All I can say is wow! What a year 2021 has been. I returned to the staff of the Savannah Morning News after being away from journalism for 7 years. The pandemic changed the world in so many ways last year. Nothing like everything shutting down to show me how much I really missed visually documenting this community and telling the stories of those who live, play, and work here.
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris speaks in Savannah for Warnock, Ossoff
Credit: Richard Burkhart / Savannah Morning News
Credit: Richard Burkhart / Savannah Morning News
Before I was even fully back on staff the year was off to the races. In January we had a visit from then Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, who came to Savannah to campaign for Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock who were both in a runoff election for the two Georgia Senate seats.
COVID vaccinations rollout in Chatham, Effingham and Bryan counties
Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News
Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News
One of the continuing themes throughout 2021 was COVID vaccinations. As the vaccine rollout began more and more people became eligible to receive the vaccine. While it feels like they’ve been available forever, it’s only been a year since the first doses arrived in Georgia.
Kids return to in-person learning after COVID pandemic lockdown
Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News
Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News
After a year of virtual learning children finally began returning to the classroom in 2021. The joy in this image shows just how much the students, faculty, and staff missed one another.
'Hot Sushi' bitten by shark while surfing off Tybee Island
Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News
Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News
Being on the water you know that marine life of all kind is lurking under the waves. This summer surf instructor Atsushi Yamada was bitten on the calf by a shark during a surf camp at Tybee Island. Just days after the incident Atsushi was back in the ocean doing what he loves, teaching kids to surf.
Carver Village fighting gentrification with Enmarket Arena going up
Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News
Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News
Carver Village is a neighborhood that I was drawn to more than once this year. With gentrification pushing throughout Savannah and the Enmarket Arena project just blocks away Carver Village residents are optimistic but cautious as they look toward the future.
Longtime Savannah state representative Mickey Stephens dies
Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News
Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News
Funerals are always difficult. During the summer I covered the funeral for Rep. Mickey Stephens. It was a strange full circle moment for me. I remember being at Stephens house on election night during his first campaign.
Black gill, climate change affect shrimp output in Coastal Georgia
Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News
Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News
Having grown up on the coast I love my seafood, especially shrimp. Between Black Gill and Global Warming is taking a toll on the shrimping industry. As shrimpers off load a fresh catch a dolphin stops by looking for a snack.
Sen. Jon Ossoff visits Savannah with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm
Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News
Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News
Often, I capture moments that don’t necessarily fit with the story. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm was visiting Savannah with Sen. Jon Ossoff. During their visit they stopped by the Hudson Hill neighborhood. After the walk and talk was over, I headed for my car, as I walked away, I saw Granholm praying with Mildred McClain, executive director of the Harambee House. While it didn’t fit with the story, it was a beautiful moment.
Sapelo Island, Gullah Geechee people fighting to keep their land
Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News
Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News
Sapelo Island and the Hog Hammock community is a place I’ve long wanted to visit. The opportunity finally came this year as we looked at the effects the environment as well as tourism are having on the Gullah community. We visited during a sugar cane harvest and wouldn’t you know it was one of the coldest rainiest days we’ve had this year.
Veterans Day parade returns to downtown Savannah
Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News
Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News
After more than a year Veterans Day finally brought a parade back to the streets of Savannah. This is the most interesting a fun parade photo I’ve ever captured.
Ahmaud Arbery murder trial brings nation to Brunswick
All eyes were on Brunswick GA, during the trial for the three men accused of Killing Ahmaud Arbery. From pre-trial marches to prayer vigils and visits from Rev. Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson I covered lots of miles making the drive between Brunswick and Savannah.
Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News
Credit: Richard Burkhart/Savannah Morning News
Benedictine Military School wins GHSA Class 4A state high school football title
I’m not going to say it’s a coincidence but in 2014, the year I left the newspaper Benedictine won a State championship. This year they won another, with an impressive season that started with back to back losses and ended with a giant celebration.
Richard Burkhart is a visual journalist for Savannah Morning News. Contact him at rbburkhart@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Savannah Morning News lead photographer Richard Burkhart's 2021 year in review
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