This year was full of extraordinary moments, big and small. From national stories, to others that capture the unique, local Houston perspective, Houston Landing was there to hold city officials accountable and uplift our communities. From storms that rocked the city, presidential and local elections, grief and rebuilding, and joy – all to show the dynamic and beautiful energy of this city. Our Year in Photos shows those stories and moments through the eyes of the photographers who are out in the city every day.
Many of Houston’s northern neighborhoods were dealing with power outages, large fallen trees and flooding days after Hurricane Beryl made its way through the region. That Friday afternoon, I was photographing some supply donations and power grid repairs when my Director of Photography called to tell me to drive to Mount Houston where many of the residents still had no power and a rain storm was supposed to hit. After driving for a while I saw an uprooted tree with the American Flag placed on top. I met James L. Henry Jr. who told me about how multiple trees fell on his property but all narrowly missed his house where he and his children live. “I feel for everyone else now that I’ve been through a couple of them. I’ve been here since I was a kid.”
– Antranik Tavitian
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee has been a household name in Houston for decades. When she passed away, it felt like the entire city came out to mourn. Local and national representatives, former presidents and celebrities came out to pay their respects during a week-long wake. Former Director of Photography, Marie D. De Jesús, captured this image of Erica Lee Carter, Rep. Jackson Lee’s daughter, during her celebration of life at Fallbrook Church. A quiet reflection of one of the people who knew such a larger than life figure the best.
– Antranik Tavitian
Presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Harris made multiple trips to Houston throughout the election cycle and this event was by far the largest. I remember the line coming out of Shell Energy Stadium wrapping around the parking lots next to the highway. After hours of talks by guest speakers and a much anticipated appearance by Beyonce, Harris came out and delivered a speech focused on women’s health and getting out to vote. After her speech, she made her way around the standing section to greet attendees. I remember being squished around hundreds of people and lifting my camera as high as I could waiting for Harris to pass by.
– Antranik Tavitian
This fall, I spent a lot of time getting to know Alexis Nungaray – away from the press conferences and campaign events with Senator Cruz and then-presidential candidate Trump. When we were out in the background playing with her son on a trampoline, I saw Jocelyn’s face with angel wings on the back of her t-shirt. Her image is well-known now. Alexis’ signature blue hair fell over the wings and I made this picture. It felt simple during a very complicated time.
Two weeks later, a few days after Trump was re-elected as president, I was in Reynosa, Mexico meeting families who had spent months in a shelter on the border, hoping for a CBP One appointment to enter the US legally. These kids had all become friends and passed the time by making up games and playing guitar. I thought about the heated conversations happening on political stages in the U.S. about immigration and wanted to make this picture that felt everyday, human, relatable.
– Lexi Parra
At Houston Landing, one of our main focuses for the photo department is to showcase all of the communities, events, and people that make Houston unique. Whether it’s posing on top of buildings during an east end block party, a child and father taking a selfie during Eid, or young women putting on make up before their very first all female mariachi performance; we take great pride in showing our audience their neighbors and what brings them joy.
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