The State’s year in photos: These images capture the most defining moments of 2021

From the COVID-19 pandemic to breaking South Carolina political news from the state’s Capital City, 2021 was an unforgettable year. The State’s photojournalists were there to document the important moments, whether they were stories that made statewide headlines or meaningful local profiles that captured the essence of the Midlands community.

Take a closer look below at some of the photos they’ve taken over the past year that tell the story of 2021.

It was only a year ago that protesters gathered at the State House grounds in Columbia to oppose the election of Joe Biden as the next U.S. president.

The distraction took the coronavirus out of the statewide news for a short while, but as vaccines became approved and people went back to school and work, COVID-19 continued to dominate the news cycle for the rest of the year.

In between these stories, our photographers shared how life goes on, despite the myriad of challenges that came with the pandemic. They captured moments of joy and sorrow, and documented just how amazing the Midlands can be.

With 2022 just around the corner, The State’s photojournalists are ready to hit the ground running. To view more work by photojournalists Tracy Glantz, Joshua Boucher and Jeff Blake over the past year, check out The State’s Instagram @thestatenewspaper.

Which photo was your favorite from 2021? Let us know in the comments below.