UNITED STATES – November 21, 2017: A tree climber got more then he bargained when a grey squirrel came flying out of a limb during a tree removal in Bluemont. Tino’s Tree Service crew was taking down a towering silver maple that was old and in bad shape and needed to come down for the safety of the structure.

Huntsman, Charles Montgomery is surrounded by dogs for the blessing of the hounds as participants gather for a fox hunt organized by the Bull Run Hunt Club on Sunday October 22, 2017 outside of Locust Dale, VA. It was their opening meet for the season.

Warwick High ninth-grader Andrea Thomas, center, takes a blood sample from a simulated crime scene through Newport News Public School’s Career Pathways program on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017. City Council, School Board Members, and Virginia State Legislators were among a group which toured Warwick and Heritage High School’s Governor’s Academies.

Placing his hands behind his head, the shadow Khalil James projects onto an apartment complex off 400 block of Savade Drive in Newport News on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. Newport News Police Department and Tactical Operations Unit responded to the incident around 8:50 p.m. , where the suspect surrounded peacefully and was taken into custody for accusations of abduction, assault and battery, brandishing a firearm, failure to appear, capias and a civil summons.

Rameer Battle (left) and Jordan Roney, both kindergarteners at Walnut Hill Elementary, lead a group of kids in a march around the school to protest bullying on Friday Oct. 27, 2017.

Mia Herman has an acquitance take a photo of her sitting on a fire hydrant on a flooded street as Hurricane Irma hits the area on Sunday September 10, 2017 in Miami, FL.

Local pastor Curtis Harris, right, has opened his home to Brandon Gasper, center, who was released from Chesapeake Juvenile Service. Also pictured are Jazell Bodie, left, and Denya Dancy. Curtis Harris runs Original BROTHAS Outreach, a nonprofit that provides support and mentorship to young men, many of whom are involved in juvenile court. For many, Original BROTHAs (Brothers Reaching out to Help and Serve) is an alternative to prison when Newport News and Hampton courts allow it. The program provides tutoring, computer skills, life skills and group counseling, and Harris is on call practically 24/7 for crisis intervention. “Basically he’s the only father I ever knew and he could be my father and teach me how to be a man,” Gasper said.

Artificial light beams through Dean Shostak’s glass violin as he warms up for a show at the Williamsburg Library on Friday , Dec. 8, 2017. Shostak is a multi-instrumental musician who specializing in unique glass instruments. The glass armonica was invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1761 and composers such as Mozart and Beethoven wrote parts for the instrument.

Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) speaks to the media about tax reform at Capitol Hill on Tuesday October 24, 2017 in Washington, DC.

Tabb High’s Gracie Roberts (5) nearly takes a ball to the face during the Class 3 state final champion game against James Monroe High held at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017.

York’s Cole Edwards disappointedly sits in the end zone after losing 34-6 to Hopewell during Saturday’s Region 3A championship game at Bailey Field November 25, 2017.

UNITED STATES – July 8, 2017: Photos of the Year for 2017. Morven Park has launched its inaugural season of Polo in the Park at the Morven Park International Equestrian Center. Arena polo matches, picnicking and dancing will take place every Saturday evening in July and August.

Heritage High’s Nehemiah Carter (3) reacts after losing the VHSL Class 4 state semifinals game to Midlothian High held at Heritage High School on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017.

Hampton Roads Academy’s Lauren Shohan, center, gives instructions on how to kick a football to fifth grade students Carlie Erwin, left, and Lana Browning during practice Tuesday October 17, 2017. When Shohan joined the varsity team this season, she became not only the lone girl on the squad this season but the first girl in school history to play football. Across the U.S., 1.09 million high school students played tackle football in 2016, according to a survey from the National Federation of State High School Associations; 0.2 percent of those (2,143) were girls. “Society doesn’t really think that girls can do the same things as boys can, but there’s no reason for that,” Shohan said.

Hampton Roads Academy’s Lauren Shohan, left, huddles with Tommy Gardner, right, and other teammates during practice Tuesday October 17, 2017.

Hampton Roads Academy’s Lauren Shohan, center, celebrates with fifth grade student Carlie Erwin after she successfully kicked a field goal during practice Tuesday October 17, 2017.

Hampton Roads Academy’s Lauren Shohan stretches as cheerleaders run past in the background during Thursday’s game against Norfolk Academy September 28, 2017.

Hampton Roads Academy’s Lauren Shohan kicks the ball past Norfolk Academy’s John Sykes to successfully complete an extra point during Thursday’s game against Norfolk Academy September 28, 2017.

Hampton Roads Academy’s Lauren Shohan excitedly talks with teammates after successfully completing an extra point during Thursday’s game against Norfolk Academy September 28, 2017.

Hampton Roads Academy’s Lauren Shohan, center, leads the team chant after Thursday’s game against Norfolk Academy September 28, 2017.

Hampton Roads Academy’s Lauren Shohan is lifted into the air by teammate Tommy Gardner after successfully completing an extra point during Thursday’s game against Norfolk Academy September 28, 2017.

UNITED STATES – 02-14-2017: Connie Rice, a transgender female and former Marine gets flowers from her boyfriend Ken Watter on valentines day at her home in Leesburg Virginia. Rice identified as female since childhood, but because of parental pressure, she initially took a path of suppression very typical of the times. Rice joined the U.S. Marine Corps, married her wife Birgit and had three sons, all while struggling with and concealing her identity for decades. Rice is still living with her wife Birgit and one son Patrick in the home that they raised three sons.

UNITED STATES – 02-26-2017: (L to R) Connie Rice, Connie’s boyfriend Ken Watter, and Connie’s wife Birgit, get ready for their son Patrick’s 18th birthday party at the Rice home in Leesburg.

United States – November 10, 2017: (L to R) Ryan Rice, Connie’s middle son, Connie’s wife Birgit, and Connie’s boyfriend Ken, join Connie for a night out with the family in Sterling. With support from her family and employer IBM, Rice has cultivated the confidence to find her voice on the national stage, but it hasn’t always been easy. Less than a decade ago, Rice’s world was in turmoil as she began her transition, and there has been plenty of pain along the way. But in the end, acceptance won the day, and a long sought-after sense of normalcy has set in.

UNITED STATES – 05-28-2017: Connie Rice has a laugh with her son Michael during the Rice family annual BBQ to kick off the start of summer. Her son Michael, who supports Donald Trump, clearly loves her and supports her but for Rice things have not always been so rosy. She suffered a breakdown during the early phase of her transition and credits her family and friends for pulling her through that initial crisis and the many financial and emotional hurdles she has encountered on her way to living as a woman.

UNITED STATES – September 3, 2017: Connie Rice and her boyfriend Ken Watter enjoy a date night out for dinner. Rice and Watter got together three years ago after he answered her profile on a dating site. Rice, a transgender female is a outspoken proponent of LGBT rights and often can be seen at public meetings speaking out for the rights of the LGBT community.

UNITED STATES – 02-26-2017: (R to L) Connie Rice, her son Patrick, wife Birgit, daughter-in-law Kim and son Michael enjoy a visit and a cookout before Michael and his wife Kim pull out for new jobs in North Carolina.

UNITED STATES – November 6, 2017: Connie Rice finds a moment to play with her her dog Meeko at her home in Leesburg.

UNITED STATES – July 30, 2017: Connie Rice, a life long cyclist, takes a break at the old Waterford Mill on one of her gravel road rides in Western Loudoun.

UNITED STATES – 03-18-2017: Connie Rice, a transgender woman from Leesburg, and Rae Obeyer, a transgender man with Equality Virginia, have a heated debate with a man attending the United Christian Parish in Reston during the Social Justice & Peace Conference on LGBT rights.

UNITED STATES – 03-18-2017: Connie fights back tears and becomes emotional as she tells her story at one of many speaking engagements. Rice, one of Loudoun’s most visible LGBT advocates tells her story a minimum of twenty times a year, it takes a heavy toll on her sometimes.

UNITED STATES – July 28, 2017: Connie Rice and Virginia’s Attorney General Mark Herring get set to speak during the making of a political TV ad being produced at the AG’s home in Leesburg. The ad will advocate for veterans rights after President Trump tweeted that he was gong to ban transgender people from the military.

UNITED STATES – November 6, 2017: Connie playfully attempts to give her son Patrick, age 17, a hug after he talked about how he explained to some of his friends life growing up with a transgender parent.

Judges: Lauren Frohne, Amanda Snyder and Colin Diltz of the Seattle Times

Features:

First: Douglas Graham, Loudoun Now

Second: Matt McClain, The Washington Post

Third: Aileen Devlin, The Daily Progress

Comments:

1st: Interesting and unusual image. A great moment that stands on its own.

2nd: Nice layering and interesting composition of a hectic scene. And we love dogs.

3rd: Unexpected scene, candid moment composed nicely from a low angle.

News:

First: Aileen Devlin, The Daily Press

Second: Shelby Lum, Richmond Times-Dispatch

Third: Matt McClain, The Washington Post

Comments:

1st: This is not an image any of us feel like we’ve seen before. Demonstrates a great eye and masterful use of available light in the moment. You can see what’s going on, despite the distance from the scene. In fact, something that could have been an obstacle to make a great image (distance) made this image even more interesting.

2nd: We loved the expressions capture here. Getting down to their level helps capture the passion and personalities of the children. Also not something you see every day.

3rd: The composition really highlights the scale and vastness of the flood. The intentional framing and the posture of the subject make it interesting as well.

Portrait:

First: Jonathon Gruenke, The Daily Press

Second: Aileen Devlin: The Daily Press

Third: Matt McClain: The Washington Post

Comments:

1st: We like the layering and composition of this image, the gestures among the subjects, and an intentional use of reflection that helps tell the story.

2nd: Striking light in this image that is also imperative to the story it’s capturing.

3rd: A strange and interesting image from what could be a bland political event.

Sports:

First: Aileen Devlin, The Daily Press

Second: Jonathon Gruenke, The Daily Press

Third: Douglas Graham, Loudoun Now

HM: Aileen Devlin, The Daily Press

Comments:

1st: We all reacted to this picture, quintessential peak action, you really feel it.

2nd: This images captures a whole story – the score, posture, the isolation (especially striking for a large-team sport).

3rd: We all loved the composition and framing of this one. There’s so much to see and discover as you take the image in.

HM: Nice image that captures emotion.

Multiple:

First: Jonathon Gruenke, The Daily Press

HM: Douglas Graham, Loudoun Now

Comments:

Weak category (only 1st and HM)

1st: Would love to see more of the character off the football field, but we liked the images that captured moments of camaraderie and relationships between the players. Some really unique moments — especially the one where she is being lifted in the air by a teammate.

HM: This is interesting and timely subject matter, but we wished for more visual variety (in composition, details, focal length) and a tighter edit.

Multimedia:

First: Shelby Lum, Richmond Times-Dispatch

Second: Kaitlin McKeown, The Virginian-Pilot

Comments:

Weak category (only 1st and 2nd)

1st: This story was solid throughout. There were nice moments and sequences, a spunky interview, good visual variety, and also a really interesting topic that we’d never seen before. The story was concise and well-told, just as long as it needed to be. We especially all loved the closing shot.

2nd: Short and sweet. We loved the shot of him during the skydive.

Overall, for this category, we felt that there was a heavy reliance on music, rather than natural sound, and we would urge everyone to really pare down their edits. A really solid 60- to 90-second story, or even 2-minutes, will have more impact than one that tries to pack too much information, too much talking, into it. Let the characters shine through, use moments and sound to help tell the story.