These are some of my favorite photos from assignments and events in 2015, including some photos that have never been published before.  It doesn't come close to showing everything but it is a good representation of the great places I've been and things I've seen in 2015.  Some that I chose are significant moments or subjects, some are interesting colors or compositions, others were just fun assignments for me to shoot.

The year 2015 marked my first full year as a working freelance photojournalist.  I'd like to thank anyone and everyone who had something to do with the fun I had making these photos.  I especially thank these publications and media companies who trusted me with assignments to tell photo stories on their behalf: Barry Reeger and the staff at Trib Total Media; Joe Hermitt and the folks at The Patriot-News / Pennlive.com; Jamie Schwaberow, Rich Clarkson, Chris Steppig, and everyone affiliated with Clarkson Creative / NCAA Photos; and the large group of photographers and supportive staff associated with MaxPreps.com.  Thank you all for trusting in me and making my first year of fulltime freelance work better than I could have ever imagined.

I've divided this into two posts, each covering 6 months, to make it easier to view. Hover over the photos if you like to read the caption information. The photos appear in a mostly chronological order. Online story links are provided in some cases.  Now... on to the photos! 

Before we begin, I noted something interesting while preparing my year in review.  My first assignment of the year for the Trib was of something being created, a brand new home under construction near the iconic Murrysville tree sign.  Oddly, my last Trib assignment of the year, published December 31,  was at a place associated with endings... Union Cemetery near Greensburg.  Having those two assignments as the bookends for many thousands of photos I took in 2015 frames up the year with an ironic perspective. 

January to June - 2015

Murrysville couple builds dream house on lot behind community icon -  http://trib.me/1Kdfjf

2015 in ReviewEdward and Valerie Mittereder enjoy a panoramic view of the Murrysville tree sign and community from the new home they are building on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015.

Swimming

2015 in ReviewCatherine Tomes of Valley High School swims the backstroke leg of the girls 200 yard medley relay at the WCCA swimming championship held Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, at Derry Area High School in Derry, Pa.

2015 in ReviewThe pool is crowded as swimmers warm up prior to competing at the 2015 WCCA swimming championship held Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, at Derry Area High School in Derry, Pa.

Basketball

2015 in ReviewHempfield students catch up on current events while the Kiski Area team is introduced prior to a basketball game on Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, at Hempfield.

2015 in ReviewGreensburg-Salem guard Maggie Kallock emerges from the darkness during player introductions prior to a game versus Mt. Pleasant on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, at Greensburg-Salem High School in Greensburg, Pa. Mt. Pleasant won 70-62.

2015 in ReviewNorwin guard Taylor Sabol (left) grabs a loose ball in front of Pine Richland's Kaityn Jenkins with less than a second remaining in the game to secure Norwin's 52-51 win over Pine Richland in a PIAA Class AAAA first round playoff game on Friday, March. 6, 2015, at Hempfield Area High School in Greensburg, Pa.

2015 in ReviewKiski Area students celebrate Mike Simmons reaching the 1000 career points milestone during a game at Hempfield on Friday, Jan. 16, 2015.

2015 in ReviewNuemann-Goretti girls head basketball coach Andrea Peterson wears a message on her shirt as she talks with her team during the PIAA Class AA state championship game, Friday, March 20, 2015, at Hersheypark Arena in Hershey, Pa. Nuemann-Goretti defeated Seton-La Salle 79-34 to claim the Class AA State Championship and finish as the MaxPreps girls national champion. 2015 in ReviewNuemann-Goretti's Martin Sianni (3) celebrates for the cameras following after winning the the PIAA Class AA state championship game, Friday, March 20, 2015, at Hersheypark Arena in Hershey, Pa. Nuemann-Goretti defeated Seton-La Salle 79-34 to claim the Class AA State Championship and finish as the MaxPreps girls national champion.

Angry fans cited in shortage of refs in Western Pennsylvania - http://trib.me/1FbPbOe

2015 in ReviewHockey official Randy Dengler puts on his protective equipment prior to officiating a youth hockey game on Sunday, March 1, 2015, at Pittsburgh Ice Arena in New Kensington, Pa. 2015 in ReviewRandy Dengler of Leechburg (right) and Zane Stout of Irwin prepare to officiate a youth hockey game at Pittsburgh Ice Arena in New Kensington, Pa., on Sunday, March 1, 2015.

NCAA Wrestling D-III National Championship

2015 in Review14 MAR 2015: A view from above during the Division III Men’s Wrestling Championship held at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. Ken Reabe Jr/NCAA Photos 2015 in Review14 MAR 2015: The Division III Men’s Wrestling Championship is held at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. Ken Reabe Jr/NCAA Photos 2015 in Review14 MAR 2015: The Division III Men’s Wrestling Championship is held at the Giant Center in Hershey, PA. Ken Reabe Jr/NCAA Photos

WPIAL Tennis Championship

2015 in ReviewChad Kissell of Latrobe serves during the WPIAL Class AAA boys tennis singles championship match on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at The Club indoor tennis facilities in Monroeville, Pa. Kissell beat Chris Gladden of Canon-McMillan 6-2, 6-2 to win the championship.

Walk a Mile in Her Shoes

2015 in ReviewA Seton Hill University football player sits next to the ladies shoes he will wear in the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event, sponsored by The Blackburn Center Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, on Saturday, April 18, 2015 in Greensburg. 2015 in ReviewMembers of the Seton Hill University football team traded their cleats for high heels to participate in the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event held Saturday, April 18, 2015 in Greensburg. 2015 in ReviewParticipants leave St. Clair Park to begin the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event held Saturday, April 18, 2015 in Greensburg.

Seton Hill Baseball - Vs. Cancer head-shave Fundraiser

2015 in ReviewTeam photo of the Seton Hill University baseball team just prior to shaving their heads in support of the Vs. Cancer Foundation to Cure Kids' Cancer on Saturday, April 18, 2015, at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pa. 2015 in ReviewGregory Henderson of Comrades Barber Shop in Greensburg shaves the head of Seton Hill University baseball player Josh Forbes in support of the Vs. Cancer Foundation following a game at Seton Hill University on Saturday, April 18, 2015. 2015 in ReviewSeton Hill University baseball teammates (from front left) Pat Boyer, Sam Mattei, Damone Buxton, and Evan Myers have their heads shaved by (from back left) Assistant Coach DJ Cannon, Josh Forbes, Head Coach Marc Marizzaldi, and Joe Haynackie of Comrades Barber Shop in Greensburg on Saturday, April 18, 2015, at Seton Hill University. The team participated in the mass head shaving event to support the Vs. Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to funding efforts to cure kids' cancer. 2015 in ReviewTeam photo of the Seton Hill University baseball team after participating in a mass head shaving event to support the Vs. Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to funding efforts to cure kids' cancer, following their game on Saturday, April 18, 2015, at Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pa.

Trout Fishing Season

2015 in ReviewKhristian Sailor, 8, and Michael Sailor of Greensburg paddle towards the dock at Twin Lakes Park on the opening day of trout season Saturday, April 18, 2015. 2015 in ReviewRalph DiBridge casts his line near the causeway at Twin Lakes Park on the opening day of trout season Saturday, April 18, 2015. 2015 in ReviewKaden Miney, 3, and his dad Jared Miney of Latrobe participate in the fishing derby hosted by Greater Latrobe High School Earth and Environment classes on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at Latrobe Rotary Park. 2015 in ReviewAdam Piper, 8, of Latrobe gets into the waters of Nine Mile Run during the fishing derby hosted by Greater Latrobe High School Earth and Environment classes on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at Latrobe Rotary Park.

WCCA Track and Field

2015 in ReviewSteve Cheswick of Penn-Trafford launches himself during the boys pole vault event at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association track and field meet on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at Memorial Stadium in Latrobe. 2015 in ReviewHempfield's Hayden Fox prepares to launch himself during the finals of the boys pole vault event at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association track and field meet on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at Memorial Stadium in Latrobe. 2015 in ReviewHempfield's Hayden Fox looks down at his pole as he clears the bar during the finals of the boys pole vault event at the Westmoreland County Coaches Association track and field meet on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at Memorial Stadium in Latrobe.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Saint Vincent College Commencement

2015 in ReviewAshley Berger of Lehighton, Pa, makes one final check before receiving her Bachelor of Science degree from the College of Natural Science at spring commencement ceremonies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania on Saturday, May 9, 2015. 2015 in ReviewKelly Murray of Philadelphia, Pa, looks out into the Ed Fry Arena prior to receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition/Dietetics during spring commencement ceremonies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania on Saturday, May 9, 2015. 2015 in ReviewDr. Nancy Rottler (left), Director of Student Support Services, takes a photo with graduating Communications program majors (from left) Philip Messina of Pittsburgh, Diego Real of Miami, Fl, and Myleek Rayzer of Pittsburgh during spring commencement ceremonies at Saint Vincent College on Saturday, May 9, 2015. 2015 in ReviewDr. Nancy Rottler (right), Director of Student Support Services, and her associate Peggy Smith (left) lead the one hundred sixty ninth graduating class at Saint Vincent College to commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 9, 2015.

High School Baseball and Softball

2015 in ReviewIndiana outfielder Tommy Budash slips on the wet turf after making a catch on Friday, May 1, 2015, at Greensburg Salem. Greensburg Salem beat Indiana 10-5. 2015 in ReviewTrinity's Madison Hornak (31) attempts to bunt during a PIAA Class AAA semifinal softball game versus Bellwood-Antis on Tuesday, June 9, 2015, at Greater Latrobe High School. Trinity won 3-2 to advance to the state championship game on Friday in State College. 2015 in ReviewTrinity players celebrate at home plate after defeating Bellwood-Antis 3-2 during their PIAA Class AAA semifinal softball game on Tuesday, June 9, 2015, at Greater Latrobe High School. Trinity advances to the state championship game in State College on Friday. 2015 in ReviewKnoch catcher Asa Adams (center) gathers his team for a pep talk between innings of their PIAA Class AAA semifinal baseball game versus Donegal on Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at Mt. Aloysius College in Cresson. Knoch won 8-2 to advance to the state championship game in State College on Friday. 2015 in ReviewKnoch designated hitter Jordan Kowalski connects for a single in the sixth inning to drive in two runs during a PIAA Class AAA semifinal baseball game versus Donegal on Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at Mt. Aloysius College in Cresson. Knoch won 8-2 to advance to the state championship game in State College on Friday. 2015 in ReviewKnoch pitcher Alex Stobert gestures prior to pitching the final out of their PIAA Class AAA semifinal baseball game versus Donegal on Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at Mt. Aloysius College in Cresson. Knoch won 8-2 to advance to the state championship game in State College on Friday. 2015 in ReviewKnoch players share a moment of celebration following their victory over Donegal in the PIAA Class AAA semifinal baseball game played Wednesday, June 10, 2015, at Mt. Aloysius College in Cresson. Knoch won 8-2 to advance to the state championship game in State College on Friday. 2015 in ReviewEisenhower's Kyle Hunt (32) pitches during the PIAA Class A state championship baseball game between Lancaster County Christian and Eisenhower on Friday, June 12, 2015, at Medlar Field in State College, Pa. Lancaster County Christian defeated Eisenhower 8-0. 2015 in ReviewThe Knoch Knights salute the flag prior to their PIAA Class AAA state championship baseball game with Abington on Friday, June 12, 2015, at Medlar Field in State College, Pa. 2015 in ReviewAbington's Colin McCreary takes a pitch during the PIAA Class AAA state championship baseball game with Knoch on Friday, June 12, 2015, at Medlar Field in State College, Pa. 2015 in ReviewKnoch teammates celebrate with the PIAA Class AAA state championship trophy after defeating Abington on Friday, June 12, 2015, at Medlar Field in State College, Pa. 2015 in ReviewNeshannock's Frank Fraschetti pitches during the PIAA Class AA state championship baseball game with Neumann-Goretti on Friday, June 12, 2015, at Medlar Field in State College, Pa. Neshannock defeated Neumann-Goretti 9-0 to claim the Pennsylvania Class AA championship. 2015 in ReviewNeshannock's Richie Serignese smiles as he stands safely on second base during the PIAA Class AA state championship baseball game with Neumann-Goretti on Friday, June 12, 2015, at Medlar Field in State College, Pa. Neshannock defeated Neumann-Goretti 9-0 to claim the Pennsylvania Class AA championship. 2015 in ReviewNeshannock teammates celebrate after winning the PIAA Class AA state championship baseball game with Neumann-Goretti on Friday, June 12, 2015, at Medlar Field in State College, Pa. Neshannock defeated Neumann-Goretti 9-0 to claim the Pennsylvania Class AA championship. 2015 in ReviewNeshannock's Danny Welker (7) poses for a photo with fans following the PIAA Class AA state championship baseball game with Neumann-Goretti on Friday, June 12, 2015, at Medlar Field in State College, Pa. Neshannock defeated Neumann-Goretti 9-0 to claim the Pennsylvania Class AA championship.

Westmoreland County Junior Golf Tournament

2015 in ReviewPalmer Jackson of Franklin Regional walks across a covered bridge at Latrobe Country Club during his round at the 2015 Westmoreland County Junior golf tournament on Thursday, June 25, 2015. 2015 in ReviewZach Cicchini of Belle Vernon chips onto the green during the 2015 Westmoreland County Junior golf tournament on Thursday, June 25, 2015, at Latrobe Country Club. 2015 in ReviewZach Suchko of Hempfield walks up the 18 fairway past a statue of "Deke" Palmer at the 2015 Westmoreland County Junior golf tournament on Thursday, June 25, 2015, at Latrobe Country Club.

Click for more Favorite Photos of 2015 - July to December