Kevin D. Liles Photography

Photos of the Year 2018

2018 NLDS

As we start a new year, I’m taking a look back at 2018 and sharing my favorite images. It was an amazing year, and I’m continually reminded of how lucky I am to make a living taking pictures. I’ve gone through everything I shot over the past 12 months, and narrowed it down to 25 photographs. They are presented here in chronological order, and include sports, political assignments and personal stories, as well as a few previously unpublished images from my personal and commercial work. Where possible, links are provided.

It was another year of working with some of the country’s leading publications and organizations — including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Players’ Tribune, Atlanta United, and Sports Illustrated — covering stories and sporting events throughout the Southeast. But perhaps 2018’s biggest highlight came in July when I was contracted as the Atlanta Braves team photographer. I’m beyond humbled and grateful for such an opportunity, and I can’t wait for the 2019 season! I am so thankful to all the editors, creative directors and assistants who help make all this possible. Without you all, none of this exists.

Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by.

Top image: Atlanta Braves catcher Kurt Suzuki tags Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp out at home during NLDS Game 3 at SunTrust Park on Oct. 7, 2018. The Braves won Game 3, but lost the series in Game 4. Photographed for the Atlanta Braves.

2/17/18 — Stacey Abrams, Georgia gubernatorial candidate and the first black woman in the U.S. to be a major party’s nominee for governor. Photographed for The Washington Post
Fans partying in the gulch in downtown Atlanta.
4/7/18 — Chris Dunning (in glasses) and Conner Williams (holding smoke bomb), both members of the Atlanta United fan club Resurgence, get hyped in a tailgating area known as “The Gulch” during game day outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Photographed for The New York Times
Former KKK member Chris Buckley.
4/26/18 — Chris Buckley shows his tattoos (he inked all of them on his left arm) in his home in LaFayette, Ga. Buckley, a former member of the KKK and an recovering addict, is trying to live more open-mindedly and contribute to his community. “It turned from anger to curiosity (about other people),” he said of his attitude change. “I don’t know when it happened.” Photographed for The Washington Post
Les Williams suing NCAA for CTE
5/4/18 — Les Williams, a former defensive end for the University of Alabama, is part of a group of former players suing the NCAA after they are showing signs of CTE. Here, he poses for a portrait at his house in Norcross, Ga. Photographed for The Washington Post
Vic Beasley poses for a portrait in his high school locker
5/18/18 — Sitting in his old locker, Atlanta Falcons linebacker Vic Beasley, Jr. poses for a portrait at Adairsville High School. Photographed for The Players’ Tribune
Primary voting
5/22/18 — Voters cast their ballots during primary elections day at Clarkston First Baptist Church. Photographed for The New York Times
Jamar’ae boxing
5/29/18 — Jamar’ae Grier (right) boxes with Officer Maurice Moore of Atlanta Police at the Police Athletic League. Jamar’ae is a student at the @Promise Center, which helps at risk youth in the community with education and other training. Photographed for Westside on the Rise
6/15/18 — Tammy McCracken in her home in Tyrone, Ga. McCracken’s husband died of a brain tumor, possibly caused by his exposure to burn pits during his military service, but VA has been slow to admit any such connection. Photographed for The American Legion
Bostwick, Georgia
9/11/18 — Bostwick, Ga. Personal work.
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow upside down
9/15/18 — LSU quarterback Joe Burrow flips over after running out of bounds during their 22-21 upset over Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Photographed for Sports Illustrated
Ender Inciarte
9/21/18 — Atlanta Braves outfielder Ender Inciarte heads into the dugout after a win against the Phillies at SunTrust Park.
Braves NL East clinch
Braves NL East clinch
Braves NL East clinch
9/22/18 — (Above 3 photos) The Atlanta Braves clinch the National League East division after defeating the Phillies 5-3 at SunTrust Park. Photographed for the Atlanta Braves.
UGA Tennessee football
9/29/18 — Sweat flies as University of Tennessee linebacker Jonathan Kongbo tackles UGA quarterback Jake Fromm at Sanford Stadium. Photographed for Sports Illustrated (one of SI’s top 100 photos of 2018)
Hurricane Michael Amazon
10/20/18 — Using her phone’s flashlight, Patty Ohlson checks on her pet, a yellow-headed amazon named Bonnie, at the animal shelter area while waiting out Hurricane Michael at Lawton Chiles High School. The school was turned into a shelter, housing several hundred people and their pets during the storm. Photographed for The Washington Post
Atlanta United Mercedes-Benz Stadium
10/21/18 — Atlanta United vs. Chicago Fire at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Photographed for Atlanta United
Trae Young
11/2/18 — Atlanta Hawks rookie Trae Young. Photographed for Sports Illustrated
Jacksonville State marching band
11/21/18 — The Jacksonville State marching band waits to perform during the game against Kennesaw State at SunTrust Park. It was one of three NCAA football games that day held at baseball stadiums. Photographed for Sports Illustrated
Alabama Crimson Tide football
11/22/18 — Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Mack Wilson celebrates during their 52-21 win over Auburn in the 2018 Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Photographed for Sports Illustrated
Jalen Hurts
12/1/18 — Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts celebrates after engineering a come-from-behind win over Georgia in the SEC Championship at Mercedes=Benz Stadium. Photographed for Sports Illustrated
12/4/18 — Lisa and Kenny Priddle, one of several families who moved to Dothan, Ala. for $50,000 as part of the Jewish Community Services Relocation Project to attract more Jews there. Here, the Priddles pose for a portrait in the sanctuary at Temple Emanu-El. Photographed for The Washington Post
2018 MLS Cup
12/8/18 — An Atlanta United fan walks through Mercedes-Benz Stadium during the MLS Cup between United and the Portland Timbers. Atlanta, in only their second season, won, bringing Atlanta it’s first title since 1995. Photographed for The Players’ Tribune
Pilot walks through airport
12/29/18 — A pilot walks through the afternoon sunlight at Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport. Personal work

Kevin D. Liles is a documentary and commercial photographer based in Atlanta with a special interest in covering issues, politics, and sports in the South. You can see more of his work here: kevindliles.com

Reader Interactions

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.