In an annual tradition at The Uncommon District, we ask photographers from the DMV community to share some of their favorite shots of the year with us.
Rodney Cunningham
(IG: @rodneydcunningham)
Joe Flood
(IG: @joeflood; Website)
Dictators seek to be omnipresent, to intimidate you with their inescapable image, to make you realize that all resistance is hopeless. 2025 taught me that there is always a way around their might. Trump put his photo up everywhere and tried to control the public through barriers, but the people, as symbolized by this cyclist, found a way through and endured.
Roland Johnson
(IG: @millibenthic)
Gloria Jones
(IG @glo.is.me)
In 2025, I went to Glasgow in March and then cruised from Copenhagen to Lisbon in August. I took far too many photos, but here are two favorites. The traffic cone perched atop the Duke of Wellington statue displays the city’s “People Make Glasgow” slogan. Everyone I encountered was friendly, outgoing and good-humored.
Copenhagen did not disappoint. Bicycles, canals, pastries, and the colorful houses of Nyhavn’s waterfront district perfectly encapsulate hygge, the Danish concept of cozy contentment.
Miki Jourdan
(IG: mikijourdan; Flickr)
I spent Halloween in New York City and boy do they get into the spirit. There’s a parade in Greenwhich Village each year. Plus it cracks me up to see costumed revelers mixing with regular commuters on the subway.
Kimberly Keller
(IG: @pho.to.olney)
These photos are both from the Maryland State Fair. I chose them because they bring back memories of the spirit of fun and unabashed wackiness of most state and county fairs. In complicated times, I want to go see the 500lb squash, the pig races, and the lady on stilts dressed up as a chicken.
Rob Klug
(IG: @osoikame)
Van Ngo
In 2025, any free time I could afford led to events that I could make, tips on interesting and safe abandonment points of interest to trek to, but shapes and textures remain the favorite to snap. This leads to the two photos chosen for this roundup of photographer’s favorites.
The first shot was my second to last day in Xi’an, China. I was roaming within the City Wall and this bar without an entrance really stood out. I had spotted it a few nights prior to while riding in a DiDi back to the hotel room. Still haven’t figured out how to enter it.
The second shot was taken on a late September Saturday evening in Arlington. I was heading to the Thomas Jefferson Community Theatre to see a coworker perform in The Full Monty. This is the Alice West Fleet Elementary school on the campus grounds. The internet may call this style “Fartchitecture” but I still like it, just not for homes.
Murali Palangat
(IG: @palangatm)
The staircase from Dr Martin Luther King DC public library. This staircase provides simplicity and complexity in its angles depending on if you are looking up from below or looking down from above. Matter of perspective.
Victoria Pickering
(IG: @vpickering, Flickr)
President Carter’s casket in the procession to the Capitol.
An odd juxtaposition at Union Station – a family with nearby National Guards carrying guns.
Lisa A. Walker
(IG: @shotsfromthedark)
These images are meaningful to me because of the energy and the emotion of the artists and the fans.
Angie White
(IG: awphotos84_)
I enjoy Baltimore Carnival as it is a celebration of life and freedom held by the Caribbean Community but welcomes everyone, and even the Mayor participated. The parade was held at Druid Hill Park.
All of you are so talented. These photos are so eclectic. Each with a different perspective.
Than you.
Thanks so much!