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They speak the truth — and yet, somehow, they still show us just how beautiful life can be. There’s pure jubilation in the embrace of a girls’ softball team celebrating a teammate’s victory, and a rush of freedom in the spray of powdery snow as a skier carves through fresh trails. Both moments, captured with skill and heart by Russ Dillingham, offer glimpses of joy, determination, and the spirit of Maine.
It’s a privilege to document the people and stories that shape our state. From May 30 through July 8, we invite you to experience a selection of the year’s standout photography from the Sun Journal, on display at The Atrium at Bates Mill.
Join us for an evening of light refreshments and conversation at the opening reception on Friday, May 30, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. You can also explore the full Photos of the Year gallery online.
Gardiner’s Taylor Takatsu is mobbed by her teammates after hitting a home run against Leavitt during a Class B South softball quarterfinal Thursday in Turner. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
Lost Valley Ski Area snowmaker Nolan Johnson walks Monday morning to the middle of the Big Buck trail at the Auburn ski area to check the texture of the snow coming down. NOTES: It was getting close to the opening weekend of the season at Lost Valley Ski Area in Auburn with no natural snow on the ground. With a week of freezing temperatures forecasted for overnight, I figured the local ski area would be firing up their snow guns and making the white gold. I gave them a call and was told they would be cranking up their snow guns at dusk and through the night and morning until temperatures became too warm. Over the past 40 years, I have spent many hours taking photos of the process, so I was pretty familiar with what to expect. I arrived early in the morning as temperatures were beginning to warm. One of the snowmakers was heading up the hill on a snowmobile to check the snow. I walked about halfway up the trail and found a snow lance where there was a bright blue sky and the sun in the background where I noticed footprints going out to the middle of the trail and anticipated what was going to happen. The technique is to walk out where the snow is falling and extend a hand. If the snow sticks to your jacket sleeve, the snow becomes too wet and it’s time to shut down the snowmaking. I had put myself in the right place at the right time and when the snowmaker went out to check the snow, I made this photo. Russ Dillingham/Sun Journal
