Palisades Fire in California
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In January 2025, the Palisades fire became one of the most serious wildfires in California’s recent history. It destroyed thousands of homes and cars, leaving neighborhoods reduced to ash and steel. Through my lens, I documented the scale of the disaster: roads lined with burned vehicles, entire blocks leveled, and smoke lingering in the air long after the flames had passed. The images show both the raw force of the fire and the deep disruption it caused to everyday life.
By March, I returned to photograph the reconstruction efforts. The destruction was still visible, but so was the work of renewal. Heavy machinery cleared debris, construction crews laid new foundations, and small signs of green began to return to the blackened hillsides. Families sifted through what was left of their homes, while communities came together to plan the rebuilding process. This photo essay follows that progression, offering a visual record of both devastation and the first steps toward recovery.
A restaurant is burnt overnight during the Palisades fire on January 8, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, California, United States of America. There were thousands of houses and buildings were destroyed during the strong Palisades wildfire in early January in Pacific Palisades.
News Media crews cover the Palisades Fire overnight on January 8, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, California. The wildfire in Pacific Palisades, which began on Tuesday, January 7th, quickly spread due to the Santa Ana winds in the Los Angeles area. Hundreds of homes and vehicles have been destroyed, and thousands of people have been evacuated. Firefighters have been battling the blaze overnight, but it remains uncontrollable due to the strong winds. As of now, Cal Fire reports that approximate 3,000 acres of land have been affected.
A resident rides his bike back to the community that are destroyed during the fire on January 11, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, California. In the aftermath of the devastating wildfire in Pacific Palisades, which ultimately consumed more than 22,000 acres, the community is left grappling with the destruction. Thousands of homes, businesses, and vehicles were reduced to ash, leaving residents displaced and heartbroken. The combined efforts of the National Guard and fire departments from multiple areas battle with the fire, and the fire is still burning as January 11th.
At least hundreds of cars that abandoned on the streets are burnt and left the frame only during the Palisades Fire on January 11, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, California. The Palisades fire was one of the serious fire in history and destroyed thousands of houses in just couple of days. The smoke could still be visible over the sky days after.
The houses are destroyed and become ash after the Palisades Fire burnt thousands of acres for days on January 11, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, California. The Palisades fire was one of the serious fire in history and destroyed thousands of houses in just couple of days. The smoke could still be visible over the sky days after.
The aerial view of the burnt houses that left ash behind on March 22, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, California. Please note, this image is taken by drone. Pacific Palisades was one of the cities most severely affected by the Palisades wildfire in January 2025, with thousands of houses and businesses consumed by flames and leaving only ash behind, displacing many residents and devastating the community. Two months later, reconstruction efforts are in full swing as workers clear away ash and burnt materials in the first phase of rebuilding, while simultaneously working to restore essential utilities and help residents reclaim their homes and livelihoods as quickly as possible.
Two home owners of the Pacific Palisades community go back and look for their destroyed houses during the Palisades fire on March 22, 2025. This photo was taken during the reconstruction era as residents are allowed to go back to check for their houses.
A restaurant that burnt and destroyed during the Palisades fire is left with the frame structure as the city put dozens of American flags around the town during the reconstruction on March 22, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California.
Kairos, a retreat journey in Catholic high school
Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School in California hosted a transformative Kairos Retreat in August 2024, offering students a profound opportunity for personal and spiritual growth. The retreat, held over three days at the San Damiano Retreat Center in Danville, CA, created a serene setting for students to explore their faith, build deeper connections with peers, and participate in meaningful dialogues. Activities included guided meditations, group reflections, and inspirational talks from guest speakers, all designed to encourage introspection and foster a strong sense of community. I had the privilege of documenting the retreat’s journey, capturing every stage from preparation and group discussions to the final homecoming ceremony. This experience vividly illustrates how Catholic high school students engage with their faith and personal development, reflecting the school’s dedication to their holistic growth.
Dominic Zahradka, class of 2024 of Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School, was one of the Alumni retreat leader. He prepared for his talk at the retreat center before the students arrived there on August 28th, 2024.
Students from Saint Joseph Notre Dame School arrived at the retreat center on August 28th, 2024.
One of the groups were doing their first small group discussion at the retreat center on August 28th, 2024.
Dominic Zahradka, class of 2024 of Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School, shared his thought on the topic Ideals Inspired By Christ during his talk at the retreat center on August 28th, 2024.
Dominic Zahradka hugged with Geoffrey Godfrey, the Dean of Students at Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School after his talk at the retreat center on August 28th, 2024.
On the first day of Kairos, students and leaders participated in an activity named "cross the line". This was a silent activity that would allow students reflect on their own lives, experiences, values and relationships.
Students played an ice-breaker game called Chicken on the coop at first night at the retreat center on August 28th, 2024.
Deacon Alvaro Santamaria, one of the retreat leader, delivered his talk to students at the retreat center on August 29th, 2024.
Students and leaders played their second ice-breaker game named Love My Neighbor at the retreat center on August 29th, 2024.
Students and their leaders had a small group discussion at the retreat center on August 29th, 2024.
Deacon Alvaro Santamaria took a selfie with the students after small group discussion at the retreat center on August 29th, 2024.
Geoffrey Godfrey, the Dean of Students at Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School, delivered his talk with a topic "Signs of God's" inside the Chapel on August 29th, 2024.
At the late night of second day, leaders distributed the letters from students' families, friends and teachers to students. The students read their letters in dark at the retreat center on August 29th, 2024.
All the students and leaders took a group photo in front of the retreat center before they left on August 30th, 2024.
School hosted a homecoming ceremony for the students and this was the last part of the retreat. Families and students hugged at the homecoming ceremony at Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School on August 30th, 2024.
2024 New Year Eve at Times Square, New York
One day before the countdown to 2024, crowds of people walked through Times Square as usual, while vehicles continued driving on the street. Fences set up for New Year's Eve blocked the sidewalk and some lanes, forcing pedestrians to walk alongside moving traffic.
Although there were still more than 24 hours until the countdown, people had already gathered at Times Square, waiting for the police to organize them into lines for the event.
As people were strolling through Times Square, crew members of the New Year's Eve event worked near the stage, preparing for the upcoming show.
Around 4 p.m. on December 31st, police finally allowed people to pass through security checks and entered the designated Times Square area for the countdown.
As time approached to 2024, more people were allowed to enter the Times Square and they were very excited for the counting down.
When the time came to the 2024 and confetti descended from the skies, many people hugged and kissed each other at Times Square.
Confetti descended from the skies when year comes to 2024 and kept descending for minutes.
After the countdown, tons of confetti were left behind as people departed from Times Square.
Workers of the City of New York's Department of Sanitation (DSNY) cleaned up at Times Square since tons of confetti are left behind as people depart from Times Square.
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