It's not my job to make art. When I go out to take pictures for my talented colleagues, my primary objective is just to capture some piece of the story, to show that it's really happening and put faces to the names and quotes that are the true building blocks of their reporting. But every now and then, I manage to hit that objective in a way that is artful. When that happens, it can be a small moment of magic.
What follows here are some of my favorites from the last year. They're not all rooted in reporting, some are just moments of life in Denver, but each contributes to our goal: to be a part of the city's life and make sure you have an opportunity to read about - and, yes, see - the complex and vibrant human ecosystem that you're a part of.
Thanks for a great 2018, and here's a visual toast to another great year.
City Life
Sandy Pfeiffer sings to Jerry the horse to keep him calm before the 112th National Western Stock Show <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/01/04/look-stock-show-parade-rides-downtown/">begins with a parade</a> through downtown Denver, Jan. 4, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Samantha and Amanda are on their first date at the Bluebird Theater. (Kevin J. Beaty)
A massive storm drain, part of the <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/01/03/denver-council-park-hill-golf-39th-greenway-approval/">Platte to Park Hill drainage project</a>, is nearly complete. March 1, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
The Denver Art Museum's north building is under construction, Dec. 5, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Rolando Padilla (left to right), Franklin Munguia and Yerlin Ernandez work on a condo <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/07/05/denver-construction-cost-of-living/">construction site</a> in West Highland, April 18, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)Denverite.com
Phillip Lucas, a communication specialist with Denver International Airport, <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/07/30/dia-wildlife-strikes/">a Swedish goshawk trap</a> and a landing plane seen on DIA's airfield, July 19, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Jorge Romero reads about the State of the Union behind the counter at Tienda Salvadoreña, his long-standing storefront on East Colfax Avenue, Jan. 31, 2018. Romero spoke to us about the <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/02/15/daca-tps-overshadowed/">state of Denver's Salvadorian community</a> as temporary legal status for many of them is set to end in 2019. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
<a href="https://denverite.com/2018/01/27/watkins-stained-glass-denver/">Phil Watkins at work</a> on a window possibly made by his great-grandfather for the Molly Brown House. The workshop at Watkins Stained Glass, Jan. 18, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Ralph "The Human Being" Mills teaches youngsters Siddig and Kirah to play chess at Brother Jeff's Cultural Center during Five Points' <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/06/13/juneteenth-is-saturday-its-wakanda-themed-and-its-also-a-chance-to-go-inside-the-rossonian-hotel/">annual Juneteenth celebration</a>, June 16, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
We got a bunch of people to pose for portraits at <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/09/17/after-all-that-grandoozy-made-a-mostly-good-impression-on-denver-in-its-first-year/">Grandoozy</a>, Sept. 15, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Autumn Kuehl interviews Robert Hosford for the <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/11/28/curtis-park-baseball-field-lights/">annual point-in-time survey</a> of unhoused people in the city at the Denver Rescue Mission, Jan. 30, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Denver Archbishop Samuel Joseph Aquila lines up with priests for a Chrism Mass, in which they will renew their vows, outside the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception on East Colfax Avenue, March 27, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Abune Yacob, a highest priest visiting from Atlanta, preaches during <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/09/11/the-ethiopian-new-year-has-arrived-but-the-real-celebration-will-take-place-this-sunday-in-aurora/">Ethiopian New Year</a> service at St. Mary Ethiopan Orthodox Church in Aurora, Sept. 9, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Yosef Refaeli’s son, Ari, gazes up at him during a <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/09/07/the-jewish-new-year-is-here-rosh-hashanah-begins-this-sunday-afternoon-and-theres-a-service-for-everybody/">Rosh Hashanah service</a> put on by Judaism Your Way at the Denver Botanic Gardens, September 10, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Behind the scenes before <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/10/19/a-curly-weekend-aims-to-show-that-girls-with-curly-hair-can-excel-in-steam-too/">Curls on the Block's second-annual Miss Curly Pageant</a>. Collegiate Prep Academy, Montbello, Oct. 21, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Inside John Hyde and his daughters, Ruby and Fowler, in their home, which <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/03/19/open-home-someone-need/">they share with roommates</a>, March 14, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Regis Ware embraces his daughter, Brailyn (5) during <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/10/27/a-father-daughter-occasion-is-back-to-change-the-narrative-around-black-fatherhood-in-denver/">A Father Daughter Occasion</a> at the Dahlia Campus for Health and Well-Being in Northeast Park Hill, Oct. 27, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Civic Life
Steven R. Ferris, with the Real Estate Garage, speaks during a <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/10/09/capitol-hill-whole-foods-site-residential/">Capitol Hill United Neighbors meeting</a> on the now-vacant Whole Foods Market building. Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Oct. 9, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Colorado State Treasurer Walker Stapleton speaks at the <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/04/16/state-assemblies-heres-whos-still-running-governor-colorado/">2018 Republican State Assembly</a> on the campus of the University of Colorado Boulder, April 14, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Colorado gubernatorial candidate Mike Johnston at work in his Northeast Park Hill campaign headquarters, May 7, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Don Ivins-McCleary, 52, cheers after multiple media outlets <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/06/26/gubernatorial-primaries-called-for-polis-and-stapleton-expected-frontrunners-who-both-took-strong-early-leads/">called Jared Polis</a> as Colorado's Democratic gubernatorial candidate, June 26, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Lisa Calderón holds <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/10/17/lisa-calderons-mayoral-platform-puts-affordable-housing-and-a-less-powerful-mayors-office-front-and-center/">her first rally</a> after announcing that she will run for Denver mayor. City Park, Oct. 17, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Chairman Seku speaks at City Park Friends and Neighbors' <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/12/05/at-mayoral-forum-jamie-giellis-commits-to-a-housing-goal-and-chairman-seku-commits-to-a-revolution/">second mayoral candidate forum</a> at Messiah Lutheran Church, Dec. 4, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Chief Paul "Smiley" Pazen embraces Mayor Michael Hancock after he was sworn in at Denver's City and County Building, July 9, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Denver Elections spokesman Alton Dillard poses for a portrait at the U.S. Postal Service's massive sorting and shipping facility in Stapleton as <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/10/25/how-much-postage-do-you-need-to-mail-a-denver-ballot/">ballots are shipped out to voters</a>, Oct. 16, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Antoine Calvin-Spencer speaks to a reporter as the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition visits the Denver's downtown detention center <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/10/12/a-push-to-inform-denver-inmates-of-their-voting-rights-is-changing-attitudes-and-boosting-civic-engagement/">to promote voter registration</a>. Oct. 11, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
10-year-old Willow leads chants as the <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/01/20/2018-womens-march-denver/">2018 Women's March</a> proceeds up 14th Avenue, Jan. 20, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Governor John Hickenlooper peers up at portraits of his predecessors during a lunch event at the governor's mansion in Capitol Hill, Nov. 15, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Reporter Life
Here's everyone in action:
Ashley Dean at work in a <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/12/05/the-historic-mysterious-yates-theater-is-on-a-path-to-restoration-and-reopening-in-berkeley/">historic theater</a> on 44th Avenue in Berkeley that may become the Yates Tavern, Dec. 5, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Donna Bryson interviews John Jenkins, a <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/11/01/navigating-denvers-dark-streets-with-a-philosopher-of-homelessness/">"philosopher of homelessness"</a> who drives the Salvation Army's nightly search and rescue service, beneath a bridge at twilight, Oct. 30, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Mayor Michael Hancock speaks to David Sachs during the <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/11/29/denver-climate-goals/">2018 Sustainable Denver Summit</a> at the Colorado Convention Center, Nov. 29, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
Allan Tellis reports from atop one of Denver's newest skyscrapers, <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/03/23/one-denvers-tallest-buildings-opening-heres-saw-inside/">1144 Fifteenth</a>, March 22, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite) Denverite.com
Esteban Hernandez interviews City Council <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/12/03/the-race-to-represent-northeast-denver-is-starting-to-get-a-little-crowded/">District 8 candidate</a> LaMone Noles in the VA hospital at the Rose Medical Center, Dec. 3, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)
<a href="https://denverite.com/2018/05/07/two-new-challengers-jump-denver-election-cap-hill-cherry-creek/">City Council District 10 hopeful</a> Chris Hinds speaks with Andrew Kenney in the Capitol basement, April 27, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite) Denverite.com
Kevin Beaty takes a photo as Adrian Garcia interviews designer Mindy Roberts inside a <a href="https://denverite.com/2018/01/27/model-apartment-decorating/">Perry Row show home</a> at Sloans Denver, Jan. 18, 2018. (Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite)Kevin J. Beaty
Kevin is a multimedia artist who flung himself into the world of journalism. He likes using a camera and microphone to tell stories about workers, the environment, social justice and fascinating humans.
