Ariel Freaner’s “Liberty Flourishing” is a moment of light breaking through the shadows. Captured in twilight, the rosebud glows against the etched names at the 9/11 Memorial, a beacon of hope rising from the darkness. The lighting does the talking here—unfiltered, raw, real—highlighting resilience in the simplest yet most powerful way. This image doesn’t just capture a flower; it captures the spirit that refuses to fade.

By: Ariel Freaner, Photographer & Designer, Freaner Creative & Design

The “Liberty Flourishing” photo was awarded the Gold prize at the Graphis Photography competition. This remarkable achievement recognizes the outstanding quality and artistic merit of photojournalism.

This photo was taken at the 9/11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan, New York City. The memorial, where the names of 2,983 people who were killed in the terrorist attacks of 1993 and 2001 are inscribed on bronze parapets edging the memorial pools, is maintained by the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.

I used to travel to Manhattan and often had dinner with a client at the Windows on the World restaurant at the top of the World Trade Center’s North Tower. The 9/11 attacks broke my heart. During a visit to New York in 2022, I visited the One World Trade Center and the memorial. As I left the building one late afternoon and approached the memorial fountain, I noticed a pink rosebud rising from one of the names. It symbolized something beautiful emerging from the pain we all experienced that day. That beauty symbolized freedom.

The “Liberty Flourishing” photo powerfully depicts freedom and strength. It captures a sense of empowerment and resilience, symbolizing overcoming challenges and thriving. The vibrant colors and dynamic composition, a celebration of life and progress, further emphasize the idea of flourishing, inspiring optimism and hope. This photo beautifully conveys the message of progress and freedom after a communal tragedy, making it a powerful and meaningful piece of art.

I took this photo using a Nikon D3X camera with a macro lens. I was fortunate with the lighting; I captured the moment during twilight, so everything was dark except the bright flower, which created a natural focal point that stirred my emotions. The photo is unedited and uncropped, just as I took it.

My passion for capturing the world’s instinctive moments through my lens has driven my artistic journey. This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication and countless hours spent perfecting my craft.

I’m deeply grateful to have received a gold award at Graphis Photography Annual 2024, which acknowledges the importance and well-executed techniques used in capturing the emotional and meaningful moment at the 9/11 Memorial. This recognition further emphasizes the significance of spontaneous journalism photography in capturing poignant moments. “Liberty Flourishing” is an emblem of hope and thriving for all.

Ariel Freaner is the principal and founder of Freaner Creative & Design, with over 35 years of experience in creative development, illustration, and design. His award-winning, San Diego-based full-service firm offers creative, digital, and graphic design services to clients in North America, Latin America, and abroad. It specializes in web and app design, editorial and print design, brand development, online marketing, and 3-D development. Freaner Creative recently received several Graphis Awards, including platinum, gold, and silver, as well as two Emmy awards and four Emmy nominations.

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To see more Photography 2024 competition winners, click here.