace and style. CAPTION: Petty officer third class Collin Miller gives his wife Ashley a dip as they enjoy the traditional first kiss upon the return of the U.S. Navy Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Providence (SSN 719) to the navy submarine base in Groton, Conn., following a six-month deployment Friday, March 15, 2019. Providence is returning from the European Command Areas of Responsibility supporting national security interests and Maritime Security Operations. During the deployment, Providence steamed approximately 37,000 nautical miles, equal to approximately 1.7 trips around the world at the equator. Port visits were conducted in Faslane, Scotland and Haakonsvern, Norway. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
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When one sees armor-clad human beings hitting one-another with maces and broadswords, you realize that you are in the presence of a truly unique entertainment experience. So it was when I went to cover the Connecticut Renaissance Faire. Having never been to the fair before I was quick to realize that this would be a video paradise, with the demonstration by the Knights of Gore being the fulcrum to the story. This is a perfect example where video, with the sound and movement of two combatants slamming into one-another, can deliver greater impact (no pun intended) than even the best still photo from the event. As the team suited up for the demonstration it was almost as much fun watching them dawn the armor, which on an almost 80 degree day, appeared to be a daunting task unto itself. ORIGINAL CAPTION:Jeffery Allen Evans, AKA Lord Jeffery of the Knights of Gore prepares himself for battle by securing his helmet before the Knights of Gore demonstration at the Connecticut Renaissance Faire at the Lebanon Fair Grounds Saturday, August 31, 2019. The Knights of Gore are a medieval fighting troop that specialize in scripted and unscripted fighting demonstrations using medieval armor and weapons. The Renaissance Faire runs Saturdays and Sundays through October 14th. (Tim Cook/The Day)
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Covering Groton's 4th of July parade this year I wanted to try getting a few photos from a different view than the spectators watching the parade would see. When the Naval Submarine School from the Naval Submarine Base came marching down the road I thought this would be a good opportunity. Marching in straight lines I lined myself up between two rows and started shooting photos as they passed by and walked away with this photo. ORIGINAL CAPTION: Members of the Naval Submarine School from the Naval Submarine Base in Groton march along the parade route during Groton's 40th annual 4th of July parade Thursday, July 4, 2019. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
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Coming up with different ways to illustrate weather, whether it be good or bad, is a routine creative challenge for most newspaper photographers. I was frustrated as the people who were outside watching unusually high waves at Eastern Point Beach were back in their car by the time I got all my rain gear on. In retrospect however that's a photo I've taken many times before. The thing I saw lining up as I was finally prepared to get out of my car was even better. The angry storm makes the Thames look like something much stronger against the glow of the ferry lights in the sea of grey. ORIGINAL CAPTION: The Cross Sound Ferry Susan Anne moves thorough rough waters as waves crash on the rocks at Eastern Point Beach on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 in Groton.(Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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Some calls heard over the police scanner really catch my ear. A lot of what happens in the realm of emergency responders has become quite routine after more than 25-years as a photojournalist but when I got a tip about an overturned horse trailer I knew I had to get there. On mornings when the roads are icy accidents are not unusual, but regardless of the road conditions, accidents involving horse trailers are. I arrived to find most of the first responders arrayed around the trailer, taking direction from a paramedic on scene who was also a horse rider and therefore the best-qualified in the situation. I was impressed to observe the efforts of all the rescuers and amazed at the quick response of the horse-riding community in the form of equipment and medical support. Thankfully, both horses emerged with little more than scrapes and bruises for their harrowing ride. ORIGINAL CAPTION: Trainer Wendy Brayman, with Hunter Ridge farm in Ashaway, RI, leads "Oki" to a waiting trailer after he was led from his overturned trailer on the Rt. 32 to I395 connector in Waterford Sunday, January 6, 2019. Both "Oki" and his traveling companion "Sheldon" were safely removed from the trailer and attended to by a veterinarian who also responded to the scene. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
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One of the most fascinating things to me as a journalist is religion, how it plays out in diferent cultures and the traditions of them. I knew Purim is a big deal in Judaism, and one of the more joyful ones often celebrated in costume. On a chance I reached out to Beth El in Waterford not really knowing what their celebrations would look like but hopping for a fun moment. This, of these young boys in varying costumes helping each other to remember the words of a song they were preforming, proved more than I expected. ORIGINAL CAPTION: Simon Tootle, second from right, 6, whispers in the ear of his friend Yair Robinson, 8, before they sing with the Solomon Schechter Chorus with, from left, Rafael Frommer, Camren Martin, 7, and Raphael Manley, 7, during a Purim Celebration at Beth El on Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at Crossroads Presbyterian Church in Waterford. The event included megillah reading, a hamentaschen bake-off, face painting, and talent showcases. The Jewish holiday of Purim celebrates the Jews' salvation from genocide in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Scroll of Esther.(Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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Often times spot news becomes an "if you can, when you, can get there." I knew I'd missed the flames and dynamics of this house fire in Norwich as I couldn't leave another assignment. This scene in the aftermath, while lacking the flash and danger, really illustrates the damage of the flames which is sometimes hard to visualize. It also puts into perspective the care and danger of the work firefighters do even long after the flames are gone. ORIGINAL CAPTION: Firefighters work from the roof, in a bucket, and attic as several area fire departments fight a fire at 42 Prospect St. on Sunday, February 3, 2018 in Norwich. Everyone in the two-family home got out safely after the fire started shortly after 9 a.m. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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I cannot tell you how many times over my career that I have been in search of a daily feature photo for the next day's paper, found a great location, and then wasted a ton of time waiting for any human being to interact with the location. As I say locked on Chapman Falls in East Haddam back in March, I had many a long worry that this would be one of those moments. After sitting for the better part of two hours fate did on this day smile upon me. In a moment that came and went in under 30 seconds, Hannah Robichaud of Dudley, Mass., a self proclaimed "waterfall collector" wandered into my shot and held still for the half second exposure. ORIGINAL CAPTION: Hannah Robichaud of Dudley, Mass., a self proclaimed "waterfall collector" documents Champman Falls in East Haddam Friday afternoon, March 29, 2019. This was the forth stop for Robichaud and her fiancÈ Paul Larson who were on a trip though Connecticut planning to stop and photograph ten different waterfalls. (Tim Cook/The Day)
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Oftentimes in sports photography I really don't know if I "got it" until much later. Sure, I can, and do, check the screen on my camera when time allows during a game to see if I'm getting good photos, but in this case I knew without even looking. In photography, especially sports photography, when using an SLR camera, we live by the axiom that "if you saw it through the camera, then you didn't get the photo" because the actual moment the images is being captured the viewfinder goes dark. This is a case where I just knew that the moments between what I was seeing were going to be compelling. The play was pivitol in the game, everyone watching, in the arena and on TV could see the drama of the foul. And, thanks to the time the officials took to review the video replay, I had time to really confirm my initial feelings. ORIGINAL CAPTION: UCLA's Lajahna Drummer commits a flagrant foul on UConn's Katie Lou Samuelson (33) in the second half of NCAA Albany Regional semi-final action Friday, March 29, 2019 at the Times Union Center in Albany. The second-seeded Huskies overcame a strong challenge from the sixth-seeded Bruins and emerged with the 69-61 win to advance to Sunday's regional final. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
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I am not a nature photographer. In truth I lack the patience it takes to wait for the kind of activity out most wild animals that makes for compelling photos. With that in mind, it's rare that I take any time to even try and therefore really rewarding when a few extra minutes watching the egrets in Bride Brook allowed me to witness a little bit of avian drama. I had several nice frames of the egrets wading and catching food, and when one took flight I figured my outing was over, but instead the graceful flight ended with a sudden flurry of conflict and the aggressor perched in a new fishing spot. ORIGINAL CAPTION: One snowy egret dives onto another to claim a prime fishing spot in the Bride Brook salt marsh at Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme Wednesday, April 3, 2019. Southern new England coastline areas are breeding territory for the snowy egret.(Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
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In the high emotions of a championship win or loss, there are usually a large number of opportunities to make some good images. The precision of hitting the "game winning" moment however takes a bit more patience and skill, especially in a game like softball, where the game-winning final out could have happened anywhere on the field.ORIGINAL CAPTION: Waterford's Emma Marelli celebrates after completing a double-play for the final out against Seymour clinching the CIAC Class M State Softball Tournament championship for the Lancers at West Haven High School Saturday, June 8, 2019. The Lancers bested the Wildcats 6-5, bringing home Waterford's second state title in two days after the Baseball team won the championship Friday night. (Tim Cook/The Day)
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I am almost universally fascinated by the myriad religious practices one can witness in a nation of such rich diversity. I enjoy the opportunity to show the readers of The Day many of the traditions in our region. I was very happy making many interesting photos of the many aspects of the prayer rituals of the Eid al-Fitr festivities. It takes a lot for me to fully appreciate the dedication it takes to observe the fasting of Ramadan, so the clear joy of the Eid prayers are easy to see. Young Faraz made a great visual contrast, both in the color of his clothing as well as his small stature and body language, amidst the sea of men bowing in prayer. The moment only lasted a few seconds and I'm glad I captured it. ORIGINAL CAPTION: Faraz Talukdar, 2, stands with his father Jabirul as members of the local Muslim community bow for Takbir prayers to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the the holiday to mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan, Tuesday, June 4, 2019 at the College Center at Crozier Williams at Conn. College. The Islamic Center of New London County secures the hall at Conn. College for the Eid prayer and party event, which is attended by hundreds more than will fit in the center's Groton building. Salah and Takbir prayers are followed by a Khutba, a sermon, from Islamic Center President Altaf Rasool, and then a feast. The holy month of Ramadan is observed by Muslims worldwide with prayer, fasting, reflection and community and commemorates the first revelation of the of the Quran to to the prophet Muhammad. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
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At the Day we cover a lot of graduations, each photographer probably going to five or more a year. They're beautiful, important, joyful ceremonies where there is no lack of storytelling moments but in the monotony you look for something different. I had gotten to NFA incredibly early in an attempt to get a parking spot nearby and spent more time with the graduates getting ready than the ceremony lasted. Coming across this scene, with a grad talking to her sister through the window before the pomp and circumstance, made all my preparation and open eyes worth it. ORIGINAL CAPTION: Graduate Abby Bargnesi, left, talks to her sister Taylor through a window before Norwich Free Academy's Commencement Ceremony on Wednesday, June 12, 2019.

Every season, there are activities that we photograph as we wander around the region between assignments. In the summer, you can find people of all ages crabbing. One day, I stumbled on a few young girls crabbing off a dock in Noank. I spent some time with them and after taking a few photos I liked, they started to pack up their equipment and I started to walk to my car. I then heard one of the girls say she wanted to count the crabs they had in a bucket before releasing them into the water. I decided to stick around and watch. They carefully dumped the crabs on the dock and placed the scurrying crabs carefully in the water. Crabbing photos are often nice photos, but I think being able to be close to the crabs' level this time made for an even more interesting photo. ORIGINAL CAPTION: Megan Hutchison, 9, of Preston picks up a crab while helping place the crabs in the water after she and her family and friend released the crabs from a bucket onto the dock to count after spending time crabbing in Noank Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
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If you'd tell me one of my favorite photos of the year was from an art's and craft show most years I'd laugh but thanks to Cooper and his facial expressions this year I'll proved myself wrong. I was on my way out with a few images I was ok with when I heard him and his sister long before I saw him. His mother laughed as I introduced myself and he didn't even notice me as I framed the perfect shot to catch his reaction to holding the delicate beaded animals. ORIGINAL CAPTION: Cooper Thompson, 5, reacts to holding a beaded animal as he and his sister Scarlett, 3, both of East Lyme, look at pieces by Domingo Wire and Bead Works during the Juried Arts and Craft Show on Sunday, July 7, 2019, at East Lyme Town Hall. The annual show, sponsored by the Niantic Lions, featured over 140 vendors and a food court. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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When I heard the Stonington Battle Flag was going to be on display at the La Grua Center in Stonington Burough I knew itís not unfurled very often and wanted to get a photo. I have taken a photo of the flag once before several; years ago, but it was at ground level with the flag carefully displayed on a floor of a museum and this time I remembered that the La Grua Center has a balcony and the flag would look less distorted looking down from that angle. On my drive over I hoped I would be able to see people walking around the flag. I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived to see Martha Geehan, curator of textiles for the Stonington Historical Society, gesturing while telling visitors about the flag. ORIGINAL CAPTION: Martha Geehan, second from right, curator of textiles for the Stonington Historical Society, talks to people about the Stonington Battle Flag unfurled and on display at the La Grua Center in Stonington Borough on Friday, Aug. 9, 2019. The flag on unfurled for the first time in five years and other relics from the War of 1812 were on display for the 205th Anniversary of the Battle of Stonington celebration taking place in the borough. Saturday there is a walking tour of the key areas of the borough during the battle at 10 a.m., wreath laying and memorial service at Cannon Square 11:30 a.m. and at noon a picnic on the Lighthouse lawn. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
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I enjoy covering the agricultural fairs in the area every year and this year I witnessed something I had never seen before and had a good laugh watching it unfold. I arrived at the fair early in the evening and found this group of young kids from the Classy Caprine 4-H Club unloading their goats from their trailer and walking them to the barn and started to taking pictures. Suddenly one of the goats held by its collar by Trenor Schroeder, 11, took off running with Trenor holding on barely able to keep up. His friends ran to his rescue trying to stop the goat and laughing the whole time. It was a lot of fun to watch and I was happy to come away with a photo unlike any other fair photo IÌve taken in the past. ORIGINAL CAPTION: Latham Schroder, 8, left, and Lilly Williams, 8, try to help Trenor Schroder, 11, blocked from view, all of Preston, control his goat Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, as it pulls him around the ring while walking it to the barn on opening night of the Ledyard Fair. Malachi Williams, 11, foreground, runs to help his fellow members of the Classy Caprine 4-H Club. The fair runs through Sunday. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
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Illustrating summer, especially in late August, gets increasingly hard as more photos are taken. We were desperate for a feature photo, on a kind of rainy day, and when after a while of driving I saw kids jumping off the bridge in Groton Long Point I knew I had to stop. We'd taken a few "yay summer bridge jump photos" already this year and I knew I had to get creative and think outside the box to be able to use it. Focusing on the fall, not the jump, and the pain captured in this image really works. (And doubly illustrates the incoming pain of waking up for the first day of school the next morning.) ORIGINAL CAPTION: Rain falls as siblings, from left, Nathan, 11, Noah, 14, Lily Johnson, 9, and friend Cisto Mercado land in the water after jumping off the Groton Long Point Road bridge on Wednesday, August 28, 2019. The friends, who attend Groton Public Schools, return to school tomorrow morning and were jumping off the bridge to say goodbye to summer. "My alarm is going off at 6 a.m. tomorrow," said Mercado, "it's gonna be way too early." (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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Any day I have an assignment that has me out on the water is a good day. When it involves a tall ship and especially one from a foreign country itÌs even better. I have been lucky to have had the opportunity to be aboard the Esmeralda of the Chilean Navy when it participated in OpSail 2001 and this past summer the Capit·n Miranda of the Uruguayan Navy when it visited New London. I love the times I have spent aboard the Coast Guard Barque Eagle, in my opinion the prettiest tall ship I have ever seen, but it is something special when you have the opportunity to meet people and learn a little something about their lives and their country. ORIGINAL CAPTION: Escorted by the Mystic Fire Department's Marine One, left, crew members of the Capit·n Miranda, a three-masted schooner from Uruguay, stand in honors on the ship's booms as they travel up the Thames River to New London Friday, Aug. 16, 2019. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
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The best sports photos are sometimes the ones that make you laugh. This was one of the first games of the season and I could not tell you what the score was, or if it even mattered, but something about the flight of Rory here and his posture makes me giggle every time I see it. Probably because it reminds me of the great 80s movie Karate Kid, headband and all. ORIGINAL CAPTION: Old Lyme's Rory Cavicke (9) kicks a ball past North Branford's Jason Stanford (17) during a boys soccer game on Thursday, September 12, 2019 at Colafati Field. (Sarah Gordon/The Day)
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It was very close to the end of my shift one Saturday and had a couple of photos, but in the back of my mind I had this nagging thought that I should see if I could find something better. I remembered that Mitchell College in new London was hosting their Halloween Festival and decided to check it out. When I arrived on the lawn I saw a few college men with rakes talking while standing around a pile of leaves but nothing else happening. I continued inside to the activities taking place in Clarke Center to find things were winding down. Disappointed I left the building to see a couple of kids playing in the pile of leaves I had spotted earlier. I thought this could possibly make a good picture, but this too was not panning out at first. Slowly people started to gravitate towards the pile and children and adults were having fun playing with the leaves. Finally the light, leaves flying in the air and the expressions on the faces made for a nice photo. Whoever came up with the idea to do something as simple as raking up a pile of leaves for people to play in for an activity during the festival is a genius. ORIGINAL CAPTION: Natalya Thomas, 8, left, and her grandmother, Terry Wright, second from left, both of New London react as the lives fall after Wright, tossed a bunch of leaves in the air while they and others play in the pile of leaves created by Mitchell College students during the college's Family Halloween Festival on the New London campus Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
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I am always a little uncomfortable covering vigils where people are mourning somebody they loved even though I have found people to be understanding and gracious. The Safe Futures vigil in memory of victims of domestic violence homicide was no exception. Before the vigil I was welcomed and had nice conversations with current clients of Safe Futures who told me about their experiences. ORIGINAL CAPTION: Rebecca McConnell, left, of Norwich, Tina Boutilette, center of Thompson, both clients of Safe Futures, and Joseph Parise, brother of Robert Parise who was allegedly killed by his partner, during the Safe Futures vigil in memory of victims of domestic violence homicide at Safe Futures in New London on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019. A photograph of Robert Parise is part of a memorial created for the ceremony with with a list of other victims of domestic violence homicide in the background. (Dana Jensen/The Day)
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Don Williams quickly became a fixture on the at Connecticut Sun games late this season, cheering for the team and his daughter, Sun guard Courtney Williams from his courtside seat. Williams is the quintessence of the enthusiastic sports parent demonstrating his fervor in a place, the professional sports arena, where it really seemed rather unusual. Every athlete I've ever covered has parents, and sometimes I see them cheering from their seats, but Williams' fandom is infectious, and seeing his daughter's response is equally fun.---Connecticut's Courtney Williams is lifted by her father Don after she addressed the fans following the Sun's win over Washington in WNBA finals game four action Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at Mohegan Sun Arena. Williams scored 16-points as the Sun won 90-86 to force a game five Thursday in D.C. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day)
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As a photographer I am naturally obsessed with light. It is the bread and butter and visual language of my trade. Most people see a colorful sunset, the first words out of my mouth are usually "This is amazing light!".It was during the NFA Classic marching band festival that I had one of these moments. Instead of being under the lights of the stadium, the competition was moved to daytime due to the EEE scare. As the Colonels took to the field the late afternoon sun backlit the team now standing out in sharp contrast agains the shadowed wall of the NFA field house. I immediately saw the off-symitry, the flashes of color from the brass instruments and rolled video just to capture the scene. Overall I would not even call this good light. It is contrasty and harsh and overran the dynamic range if the camera I was using. It did however make for a graphically interesting visual.---The Ledyard High School marching band prepares to take the field at the NFA Classic Marching Band festival at Norwich Free Academy, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (Tim Cook/The Day)
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I think that part of the reason that this photo made my "favorites" list this year was partly because it was taken on a warm, beautiful summer day at a party at Ocean Beach. Being surrounded by positive energy is a great place to find ones-self, and usually a pretty good place for capturing fun moments.---Entertainer Justine Nicole of Mystic preforms a Hula Hoop routine on the boardwalk at Ocean Beach Park during the New London Pride Festival Saturday, August 24, 2019. (Tim Cook/The Day)
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I had the honor back in the spring to spend time with a New London institution, Christos "Chris" Armoutsoglou, the Bank Street Cobbler. Armoutsoglou has been working in his store on Bank Street for almost as long as I have been alive. In a story like this, the shop becomes as much of a character as the person you are interviewing, and capturing that becomes essential to telling the story.---The Bank Street Cobbler, Christos "Chris" Armoutsoglou, works on customers shoes at his Bank Street business in New London Wednesday, March 20, 2019 as he has done for the last 41 years. (Tim Cook/The Day)
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