Each year gives a chance to look back at the best images taken by the San Antonio Report’s hard-working photography team.

This effort also allows us to reflect on the beauty, tragedy and resilience of the San Antonio community.

From long-form storytelling, seen in the photo essay, “‘We’re not perfect, we’re just FREED’: Following 3 San Antonians from prison to healing” by staff photographer Bria Woods, to portraiture, seen in “Drag performers stand up for their art form in the face of political challenges,” photographed by Brenda Bazán, the work of photojournalists helps our newsroom tell stories in the most unique and thoughtful ways.

Each image tells a story, and we produce thousands upon thousands of images per year — these are some of 2023’s best.

A portrait of Token Wilkerson, one of the thousands of people who joined the 36th Martin Luther King Jr. March in San Antonio.
A portrait of Token Wilkerson, one of the thousands of people who joined the 36th Martin Luther King Jr. March in San Antonio. Credit: Sam Cook for the San Antonio Report
Frost Tower as seen on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023.
Frost Tower as seen on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. Credit: Scott Ball / San Antonio Report
Michael Sanchez shows his forehead ash on Ash Wednesday on Chestnut Street in San Antonio, Texas.
Michael Sanchez shows his forehead ash on Ash Wednesday on Chestnut Street in San Antonio. Credit: Brenda Bazán / San Antonio Report
Ken Dickson hugs FREED Texas instructor Kimiya Factory during his graduation ceremony on August 11.
Ken Dickson hugs FREED Texas instructor Kimiya Factory during his graduation ceremony on Aug. 11. Credit: Bria Woods / San Antonio Report
Musicians prepare their music during the final dress rehearsal for September's Hansel and Gretel at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. This production brought together all five resident companies at the Tobin.
Musicians prepare their music during the final dress rehearsal for September’s Hansel and Gretel at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. This production brought together all five resident companies at the Tobin. Credit: Bria Woods / San Antonio Report
Yazmine Aguirre tries on her senior prom dress with her mom Naomi's help.
Yazmine Aguirre tries on her senior prom dress with her mom Naomi’s help. Credit: Brenda Bazán / San Antonio Report
Visitors at Scobee Education Center and Planetarium get a glimpse of October's "Ring of Fire" eclipse in its early stages as clouds break around 11:05 a.m.
Visitors at Scobee Education Center and Planetarium get a glimpse of October’s “Ring of Fire” eclipse in its early stages as clouds break around 11:05 a.m. Credit: Scott Ball / San Antonio Report
Leonard Johnson, a lifetime fan, celebrates Victor Wembanyama joining the San Antonio Spurs during a draft watch party at the AT&T Center.
Leonard Johnson, a lifetime fan, celebrates Victor Wembanyama joining the San Antonio Spurs during a draft watch party at the AT&T Center. Credit: Brenda Bazán / San Antonio Report
Photographer Ramin Samandari poses for a portrait in his own studio. The Iranian-born artist was selected as the San Antonio Art League and Museum’s Artist of the Year for 2023.
Photographer Ramin Samandari poses for a portrait in his own studio. The Iranian-born artist was selected as the San Antonio Art League and Museum’s Artist of the Year for 2023. Credit: Bria Woods / San Antonio Report
Valeria Rubio sings No Me Queda Mas by Selena on stage at the Selena talent show at Wilson Elementary.
Valeria Rubio sings No Me Queda Mas by Selena on stage at the Selena talent show at Wilson Elementary on March 30 in honor of the 28th anniversary of the Tejano singer’s death. Credit: Brenda Bazán / San Antonio Report
Families reunite on June 4 following a shooting inside of North Star Mall. Police confirmed that a man in his early 40s was shot “in cold blood” while getting a haircut. Credit: Bria Woods / San Antonio Report
Children audition for <I>The Nutcracker</I> with Ballet San Antonio.
Children audition for The Nutcracker with Ballet San Antonio. Credit: Brenda Bazán / San Antonio Report
David Alejandro, 2, lays on a bench while his family waits in a long line inside of the intake room at the Migrant Resource Center. Credit: Bria Woods / San Antonio Report
Member of Los MENtirosos, a group of drag kings, Jessica Hawkins performs as Gacho Marx.
Member of Los MENtirosos, a group of drag kings, Jessica Hawkins performs as Gacho Marx. Credit: Brenda Bazán / San Antonio Report
Roman Reyes, an installer with Solar Freedom, scans over a completed project at a Public Storage location near the San Antonio Airport.
Roman Reyes, an installer with Solar Freedom, scans over a completed project at a Public Storage location near the San Antonio Airport. Credit: Scott Ball / San Antonio Report
Texas Governor Greg Abbott throws a signed football to the crowd at the Harmony School of Innovation – Sugar Land vs Cornerstone Christian Academy football game.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott throws a signed football to the crowd at the Harmony School of Innovation – Sugar Land vs. Cornerstone Christian Academy football game. Credit: Brenda Bazán / San Antonio Report
Jose Ricardo Chavez Castellanos paints crosses commemorating the one-year anniversary of the deaths of the 53 migrants who died in an abandoned trailer along Quintana Road last June. Credit: Bria Woods / San Antonio Report
A worker touches up the H-E-B Christmas Tree on Travis Park in November. Credit: Brenda Bazán / San Antonio Report

Scott Ball is San Antonio Report's photo editor and grew up in San Antonio.