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Photo Faves: The Best of 2026 so Far

  • Writer: Dan
    Dan
  • 11 minutes ago
  • 2 min read
Two people walk arm in arm on a misty beach, with mountains and faint seaside houses in black and white.
Mommy & Me

While not writing or working the day job, I can often be found behind the camera. Here are some of my favorite shots from 2026 so far. If I had to choose my favoritest of all, it would probably be the snap above taken on a misty morning at Cannon Beach of the wife and the younger son.


Without further ado, and in no particular order, on to my favorite snaps of 2026 so far.


Photo Faves: The Best of 2026 so Far

Young soccer player in light blue uniform celebrates on a sunny field, with hills, houses, and ECNL tents in the background.
Celebrating the game winner against LA FC SoCal

The older boy has played soccer since he was about four-ish. He started playing with the YMCA, then moved on to the local rec league, and next to select, where he quickly proved himself the best player in that league. Now, he's in ECNL and hopes to soon move on to an MLS Academy (time will tell). This is one of my favorite goal-celebration pictures I've ever captured, despite the shadow obscuring his face. 


Kids playing soccer on a grassy field, one in neon green YMCA shirt, others in red jerseys chasing a ball.
Scoring goals since four-ish

While I enjoy watching soccer, I don't know that I enjoy it enough given the innumerable youth games to attend. Fortunately, I can take pictures of the action from the sidelines.


Blue-and-brown bird perched on a branch, facing left against a soft blurred background.
Blue as my feathers

This is a western bluebird that I encountered on the UCSD campus, my wife's alma mater. I absolutely adore birds, especially ones I don't see very often!


Close-up of a pelican gliding with wings outstretched against a blue sky, its long beak prominent.
Ticket to fly

Is there anything more majestic than a bird in flight, especially one that seems to be able to soar and soar and soar? I'd be hard-pressed to name something that I find more majestic, but that's just me. This is a California brown pelican seen darting over La Jolla Cove. Absolutely love seeing these guys.


Three people smile with a golden retriever under blooming cherry trees on a sunny spring day.
Three Kids & their Mum

Admittedly, this is a pretty standard family portrait. But hey, everybody is looking at the camera and behaving, which is a rarer and rarer thing the older the boys get! Also, I'm pretty pleased with how I isolated my subjects, given the challenging conditions.


Family poses with a golden retriever under blooming cherry trees at a crowded campus, smiling on a sunny spring day.
The aforementioned challenging conditions

Close-up of a golden retriever puppy panting with tongue out against a blurred green background, looking happy and playful
Always Smiling

This is my favorite picture of the newest addition to the family, Coco. Even at her young age, she seems to have already mastered a life skill many people struggle with over the course of a lifetime. That skill is having the confident knowledge that most of life's problems can be overcome with an easy smile and friendly demeanor.


Close-up of a red ladybug on a white daisy with a bright yellow center, showing tiny pollen grains on the petals.
Fierce Lady

I do enjoy my macro photography, especially of insects of all kinds. Ladybugs have always been a favorite subject—they are just so cute and colorful and full of personality.


Two boys in yellow-and-black Valor soccer uniforms walk on a sunny field, focused, with blurred teammates and trees behind them.
Heart of the defense

Last but certainly not least is the younger lad with his compadre at the center of their team's defense. These fellows form the Rock of Gibraltar—rough, tough, and indomitable!

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