Every year, we share a collection of photographs that are community favorites –– each fostering conversation, faves, group interactions, and more. But there’s another story to be told this year and that’s the story of how you, the Flickr community, documented, shared, and opened up about the year that we’ve had. As 2020 comes to an end, we know that we’ll be looking back on these photos for many years to come and continue discussing the stories that they captured.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic changed life as we know it. You’ve photographed and shared how the world around you has changed as the pandemic has unfolded.

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Your photos share the stories of the heroes that we lost but that we’ll surely never forget.

…And of heroes that are working tirelessly to save lives and protect public health.

…And of those who work to make sure we have the essentials during these difficult times.

You adapted how you practice photography with socially distanced portraits, some of which still managed to capture hope, comfort, and smiles.

…And there were a lot more shots taken at home.

You changed how you work, teach, practice hobbies, and care for loved ones.

You documented a U.S. presidential election that was unprecedented in many ways.

…And continued the important work of documenting elections, political proceedings, and more worldwide.

Despite the global pandemic, there were still moments of magic and whimsy.

Moments of joy.

Families grew…

And to some we said goodbye.

There were still celebrations to capture.

And ceremonies to share with the world.

And virtual communities to find comfort and connection in.

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But there were also much needed moments of reflection, outcry, and protest.

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You reminded us to say the names of people lost to senseless violence.

And to actively fight and stand for the fact that Black Lives Matter.

You captured the beauty of nature.

And the wonder of the cosmos.

While we tried to limit where we went and who we came in contact with, your photos took us on a visual journey of every continent.

…And made us imagine that we were rocketing into space.

We’d like to leave you with a few more of the images you shared, that captured light, and hope, and more of what we hope tomorrow brings.

 

Some thought that 2020 was the year that was “lost” but what you captured and shared is what was found. We found that as a community of communities, photography was and will be the center of every narrative and every event in our lives–big and small. Thank you for the views from your lenses and because of you, others will be able to see what was found as well.