Over the past twelve months I’ve been privileged to have been able to photograph some amazing things, I took a huge leap and moved to Chicago, and I self-published a photo book.  I spent about a third of the year living on the road at the Kentucky Derby, the US Open, and in Florida for the final flights of the Space Shuttle.  The hours were long, but the returns were huge.  The experiences I had last year will stick with me for life.  Here are a few of my favorite images from the past year.

Kentucky Derby winner Animal Kingdom being walked to the winners circle at Churchill Downs.

Mission specialist Sandy Magnus and pilot Doug Hurley walk along the rope line as Atlantis is moved into the VAB in preparation for her final flight at the Kennedy Space Center.

A news anchor is silhouetted by studio lights as weather delays the roll back of the RSS at the Kennedy Space Center.

USGA Agronomist Darin Bevard uses a TruFirm to check the firmness of the putting surface during the practice round at the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md. on Wednesday, June 15, 2011.  (Copyright USGA/Joel Kowsky)

Space Shuttle Endeavour is lifted inside the VAB in preparation for her final flight on STS-134.

Space Shuttle Atlantis sits illuminated by work lights on pad 39A just after 3am on June 1, 2011 after completing her final journey from the VAB.

Spent last week at Churchill Downs assisting Sports Illustrated photographer Bill Frakes at the Kentucky Derby along with Britney McIntosh, Jeff Lautenberger and Patrick Fallon.  I’d only watched the Kentucky Derby on tv and would have to say that it’s a pretty cool thing to experience first hand.  Here are some frames I liked from the two days before the derby.

Derby winner Animal Kingdom.