Photos of the year: For the AJC

December 11, 2021 - Atlanta, Ga: Milton running back Jordan McDonald (5) attempts a pass as he is hit by Collins Hill linebacker Rich Dorsey (33) and defensive lineman Jaylen George (56) during the second half of the Class 7A state title football game at Georgia State Center Parc Stadium Saturday, December 11, 2021, Atlanta. Collins Hill won 24-8. JASON GETZ FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION

December 10, 2021 - Atlanta, Ga: BufordÕs Javias Robinson (87) and others run toward their student section as they celebrate their 21-20 victory over Langston Hughes during the Class 6A state title football game at Georgia State Center Parc Stadium Friday, December 10, 2021, Atlanta. JASON GETZ FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION

Kennesaw State running back Iaan Cousin (3) goes airborne over the Davidson Wildcat defense in the fourth quarter during a first-round FCS playoff game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. (Daniel Varnado/ For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

211120-Atlanta-Atlanta Mayoral candidate Felicia Moore takes a quiet moment while waiting for her staff to craft remarks before she spoke to a women’s rally Saturday afternoon, Nov. 20, 2021. Ben Gray for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Monteria Robinson and her family had to hire an investigator and forensic expert to find answers about her son’s death. Five years after her son's death, the two officers involved are now charged with several felony counts.Wednesday, November 10, 2021. Miguel Martinez for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Henry County police officers console each other at the funeral for their slain colleague, Paramhans Desai, on Sunday, November 14, 2021, at the Henry County Performing Arts Center. (Photo: Steve Schaefer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Artist Marryam Moma poses for a photograph in her Alpharetta studio Monday, November 8, 2021STEVE SCHAEFER FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION

Players take photos as confetti falls at the conclusion of the ceremony Friday, Nov. 5, 2021 at The Battery in Atlanta. (Daniel Varnado/ For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

211105-Atlanta-The Atlanta Braves World Series victory parade flies through Midtown on Friday, Nov. 5, 2021. Ben Gray for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Bandaloop dancers perform on the side of a building facing the Atlanta Beltline on Sunday, October 3, 2021. (Photo: Steve Schaefer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Hillgrove quarterback Chase McCravy (6) dodges the outstretched hand of a Walton defender in the first half of play Friday, Oct. 8, 2021 at Hillgrove High School. (Daniel Varnado/For the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Yonasda Lonewolf (right) with the Indigenous Peoples Movement and Chenae Bullock sing for the crowd during the Rally & March for Reproductive Justice at Liberty Plaza near the state Capitol in Atlanta on Saturday, October 2, 2021. (Photo: Steve Schaefer for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

210905-Atlanta-Fans line the fifth green during the final round of the PGA Tour Championship on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021, at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. Ben Gray for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

For a different view of the PGA Championship at East Lake Golf Club, photographer Ben Gray used a digital camera modified to record only infrared light and processed the images using a color channel swap to return the skies to blue. These infrared photos capture invisible light and turn the courseÑand the peopleÑto a ghostly white.

7/4/21 - Atlanta, GA - Runners take off as the AJC Peachtree Road Race returned in-person for the second day Sunday for the holiday tradition. Jason Getz for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

05/28/2021 — Canton, Georgia — Marine veteran Maurice Hurst pays respects after placing an American flag near a headstone at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton on Friday, May 28, 2021. Flag placement on headstones began Friday and will end Saturday. The Memorial Day weekend tradition was canceled last year due to COVID-19. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

05/24/2021 — Atlanta, Georgia — Sergeant Chris Libby of the 116th Georgia National Guard Army Band plays Taps during the State of Georgia’s Memorial Day Ceremony at the Georgia State Capitol Building in Atlanta, Monday, May 24, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

05/07/2021 — Hampton, Georgia — Jeanine Jackson and her daughter, Mundy’s Mill High School senior Christina Jackson, talk about Jeanine’s prom experience while getting ready for Mundy’s Mill High School prom at Cha’le Gardens, Friday, May 7, 2021. According to Jeanine, Christina used to play in one of her prom dresses when she was a kid. Jeanine attended prom her sophomore, junior and senior years of high school. “Dang you had a different date for all three of them?” Christina asked her mother. “I sure did,” Jeanine answered. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

04/12/2021 —Newnan, Georgia —A curtain separates the living room from the bedroom as Runyia McKiver, 10, right, makes the bed she shares with her little sister, Brooklyn Mitchell, left, in their hotel room at Home2 Suites in Newnan, Wednesday, April 14, 2021. Runyia says she likes being a big sister because she likes to teach her sister Brooklyn new things. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

03/25/2021 —Atlanta, Georgia — Rep. Park Cannon (D-Atlanta) is placed into the back of a Georgia State Capitol patrol car after being arrested by Georgia State Troopers on day 38 of the legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol Building in Atlanta, Thursday, March 25, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

03/09/2021 —Atlanta, Georgia — Jazmin Martinez gives a big hug to her kindergartner daughter, Jazmin Lorenzo, while dropping her off during the first day of in-person learning for DeKalb County Public Schools at John R. Lewis Elementary School in Atlanta, Tuesday, March 9, 2021. (Alyssa Pointer / Alyssa.Pointer@ajc.com)

Mericle Hall (L) helps Destiney Hollimon, 18, try on a prom gown at the Fit For A Queen dress store in Atlanta on March 20, 2021. STEVE SCHAEFER FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION

211120-Atlanta-Atlanta Mayoral candidate Felicia Moore takes a phone call while also talking to a reporter from the Washington Post while at a campaign stop at My Coffee Shop in East Lake on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. Ben Gray for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution

1/22

December 11, 2021 - Atlanta, Ga: Milton running back Jordan McDonald (5) attempts a pass as he is hit by Collins Hill linebacker Rich Dorsey (33) and defensive lineman Jaylen George (56) during the second half of the Class 7A state title football game at Georgia State Center Parc Stadium Saturday, December 11, 2021, Atlanta. Collins Hill won 24-8. JASON GETZ FOR THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION

Dec 28, 2021

Metro Atlanta has a thriving photography community, and throughout the course of the year, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution calls upon a trusted group to photograph assignments. Some are former staffers and some have freelanced for the AJC for years. Their images reflect the news, people and events of the greater metro area and other regions in Georgia.

-- Sandra Brown, Visuals Senior Editor

Find more photos and top news of the year at ajc.com/remember2021/

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