MY favorite 24 photos of 2014

Going through a year's worth of photos can be a big task, but as a photojournalist, it's also a visual journal of every single work day of 2014. How cool is that? For me it's a reminder of the amazing things I've witnessed, the people I've met and community I work and live in. I've complied my favorite 24 photos of 2014 while working for the Ann Arbor News & Mlive.com. You can check out more photos from all the AAN photographers here. 

Happy New Year to you and bring on 2015!

Detroit Red Wings center Luke Glendening and Toronto Maple Leafs center Jay McClement wait for a face-off in the third period of the NHL 2014 Winter Classic on New Years Day, at Michigan Stadium on Wednesday, January 1, 2014. The Maple Leafs beat the Red Wings, 3-2. Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News

Fire burns Happy's Pizza, located at 600 S. Main St., as icicles hang from a crosswalk sign, in downtown Ann Arbor, Mich. on Tuesday, January 7, 2014. (AP Photo/The Ann Arbor News, Melanie Maxwell)

Tanesha Reed, right, is comforted by a friend during a preliminary hearing for Kristopher Pratt and Ed Thomas, both accused of killing her son, Dermarius, in the 14A-1 District Court in Pittsfield Township on Friday, January 17, 2014. Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News

Heavy ice covers portions of the Barton Dam over at Barton Park in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Tuesday, January 28, 2014. (AP Photo/The Ann Arbor News, Melanie Maxwell)

Kindergartner Tyler Jackson concentrates as he counts to 100 at South Pointe Scholars Charter Academy in Ypsilanti on Tuesday, Feb. 11. Students were encouraged to dress as 100-year-olds as they celebrate the 100th day of school for 2013-14 academic year. Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News

Ann Arbor, Mich., resident Stephen Lozano stands on a tall mound of snow as he uses a long tool to remove the snow from his roof on Fulmer St. on Tuesday, Feb. 18. Lozano, who has lived in the house with his wife since 2000, stated he was glad he bought the couple's first snowblower at the start of the winter.  (AP Photo/The Ann Arbor News, Melanie Maxwell)

Michigan sophomore Glenn Robinson III reacts after dunking the ball against Michigan State in the first half at Crisler Center on Sunday, Feb. 23. Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News

Eileen Hincka, left, is comforted by her daughter Colleen, both from Flint, in the hallway after a preliminary exam hearing at 65A District Court in Clinton County, Mich., for three teenage suspects in the death of her stepson Dustyn Frolka, on Thursday, March 6, 2014. Heim, along with Saline teenagers Samantha Grigg, 18, and Tyrel Bredernitz, 18, have been charged with felony murder in the death of Michigan State Student Dustyn Frolka. Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News

Ypsilanti senior Jaylen Johnson, center, goofs around as he celebrates with teammates and after the Grizzles beat Temperance Bedford for the district title at Lincoln High School on Friday, March 7, 2014. Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News

Michigan sophomore Spike Albrecht tosses a basketball during a drill at a practice open to the public at the Bradley Center on Wednesday, March 19, 2014. Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News

Michigan freshman Janie Brown, of Baltimore, reacts after she received the first student ticket to attend President Obama's scheduled visit after waiting in line overnight at the Michigan Union in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Tuesday, April 1, 2014. Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News

President Obama speaks at the Intramural Building during a visit to the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor on Wednesday, April 2, 2014. Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News

Saline Sgt. Brandon Sears hugs his daughter Ellie, 3, as he watches crews work from a distance outside of a house fire on Saline Waterworks Rd. on Thursday, April 24, 2014. Sears stopped by the scene with his daughter after finishing his shift earlier that morning. Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News

17-month-old Connor Hoffman, of Dexter, tugs on his uncle Roman Estrada-Hoffman's tassel as they celebrate after Skyline High School's graduation outside of the Convocation Center at Eastern Michigan University on Monday, June 9, 2014. Melanie Maxwell

Della Scudder, 5, of Ann Arbor, attempts a hand stand as she plays inside of Miracoco, a luminarium, during Ann Arbor Summer Fest at Palmer Field on Friday, June 20, 2014. Melanie | The Ann Arbor News

Debbie Curtis pauses as she kisses her grandson Chad Carr, 4, who turned four-years-old today, on the forehead as he sleeps in a hospital bed at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital on Friday, September 26, 2014. Carr was recently diagnosed with an inoperable tumor on his brain stem. Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News

Michigan head coach Brady Hoke, right, walks with director of football communications Derek Satterfield as they leave a press conference at Schembechler Hall in Ann Arbor, Mich., on Wednesday, October 1, 2014.(AP Photo/The Ann Arbor News, Melanie Maxwell)

University of Michigan head basketball coach John Beilein. Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News

Krishna Rao holds his son Prashant, 4, both of Ann Arbor, as they use a filter to see a partial solar eclipse along S. Ashley St. on Thursday, October 23, 2014. Members of the University Lowbrow Astronomers set up several telescopes available for use. Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News

Iraq War veteran Matthew Drake hugs Tommy after completing a session of equine assisted therapy at Michigan Abilities Center in Saline. Drake was severely injured after a suicide bomber hit his vehicle killing the four men he was riding with. Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News

Case worker Sirene-Rose Lipschutz looks on asAngela and Marcus Kmiceik stand before the court to adopt their 7-year-old twins Jennifer and Jonathan during Adoption Day at the Washtenaw County Trial Court on Tuesday, November 25, 2014. Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News

Anthony Morgan, of Ypsilanti, stands with a sign as he leads a "Funeral for Justice" outside of the Ypsilanti Public Library on the corner of W. Michigan Ave. and S. Adams St. in Ypsilanti on Tuesday, November 25, 2014. Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News

Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) waits to take the field against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on Sunday, December 14, 2014. Melanie Maxwell | Mlive.com

Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) waits to take the field against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field on Sunday, December 14, 2014. Melanie Maxwell | Mlive.com

Wedding: Angela & Rob at Island Park in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Angie and Rob met in 2009, the old fashioned way, at a costumed dance party at the down and dirty infamous Ann Arbor Blind Pig. ;) Rob, who works for Google and Angie, now a masters student at U-M, have had many adventures over the last five years. Angie changed careers and went back to school to study landscape architecture, they spent a summer in Chicago for an internship (and an engagement!) traveled to Japan for an amazing vacation and ultimately, worked to build an incredible relationship and life together. Friends and family joined this summer to celebrate Angie and Rob during a fantastic wedding at Island Park, in Ann Arbor, Mich. 

I met Angie when I first started working for AnnArbor.com Shortly after our launch, Angie came on staff as a photographer. We've shared many memories together. From using our coats to hide from the sun as we edited photos of President Obama's visit to the Big House outside, to late night conversations over beer about work, love and life. When she asked me to consider shooting her wedding to Rob, I didn't hesitate for a minute. (This is a FACT, Angie!) I could not have been happier to be there as a friend, a witness and to document your wedding day.

Angie whipped up a little musical surprise for her vows to Rob. She pulled a ukulele out of a bag and sang a modified version of the Hall and Oats tune You Make My Dreams Come True, of which the audience sang the back up vocals. The moment was sweet and magical and totally Angie & Rob. (I am in fact listening to it as I write this up! Fitting, I think!)

I have meet few people who fit like Rob and Angie. It's not that other couples don't fit together, it's the way Rob and Angie fit. Like peanut butter and jelly, or the Earth and the sun.

Time for some party people!

I'm honored to call you friends and I know you have nothing but the best adventures ahead of you! Love you both!

Vacuums, hugs and rain - feature photos from around Ann Arbor

A few of my favorite photos from the past two weeks. I really get to meet and experience some unique people in the Ann Arbor community!

"My dad thought I was the worst mechanic he ever saw. I was artistic, I like drawing and all that kind of stuff," Dick Sampier said. Here, Sampier checks out a vacuum in his workshop amidst cleaning out his repair shop, located at 2165 W Stadium Blvd, on Tuesday, April 29, 2014. Sampier is closing down the shop after 56 years in business but still plans to fix vacuums out of his home. 

Peter Arendall, of Ann Arbor, Mich., comforts his daughter Luella, 4, as they visit the first Wednesday market with Luella's daycare at the Ann Arbor Farmers' Market on Wednesday, May 7, 2014. 

A couple smile as they look at a cell phone while under the tent during a Cinco de Mayo block party, sponsored by Tios, on E. Liberty St. on Monday, May 5, 2014. 

DTE works don yellow rain gear as they work to secure the scene where a stolen Sheriff's vehicle was crashed into a utility pole early Tuesday morning.