Assignment photography is not a core part of my business, but an area of that I enjoy covering. So when The Herald or Valley News calls with a job I try to say yes as often as possible. I shot contra dancing, a fair amount of sports - including a couple championship games, politics, manufacturing (for Seven Days), graduations, a parade, the Women's March, among others. Here are 50 of my favorites and be sure to check out the year in review images from our local news sources and their talented photographers.

The Ed Larkin Contra Dancers, lead by Bill Mattoon, enjoyed their monthly gathering at the Tunbridge Town Hall on Friday night. Rachel Sommers of Orford and Sara Grabowski of South Royalton, making their first visit to the group, look on as the older generation move across the dance floor. Soon they joined in on the fun.(Herald / Ben DeFlorio) An estimated 15,000 people gathered peacefully in Montpelier on Saturday to participate in the Vermont Women's March & Unity Rally. It was one of many marches held throughout the country and world to voice support for women's rights and human rights. The marches were organized in the wake of the election of President Donald Trump. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) An estimated 15,000 people gathered peacefully in Montpelier on Saturday to participate in the Vermont Women's March & Unity Rally. It was one of many marches held throughout the country and world to voice support for women's rights and human rights. The marches were organized in the wake of the election of President Donald Trump. Organizer Katie McCarty leads the march down State Street. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) An estimated 15,000 people gathered peacefully in Montpelier on Saturday to participate in the Vermont Women's March & Unity Rally. It was one of many marches held throughout the country and world to voice support for women's rights and human rights. The marches were organized in the wake of the election of President Donald Trump. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) An estimated 15,000 people gathered peacefully in Montpelier on Saturday to participate in the Vermont Women's March & Unity Rally. It was one of many marches held throughout the country and world to voice support for women's rights and human rights. The marches were organized in the wake of the election of President Donald Trump. Casey Grimes of Randolph attended with his whole family. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) An estimated 15,000 people gathered peacefully in Montpelier on Saturday to participate in the Vermont Women's March & Unity Rally. It was one of many marches held throughout the country and world to voice support for women's rights and human rights. The marches were organized in the wake of the election of President Donald Trump. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) An estimated 15,000 people gathered peacefully in Montpelier on Saturday to participate in the Vermont Women's March & Unity Rally. It was one of many marches held throughout the country and world to voice support for women's rights and human rights. The marches were organized in the wake of the election of President Donald Trump. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) Peter Reed crosses the train tracks with his lunch in a snow coated Randolph on Tuesday. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) Brookfield's annual ice harvest was held on Sunset Lake in Pond Village on Saturday. Italian exchange student Martina Gressoni, who is attending Randolph Union High School, takes a turn cutting and hoisting a block of ice from the lake. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) Jane Lane takes her four dogs out for a walk during the midst of the snowstorm on Tuesday afternoon in Randolph. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) The former peavine railroad freighthouse in Rochester, which was saved from a fire last fall, is currently being renovated by Cheryl and Ray Harvey. When completed it will serve as commercial space for two tenants. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) Down in sand and slush, Ben Harvey works on beefing up the floor structure of the former Peavine railroad freighthouse. Once renovations are complete to the building it will serve as commercial space for two tenants. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) Dartmouth first baseman Michael Ketchmark receives congratulations from teammates after hitting a key two-run home run in game one of a doubleheader with Brown on Sunday. Dartmouth went on to win by a 3-1 final score. (Photo by Ben DeFlorio) Kyle Pratson of Sharon enjoyed the warm weather on Sunday by riding his bmx bike at the Lebanon Skate Park. (Photo by Ben DeFlorio) Sam Sammis sold 149 acres that he had previously tried to develop near exit 4 to The Castanea Foundation who intends to preserve it as agricultural land. If the Preservation Trust of Vermont can raise $1 million by June 15th they will purchase the final 22 acres ending any development plans for the land. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) As part of her duties as a student member of Vermont State Colleges Board of Trustees Randolph's Morgan Easton was part of the platform party at Vermont Tech's Commencement on Saturday. Morgan is slated to graduate next year. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) Vermont Tech graduated over 500 students at three Commencement ceremonies on their Randolph Center campus this past weekend. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) Vermont Tech graduated over 500 students at three Commencement ceremonies on their Randolph Center campus this past weekend. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) Ben at GW With a 4.85m jump, Woodstock's Anna Dieffenbach won the long jump title at the D3 Vermont State Meet at Green Mountain Union High School in Chester on Saturday. (Photo by Ben DeFlorio) South Royalton senior Nicholas Howe crashes over Danville catcher Taylor call, missing home plate, but the ball came loose and he scrambled back to score the games first run in early action of the D4 Vermont State Championship game at Centennial Field in Burlington on Friday night. South Royalton went on to defeat Danville in a 4-0 shutout. (Photo by Ben DeFlorio) The South Royalton Royals mob together after pitcher Joshua Scoskie threw out the final runner to secure a 4-0 victory over Danville in the D4 Vermont State Championship baseball final at Centennial Field in Burlington on Friday night. (Photo by Ben DeFlorio) South Royalton captains hoist the championship plaque after defeating Danville 4-0 in the D4 Vermont State baseball final at Centennial Field in Burlington on Friday night. (Photo by Ben DeFlorio) Oxbow catcher Bailee Wheeler points out to Sara Walker who drove her in during the D3 Vermont softball final in Poultney on Saturday. Oxbow went on to defeat Leland & Gray by a score of 11-2. (Photo by Ben DeFlorio) Oxbow senior Sara Walker hugs head coach Robin Wozny as teammates celabrate after the final out of Vermont D3 softball final in Poultney on Saturday. Oxbow defeated Leland & Gray by a score of 11-2 to complete an undefeated season. (Photo by Ben DeFlorio) Sixty-three graduates received their diplomas at Randolph Union High School's commencement in Randolph, VT., on June 16, 2017. Fireworks were visible from the village on Monday night in Randolph. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) People filled the downtown as Randolph hosted their annual 4th of July Parade on Tuesday. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) People filled the downtown as Randolph hosted their annual 4th of July Parade on Tuesday. Logan Farmer doned his "Patriot Suit" for the occasion. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) The White River National Fish Hatchery in Bethel held a re-opening ceremony on Friday afternoon after completing repairs from Irene damage. Speakers included Senator Patrick Leahy and Representative Peter Welch. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) The White River National Fish Hatchery in Bethel held a re-opening ceremony on Friday afternoon after completing repairs from Irene damage. Speakers included Senator Patrick Leahy and Representative Peter Welch. Mary Russ of the White River Partnership and her son Siler spoke with Leahy following the festivites. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) Vermont Representative Peter Welch toured downtown Bethel businesses on Friday afternoon. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) In a rehearsal of the Funnery production of Hamlet, The players with Ariadne Abetti center arrive at Elsinore. The cast made up of students from several area schools put on performances last Friday and Saturday at behind the Tunbridge elementary school. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) Colette Schmidt chips out of the sand on hole number three during the opening round at the New Hampshire Golf Association state amateur championship at Eastman golf links in Grantham on Monday morning. (Photo by Ben DeFlorio) Former champion Tara Watt lines up her putt with help from her caddy Bob Mickle on hole number eight during the opening round at the New Hampshire Golf Association state amateur championship at Eastman golf links in Grantham on Monday morning. (Photo by Ben DeFlorio) Long time competitor Dale Nims reacts after narrowly missing a putt on hole number nine during the opening round at the New Hampshire Golf Association state amateur championship at Eastman golf links in Grantham on Monday morning. (Photo by Ben DeFlorio) South Royalton Boy's soccer hosted Arlington in a division IV playoff matchup Friday afternoon. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) Chelsea Girl's soccer hosted Richford in a division IV playoff matchup Friday afternoon. (Herald / Ben DeFlorio) Grace Best