Gift No. 7: A toast to a great photographer

Over the past 12 years working in the newspaper business, I have come across a lot of great people on and off the field and inside and outside of the office. From my days at Star Newspapers/Daily Southtown to the Sun-Times, it really is amazing to think of the number of outstanding people I have come in contact over the past decade.

One of those stars is David Banks, now a photographer for the Chicago Tribune. I've known Banks since I started in the business. Like so many other photographers, he has an eye for that great shot - one that makes a so-so story jump out on the page. But the difference between Banks and numerous other photographers is his people-first skills.

Despite having won numerous Associated Press Awards, Illinois Press Photographers Awards and Suburban Newspapers of America Awards, he's treated the average high school athlete as if they were the most famous professional athlete around. Banks' work has been featured in such publications as the New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times and Sports Illustrated. Not only that, but he also teaches photography classes on the side at my old stomping grounds - Columbia College.

So gift No. 7 of Cornerkicks' 12 gifts is a toast to one of the best I have ever met.