We have pretty incredible contributors here on our team at The Bend. The writers’ and photographers’ hard work and creativity produce the stories you fall in love with each month. One of our favorite parts of the editorial process is getting the first layout proof and seeing how the stories and images come together to paint the full picture.
Plenty of preparation and planning takes place to get to that final product. Tons of meetings, scheduling between multiple parties, interviews, pivots and problem-solving, inevitable moments of magic on shoot locations, photo selection and editing, layouts, more edits and more edits, and eventually, an issue filled with the telling of local stories, dreams, hard times, success stories and everything in between.
Though our team has had its sights set on 2024 for some time now, we’re reminiscing on the past year and the stories we shared. From capturing local artists’ personalities and small business owners in their natural element to delicious food and drink setups and gorgeous Coastal Bend homes, here are 15 photos from 2023 that we just can’t get enough of, and the stories they helped tell.
Local musician Claudia Melton poses with her keyboard. | January 2023 | In Conversation with Claudia Melton
Photography by Shoocha Photography
Luis Puron, executive director of the Rockport Center for the Arts walks through a gallery in the new facility. | February 2023 | A Look Inside the New Rockport Center for the Arts
Photography by Lillian Reitz
CCPATCH executive director Cheryl Votzmeyer-Rios inside the historic Ritz Theatre. | February 2023 | CCPATCH’s New Executive Director on Her Vision for Revitalizing The Ritz Theatre
Photography by Lillian Rietz
A full pastry case at Central Kitchen, located in the Water Street Market. | February 2023 | Where to Eat Now in Corpus Christi and the Surrounding Areas
Photography by Rachel Benavides
Leslie Hipp & Chessie the Micro Goldendoodle take a family portrait. | March 2023 | Family Resemblance: Coastal Bend Pets and Their Twin Owners
Photography by Shoocha Photography
A dining room filled with pattern and texture inside a historic home on Ocean Drive. | March 2023 | Estate of Wonder: Historic Corpus Christi Home’s Majestic Charm
Photography by Jason Page
The owners of Needles and Fins, Erich Fraustro and Rachael Chaney pose inside their store. | April 2023 | Needles & Fins Offering Radical Resale
Photography by Levi Guzman
Danya De Leon, Diane Johnson and Teenya Barnard, three women a part of a local silversmith collective, embrace one another. | June 2023 |A Collective of Female Silversmiths at Silver Silo
Photography by Lillian Reitz
An alpaca poses for the camera at Gulf Breeze Alpaca Ranch outside of Corpus Christi. | July 2023 | Alpaca Encounters at Gulf Breeze Alpaca Ranch
Photography by Lillian Reitz
Terrie Moore, owner of Wildflowers, shows the many sides of being a small business owner. | September 2023 | Wildflowers’ Wondrous New Space in Downtown Corpus Christi
Photography by Lillian Reitz
Brianna Davis, founder and executive director of Esperanza de Tejas, was the HER 2023 Rising Star. | October 2023 | HER 2023: Honoring, Empowering & Raising Up Women in the Coastal Bend
Photography by Shoocha Photography
A lineup of craft cocktails at Gabriela’s Seafood + Tapas in Rockport. | October 2023 | Fine Dining Dreams at Gabriela’s Seafood + Tapas
Photography by Deux Boheme
Homemade pork tamales made by Vianney Rodriguez of Sweet Life Bake styled with vintage ware from 20/20 Vintage. | November 2023 | Classic South Texas Recipes
Photography by Jason Page
Jo Anne Howell of Oh Goodie Designs + Events styles a gorgeous Thanksgiving Dinner scene outdoors. | November 2023 | A Holiday Tablescape All About Drama
Photography by Rachel Benavides
A front door styled with holiday decor and an adorable pup. | December 2023 | Home for the Holidays
Photography by Deux Boheme
Discover more local photos from 2023 by flipping through this year’s lineup of print issues.
