December 2022, Photographer Chris Bowling
As the weather turned cold, the sound of backhoes tearing into concrete, steel and glass began filling downtown. After a year-long struggle filled with protests, anonymous Twitter threads and heated proclamations about the city’s lack of transparency during public meetings, the W. Dale Clark Library finally began to fall.
During October and November crews carved away at the brutalist structure that was once a centerpiece of downtown Omaha and the city’s downtown library branch.
This photo, taken on Nov. 10 2022, captures some of the last days of the structure before being leveled to make way for a 677-foot, 44-story Mutual of Omaha skyscraper.
Chris Bowling is the News Editor at The Reader. chris@thereader.com, @chrismbowling
November 2022, Photographer Amaris Stebbing
Kurt Vile, a psych-pop multi-instrumentalist from Pennsylvania, visited Omaha’s Admiral Theater on Oct. 20. Known for his off beat songs and twangy lyrics, Vile played a myriad of new and old songs. The singer-songwriter was joined by Julia Shapiro (of Chastity Belt), who opened the show with an alternative/indie set. www.byamarisstebbing.com, follow on IG @marby._
October 2022, Photographer Bridget Fogarty
Kendra Dunn, a student of Flamenco Omaha, performs her solo dance on the Gene Leahy Mall amphitheater stage at the Omaha Mobile Stage Youth Talent Show on September 9, 2022. Follow Report for America corps member Bridget Fogarty on Twitter @BridgeFogs.
September 2022, Photographer Amaris Stebbing
(Aug 13, 2022) Nikki Monninger (bass, vocals) of Silversun Pickups, an alternative rock band based out of LA. This was taken during a performance at Outlandia Festival held at Falconwood Park in Bellevue. Outlandia is a new music festival featuring live music artists and supporting the local community. Photo credit: Amaris Stebbing, www.byamarisstebbing.com, follow on IG @marby
August 2022, Photographer Masey Ringlein
June 25th, 2022 – Micah Ringlein and his daughter, Miriam, enjoy some summer morning swingset time before the heat at Conoco Park in Omaha, NE.
Photo credit: Masey Ringlein @mmeringlein maseyrost@gmail.com
July 2022, Photographer Mike Machian
A sudden, destructive thunderstorm briefly blanketed Omaha neighborhood streets and yards with marble sized hail on Monday, June 7. Image was taken in the parking lot of the Livestock Exchange Building, 30th and L Streets.
Photo by Mike Machian. Follow @shoottofill on Instagram, contact at shoottofill@gmail.com
June 2022, Photographer Mike Machian
May 14, 2022. This unidentified woman was among hundreds of people who showed up at a reproductive rights rally at Omaha City Hall. The gathering was one of a nationwide wave of more than 100 “Bans off Our Bodies” protests.
The event was to rally support and provide a plan of action for everyone in attendance. The rally marched down to the Old Market before it disbanded.
Photo by Mike Machian. Follow @shoottofill on Instagram, contact at shoottofill@gmail.com
May 2022, Photographer Jacob Greve
“A child walks in front of the Millennium Park Monument at night. Shot on iPhone 5.”
—Photographer Jacob Greve, Instagram @jacob.grieves
April 2022, Photographer Mike Machian
“With the exception of the last Maha I haven’t shot a real concert in two years. Maybe this is why I felt the need to shoot over a thousand photos of just one band. That band, The Bedrock, and I were both making our first appearance in the newly christened Shakedown Street Tavern (formerly Barley Street) in Benson. It felt good to be in a packed venue seeing and shooting live music again. I don’t know if the nightmare of the last two years is over yet, but tonight it kinda felt like it.”
—Mike Machian
Photo by Mike Machian. Follow @shoottofill on Instagram, contact at shoottofill@gmail.com.
March 2022, Photographer Duane Vosika
Mild weather reveals patches of still water on the ice during an early February sunset at Chalco Hills Recreation Area.
The 245-acre Wehrspann Lake is part of the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, located at the Interstate 80/Highway 50 junction.
Photo by Duane Vosika, @sixhexsix on Instagram and Facebook, dvcaptures.com.
February 2022, Photographer Duane Vosika
Christmas Eve in downtown Omaha. This long exposure was captured at 17th and Dodge Streets, looking east from the Central City Parking Garage.
Photo by Duane Vosika, @sixhexsix on Instagram and Facebook, dvcaptures.com.
January 2022, Photographer Duane Vosika
Inspired by “Blades of Glory,” Colter Bowers and Jade Korn perform a double lyra routine during the Winter Wonderland Circus at The Max in downtown Omaha on Sunday, December 5, 2021. The burlesque show was put on by Norsefyre, a traveling circus troupe specializing in aerials and fire spinning.
Photo by Duane Vosika, @sixhexsix on Instagram and Facebook, dvcaptures.com.
December 2021, Photographer Mike Machian
Like almost everything, Benson’s Omaha Zombie Walk was cancelled last year. Like many post-pandemic events, it returned, less organized and smaller.
While there was impressive makeup in the crowd, the mini Michael Myers (Halloween) stole the spotlight. Everyone wanted to have their photo taken with him. This included a girl in a stroller who looked lovingly at him as a child might look at Santa Claus. However we were still thankful for the opportunity to be scared by a pint-sized horror icon.
Photo by Mike Machian. Follow @shoottofill on Instagram, contact at shoottofill@gmail.com.
November 2021, Photographer Bayani Seldera
“City View seems like fiction, as if it came out of a comic book. The less than stellar reputation combined with gaudy signage makes me feel like I’m looking at something from my childhood.
This piece is a visual comparison to that fictitious attitude.” — Photographer Bayani Seldera
Instagram: @SartorialRamblings
Email: SartorialRamblings@gmail.com
October 2021, Photographer Naomi Delkamiller
A week after the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity became the subject of a sexual assault investigation, almost every Greek house at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln raised a banner in support of sexual assault survivors.
On Aug. 30, students walked to class with the words “kNOw more” scattered throughout campus. “kNOw more” is a student-run organization on campus dedicated to raising awareness of and fighting against rape culture on college campuses. The investigation against Phi Gamma Delta is still ongoing.
Photo by Naomi Delkamiller
Socials: Instagram @nrddigital website effloresce-ing.com
September 2021, Photographer Duane Vosika
Norsefyre fire arts troupe member Megan Garcia performs acrofire at the first annual Gothicon.
Norsefyre is a group of professional event performers who perform a unique blend of circus, fire breathing and acrobatics at local concerts and special events. The inaugural Gothicon event was a gathering of goth and Comicon enthusiasts, held at Haunted Hollow on August 7, 2021.
Photo by Duane Vosika, @sixhexsix on Instagram and Facebook, dvcaptures.com.
August 2021, Photographer Mike Machian
“I’ve been shooting lighting for over 10 years and combining multiple strikes into one photo for just a year. This is only the fourth composite I’ve done, but this has been the most memorable of any I’ve shot. For one, we lost power right at the beginning of the storm. So instead of all the street lights of South Omaha you just see a dark outline. Secondly, the blueish lightning and fierce winds actually had me nervous for the first time ever. It wasn’t until I walked around the next day that I saw what went down.”
Photographer Mike Machian. Follow @shoottofill on Instagram, contact at shoottofill@gmail.com
July 2021, Photographer Mike Machian
June 12, 2021 Omaha’s 100th annual Cinco de Mayo Parade was finally held in June after being postponed for 13 and a half months because of the pandemic.
Despite a smaller crowd and a few masks, the perfect weather and enthusiastic participants made everything feel normal again. This equestrian carried her chihuahua with her as she rode in the parade. Afterwards, she let the crowds pet her horse, but the tiny dog may have stolen the show.
Photo by Mike Machian. Follow @shoottofill on Instagram, contact at shoottofill@gmail.com
June 2021, Photographer Alina Lopez
May 19, 2021 — Omaha South’s boys soccer team celebrates a hard-fought overtime leading to a thrilling PK shootout victory over Lincoln Southwest. The win marked the school’s second consecutive title and fourth championship in school history.
Photo by Alina Lopez
Instagram: @glamourup.alina
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Glamourup.alina/
May 2021, Photographer Mike Machian
March 26, 2021 — Kate Voka of Develop Model Management wears an avant-garde design by Dan Richters at a small gathering promoting Omaha Fashion Week. The event also launched the new Garden Room at 15th and Capitol and previewed a new cross-shaped runway. Photo by Mike Machian. Follow @shoottofill on Instagram, contact at shoottofill@gmail.com
April 2021, Photographer Sam Foo
“This photo was taken in Tokyo, Japan. I was visiting with Chefs Kane Adkisson of Kano and David Utterback of Yoshitomo working on projects for the two of them with my brother. The city was loud but peaceful, the buildings seem to reach the sky but are surrounded by natural landscapes. There is a rhythm to the streets from busy footsteps and the ambient noise of traffic, like well composed music it fills your ears beckoning you to listen and join in. The fragrance of food in the air tempts you to stay there forever and continues to call me back like a singing siren.” — Photographer Sam Foo
March 2021, Photographer Duane Vosika
February 2021, Photographer Duane Vosika
January 2021, Photographer Eric Francis
“I am one of the lucky ones. My family and loved ones are, and have been, healthy. There have been scares. I have had exposures, my wife has had symptoms. We wore masks around our children for days while awaiting test results. We watched our 2 month old stop smiling because he could not see our smiles. We both tested negative, and moved on.”
December 2020, Photographer Eric Francis
“This year was our year, my last ride with my best friends in the world, and it was stolen from us. It is absolutely heart wrenching to watch all these teams play every Friday night when I didn’t even get the chance. I never would have imagined in a million years that I wouldn’t be able to play my senior football season. I’ve looked forward to it since I was eight years old. The feeling of loss is indescribable.”
November 2020, Photographer Bernardo Montoya
October 2020, Photographer Mike Machian
September 2020, Photo by Andre Sessions
August 2020, Photo by Mike Machian
