Qing Wei Cultural Troupe performs a lion and Dragon dance to cap off the night at the Tet Lunar New Year Festival in Santa Ana. Credit: GIL BOTHWELL, Voice of OC
This year, Voice of OC had its largest team of photographers to date.
With a mix of freelancers, reporters, fellows and student journalists, Voice of OC captured community festivals, coastal erosions, fires, election day, public meetings, and much more.
We also expanded visual coverage into San Diego, where we captured images of the much anticipated Panda exhibition at the San Diego Zoo, which included a pair of Giant Pandas, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao.
In 2024, we also incorporated political cartoons in our coverage–when a Santa Ana City Council media policy penned photojournalists to a designated media corner in the chambers.
Discussion on revising the media policy is yet to happen.
Natalie Madero, 9, poses in front of one portion of the restored murals on Civic Center Dr. in Santa Ana while her family takes photos of her on Sept. 8, 2024. CREDIT: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
Community members sign the ghost bike memorial for Jacob Ramirez, 5, who was declared brain dead after he and his family were struck by a drunk driver in Garden Grove. Ghost bikes are small memorials for bicyclists who are killed or hit on the street. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC
Claire McKenna, an instructor at the OC Equestrian Center, protests with her horse December outside the OC Fair on Aug. 1, 2024. Credit: ANGELINA HICKS, Voice of OC.
From left, Cesar Medina and Rosa Pizano, stand in front of the wall they hope to paint a mural with the help of the community. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
Evan Moreno, 15, holds a print of one of his photographs shown at the Santa Ana Visual Voices Photo Exhibition on June 8, 2024. Moreno is one of ten youth photographers featured in the exhibition. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC
In Laguna Beach, Calif., volunteers work together to collect native plant seeds at the Laguna Canyon Foundation headquarters on Oct. 5, 2024. Credit: Fashion Castillo, Voice of OC
Daniel Jennings moves the colors after starting the incinerator during a flag retirement ceremony at the VFW Post 3173 on Oct. 12, 2024. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC
David Heuer in Stagecoach South Trail in Laguna Beach, Calif., on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Heuer is one of the 130 volunteers who are connected to the OC Parks. Credit: KENDAL RONEY, Voice of OC
Orange County residents flock to Newport Beach at sunset on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. The beach provided an escape to many individuals who wished to cool off amidst the record breaking heat wave. Credit: JOSIAH MENDOZA, Voice of OC
Yousfa Janjua, 40 (right) and her son Haadi Kahlid, 10 (left) cross a creek in Black Star Canyon on Saturday, August 3, 2024. Credit: MAXIMO SANTANA Voice of OC
La Catrina, wearing a dress made of corn husks, walks with a candle to light the altars at Noche de Altares in Sana Ana, California, on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. Credit: ANNIE LEWIS Voice of OC
Robert Faigin, Orange County’s Executive Director of the Office of Independent Review, attends the March 12, 2024 board of supervisors meeting. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
Construction crews clean up landslides that closed down the Surfliner rail line on San Clemente’s coast, near Casa Romantica and the San Clemente Pier. Credit: GIL BOTHWELL, Voice of OC
From left to right: members of the OC Indian Woman Group Aarti, Seema Choudhary, Aditi Simlote, Indu Deshpande and Vashali play with colored powder at Bill Barber Park in Irvine on March 11, 2023. Credit: HOSAM ELATTAR, Voice of OC
People gather around booths to learn more about the Disneyland Forward project and plans at the Downtown Anaheim Community Center in April 2024. Credit: Fashion Castillo-Delgadillo
When the shelter is closed, Jenae Reidy, 32, and her family, who are homeless, walk miles to different leasing offices in Newport Beach looking for potential leads in affordable housing. Credit: JULIE LEOPO, Voice of OC
Evangelina Chavez, 5, and her grandmother Felicitas Carachure at the 2024 4th of July celebration at Centennial Park in Santa Ana. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC
A federal agent outside the home of Andrew Do’s daughter, Rhiannon Do, on Aug. 22, 2024. The home is located in the City of Tustin. Credit: ERIKA TAYLOR, Voice of OC
