From the collapse of a portion of the historic Santa Cruz Wharf to local tensions over the war in Gaza, 2024 proved to be a year of stark contrasts and profound change in Santa Cruz County.
Through his camera lens, Lookout photojournalist Kevin Painchaud captured a community grappling with Mother Nature, marking cultural milestones, clashing in heated confrontations and navigating life’s greatest challenges.
Here are some of his favorite photos of 2024:
Jan. 9
After a crazy 2023, it felt good to be on the beach and capture a moment of a man standing in front of the cement ship at Seacliff State Beach taking a photo during the king tide.
Read: King tides are back in Santa Cruz County this week
Jan. 26
Walking along the Pajaro River in Watsonville early in the morning for the annual point-in-time count — the measure of homelessness — light from the early morning sun rising along with smoke from a campfire burning under the bridge produced a beautiful silhouette of men counting the number of homeless people living along the banks of the river.
Read: Santa Cruz County’s point-in-time count remains an imperfect measure of homelessness
Feb. 11
After Michael, the husband of Lookout columnist Claudia Sternbach, was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, I was honored to spend time with the couple during Michael’s last few months. This photo I took shows the heavy emotions Claudia had to endure knowing that the time she had with the love of her life was ending soon.
Read: Michael has always made excellent decisions in life; now he will determine how to die
March 8
I had the opportunity to shoot Jon Payne from the band Wolf Jett in a new studio that he rebuilt after losing his house in the CZU fire. Wolf Jett’s guitarist, Chris Jones, plays a few notes with Payne on drums behind him. I love how the sun beaming through the window in front of Jones gives his guitar a beautiful glow.
Read: With a new album and recording studio rebuilt post-CZU, Wolf Jett closes a circle
April 1
I got to spend a couple hours shooting creative photos with the Santa Cruz Warriors. Out of the shoot, this is one of my favorites. The dramatic lighting shows off the athleticism of Warriors forward Donovan Williams.
Read: Crunch time: Santa Cruz Warriors hit the road in quest for playoff return
April 7
Anytime I get to photograph Nane Alejandrez, it’s a true honor. Alejandrez is a social justice powerhouse who has changed the lives of countless people through the decades. I feel that this portrait I shot for Wallace Baine’s series The Shapers captures Alejandrez’s strength and determination.
Read: The Shapers: Nane Alejandrez has been lending a hand and changing lives for 50 years
April 28
National Women’s Hall of Famer Sandy Stone has contributed to everything from computer science to music and transgender studies. In this portrait I took of Stone, I love how the vibrant colors of her studio reflect the extraordinary life that she has led.
Read: From Hell to the Hall of Fame: The astonishing story of Sandy Stone
April 29
This photo captures the moment before activist Thairie Ritchie spoke in front of a crowd of about 30 people ahead of a community safety forum at Santa Cruz City Hall. The forum discussed public safety reforms following the controversial arrest of a Black cyclist by several Santa Cruz police officers earlier that month.
Read: In wake of SCPD cyclist arrest, speakers voice frustrations, push for public safety reforms in community forum
May 31
More than 100 police officers from across the state faced off with pro-Palestine demonstrators at UC Santa Cruz; dozens were arrested during the standoff at the campus entrance. This black-and-white photograph illustrates the tension between students and the police who descended upon the campus.
Read: Dozens arrested as police descend on pro-Palestine encampment at UCSC
June 16
I had the honor of taking the portrait of Santa Cruz jazz/gospel vocalist Tammi Brown at her house ahead of her performance at Kuumbwa Jazz Center. Brown, who is facing Stage 4 cancer, was named Santa Cruz County’s artist of the year. I love how this photo expresses her love of life and joy.
Read: After a brush with death, singer Tammi Brown embraces her second chance at life
Sept. 9
The grueling toll that the Ironman 70.3 Santa Cruz triathlon takes on competitors is etched on this athlete’s face in this photo.
Read: Ironman 70.3 Santa Cruz triathlon draws 2,200 from 33 countries
Oct. 7
I love this photo because of the expression of the two young boys and the gaze of the older man holding them, all three of them holding candles, during a vigil to mark the first anniversary of the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and of the war in Gaza that ensued.
Read: Photos: Santa Cruz anniversary vigil protests war in Gaza
Oct. 14
A lot is captured in this one photo, taken during a tour of repair work on West Cliff Drive, which was battered by storms in early 2023. On the left you can see homes, in the foreground is a giant drill, and to the right of the drill is a line of workers walking back to work. Behind them is Monterey Bay.
Read: Carmageddon: As West Cliff repairs continue, crews call scale of work ‘unprecedented’
Oct. 25
This may be my favorite photo ever taken with my iPhone. Besides getting married and having my daughter, Tess, this is the greatest event of my life: winning the FREAKING PULITZER PRIZE with the most amazing team in all journalism.
Read: Lookout’s night at the Pulitzers
Dec. 6
This photo captures a touching embrace between Micah Montagna and Xavier Gonzalez as they anticipate the opening of LBGTQ+ pub The Neighbor’s in downtown Santa Cruz.
Read: Years in the making, The Neighbor’s gives LGBTQ+ community a long-awaited bar to belly up to
Dec. 22
This portrait captures the infectious and joyful spirit of sitar master Ashwin Batish. Batish and his family have been Santa Cruz mainstays for more than 50 years. His famous father, Bollywood veteran and Indian master musician S.D. Batish, looks on from a photo prominently displayed in the Batish home.
Read: Santa Cruz’s celebrated Batish family to ring in the new year
Dec. 23
I love how the spectator on the right looks in disbelief as he watches the restrooms from the Santa Cruz Wharf float toward the shore by Seabright State Beach. A 150-foot section of the wharf collapsed into Monterey Bay during major swells.
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