Over the last two years, Tampa photographer Dave Decker has developed an inimitable ability to bring Creative Loafing Tampa Bay readers directly into his world. Whether he’s surrounded by the chaos of a right-wing circle jerk (read: anything involving Justice For J6, or Trump), street protests for reproductive rights, or at concerts, community events, Tampa Bay Lightning pep rallies, and in photoshoots, to see the world through Decker’s lens is a chance to be embedded in the energy of this region we call home. Decker—who just opened his studio in historic Ybor City—has handpicked his 50-ish most compelling photos of the year. Have a look below.
Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerCredit: Photo by Dave DeckerDecker and CL staff writer Justin Garcia traveled to South Florida to help with mutual aid efforts after Hurricane Ian. While the focus was on getting help to those in most need, Decker found time to bring the scene to CL readers. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerA tree is littered with the remains of a mobile home down in Edgewood, Florida after the effects of hurricane Ian. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerDecker is also a studio photographer who takes promo shots like Tampa’s Pohgoh, which graced its first-ever CL cover this year in advance of its latest album, ‘du und ich.’ Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerCredit: Photo by Dave DeckerMembers of the NAACP Atlanta Branch and armed local anti-fascist activists march the line up to Georgia’s controversial Stone Mountain Park to counter an event hosted by Sons of Confederate Veterans in late-April. The neo-Confederate organization revels in the pseudo historical lore of ‘Lost Cause’ ideologies which correspond to and are sympathetic to the principle and history of neo-Colonial white supremacy. The group claims to promote, ‘Heritage not Hate’ Southern Poverty Law Center has designated many members of SCV as having dual membership in other groups designated as hate groups. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerScott Lambert before competing in Hot Dog Party 16 at Crowbar in Ybor City, Florida on July 3, 2022. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerPSL Tampa Bay and St. Pete Cop Watch organized a January protest outside the St. Pete Police Department after public pressure led to the release of bodycam footage showing St. Petersburg Police Officer Leighton Williams shooting 17-year-old Christopher Tonsel. This is the family of Tonsel holding a press conference outside of the Saint Petersburg Police Department headquarters. Tonsel was wounded by SPD police officers in a takedown. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerChuck Ragan of hot water music sings add Bo Diddley Plaza for the Fest 20 in Gainesville. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerDropkick Murphys play Jannus Live in St. Petersburg, Florida on March 7, 2022 Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerTampa City Councilwoman Lynn Hurtak speaks with residents at Silver Oaks apartments in Tampa, Florida which came under scrutiny this spring over appalling living conditions. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerState Attorney for the 13th District Andrew Warren, in August, addresses the media on the day he was suspended by Florida governor Ron DeSantis, and simultaneously gives a press conference on closing a cold case from 30 years earlier. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerIn October 2022 a Tampa-based Iranian student group gathered to protest at USF and reccounted tales of not being able to connect with family back home. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerIn October 2022, around 40 activists gathered at Columbus Statue Park in South Tampa to protest Tampa’s glorifying monument to a man who was a confirmed pedophile, rapist and slave trader. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerCredit: Photo by Dave DeckerTampa Bay Lightning fans filled Thunder Alley during the team’s Stanley Cup Final Games inside Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerCredit: Photo by Dave DeckerAnti-fascist activist rally to provide community defense for members of the dry community in Pasco county, Florida Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerPro-choice activists regularly rallied against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ repeated attached on reproductive rights. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerCredit: Photo by Dave DeckerCredit: Photo by Dave DeckerRuth Beltran of the Party for Socialism and Liberation rallies against the overturn of Roe v. Wade in downtown Tampa Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerA cornucopia of far-right fringe groups gathered outside Mar-a-Lago in November 2022, while inside Donald Trump announced his intention to once again run for president in 2024. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerPro-choice activist on a sidewalk in Lakeland Florida Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerAvail from Richmond, Virginia plays a highly anticipated reunion, set at Jannus live downtown St. Petersburg Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerPussy Riot plays St. Pete Pride in June 2022. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerParade performers during Titus O’Neil’s ‘Joy of Giving’ in December 2022. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerNeighborhood community members protest against Palm, Communities, LLC in response to an safe living conditions. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerIn a clear victory against whatever conservatives consider “woke,” Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis won reelection in November, after obliterating Democratic challenger Charlie Crist. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerCredit: Photo by Dave DeckerFlorida trans-rights advocates outnumbered anti-LGBTQ rally in Ft. Lauderdale in December 2022. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerTurnstile plays Jannus Live in St. Petersburg, Florida in October 2022. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerFans of the band Turnstile enjoying the closing of the final song during the band’s set at Jannus Live in St. Petersburg, Florida in October 2022. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerIn November 2022—just days before Iran’s national team refused to sing the country’s national anthem at the World Cup—100 cities around the world participated in a global action to show support and pay respects for Mahsa Amini and countless other Iranian protestors killed and detained by “Morality Police” or Guidance Patrol.. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerMembers of the Palestinian community rally against the unjust murders of Palestinians in the west bank Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerFans of the band Vacations at the closing of its set at the legendary Crowbar in historic Ybor City, Florida on April 2, 2022. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerIn March 2022, roughly 300 people rallied at St. Petersburg’s City Hall building to protest Florida’s recently passed House Bill 1557, also known by critics as the “Don’t Say ‘Gay'” bill. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerLead singer and songwriter, Lauren Mayberry of the band CHVRCHES plays Jannus Live in St. Petersburg, Florida in March 2022. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerTen years after the debut of St. Pete punk band Wolf-Face, Michael J. Wolf is still a son of a bitch with lots of packmates who packed the band’s April 2022 concert at The Factory in St. Petersburg, Florida Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerDespite the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill and our governor’s recent anti-trans proclamation, thousands showed up at Tampa Pride in Ybor City in March 2022. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerCharlie Crist is booed away by pro-choice activists outside the Tampa Marriott in July 2022. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerFar right conservative group, moms for liberty address pro abortion protesters outside of their summit on water Street in downtown Tampa Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerIn January 2022, not even Tom Brady could ruin the party on Saturday, as hundreds of thousands of people descended upon Tampa’s Bayshore Boulevard and downtown for the first Gasparilla parade of the pandemic era. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerAnime fans stand in downtown St. Petersburg for the St. Pete Anime Festival. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerNikki Fried at St. Pete Pride 2022. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerIndigenous protesters during a Fourth of July Protest in St. Petersburg, Florida. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerFlorida house representative Michelle Reyner addresses a crowd of pro-choice activists at the steps of City Hall in Saint Pete Florida Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerKarla Correa from the Party for Socialism and Liberation leads a reproductive rights protest in St. Petersburg, Florida. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerOn July 23, 2022, second day of Turning Point USA’s Student Action Summit brought neo-Nazis to downtown’s Tampa Convention Center. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerThe Black Keys plays MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre in Tampa, Florida on August 25, 2022. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerBulls went on parade in downtown St. Petersburg in September 2022 when Dunedin rapper Jon Ditty resurrected his old Rage Against the Machine tribute act for an abortion rights fundraiser at Floridian Social in St. Petersburg, Florida. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerTitus O’Neil at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida during his backpack giveaway and school year kickoff event in August 2022. Credit: Photo by Dave DeckerIn February 2022, Pasco Pride Festival, a celebration of gay, queer and transgender lives, was intruded by groups of Christian homophobes, who showed up to spread the word of god through hate speech. Credit: Photo by Dave Decker
Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief...
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