We were uncertain what kind of year would take shape when 2022 began.

Like last year, it was somber, as a community mourned the death of a family in a Fairmount apartment fire. Inquirer photojournalists took readers through a year of being in the spotlight, something many may have grown used to by now. From elections to playoffs, Philly was at the top of many conversations this year.

Despite it not being a presidential election year, the nation watched to see how Senate and governor races would turn out and impact the direction of the state and the country.

Philadelphia’s sports teams were there for us. We celebrated as the Union and the Phillies made it to the highest competitions of their sports. Both lost, but the highs were high enough and could carry us through the lows.

Ours is a city that endures. On the court, the streets, down the Shore. Our citizens celebrated life, mourned loss, and showed up for one another in what has become another year of uncertainty, from the pandemic to the economy to access to health care.

These are the pictures from 2022 that stood out and that we share in our annual Year in Photos.

— Rachel Molenda, Digital Photo Editor