While headlines often focus on politics, crime, and economics, the heart of a community beats in its quieter, vibrant moments. In 2025, multi-award-winning Windsor Star photographer Dan Janisse once again turned his lens to these illuminating slices of life in Windsor and Essex County.
Capturing the Pulse of the Community
Between hard news assignments, Janisse dedicated a significant portion of the past year to documenting the arts, sports, culture, and the simple beauty of the local area. His feature photography provides a rich, visual tapestry of the region's character beyond the front-page stories.
One of his most widely circulated images from the year was not of a person, but a symbol. A photograph of a Canada goose flying along the downtown Windsor waterfront with the Detroit skyline in the background, taken on March 3, 2025, became a poignant illustration for numerous news stories covering the Canada-U.S. trade war that dominated the national conversation.
A Year in Pictures: Highlights from the Collection
Janisse's portfolio from the year tells diverse stories. In a touching moment on a local farm, young Desire Wall was photographed on November 5, 2025, fearlessly petting her grandfather's Black Angus bull—the proud father of four newborn calves.
The world of performance was also a key focus. On February 27, 2025, Cirque du Soleil OVO performers were captured in a dynamic rehearsal at Windsor's WFCU Centre, showcasing the athleticism and artistry preceding their public shows.
Local sports provided plenty of action. During a hockey game on February 13, 2025, a tussle between the Sarnia Sting's Casey Bridgewater and Windsor Spitfire Noah Morneau at the WFCU Centre sent a helmet flying through the air, a moment perfectly frozen by Janisse's camera.
The changing seasons and city life were also documented. On July 28, 2025, five-year-old Yared Gebreab was pictured cooling off at the newly opened Windsor City Hall esplanade water feature—a location that offers free outdoor ice skating in the winter months.
From the Stage to the Polar Plunge
The local arts scene shone through in a dramatic rehearsal shot from March 27, 2025. Actors Dan MacDonald and Maggie Marchenkowsky of Korda Artistic Productions were photographed in a physical scene from Murder on the Orient Express, capturing the intensity of live theatre.
Windsor's status as a host for international events was highlighted on April 9, 2025, when a diver was pictured in a practice jump ahead of the World Aquatics Diving World Cup at the Windsor International Aquatic and Training Centre.
Community spirit and local history converged on April 24, 2025, at the grand opening of the riverfront Legacy Beacon and the unveiling of the refurbished historic Streetcar No. 351. The photo shows former mayor Mike Hurst and current Mayor Drew Dilkens during the ribbon-cutting for the new park named after Hurst.
Perhaps one of the most chilling moments of the year was captured on January 23, 2025, as LaSalle Mayor Crystal Meloche took a mid-winter icy dip during the LaSalle Polar Plunge for Special Olympics. She was joined by more than 160 other participants in the fundraising event at the LaSalle Event Centre.
These images represent just a portion of Dan Janisse's feature work from 2025. A separate portfolio showcasing his best news photography of the year is also available for viewing. Together, they form an invaluable visual record of a year in the life of Windsor-Essex, proving that the region's story is told not just in words, but in powerful, lasting images.
