Best Photo Nominees — TheFW 2012 Awards

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then we've got about 10,000 words for you right here. Our favorite photos from 2012 range from cute to funny to heartbreaking, but they're all great.

Whether it's a meddling stingray, a cat with a mean left hook or those rubbery-faced Olympic divers, these are the photos we shared with you and you shared with countless others. Vote in our poll to select the best photo of the year. And don't forget to sign up for TheFW newsletter to find out who wins the top prize when we announce the 2012 award winners on January 15. Thanks!

Stingray Photobomb

Lady Gaga Kissing Mayor Bloomberg

Olympic Torch Bearer Proposes

Cat Vs. Dog

Surprised Baby Gorilla

Olympic Diver

Tom Hanks Is Awesome

Hurricane Sandy Floods World Trade Center

Mars

This Seat's Taken