CANADIAN PRESS

Andrew Vaughan

Where is He?: I was sent to New York around noon on Sept. 11, 2001.I saw Rachel Uchitel outside Bellvue Hospital in Manhattan looking for her fiancé, James Andrew O’Grady, two days after the terrorist attack.

O’Grady worked on the 104th floor of WTC 2 and died in the terrorist attack. The pair had just returned from a trip to Greece the previous weekend and was planning a May 2002 wedding.

With O’Grady’s job in the world of high finance and Uchitel’s job at Bloomberg, they epitomized a modern western world ideal. This all came to a horrible end.

In desperation, Uchitel searched for O’Grady on the streets of Manhattan. Unlike other tragic events that I have covered, the families and friends of the WTC victims approached journalists in their attempts to find their loved ones. They wanted their pictures taken to help with their searches.

Uchitel was composed when she approached a group of reporters, but broke down when she started her emotional appeal. The photo received wide play across Canada
and around the world.

A Proud Cape Breton Miner: The photo of Gerald Jennings was taken after the last shift at the Prince Mine in Point Aconi, Nova Scotia, on Nov. 23, 2001.

Coal mining had come to an end in Cape Breton. Journalists were not allowed on the mine site. So we remained at the gate near the parking lot. As the last shift left the mine, the miners showered, changed and left the mine site with their belongings stuffed in garbage bags. Wearing street clothes, the final walk to the parking lot was uneventful.

After a period of time, a lone figure headed up the road from the change house. It was Jennings. The 25-year veteran of the mines had decided not to shower but to take the coal dust with him as he left for the last time. He headed to his vehicle, a weary but proud Cape Breton coal miner.

BALD EAGLE ATTACK: Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley is home to the largest wintering population of bald eagles in Eastern North America.

In this shot, a mature bird attacks a younger foe as they vie for some carrion. It’s fairly unusual to witness this type of behavior because the birds typically rest in the trees. Using the equivalent of an 800mm lens, I was able to capture this moment.

The Canadian Press’Andrew Vaughan entered a portfolio consisting of 20 images from 2001. The CAJ, on the entry form states “The objective is not to find the single best photograph, but to reward journalistic vision, consistent quality and a body of work that reflects his or her professionalism and journalistic abilities.”

Vaughan chose the five photographs, along with explanations about the images

PHOTO-OP OF A FALLEN LEADER: Stockwell Day and his wife Valorie visited dwindling party faithful at a lake retreat in rural New Brunswick.

The few journalists covering the event were met with muted hostility from organizers who, I think, felt journalists were responsible for Day’s woes. At one point they threatened to turf us from the venue, but we maintained our ground. The resulting photo received wide play, capturing a warm “family” moment.

WE DID IT!: On a cold November 11 evening, I shot the national university soccer championship game.

It was a miserable time. The field was poorly lit and it was raining. The game was tied and it looked as if it would go on all night. The Wilfred Laurier Golden Hawks scored late in the match to take the lead, and the victory. The player’s reaction made my discomfort vanish.