Sean Openshaw Lives Life in Focus

Some might say the photography and cinematography of Sean Openshaw is an extension of his winsome personality. “My family is my inspiration,” he said.

In his 35 years of professional photography, Openshaw’s resume reads like a novel of accomplishments. It’s an exhaustive list of serving in the military and working for newspapers and magazines – beginning as chief photographer for The State Press (Arizona State University newspaper) and moving on to chief staff photographer for Arizona Daily Sun.

Today, alongside his photography and video business, which his website calls “Openshaw Storytelling,” he works full time at Northern Arizona Healthcare as the senior visual communications specialist.  

“Working under Northern Arizona Healthcare (NAH) Creative Communications Department, I produce photos and videos for the hospital’s marketing and storytelling projects. I get to work with patients, colleagues and the community,” he said. “I love my job.”

“What has struck me most significantly about Sean as a professional and a creative is his innate ability to set others at ease, whether he has known them for five years or five minutes,” said Northern Arizona Healthcare Creative Communications Department Director Andrew Paffrath. “His knack for forging relationships almost instantly, of course, shows up in his work in the form of candid, honest images.”

Openshaw says waking up in the wee hours of the morning is the only way he can get done all that he has to do. “I grew up milking cows in Montana at 3 a.m. and these days, I’m pretty much up by 2:30 a.m. I’m used to it, and I don’t need an alarm.” 

Openshaw’s lengthy list of clients includes Northern Arizona University, Coconino and Flagstaff high schools, Flagstaff Youth Hockey Association, BASIS, Girls on the Run, Summit Gymnastics Academy, The Movement Baton Twirlers, Canyon Dance Academy and more. 

“I have worked side by side with Sean for the past 34 years and have watched his craft evolve,” said photographer Jake Bacon. “He has said that still images only capture part of the story, so he decided to include the written word and video documentation. He doesn’t settle for the ‘simple.’ He goes out of his way.”

Openshaw enjoys capturing and cataloging important moments in life through video documentaries and stories, especially for high school seniors. “Graduation, for instance, is a critical time of life. What I do is take an accumulation of all that work and effort and by asking the right questions, create their story on video or a magazine-style book. Since these memories are preserved, they can stay connected with the moments that bring meaning and purpose to their lives. Images are placeholders for the moments we hold dear, which is why it is so important to capture what the moment means.”

“It is really incredible, the service that Sean provides. It is so much more than a file of pictures,” said teacher Maggie Weidinger of Flagstaff. “We hired him for Jake, our youngest son’s, senior pictures and it was such a great experience. Sean has an incredible ability to capture his personality and his life in his senior story. He interviewed family and people that are close to Jake, took pictures, used old photographs and then used that information to develop a video and a magazine. For us, it’s even more meaningful because my father-in-law, who we were very close with, passed away last year, and Sean had interviewed and filmed him. It’s such a cool keepsake.”

Using the latest generation of cameras, lenses and a whole lot of lights, Openshaw has set himself apart in the world of photography and photojournalism with his theatrical style and eye for detail.

Northland Preparatory Academy (NPA) Varsity Girls Soccer Coach Michael Blair says Openshaw has been instrumental in helping the school’s athletes receive attention from college recruiters. “His thoughtful stories written about the seniors are very meaningful to the families. My own daughter’s college coach read a ‘Senior Story’ that Sean wrote about her and said it sealed the deal for a scholarship offer.”

Openshaw met his wife, Keli, while working for the Arizona Daily Sun newspaper. They have two adult children, Kyle and Kayden. “I have five hats that I wear, and my family is No. 1,” he said.

Fitness is also important to Openshaw. He is a triathlete and hiker. “I used to weigh 250 pounds and smoked two packs of cigarettes a day. I’m now running triathlons and run, bike or swim five to six times a week. I also enjoy bike camping and will spend multiple days out in the woods. I’m planning a Grand Canyon rim-to-rim-to rim [trip] in the fall.”

Sean Openshaw Photography specializes in event, portrait, sports and commercial photography in Northern Arizona. For more information, visit www.seanopenshaw.com.

Favorite Time of Day

My favorite time is around 3-6 a.m. During those three hours, I accept no phone calls and do not check email. I do not pick up my phone. I spend that time writing and journaling and doing client work such as processing photos. I shoot between 15,000 to 30,000 photos a month so, it’s a lot to go through. 

Advice for Young People

I know it’s cliché, but I can’t believe I get paid to do what I do. I wake up super motivated and I’m motivated all day long because I love capturing moments and love this field of work. So, no matter what you do, like what you do. Find something meaningful and exciting about it. Spending 15 years in the military, there were so many opportunities to hate it, but I would always look for what we were doing right now that excited me. You can always find the silver lining if you are convinced that it’s there. That nugget makes life fun.

Guilty Pleasure

Watching movies. Growing up, my family’s time together was when we would watch movies. My dad worked crazy shifts and we had a big family, so watching movies brings back good memories.

The Actor Who Should Play Me

First thing that comes to my mind is Mel Gibson. The younger Mel Gibson. People are always telling me I look like him. I’ve always been a fan of his.

Where I Want to Visit

When I was deployed, I spent nine months in Heidelberg, Germany, and was amazed by Europe. We are planning a trip to Italy next year. FBN

By V. Ronnie Tierney, FBN

Photo by V. Ronnie Tierney, Fresh Focuses Photography: Long-time Flagstaff Photographer Sean Openshaw begins his day at 2:30 a.m., he says, to fit in everything he wants to do.