Photography took me to some spectacular places and introduced me to some amazing people in 2014. While I've probably made thousands of pictures this year, some better technically and some that tell the story more accurately than others, these images below speak to the best moments of this year. The good, the bad, the moments I was a part of and the moments I was humbled to witness. 

I climbed mountains in Costa Rica,

met strong women at the Susan B. Anthony Memorial Unrest Home,

witnessed the strength of a man struggling with AIDS,

hung out in the temporary home of a traveling evangelist,

witnessed over 80 same-sex couples march through the Pittsburgh Pride parade the morning of their weddings after same-sex marriage became legalized in Pennsylvania,

met retired Pittsburgh Pirate Steve Blass,

and even photographed a Pirates game, nearly getting hit by foul balls three times while shooting from the pit.

I spent an afternoon sharing love stories with a Vietnam War widow and her son,

witnessed a young boy with cancer fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer for a day,

spent four tireless days chasing images of bodybuilders at the Arnold Sports Festival,

and watched fireworks from the highest point in Pittsburgh.

I stood in solidarity with the Ferguson community during a peaceful protest at Ohio University,

celebrated a touchdown with a young man with Down Syndrome during football camp,

and mourned the loss of a home after a fire.

I ran alongside parades, camera in hand, with veterans,

braved icy waters to capture silly moments during the Polar Plunge,

and relaxed on days off with the best of friends a girl could ask for in the most beautiful spot in Ohio.

I often need to remind myself why I'm a photographer. It's moments like these that make it all worthwhile.