UGA photographers share their favorite photos of 2022
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A quiet summer evening in Athens. I was out on campus after hours with my camera, my drone and no plan, just wandering around looking for inspiration. The weather had been overcast for much of the afternoon, so with no golden light to chase, I was packing up to go home when the clouds parted just in time for sunset. (Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA)
Pick Six. University of Georgia defensive back Kelee Ringo (5) scoring a touchdown after an interception that sealed the Georgia win in the closing minutes of Georgia’s 33-18 win over Alabama in the College Football National Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
As working photographers, we’re generally annoyed by “civilian clutter” along the sidelines, but damn if they didn’t make this shot of Kelee Ringo on the “pick six” touchdown during the CFP National Championship game. (Peter Frey/UGA)
Building exterior of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, during sunrise the morning of the University of Georgia vs. Alabama National Championship football game.
It was Jan. 10, 2022, the morning of the CFP National Football championship game and seven members of our staff had driven up in two vans to cover the biggest UGA football game in 40 years. I woke up several times through the morning but decided to open the blackout curtains of the hotel. The sun is rising behind Lucas Oil Stadium and just peaking out under a solid sheet of low clouds. I grab a camera and shoot a few frames through the window wondering if I can somehow convince someone in the hotel to let me on the roof for a cleaner shot. I go to my camera bag to grab a longer lens and go back to window. In those few seconds, the sun had risen enough that the blue and orange of the sunrise were gone and it was solid gray Midwestern winter. (Peter Frey/UGA)
Sanford Stadium and Dooley Field being prepared for the post-parade celebration of the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship Title.
From the ground, I really didn’t think the platform set-ups in the middle of Dooley Field looked good at all, but from 140 feet above, it made for a nice feature photo of preparations for the celebration of UGA winning the CFP National Championship held on Jan. 15. (Peter Frey/UGA)
Long shot of the CFP National Championship football team parading down Lumpkin Street from Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall to the celebration in Sanford Stadium.
I don’t think there will ever be that many people at one time on Lumpkin Street. Jan. 15 2022 CFP National Football Championship parade. (Peter Frey/UGA)
Students socialize on the North Campus Quad in front of the library as a campus tour makes its way past the Law School in the background.
Honestly, just seeing this many people out enjoying a spring day on North Campus is what I like about this photo. (Peter Frey/UGA)
Overhead of Tom Bliss with UGA Marine Extension, building an oyster reef with bags of shells during low tide in the marsh areas near Skidaway Island, Georgia.
I like the juxtaposition of the natural environment and the organization of the human made reef building experiment Bliss is working on in this photo. (Peter Frey/UGA)
Research study participant Conner Smith swings his tennis racket as motion capture receivers record his swing in the bio-mechanics laboratory.
This is one my my favorite research study photos from the past year. It was done in conjunction with our video team for our “Powerhouse” PSA. (Peter Frey/UGA)
Fourth-year MIS major Kendall Wyatt dances with fellow volunteers near gate 10 at Sanford Stadium.
This was super fun because these students were volunteering for Freshman Welcome, the event every fall where the incoming freshman class forms the Super-G on Dooley field in Sanford Stadium. The freshman class was already in the stadium and these kids were just hanging out listening to music by themselves waiting for their volunteering to start and they were just dancing and having great time. (Peter Frey/UGA)
A Visitors Center campus tour stops near the fallen leaves from a gingko tree on North Campus.
It seems it had been raining and dreary for a solid two weeks in Athens and one day it was dreary but dry enough to take the drone to North Campus to shoot some photos of this beautiful gingko tree that was shedding its leaves. A Visitors Center tour happened by to help fill out the frame. (Peter Frey/UGA)
Defensive lineman Jordan Davis kisses the championship trophy while on stage during UGA’s celebration after winning the National Championship football game against the University of Alabama. The historic win was incredible to witness … and also a bit chaotic as a photographer. There was SO MUCH CELEBRATING that it was hard to know where to point the lens. While the focus of this moment was coach Kirby Smart’s interview, I noticed the player taking a moment to reflect on what he had just been an integral part of. (Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA)
Ornamental grasses catch afternoon sunlight near Park Hall. I always enjoy seeing different areas of a familiar campus illuminated differently throughout the days and seasons, and I wanted to capture the golden softness of the plants while keeping the context of the location. It’s a reminder to take time to look past the buidings and notice the details that really make UGA’s campus stand out. (Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA)
“I enjoy being here,” Betty McWhorter says. “It keeps me going, and it keeps me young.” Ms. Betty has worked on campus for 51 years in different roles and locations. Despite personal hardships, she glows with positivity and a love for her fellow human beings. I only spent around an hour with this wonderful lady, but that was enough to leave a lasting impact. The assignment was just a portrait, but I knew I needed to capture her radiance. Luckily, we found bright decorative flowers to play with. (Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA)
A graduate student interacts with family after the spring graduate Commencement ceremony inside Stegeman Coliseum. As photographers, we get the privilege to experience and document the joy of graduation every year, but I saw this this tender moment unraveling and immediately recognized that I was witnessing more than just the happiness of the day; I feel like I caught a small portion of one person’s journey to get here, and maybe a touch of hope and pride in his future. (Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA)
Much of the beauty of Oxford, U.K., requires one to look up, which makes showing people and historic, awe-inspiring architecture in the same photo a challenge. Here, I got down on the medieval tiled floor of the Divinity School to show UGA at Oxford participating students (L-R) Hannah Nicholson, Brenna Daly, Laurel May and Eliza White admire the incredible ceiling. (Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA)
A quiet summer evening in Athens. I was out on campus after hours with my camera, my drone and no plan, just wandering around looking for inspiration. The weather had been overcast for much of the afternoon, so with no golden light to chase, I was packing up to go home when the clouds parted just in time for sunset. (Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA)
An aerial view of the Class of 2026 group photo during the Freshman Welcome at Sanford Stadium. The wind was incredibly strong that day, so I had to carefully time a gap between gusts to get drone up and over moments before the actual class photo was taken to show a fun and different perspective. (Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA)
Trip participants explore Rusty’s Cave near Rising Fawn, Georgia. The Vertical Caving overnight camping trip was offered by Rec Sports and required prior rappelling training to be able to get in and out of a 40-foot shaft, which then led to several hours of underground exploration. While I have a deep-rooted fear of caves, I love exploring new parts of nature and challenging myself photographically. I was able to strap the camera to my body and pad it with a rubber shell to protect it as much as possible from water, dust, mud and bumps. Once in the cave, I realized that thinking about creating visually stunning photos kept me from succumbing to my cleithrophobia, so using only the light from participants’ headlamps, I was able to follow along and document the experience. (Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA)
Members of the UGA and Athens communities came together for a night of Latin dance during the biannual Milonga Tropical. This event brings together people of all ages and backgrounds for a night of pure fun. Some come in as polished, experienced dancers, others are there learning steps for the first time, but the music draws everyone in. I was very tempted to put the camera down and join! But I continued to document and shoot photos. After an hour or so, I knew I wanted to really show the motion of the dance as well as the enjoyment being had by all, so I switched to a slow shutter speed and found this pair having a blast. (Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA)
Mascot Uga X “Que” soaks in the scratches and head rubs from members of the Spirit Squad before making a TV appearance during the 2022 SEC Championship Football Game. Sometimes it’s nice just to put the celebrity status aside and be a plain ol’ dog. (Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA)
Chalk falls from the hands of University of Georgia gymnasts while fist bumping after a bar routine during a meet against Auburn at Stegeman Coliseum. I’ve always loved photographing gymnastics and truly appreciate the artistry, athleticism and discipline that goes into the sport. I went to this specific meet to document and support our UGA Gymdogs while also getting to watch Team USA Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee compete for Auburn. (Chamberlain Smith/UGA)
University of Georgia student Hayden Swank is reflected in his car mirror during a race at Greenville-Pickens Speedway in Easley, South Carolina. I spent a full day with Hayden on the road during a race. Everything that could have gone wrong, did. It rained and snowed, there were multiple hours-long delays, the power went out at the track. But through it all, he remained composed and determined, something I think is evident and made this photo stand out for me. (Chamberlain Smith/UGA)
First-year students cheer in the stands of Sanford Stadium during Freshman Welcome. I enjoy using movement to make fun and interesting frames when the moment calls for it. I think this slow shutter zoom out technique enhanced the chaos and energy of what it feels like to be a freshman in Sanford Stadium Calling the Dawgs for the first time. (Chamberlain Smith/UGA)
Students play Frisbee on the IM fields at Lake Herrick. This photo is a great reminder that you never know what cool thing you might stumble across on campus. Knowing it was a beautiful sunny day, I went down to Lake Herrick thinking a few people might be out enjoying the water or trails. I never expected to walk up on a massive group of students in an impromptu Frisbee tournament, but I’m glad I did. (Chamberlain Smith/UGA)
Beau Shell, also known as Lil’ Ice Cream Dude, poses for a portrait with ice cream and popsicles from his Athens store, Cool World Ice Cream Shop. This was the most fun and elaborate portrait I photographed in 2022. It was a collaborative effort with our whole photo staff and student volunteers to bring the vision to life and make sure every light and prop was in the right place. (Chamberlain Smith/UGA)
Sanford Stadium is reflected in a fan’s sunglasses during a game against Kent State. I spotted this fan and her sunglasses from far away in the crowd and tried to make an interesting photo from my position. I ended up approaching her to explain my idea and ask if I could come closer. She was happy to oblige and it turned out to be one of my favorite photos from the game. (Chamberlain Smith/UGA)
Young patrons check out the UGA College of Veterinary Medicine booth at the Georgia National Fair in Perry. I spent a day shadowing veterinary students and alumni at the fair as they tended to animals and helped deliver calves on site. I loved this moment when kids wandered up to the booth and showed interest in talking with and learning about what vets do. (Chamberlain Smith/UGA)
UGA Spike Squad member Haynes Baker cheers during the Homecoming Parade in downtown Athens. I photographed various Homecoming events from sunrise to sundown and ended up loving this one in particular. The golden light, the emotion on her face, the signs in the back, everything works together to make this a memorable photo out of the thousands I took that day. (Chamberlain Smith/UGA)
UGA exchange student Marius Baden watches the sunrise on Lake Jocassee at Devil’s Fork State Park in Salem, South Carolina. My favorite photo assignment of the year was this overnight kayaking and camping trip with the Recreational Sports Department. This moment perfectly captured the peace and serenity of the beautiful weekend spent surrounded by nature. (Chamberlain Smith/UGA)
The UGA and Georgia Tech marching bands participate in a joint performance for Military Appreciation Day in this double exposure photo overlaid with fans standing for the National Anthem during the Governor’s Cup rivalry game. I love the organized chaos of this image and all the layers that add up to tell the story of the game outside of the action. (Chamberlain Smith/UGA)
Defensive lineman Jordan Davis (99) screams in joy as he is surrounded by media during Georgia’s celebration after defeating Alabama 33-18 to win the National Championship.
Davis walked over to the sideline after the trophy ceremony at the CFP National Championship to show his love to the Redcoat Marching Band. He raised his hands over his head to make a heart for the band. Then he dropped his arms and gave a big yell towards the sky. He realized the enormity of the moment. His larger than life size yelling to the sky felt like the monkey coming off of the back of the entire Bulldog Nation for winning a championship. (Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA)
Post Baccalaureate Research Education Scholar Cristian Sanlatte looks at a phytoplankton culture with professor Mary Ann Moran in her lab at the Marine Sciences Building.
Moran is an awesome marine sciences professor and all of her cool work is done at the coast. So when we have to shoot her in February on campus we are sometimes limited. But I do like the challenge of shooting a professor in their lab and trying to make it look different. I love this photo because it was simple. They have this fridge in their lab with a light in it where they look at phytoplankton in solution. This is different from most labs so we just cut the overhead lights and used the available light coming from the fridge to light the student and professor Moran. (Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA)
Moot Court team members and third-year law students Taylor Lear, Haley Kairab and Navroz Tharani pose for a portrait at the entrance to the Hatton Lovejoy Courtroom at the School of Law.
We had to shoot what normally might be a visually kind of boring subject. Moot Court. While super interesting for the story, it is not visual. But I approached these portraits wanting to show a confident group of law students. Kind of with the same tone as the “Law & Order” TV show. I had to ask the students to give me their best bada$$ kind of attitude and look for the portrait. And they did. We put then in a good position, with interesting composition, and cool lighting. But it never would have worked without the great faces they gave us. The students faces sold it. (Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA)
Undergraduate Bayleigh Dixon kisses 5-month-old holstein heifer Billy on the nose at the Calf Cuddling Day sponsored by the Dairy Science Club on Myers Quad on Reading Day.
People watching is a lot of what we do. Trying to see what people are doing and anticipating a moment. That is how I was able to shoot this simple little Reading Day moment. I was watching the student and this one girl was super friendly with the cows. Once she dropped to one knee I knew that something cool might happen. Sure enough, she kissed the cow. Watching and waiting. Lots and lots of waiting. (Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA)
Quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) is super animated as he celebrates with wide receiver Ladd McConkey (84) after McConkey caught a long touchdown pass during the game versus Tennessee.
Bennett has begun to show some swagger this year and his reactions to big plays has been something to watch for as it makes for some good photos. He threw a long touchdown pass to McConkey to put the Dawgs up 14-3 over Tennessee. I’ve just never seen him so fired up with a teammate as he was with McConkey after that touchdown and it made a great photo. (Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA)
This is just a nice little moment of students talking together at the Casey Commons. I had an assignment at the Terry College and I got there a little early. I was shooting students by this window studying, mostly alone. I went on to shoot the class I had for an assignment. Then afterward I went back to this window. It was much better as several students were talking and hanging out. I waited for a little while and the student in the middle came and sat down. She was super animated and made the photo that much better. (Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA)
Undergraduate music business student Hannah Huling works on a project at the mixing board in the Music Business Lab at Moore-Rooker Hall.
This was an assignment where we were doing a profile of this music business student. I just really like the feel of this photo. Hannah was working at the mixing board and I asked if we could cut the lights off. I also had to squeeze around the board to get to the backside because I wanted to put the lights and keys in the foreground. The lights from her monitor made enough light to hide Hannah and still look cool with the lights from the board. Nice available light made the photo that much cooler. (Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA)
Workers from Skyline Construction Services of Eatonton, Georgia, apply a new acrylic coating to the roof of Stegeman Coliseum with clouds in the background.
I almost always carry my camera with me when I am out on campus. And this photo is an example of why I do. I was leaving our studio at the Georgia Center when I saw these workers up on the roof of Stegeman Coliseum. But the eye-catching thing was the beautiful clouds in the background. So I pulled over and started shooting these guys working. They were recoating the roof on Stegeman. I stayed and worked it for a little while until I felt like I had something cool. I love this photo. Maybe my favorite of the year. It is so clean and different. And it doesn’t look at all like something that was happening on our campus. (Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA)
Sanford Stadium as sunrise approaches on Wednesday morning before the Tennessee Game.
I had been trying to get to the Journalism Building to shoot the new Schnitzer Family Media Lawn in front of it before dawn for a few months with a drone. The building is usually backlit throughout the day and I had to get over to shoot it before sunrise. One morning I finally got away soon enough to get over there. But I saw that the sky was on fire. So I had to get the drone up over the stadium too. It happened to be the week of the Tennessee game and we used it on social the week before the game. (Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA)
Defensive lineman Jalen Carter (88) picks up LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) as he sacked the quarterback and picked him up during the SEC Championship.
I have never seen a sack like this in a football game in my life. And I’ve shot a bunch of football. When Jalen Carter sacked Jayden Daniels and picked him up, it was amazing, and then he pointed his hand to the sky. What an incredible moment to cap off the season. I just was hoping that we we would win the SEC Championship because I knew I had a unique photo that told the story. (Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA)
From the National Championship to campus laboratories to special events, UGA photographers Peter Frey, Dorothy Kozlowski, Chamberlain Smith and Andrew Davis Tucker documented an eventful year for the UGA community. They each selected their top 10 photos of the year and in the captions in this gallery they provide the story behind each photo.
