First off, Happy New Year to everyone!

This year, I’m very thankful for my photography family. That includes everyone in Pittsburgh (to name a few: Pete Madia, Jeff Swensen, Justin Merriman, Stephanie Strasburg, Don Wright, Mike Henninger, Andy Russell, Evan Sanders, Chaz Palla, Matt Freed, Phil Pavely, Jasmine Goldman, Ben Filio, Pete Diana, Katyna and Barry Lavery, Jon Lisbon) as well as those abroad (probably too many to name: Al Bello, Robert Caplin, Justin Edmonds, Jack Megaw, Joel Hawksley, Rod Leland, David Bergman, Jim McIsaac, Scott Clarke, Sean Elliot, Daniel Berman, Hannah Foslien, Adam Vogler, Brad Mangin, Andrew Villa, Pouya Dianat, Rob Tringali, Andrew Weber).

And most importantly my family of picture editors, assignment editors, and photographers at Getty Images: Travis, Pancho, Mike H., Mike L., Brock, etc – I don’t know where I’d be without all of you!

I also owe a big thank you to all of my photographer friends who helped me edit and narrow down my final images of the year: Justin Edmonds, Joel Hawksley, Jack Megaw. You guys were all a huge help!

Looking back through practically every single image that I took in 2011 really helped me learn a lot about where I’ve been photographically as well as where I need to take my images this coming year. Viewing thousands of my own images was definitely quite the cleansing!

Over 100 assignments later, here are the best images to come out of my camera this year. Enjoy!

Members of the Vancouver Fire Department take part in a friendly game of hockey in Times Square in the pouring rain, while on a visit to the city on August 27, 2011 in New York, New York. While Hurricane Irene lost some of its power, it is still a dangerous storm with the centre of the hurricane is expected to reach New York City on Sunday August 28th, with sustained winds of 85 mph as it begins to move up the Atlantic Seaboard causing widespread damage and flooding.

After leaving the grounds of the US Open in Queens early on Saturday due to the threatening Hurricane Irene on its way, I decided to meet up with a friend who was in town covering the strong storm for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Michael Henninger.

On my way there, brace yourself…I hit NO traffic! Manahattan looked like a ghost town with the exception of a few tourists hanging out in Times Square.

While there, I also had the pleasure of meeting PA Statehouse reporter, Laura Olson. We were all starving so after striking out on three different restaurants who were all out of food, we found the Westway Diner, open 24 hours!

After we ate and everyone decided to crash for the night in preparation for Irene’s arrival, I left their hotel and walked through Times Square. Now, normally, I hate Times Square. Advertisements and people everywhere! Except this time, I saw the small group of tourists all gathered around one area.

Members of the Vancouver Fire Department take part in a friendly game of hockey in Times Square in the pouring rain, while on a visit to the city on August 27, 2011 in New York, New York. While Hurricane Irene lost some of its power, it is still a dangerous storm with the centre of the hurricane is expected to reach New York City on Sunday August 28th, with sustained winds of 85 mph as it begins to move up the Atlantic Seaboard causing widespread damage and flooding.

Apparently the Vancouver Fire Department was in town to play some ice hockey. With their equipment in the van, they decided to start up a friendly game between themselves right in the middle of Times Square, where about 30 people gathered to watch and take photos – myself included.

Members of the Vancouver Fire Department take part in a friendly game of hockey in Times Square in the pouring rain, while on a visit to the city on August 27, 2011 in New York, New York. While Hurricane Irene lost some of its power, it is still a dangerous storm with the centre of the hurricane is expected to reach New York City on Sunday August 28th, with sustained winds of 85 mph as it begins to move up the Atlantic Seaboard causing widespread damage and flooding.

I quickly grabbed my camera and wide angle and started shooting, thinking that while there are many odd things that go on in TSQ, this is not one I had seen before – especially in the pouring rain near a mandatory evacuation area hours before the eye of a hurricane was to hit.

Unfortunately the NYPD did soon after come and break the game up, but I was able to make a few pictures. So here’s a slideshow of a few Hurricane Irene images that don’t include boarded up windows, sand bags, or shut down subway stations. I’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts!

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Hurricane Irene: NYC – Times Square Hockey – Images by Jared Wickerham

The result of the nose of my skateboard going up in between my knee and my knee cap (failed kickflip bank gap) – was the reason why I ever picked up a camera.

NEW YORK - JUNE 05: An overview of the Maloof skate event area during the final round of the Maloof Money Cup on June 5, 2011 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

NEW YORK - JUNE 04: Stefan Janoski signs autographs during the Maloof Money Cup on June 4, 2011 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Having taken a photography course at the Thiel College: College For Kids summer program in junior high, I started my career shooting skateboarding at my local skatepark while on crutches. Yeah, I didn’t get paid, but my first images of a very young professional skateboarder did end up on his sponsor’s website. That was enough to get me hooked. Soon after, my walls were covered from floor to ceiling with tearsheets of images from Transworld, Thrasher, and The Skateboard Mag.

NEW YORK - JUNE 04: Andrew Reynolds skates during the Maloof Money Cup on June 4, 2011 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

A very good friend and great photographer, Bastian Ehl, started a skateboard photography website where I would post my images and get critiques. This is where I learned a very hard truth at the time: I will not make a living shooting skateboarding.

Maybe not – since very few do. But I think I’ve been quite lucky to cover many different sporting events for a living.

NEW YORK - JUNE 03: Geoff Rowley poses for a portrait during open practice prior to the Maloof Money Cup on June 3, 2011 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

But over the past couple years, I have been given the opportunity from my awesome assignment editors over at Getty Images to cover different skateboarding events, including the Maloof Money Cup. Knowing the sport, the athletes, and most importantly the style in which to cover the competition, allowed me to finally be paid to cover the sport that I grew up around.

NEW YORK - JUNE 04: David Gravette skates during the Maloof Money Cup on June 4, 2011 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

It’s something I don’t take for granted and it’s very humbling every year to cover the contest and shoot portraits of the idols I followed as a kid.

Big thanks to one of my best friends and a great commercial/editorial photographer, Max Harger, for being my assistant and helping me with the portraits this year!

Here are some of my favorite images from this years contest in Queens, NYC. Enjoy!

NEW YORK - JUNE 04: Greg Lutzka skates over New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez during the Maloof Money Cup on June 4, 2011 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

NEW YORK - JUNE 05: A local skateboarder attempts to gap the Unisphere stairs outside of the Maloof Money Cup on June 5, 2011 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

NEW YORK - JUNE 05: Greg Lutzka talks to Joe Maloof on the phone after winning the Maloof Money Cup on June 5, 2011 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH - APRIL 07: Fans arrive at PNC Park prior to the Opening Day game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Colorada Rockies on April 7, 2011 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH - APRIL 07: General view of PNC Park during the Opening Day ceremonies before the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Colorado Rockies on April 7, 2011 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH - APRIL 07: Former Pittsburgh Pirates manager Chuck Tanner is remembered by former World Series players during Opening Day ceremonies prior to the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Colorado Rockies on April 7, 2011 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Tanner passed away earlier this year and the Pirates will wear a #7 patch in rememberance. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH - APRIL 07: Carlos Gonzalez #5 of the Colorado Rockies makes a diving catch during the Opening Day game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 7, 2011 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH - APRIL 07: A fan is apprehended after running onto the field during the Opening Day game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Colorado Rockies on April 7, 2011 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH - APRIL 07: Pedro Alvarez #24 of the Pittsburgh Pirates fields a ground ball down the third base line against the Colorado Rockies during the Opening Day game on April 7, 2011 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH - APRIL 07: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates makes a catch in the outfield during the Opening Day game against the Colorado Rockies on April 7, 2011 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH - APRIL 07: Pedro Alvarez #24 of the Pittsburgh Pirates watches the game from the dugout against the Colorado Rockies during the Opening Day game on April 7, 2011 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH - APRIL 07: Paul Maholm #28 of the Pittsburgh Pirates is relieved by manager Clint Hurdle #13 during the Opening Day game against the Colorado Rockies on April 7, 2011 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

PITTSBURGH - APRIL 07: Troy Tulowitzki #2 celebrates with teammate Felipe Paulino #55 of the Colorado Rockies after their win against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the Opening Day game on April 7, 2011 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Finally an WARM Opening Day! And what a great gesture by the Pittsburgh Pirates to honor the late Chuck Tanner, former Pirates manager who led the “family” to a World Series championship in 1979, who passed away on February 11th, 2011 at the age of 82. Although I never was able to personally meet Chuck, he always brought a lot of joy into any room he walked into while working as an adviser for the Pirates.

What a day of hustling though. With all of the pregame ceremonies the Pirates had, I somehow managed to make a couple pictures from field level, and run (because the elevator was slow) all the way to the upper deck (something tells me there will come a year when the elevator is my only option) to shoot an overall of PNC Park.

All in all I was pretty happy with my take from the day. It’s a good feeling when you can walk away knowing that you didn’t miss any key moments and that all detail shots were covered as well. I even received a very kind email from a photojournalist from the NYC area on my images.

And to top it all off, the Pirates are .500, Cleveland has won 8 straight, and the Red Sox have the worst record in baseball. What a crazy start to the season!

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I’ve only ever covered a couple Cleveland Cavaliers NBA games this year but both times they’ve been far from the favored team to win yet both times, they’ve won – which is pretty rare considering they’ve only won 15 games all year. When Carmelo, recently traded from the Denver Nuggets to the New York Knicks, played the Cavs, his new Knicks team lost 115-109.

Now enter one of the biggest moves in sports history: LeBron to Miami. In James’ second trip back to Cleveland since leaving via free agency, it was quite obvious that it was still a distraction being there. How could it not have been? Despite James’ laughing with courtside ticket holders and the Cavaliers staff, people were sending plenty of gestures and words his way the entire night. People paid a pretty penny for seats close to the court where they were sure of being within earshot of LeBron. In the end, the Heat, including a healthy Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh, lost to last place Cavaliers, 102-90.