Today we’re diving into our second last category of our best of 2009 review, which is actually a new, spin-off category. In past year’s we’ve included photographers within the artiste category, but since we featured so many solid photogs last year, we had to pay them proper respect. Coming up in third place is Shannon Taggart, a freelance photographer based in Brooklyn, who frequently focuses her lens on spiritual and supernatural themes. Our first runner up is Michael Hughes, who’s concept just doesn’t seem to get repetitive. Essentially he takes photos of miniature, souvenir landmarks, carefully positioning them properly in their natural landscape. Last but not least is our favourite photographer from 2009, Jing Quek. Jing’s photos are sexy, playful works that usually include large groups of folks, and everything from flying bras to girls pouring milk on their near naked bodies. His appreciation of cultural references and authentic environments, coupled with strong conceptual direction, help to create contemporary fictions, alternate realities and mythologies in our urban social narratives.