Kelly and Nannette Peterson, of Orem, walk together as they check out the future site of the Orem Utah Temple on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019. The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced on Dec. 11 that the Orem temple will be built at 1471 S. Geneva Rd. in Orem.

Hot dang, it's 2020.

This past year was, as most are, a whirlwind. In 2019, I stepped up as the photo editor at the Daily Herald and also became the only photographer at the newspaper. That change hasn't kept me from photographing in the field (thank goodness), but it added a whole slew of other job duties to my plate. Now looking back on 2019, I think all of those extra duties have proven beneficial to myself and my professional development. If I had to sum up my personal theme for the year, it would be to not sweat what I can't control and understand that I'm just one person (but, also understand that one person can still get a whole lot done with focus and a healthy personal life).

Most notably in December, the Daily Herald's annual Photos of the Year Magazine published. It was a labor of love for me, and tested my photo editing and managerial skills unlike any other task has challenged me before. If you'd like to take a peek at the magazine, it can be seen here: provodh.com/si8kf .

However, on the whole December was a pretty anticlimactic end to the year at work. With the holidays and much of the newspaper's staff taking vacation throughout the month, assignments were pretty sparse. Several times I found myself testing my creative skills to make a serviceable photo out of lackluster subject matter – Which, is a lot of what assignments can be like at a newspaper at times, but that's part of the fun of the challenge. 

Fortunately, I too was able to take ample vacation time this month, which allowed me to have some quality time with a chunk of my family in person. I spent a few days with my parents in Jackson, Wyoming, skiing Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and also several days hanging out with one of my sisters (I have four older sisters) as well as my parents in Utah showing them my favorite things about this new home of mine.

Life is unpredictable, and so is the photojournalism industry. I have no idea what this new year (let alone the new decade) will bring, but I now feel more comfortable with my life than I have in a long time, and I am confident I will be able to handle whatever the future brings me in 2020 and beyond.

Brigham Young University middle blocker Heather Gneiting (2) blocks a New Mexico State University hit during a match in the first round of the NCAA Tournament between the BYU Cougars and the New Mexico State Aggies held Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, at Smith Fieldhouse in Provo. The Cougars swept the Aggies in three sets, but were swept themselves by the University of Utah Utes in the second round of the national tournament.

Brigham Young University head coach Mark Pope protests an official’s call during a rivalry game between the BYU Cougars and the Utah Utes held Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City.

Brigham Young University guard Connor Harding (44) tries to dunk the ball over University of Utah center Lahat Thioune (32), but can’t score the basket, during a rivalry game between the BYU Cougars and the Utah Utes held Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City.

Brigham Young University libero Mary Lake (18) gets up after New Mexico State University scored a point during a match in the first round of the NCAA Tournament between the BYU Cougars and the New Mexico State Aggies held Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, at Smith Fieldhouse in Provo.

Orem running back Noah Sewell poses for a portrait Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, at Orem High School. A senior, Sewell has been chosen as the 2019 Utah Valley Football Player of the Year and will play for the University of Oregon Ducks after graduating from high school.

Jeremy Frisby, 17, of Pleasant Grove, left, and Asher Williams, 16, of Provo, ready their gear before opening day kicked off at Sundance Mountain Resort on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, in Provo Canyon. Sundance Mountain Resort opened its 2019-2020 season on Dec. 6 operating two lifts offering variable terrain and a handle tow for beginners.

A motorist drives in an express lane along Interstate 15 on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2019, in Orem. The Utah Department of Transportation is continuing to add to its Express Lanes system, hoping to make better use of available real estate, and studying how to stop motorists from using the system illegally while Northern Utah’s population continues skyward with no sign of slowing.

Kara Melendez, of Orem, holds her newborn son, Alexander, as she rests beside her husband, Stephen, and is visited by volunteer chaplain Tara Joyner on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, at Timpanogos Regional Hospital in Orem.

The Brigham Young University bench reacts after forward Dalton Nixon (33) was fouled by University of Nevada Reno guard Lindsey Drew (14) during a game between the BYU Cougars and the Nevada Wolf Pack on Tuesday, Dec.10, 2019, at the Marriott Center in Provo.

Brigham Young University guard TJ Haws (30) reacts after committing an offensive foul during a rivalry game between the BYU Cougars and the Utah Utes held Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019, at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City. Despite being in the lead for the majority of the game, the Cougars were defeated 102-95 after the Utes broke away late in the fourth quarter.

Salih Mohmmed, of South Salt Lake City, helps Paige Banks, 6, of Lehi, saw a log during a walkthrough of A Babe is Born Live Nativity held Monday, Dec. 2, 2019, at the Lehi Round-Up Rodeo Grounds. With every ticket purchased, the nativity donates a meal to a local refugee. The event also hires refugees as actors.

Nick Hawkins, of Springville, helps light the candle of his daughter, Kate, 7, as she sits besides her sister, Sarah, 10, and the rest of her siblings as the congregation prepares to sing “Silent Night, Holy Night” by candlelight during a Christmas Eve service held Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2019, at the Springville Community Presbyterian Church. Read the written story here: provodh.com/hpz09 

Timpview guard Jaxon Santiago (13) drives the ball up the court after guard Coleman Ford (32) poked the ball away from Mountain View guard Court Walker (3) during a game between the Mountain View Bruins and the Timpview Thunderbirds held Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2019, at Mountain View High School in Orem. The Thunderbirds defeated the Bruins 62-45.

Brigham Young University guard Alex Barcello (4) celebrates along with his teammates as a timeout is taken during a game between the BYU Cougars and the Nevada Wolf Pack on Tuesday, Dec.10, 2019, at the Marriott Center in Provo. The Cougars defeated the Wolf Pack 75-42.

Brigham Young University senior Joshua Palmer, also known by his rap persona, Jee Mingus, poses for a portrait Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, at the Harris Fine Arts Center on the campus of BYU in Provo. Palmer, who studies commercial music at BYU, broke the Guinness World Record for the longest rap marathon completed by an individual on Nov. 14 at Lowes Xtreme Airsports in Provo. In the end, he rapped for about 30 hours.

The year is coming to an end, and it feels like everything suddenly needs to be completed before the next decade begins.

A lot seemed to come to a head near the end of November. High school fall sports wrapped up, and winter sports have begun. Most of my assignments entailed either covering said sporting events, photographing more portraits than usual, or writing and photographing features for the front page, partially due to the holiday lull at the end of the month and our staff currently being down two people in the newsroom.

However, much of my mental energy was spent managing last month. Most notably, I made a lot of progress working on the Daily Herald's now annual Photos of the Year Magazine. Sifting through hundreds of images from myself, my former boss and freelancers, editing captions, re-toning photos and narrowing down the number of images was challenging while also keeping up with my daily assignment and management load, but I feel growth from the challenge. My work on the magazine will wrap up in mid-December, and it'll publish at the very tail end of the month.

The cold and snow rolled into Utah in force over the Thanksgiving weekend, and I'm looking forward to the winter season (not sliding on ice, though).

Lehi running back Carsen Manookin (8) dives over Timpview’s Vave Adolpho (13) for a touchdown during a state semifinal game between the Timpview Thunderbirds and the Lehi Pioneers held Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

Mountain View middle blocker Elena Wallace (30), right-side hitter Taina Riley (13) and setter Kaylin Scott (4) celebrate winning the first set during a 5A state championship match between the Mountain View Bruins and the Farmington Phoenix held Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, at the UCCU Center in Orem.

Porter Deru, 4, of Provo, tries to make a donation during the unveiling of Giving Machines, sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at University Place on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, in Orem. The machines allow people to donate things from soap and clean water to pigs and chickens to people in need in Utah and abroad.

Cedar Valley senior Kennedy Hall poses for a portrait Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, at Cedar Valley High School in Eagle Mountain. Upon graduating high school, Hall plans to attend Utah State University to prepare her to pursue a career in the medical field. She hopes to one day become a trauma surgeon, and perform procedures that could’ve saved both of her late parents.

Timpview wide receiver Raider Damuni (3) briefly fumbles the ball, but the Thunderbirds recovered it, during a 5A state tournament quarterfinal game between the Provo Bulldogs and the Timpview Thunderbirds held Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, at Provo High School.

Westlake libero Jostan Chibante (4) reacts after Copper Hills scored a point during a 6A state tournament second-round match between the Westlake Thunder and the Copper Hills Grizzlies held Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019, at the UCCU Center in Orem.

Brigham Young University guard TJ Haws (30) goes up for a shot through contact from Cal State Fullerton guard Wayne Arnold (11) during Brigham Young University men’s basketball regular-season opener against California State University Fullerton on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019, at the Marriott Center in Provo.

Brigham Young University fans cheer at the start of Brigham Young University men’s basketball’s regular-season opener against California State University Fullerton on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019, at the Marriott Center in Provo.

American Fork defender Ragan Fuller poses for a portrait Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, at American Fork High School. A senior, Fuller has been chosen as the 2019 Utah Valley Girls Soccer Player of the Year.

American Fork defensive lineman Micah Iongi (76) reacts after the Cavemen fell to the Corner Canyon Chargers 49-14 in the 6A state championship Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

Pleasant Grove outside hitter Mia Peterson (16) hits the ball between Copper Hills middle blocker Addison Downs (11) and outside hitter Camilla Andam (14) during the 6A state championship match between the Pleasant Grove Vikings and the Copper Hills Grizzlies held Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, at the UCCU Center in Orem.

Pleasant Grove players dogpile in celebration after defeating the Copper Hills Grizzlies in four sets during the 6A state championship match Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, at the UCCU Center in Orem.

Alex Bardsley, of Salt Lake City, and his son, Benson, 2, spin an interactive lantern light display at Thanksgiving Point’s Luminaria on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019, in Lehi.

Provo players take the field before a 5A state tournament quarterfinal game between the Provo Bulldogs and the Timpview Thunderbirds held Friday, Nov. 8, 2019, at Provo High School.

Brigham Young University forward Elise Flake (5) gets tangled up with University of Louisville defender Niamh Nelson (8) as she drives the ball toward the goal during a match in the second round of the NCAA Tournament between the Brigham Young University Cougars and the University of Louisville Cardinals held Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019, at South Field in Provo.

Brigham Young University players surround forward Elise Flake (5) after she scored the first goal during a match in the second round of the NCAA Tournament between the Brigham Young University Cougars and the University of Louisville Cardinals held Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019, at South Field in Provo.

Superintendent Joel Coleman explains features of the main lobby as construction continues on a new location for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019, in Springville.

Arda Molen poses for a portrait in her Vineyard home on Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. Molen has sewn together and donated more than 5,000 outfits to girls in third-world countries and those in need.

Orem wide receiver Jaxon Williams (22) runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown after making a catch during the 5A state championship between the Orem Golden Tigers and the Timpview Thunderbirds held Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

Mountain View outside hitter Mia Wesley spikes the ball as she poses for a portrait Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019, at Mountain View High School in Orem. A senior, Wesley has been chosen as the 2019 Utah Valley Girls Volleyball Player of the Year.

Brigham Young University guard Alex Barcello (4) reacts after a play as he guards Cal State Fullerton guard Austen Awosika (10) during Brigham Young University men’s basketball regular-season opener against California State University Fullerton on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019, at the Marriott Center in Provo.

Timpview running back Sione Moa (4) is pushed out of bounds on his drive upfield by Orem defenders during the 5A state championship between the Orem Golden Tigers and the Timpview Thunderbirds held Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

Orem players hoist up the championship trophy as they celebrate after the Golden Tigers’ 21-7 victory over the Timpview Thunderbirds in the 5A state championship Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City.

S. Bryce Chamberlain, 87, poses for a portrait while dressed as Brigham Young on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019, at his home in Orem. Chamberlain was featured in "Man's Search for Happiness," shown by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the 1964 New York World’s Fair, and has since starred in several other films. He also has performed international one-man shows as Joseph Smith, and after 40 years and the aging process setting in, also as Brigham Young.

Reina Swensen, 14, of Pleasant Grove and dressed as the antagonist from “The Nun”, poses for a portrait before the Haunted Forest opened Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, in American Fork.

October has come and gone, and so has fall. The cold of winter is very much here, and probably here for good.

October is always a favorite month of mine. This one went quickly, as most days were jam-packed. High school state tournaments involving multiple sports definitely took the majority of my hours, which often left me to delegate freelancers to cover news events to fulfill the visual needs of the front page. I wouldn't always be able to make it to all of a day's assignments without simply working all day, and I'm thankful to have the ability to assign freelancers and reporters to help put out the best newspaper we can every day with who and what we have.

This month, a story I photographed in late September for the Los Angeles Times published. It is about Randy Merrell, a world-class boot maker and creator of custom orthotics. Randy is best known as a co-founder of Merrell Boots.

Though he is renowned for his footwear craftsmanship, the story focused on not only his lifelong dedication to his craft, but also his faith. To paraphrase greatly, though there is no substitute for Thomas Curwen's touching story, Merrell's life has been touched by heartbreaking tragedy several times, and his steadfast faith has helped him weather some of life's toughest storms.

My personal edit of photos from that story can be seen at the end of this blog. Read and see the LA Times’ presentation of Randy’s story here: provodh.com/gzcvd.

American Fork forward Addie Gardner (7) celebrates after scoring the first and only goal during the 6A state championship match between the American Fork Cavemen and the Davis Darts held Friday, Oct. 25, 2019, at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy.

Runners make their way along the course during the 6A boys race as part of the state cross country meet Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019, at Sugar House Park in Salt Lake City.

Skyridge wide receiver Mitchell Adamson (21) can’t quite reel in a catch as he and the ball go out of bounds during a game between the Skyridge Falcons and the Lone Peak Knights held Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, at Skyridge High School in Lehi.

Henry Nipper, membership director of the Camerail Club of Omaha, Nebraska, helps Carter Lee, 3, and his mother, Kenzie, both of American Fork, down the steps of the experience car as Big Boy No. 4014, a steam locomotive, is displayed to the public Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019, at Union Pacific Railroad’s Provo Yard.

MaryClare Callahan, of Vineyard, begins a dance routine beside Averi Jorgensen, 11, of Lehi, during a class held at Naomi Lou Studios on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, in Pleasant Grove.

Skyridge running back Jeter Fenton (26) raises the ball after initially falling just short of the goal line during a game between the Skyridge Falcons and the Lone Peak Knights held Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, at Skyridge High School in Lehi.

Skyridge wide receiver coach Ethan Wright celebrates a touchdown reception by wide receiver Noah Erickson (9)  during a game between the Skyridge Falcons and the Lone Peak Knights held Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, at Skyridge High School in Lehi.

Brigham Young University sophomore forward Wyatt Lowell poses for a portrait during the basketball program’s media day Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019, at the Marriott Center Annex in Provo.

Brigham Young University sophomore guard Blaze Nield poses for a portrait during the basketball program’s media day Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019, at the Marriott Center Annex in Provo.

Brigham Young University senior forward Yoeli Childs poses for a portrait during the basketball program’s media day Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2019, at the Marriott Center Annex in Provo.

Brigham Young University freshman McKenna Dahl chants “B-Y-U” with fellow students just after they lit their lanterns during the annual Hike and Light the Y homecoming event Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019, at Y Mountain in Provo.

Brigham Young University students make their way down the trail with lanterns after the annual Hike and Light the Y homecoming event Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019, at Y Mountain in Provo.

Pleasant Grove defensive specialist Jade Horsley (3) celebrates a point during a game between the Lone Peak Knights and the Pleasant Grove Vikings held Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019, at Lone Peak High School in Highland.

Westlake’s Michael Moffat gathers himself after finishing with a time of 15:40.5 in the 6A boys race as part of the state cross country meet Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019, at Sugar House Park in Salt Lake City.

Skyridge’s Creed Thompson crosses the finish line to win the 6A boys race with a time of 15:14.3 as part of the state cross country meet Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019, at Sugar House Park in Salt Lake City.

Davis’ Hope Preston, left, consoles Ruth Wright after the 6A girls race as part of the state cross country meet Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2019, at Sugar House Park in Salt Lake City.

Ben Hooley pushes his sleeping children, Emma, 3, and Gehrig, 4, up a path after a jog along the Jordan River Parkway with them and his dog, Swinney, on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Lehi. “I decided at the end of last year that I wanted to take my kids on a marathon a month throughout 2019,” Hooley said, who’s an avid runner. “Someday, they won’t want to spend all this time with me. Until that day, I’ll spend as much time with them as I can.”

Maple Mountain forwards Paola Garcia (17) and Kenlee Nelson (20) celebrate Garcia’s goal that put the Golden Eagles up 1-0 during a 5A state quarterfinals match between the Timpanogos Timberwolves and the Maple Mountain Golden Eagles held Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019, at Timpanogos High School in Orem.

Eric Dowdle, artist and founder of Dowdle Folk Art, poses for a portrait in front of a piece of art he created Monday, Oct. 7, 2019, at his art studio and retail store in Lindon. The piece of art was created for the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary, and toured the country.

Skyridge running back Malae Tanuvasa (11) celebrates with fellow players and students after the Skyridge Falcons defeated the Lone Peak Knights 22-21 on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2019, at Skyridge High School in Lehi.

Traffic flows along Pioneer Crossing near the road’s intersection with Redwood Road on Monday, Oct. 21, 2019, in Saratoga Springs. Pioneer Crossing is almost at its capacity of cars and more people keep moving to the western part of the county on a daily basis. Approximately 50,000 cars a day use the road.

Randy Merrell poses for a portrait with a shoe last among various leathers and other boot-making materials at his workshop, Merrell FootLab, on Monday, Sept. 23, 2019, just outside of Vernal, Utah. Merrell’s journey as a boot maker began when he was a teenager and saw a pair of Tony Lamas in Salt Lake City — brown-lizard wingtips, pointed toes, buck stitching, burgundy uppers and one-and-quarter-inch heels — and he was smitten.

As a teenager, he helped run the family farm in Vernal — 40 acres with Arabian horses — and among his chores was a monthly trip into town to get his father’s shoes repaired. Randy Merrell inspects the fit of trial shoes made from packaging tape on Tom Overton, a lawyer from Evergreen, Colorado, at his workshop, Merrell FootLab, on Monday, Sept. 23, 2019, just outside of Vernal, Utah. Merrell wraps shoe lasts in packaging tape, and then cuts the tape to create a trial shoe that he can inspect on a client’s feet and then make finer adjustments to their shoe lasts.

Randy Merrell and Tom Overton, a lawyer from Evergreen, Colorado, compare two kinds of leather on the hood of Overton’s SUV to decide which will be used to make hiking boots for Overton at Merrell’s workshop, Merrell FootLab, on Monday, Sept. 23, 2019, just outside of Vernal, Utah. On New Year’s Day 1975, he hung a silhouette of a boot out in the front yard of his father’s house and waited for customers. Merrell’s workshop stands next to his Earth-covered home, seen in background, in which his father died helping build when the bulldozer he was driving broke through the ceiling layer.

A piece of stitched leather lies on a workbench at Randy Merrell’s workshop, Merrell FootLab, on Monday, Sept. 23, 2019, just outside of Vernal, Utah.

Randy Merrell and Preston Barker, his apprentice and business partner, work together to remove the outsole of a client’s boot at Merrell’s workshop, Merrell FootLab, on Monday, Sept. 23, 2019, just outside of Vernal, Utah. Barker had been delivering household appliances and jumped when Merrell offered him the job. Had he not, Merrell claims, the business would never have survived.

Randy Merrell walks to a priesthood meeting as part of a service held by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Rock Point Chapel on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Vernal, Utah. Feet and faith have long carried pilgrims through life, and they have sustained Merrell on his journey as well. Through his hardships, Merrell’s faith has given him the understanding and strength to explain the unexplainable.

Randy Merrell greets his friend Connie Fink after a sacrament meeting as part of a service held by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Rock Point Chapel on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Vernal, Utah.

Randy Merrell cleans the grave of his 24-year-old son, Luke, as he visits it as well as his wife’s grave at Dry Fork Cemetery on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, northwest of Vernal, Utah. Luke died in a climbing accident. LouAnn, his wife, died in 2017 after she was swept away by the current of a creek.

Randy Merrell finishes looking at the “Remember The Maine” wall, which was repainted by his now-deceased son, Luke, for its 100th anniversary as an Eagle Scout Service Project in 1997, on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, at Remember The Maine Park northwest of Vernal, Utah. “Remember The Maine” refers to a U.S. Navy ship that sank in Havana Harbor in 1898, reportedly contributing to the outbreak of the Spanish–American War.

A wedding photo of LouAnn and Randy Merrell hangs in their living room Monday, Sept. 23, 2019, just outside of Vernal, Utah. LouAnn, Randy’s wife, died in 2017 after she was swept away by the current of a creek. The two were sealed in a marriage ceremony at the Manti Utah Temple.

Randy Merrell sets off on one of his most frequented hikes Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, near his home just outside of Vernal, Utah. He knows many will say his beliefs are a mask for pain, fear and doubt, but that hardly matters to him.

Randy Merrell poses for a portrait while taking a hike Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, near his home just outside of Vernal, Utah. His conviction is supported by a church where the scrim between earth and heaven is easily parted and couples once sealed are reunited in heaven. Life is not a series of random occurrences but filled instead with signs for those willing to see.