Columbia photographer makes it into TIME’s top photographs of 2021
A Columbia-based photojournalist took one of the most striking photos of the year, according to TIME Magazine.
A photo by Sean Rayford made it into TIME’s Top 100 Photos of 2021.
The photo depicts a person visiting the Waynesboro, Ga., grave of Ahmaud Arbery, a Black man who in February was jogging through a neighborhood and was chased down and killed by three white men.
“There are some iconic photos and photographers included in this collection, and it’s a honor to share this space with them here,” Rayford said. “We’ve reached a point where it’s quite challenging for photojournalists to maintain roles working in this field, and I’m fortunate to have found some folks to work with. They allow me to do something that I love and something that I think has value to society now and to future generations. In this case I have to say thanks to my editors at Getty Images: Pierce, Sandy and Jerry.”
Rayford is a freelance photojournalist who works with Getty Images, The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Associated Press, The State and others, according to the biography on his website. His work was recently featured in the Hindsight 20/20 exhibit at the Columbia Museum of Art. Rayford graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2001.
Rayford’s work is often seen in the pages of The State, particularly his photographs of Gamecock sporting events. He also takes photos for The State during major news events in the Midlands. In May, he took photos moments after a shooting in Five Points as police began investigating.
Also included in the TIME list were photos depicting the Jan. 6 insurrection, a hospital’s COVID ward, wildfires in Greece as well as others.
This story was originally published November 26, 2021 at 1:58 PM.