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Sometimes our pictures tell the whole story.

In February, the photographer George Etheredge visited Donald Trump Jr. at his father’s 230-acre estate in Bedford, N.Y. The president’s son is a known hunter and outdoor enthusiast, but Mr. Etheredge felt drawn to more of a “Happy Gilmore” image, of Mr. Trump surveying the family’s Bedminster, N.J., green with a golf club and cart.

After spending some time at the Trump family’s Westchester property, Mr. Etheredge’s vision changed. “I saw this stump, and I thought it would be kind of perfect,” he said. His instincts were good: The picture was swiftly embraced by the internet and became a phenomenon in its own right, independent of the deeply reported article it accompanied.

Not every great picture we publish becomes a meme, but each one helps shape the way our readers understand the world. Here are some of our favorites from a year full of famous faces, furry friends, fashion and frivolity.

A portrait of Donald Trump Jr. at his father’s estate in February.CreditGeorge Etheredge for The New York Times

Kevin Durant, center, was on hand to break ground on the arena that is to be built in San Francisco’s Mission Bay neighborhood.CreditJake Michaels for The New York Times

Jake Michaels followed the N.B.A.’s newest “villain,” who is building an empire among the Bay Area’s techies.

Cowboys line up during the opening of the first round of the PBR’s Buck Off at the Garden event held every January at Madison Square Garden. CreditRyan Shorosky for The New York Times

Ryan Shorosky captured three nights of rodeo and cowboy style at Madison Square Garden.

The actress Drew Barrymore at the Crosby Street Hotel in New York City in January.CreditIsak Tiner for The New York Times

Isak Tiner shot portraits of Drew Barrymore, who shared her beauty routine with Times readers earlier this year.

Amoretto Nieves, a smooth-coat Chihuahua owned by Ada Nieves during the meet the breeds day at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in February.CreditJonno Rattman for The New York Times

Bathing, brushing and hugging are all in a day’s work at the annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, where Jonno Rattman took portraits of the entrants and their humans.

Hanne Gaby Odiele outside of the Proenza Schouler fall 2017 show in New York City in February.CreditMarcy Swingle for The New York Times

Marcy Swingle stationed herself outside the shows at New York Fashion Week in February, waiting for people like the model Hanne Gaby Odiele to make stylish entrances and exits.

The rehearsal of the Thom Browne fall fashion show in February in New York City.CreditLandon Nordeman for The New York Times

Landon Nordeman also captured the fashion week madness, including at Thom Browne.

Jon Hamm in March. CreditPeter Ash Lee for The New York Times

More than two years after “Mad Men,” Jon Hamm spoke about his next act and posed for Peter Ash Lee.

The artist Jeff Koons at his studio in New York City in March.CreditIsak Tiner for The New York Times

When Jeff Koons announced his collaboration with Louis Vuitton, Isak Tiner visited his studio to photograph the man and his bags.

Aurora Kellogg (in blue) on the dance floor at the Youth America Grand Prix Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow Gala at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.CreditRebecca Smeyne for The New York Times

The Youth America Grand Prix, a student dance competition, held its April 13 gala at Lincoln Center. Rebecca Smeyne was there to catch all the moves.

The writer Chris Kraus photographed at the New York Botanical Garden.CreditSasha Arutyunova for The New York Times

Chris Kraus, the author of “I Love Dick,” has lived in Los Angeles since 1995, but the first chapter of her life was set in the Bronx. Earlier this year, Sasha Arutyunova took her portrait at the New York Botanical Garden.

Kyle MacLachlan in April for Men’s Style.CreditEric Chakeen for The New York Times; Styled by Alex Tudela

More than two decades after “Twin Peaks” set off a cultural explosion, Kyle MacLachlan reunited with David Lynch and a beloved character. Eric Chakeen took some appropriately surreal portraits of the actor.

Nicki Minaj leaves the Carlyle hotel on the way to the Met Gala in New York City in May.CreditRebecca Smeyne for The New York Times

Jourdan Dunn, left and Cassie Ventura at the Costume Institute benefit celebrating the exhibition “Rei Kawakubo/Comme des Garçons: Art of the In-Between” at the Metropolitan Musuem of Art in New York City in May.CreditLandon Nordeman for The New York Times

Landon Nordeman headed to the Costume Institute in May, where celebrities and members of the fashion set honored the wildly imaginative designer Rei Kawakubo.

From left, the hip-hop artist Nas and John Seymour, co-owners of the restaurant Sweet Chick.CreditJessica Lehrman for The New York Times

Jessica Lehrman followed Nas during an evening of Caribbean food and heavy beats.

Juliana Huxtable in her studio in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn.CreditNathan Bajar for The New York Times

Nathan Bajar took this portrait of Juliana Huxtable, a D.J., writer, night-life host and model.

The band Pinegrove at the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago in July.CreditDrew Anthony Smith for The New York Times

Drew Anthony Smith documented street style at the Pitchfork Music Festival, focusing his attention on the performers themselves.

Dapper Dan on the stoop of Langston Hughes’s house in Harlem.CreditAndre D. Wagner for The New York Times

Andre D. Wagner photographed Dapper Dan, the designer whose Harlem boutique was sued out of existence 25 years ago and who, this year, became a Gucci collaborator.

Epidemiologists consider anxiety a medical condition, but the disorder is starting to seem like a sociological condition, too: a shared cultural experience that feeds on alarmist TV graphics and metastasizes through social media.CreditDevin Yalkin for The New York Times

To illustrate the anxiety that Americans are feeling in growing numbers, Devin Yalkin photographed frenetic scenes in New York City.

Eric Underwood for Men’s Style in June.CreditNadine Ijewere for The New York Times; Styled by Nathan Klein

Nadine Ijewere photographed Eric Underwood, the American-born star of the Royal Ballet in London, for the cover of Men’s Style.

The models Bella Hadid, left, and Martha Hunt at the annual Council of Fashion Designers of America awards in June in New York City.CreditLandon Nordeman for The New York Times

Landon Nordeman photographed designers and models at the CFDA awards, where Raf Simons swept the men’s wear and women’s wear categories.

The Emporio Armani spring 2018 fashion show in Milan in June.CreditValerio Mezzanotti for The New York Times

Valerio Mezzanotti was there to witness the madness of fashion month, including the judo kicks at Emporio Armani in Milan.

The actress Bridget Everett at Joe’s Pub in New York City in June.CreditAmy Lombard for The New York Times

Amy Lombard took Bridget Everett’s portrait this summer. The comedian, actress and musician shared the items she likes to splurge on, including beautifully packaged dry shampoo and raw dog food.

Ansel Elgort at Chipotle in June.CreditDaniel Arnold for The New York Times

Daniel Arnold shadowed the “Baby Driver” star Ansel Elgort during a very normal, un-celebrity-like day in New York.

Robert Raley, an inmate, hugging Hijack at the Stewart Conservation Camp ranch, inside of Northern Nevada Correctional Center outside of Carson City, Nev. CreditRyan Shorosky for The New York Times

Ryan Shorosky visited a ranch in the high desert of Nevada, where prison inmates train wild horses in a rare kind of symbiotic rehabilitation.

Samuel L. Jackson in Los Angeles.CreditPetra Collins for The New York Times

Petra Collins drew Samuel L. Jackson into her pastel-colored world ahead of his role in “The Hitman’s Bodyguard.”

The rapper Cardi B getting ready for her show at MoMA PS1’s Warm Up series. CreditAmy Lombard for The New York Times

Amy Lombard photographed the year’s breakout hip-hop star, Cardi B, before a performance at MoMA PS1.

“I’m pretty comfortable with myself,” EJ Johnson said in response to tabloid reports that he was questioning his gender.CreditMolly Matalon for The New York Times

Molly Matalon photographed the reality television star EJ Johnson at home. “There wasn’t any show that profiled a young person of color with a different sexual orientation living their life,” the former “Rich Kids of Beverly Hills” star said.

Jake Paul, center, the 20-year-old YouTube star, performing a stunt.CreditJake Michaels for The New York Times

The 20-year-old YouTube megastar Jake Paul set the internet ablaze this year. Jake Michaels photographed him dealing in flames offline.

Palais Apiim at Afropunk in Brooklyn in August.CreditDeidre Schoo for The New York Times

Deidre Schoo spent a weekend at Brooklyn’s Afropunk Festival, where bold graphics and bright colors made for a visual feast.

Karlie Kloss rehearses before the Brandon Maxwell spring 2018 show during New York Fashion Week in September.CreditDolly Faibyshev for The New York Times

Dolly Faibyshev spent some time backstage with Karlie Kloss before the Brandon Maxwell spring 2018 show.

The Oscar de la Renta show at Sotheby’s during New York Fashion Week.CreditVincent Tullo for The New York Times

Vincent Tullo captured compelling details during the Oscar de la Renta spring 2018 show.

Adwoa Aboah being prepped for the Coach runway.CreditShawn Brackbill for The New York Times

Shawn Brackbill observed the backstage shuffle at Coach during New York Fashion Week.

The actor Idris Elba at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City in September.CreditDamon Winter/The New York Times

Damon Winter took portraits of the actor Idris Elba, whom the movie producer Amy Pascal described as “the best version of masculinity.”

Susan Fowler describes herself as “an amateur myrmecologist.”CreditDamien Maloney for The New York Times

Damien Maloney took this ethereal portrait of Susan Fowler, the whistle-blower whose blog post heralded a reckoning at Uber.

Behind the scenes at the Balmain spring 2018 fashion show in Paris in September.CreditValerio Mezzanotti for The New York Times

Valerio Mezzanotti oversaw the making of the Balmain show during Paris Fashion Week.

Backstage at the Vivienne Westwood spring 2018 show in Paris.CreditValerio Mezzanotti for The New York Times

He also watched models prepare for the runway at Vivienne Westwood.

The Thom Browne spring 2018 show in Paris in October.CreditValerio Mezzanotti for The New York Times

And he caught the action on the runway at Thom Browne.

Tom Hanks at his office in Santa Monica, Calif.CreditJake Michaels for The New York Times

Jake Michaels focused his lens on Tom Hanks, who had a lot to say about Donald J. Trump and Harvey Weinstein.

The rapper French Montana tried on sunglasses at Sammy’s Fashion while Sammy Igbara, the owner, watched.CreditGeorge Etheredge for The New York Times

George Etheredge accompanied the rapper French Montana on a shopping spree in the Bronx.

The performer Hungry backstage at Be Cute, at Littlefield in Brooklyn.CreditZak Krevitt and Thomas McCarty for The New York Times

Zak Krevitt and Thomas McCarty photographed drag queens who are embracing their goth side.

Ashley Volk and Sam Siatta early on their wedding day.CreditDevin Yalkin for The New York Times

Devin Yalkin, who photographed Sam Siatta, a war veteran, for The New York Times Magazine last year, was there for Mr. Siatta’s wedding day in October.

Tauheed Epps. a.k.a. 2 Chainz, inspected a large Cy Twombly painting at Christie’s.CreditAndrew White for The New York Times

On the eve of a record-breaking auction at Christie’s, Andrew White photographed 2 Chainz as he sized up the art.

Erin Bligh, a cheese farmer, with her goats after a morning milking at Dancing Goats Dairy in November in Newbury, Mass.CreditKayana Szymczak for The New York Times

Kayana Szymczak spent time with women who make cheese for a living — and with their little goats, too.

Bobby Cannavale for Men’s Style in November. CreditEric Chakeen for The New York Times

Eric Chakeen photographed Bobby Cannavale for Men’s Style.

Le Bon Marché’s holiday windows in Paris in November.CreditDmitry Kostyukov for The New York Times

We surveyed some of the world’s most festive holiday windows. Dmitry Kostyukov shot the decorations at Le Bon Marché in Paris.