Tapahe Photography

BOOK UPDATE:
We received so many beautifully written submissions this past month that we extended our deadline for written submissions to August 21, 2026. The book’s new release date is now the end of September 2026.
If you would still like to participate, we are requesting a 300-500-word write-up or one to two sentences expressing your thoughts on the project. If you’re interested, please message me, and we will send you the details.
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The much-anticipated book, “Art Heals: The Jingle Dress Project,” will feature more than 180 pages and showcase numerous photos, behind-the-scenes images, stories, and guest-written submissions. We would love to include your story, experience, or reflection on the project.

BOOK UPDATE:
We received so many beautifully written submissions this past month that we extended our deadline for written submissions to August 21, 2026. The book's new release date is now the end of September 2026.
If you would still like to participate, we are requesting a 300- to 500-word write-up or one to two sentences expressing your thoughts on the project. If you're interested, please message me, and we will send you the details.
-----------------------------------
The much-anticipated book, “Art Heals: The Jingle Dress Project," will feature more than 180 pages and showcase numerous photos, behind-the-scenes images, stories, and guest-written submissions. We would love to include your story, experience, or reflection on the project.

CAPTURING A MOMENT IN TIME
Back in 1992, I started my photography career without even realizing it. I asked Tom Arviso, Jr., then the Managing Editor, if I could start writing stories because designing the newspaper and advertising was getting boring. He gave me a camera and told me to see Paul, Paul Natonabah. He will tell you what to do.
I went to Paul, told him what Tom said, and we were quickly off in his truck. I asked where we were going. He said the fairgrounds. We were going to shoot the rodeo. Let me remind you, at this time... I didn't even know how to use a camera, and we were using film! He quickly gave me a few photography tips: this is the button to press to take a photo, these dials control the aperture and exposure, and you move this dial on the lens to focus. What?! Then he said, "You only have twelve shots, so don't waste them.”
I held this tool and began to familiarize myself with it: the lens, the focus mechanism, and the viewfinder. I circled the rodeo grounds, way up in the bleachers, looking for a photo to take through the viewfinder. I really had no idea what I was doing or what would happen next.
Paul, you have to know that during this time with me, he was quiet. He observed from a distance. To me, he instructed with few words, simply showing you what to do through his actions. I soon realized that, over the years of knowing him, I admired this in him and have used this perspective in my own life: observe, assess, and then help.
Paul waved at me. He stood in the rodeo pit, in the dirt, in front of the bucking chutes. I stared at him, frozen… Are you kidding me? He kept waving me down to the chutes. I climbed over the board fence and down into the pit, then stumbled through the thick dirt to the chutes. I stood by Paul; my heart was pumping. I was scared; all I had was this little black-and-silver camera to hide behind. Lucky for me, that day it was only bull riding, NOT! I was out of my element; I wanted to get out of there.
The chute opened, and I mimicked Paul’s every move. We positioned ourselves at a safe distance from the rider and bull so our images would be in focus. I was just trying not to die. Then, without warning, the bull turned, and I ran the wrong way. Paul went one way, and I went the other. I thought the bull was chasing me, but it was just doing “bull stuff,” and I was in the way. As I ran in front of the bull, I quickly captured a couple of photos.
From then on, I was hooked! Paul and I went back to the Navajo Times darkroom, and he taught me how to develop film. We talked enthusiastically about the rodeo and laughed about almost being trampled by a bull. I told him the truth about not knowing how to use a camera. He was surprised, and from that moment on, we finally had something to talk about.
Over the years, I became the Managing Editor and Paul’s boss. I remember the first time he called me boss. He said, “I knew you would be boss one day. From the moment I saw you running from that bull, I knew you would be someone important. Not everyone has the guts to climb into a rodeo pit to capture a moment in time, and I’m not talking just about the rodeo.”
Today, when people ask me when I started using a camera, I share this moment in my life with more detail and emotion. I will miss you, Sik’uzzii! We had some good times, laughs, talks, and late-night mishaps at the newspaper. You always had my back, and I will continue to have yours. Through my work and stories, I will share our rodeo experience in the future. It will live on forever.
Side Note: You were probably wondering what happened to the photos I took on this first outing: one of them won an award at the annual Arizona Newspaper Association conference. Thank you, Tom and Paul. You have been great leaders and mentors to this little rez kid. True story.

Paul Natonabah, longtime Navajo Times photographer, dies at 82 - Navajo Times Paul Natonabah, whose photographs documented more than four decades of Diné history for the Navajo Times, died Saturday, July 25. He was 82.

BOOK UPDATE
It’s been a wonderful few weeks reading the submissions so far. This is going to be a memorable book of unity and healing. Art Heals: The Jingle Dress Project has been special to many people around the world. I am grateful to everyone participating. If you would like to participate, it’s not too late. The deadline is tomorrow. If you will need more time, please let me know.
-—————
The much-anticipated book, “Art Heals: The Jingle Dress Project,” will feature more than 150 pages and showcase numerous photos and stories from our project. We would love to include your story, experience, or reflection on the project.
We are requesting a 300- to 500-word write-up or one to two sentences expressing your thoughts on the project and your personal experience of its impact on you, the community, or the world. If you’re interested, please message me, and I will send you the details.

BOOK UPDATE
It's been a wonderful few weeks reading the submissions so far. This is going to be a memorable book of unity and healing. Art Heals: The Jingle Dress Project has been special to many people around the world. I am grateful to everyone participating. If you would like to participate, it's not too late. The deadline is this Friday, July 24. If you will need more time, please let me know.
----------------
The much-anticipated book, “Art Heals: The Jingle Dress Project," will feature more than 150 pages and showcase numerous photos and stories from our project. We would love to include your story, experience, or reflection on the project.
We are requesting a 300- to 500-word write-up or one to two sentences expressing your thoughts on the project and your personal experience of its impact on you, the community, or the world. If you're interested, please message me, and I will send you the details.

BOOK IN PRODUCTION
It's been a wonderful few weeks reaching out and reminiscing with people about Art Heals: The Jingle Dress Project, remembering the special moments and the many people we've met over the past six years.
If you don't know, we've started production on our much-anticipated book, “Art Heals: The Jingle Dress Project.” The book will consist of over 150 pages and showcase numerous photos and stories from our project. We would love to include your story, experience, or reflection of our project and what it meant to you during COVID-19.
We are requesting a 500- to 700-word write-up or one to two sentences expressing your thoughts on the project and your personal experience of its impact on you, the community, or the world. The deadline is July 24, end of day. Message me if you're interested, and I will send you the details

I won a ribbon at the Autry Museum Art Market this weekend. It’s a commemorative piece for the 10th anniversary of the Standing Rock movement to protect the water. It’s been good to revisit and to remember the unity and the heartache.
Never forget, keep the spiritual fire burning…

ART IS PRECIOUS
I'm emotionally drained. These two weeks of extreme ups and downs have taken their toll. The loss of a loved one and witnessing my youngest daughter graduate with her master's degree, and in the midst of it all, an art show, really makes you appreciate life. I'm so blessed to make art and to be an artist - it's been almost 15 years.
When I look back, I know I couldn't have done any of it without my wife, Sharon, and girls, Erin and Dion; they've supported me through it all.
I do art full time, and I don't want to do anything else but art - it's healed my woes - it's been my lifeline. I realized this weekend though tired from traveling from New York City and back, that it's not always about making money or selling; for me, it's about sharing and storytelling; each of my works has a story, has a spirit, and took sacrifice for them to come alive.
I hope you continue to join me on my creative journey, to support my family and me. I know I wouldn't be in this good place of peace and joy without you. Hug your loved ones and be nice to yourself, stop and enjoy life - we only get one - art heals!

What a wonderful weekend! I took a red-eye flight Thursday to NYC to attend Dion’s graduation and then flew back on Saturday early morning to SLC to finish my art show.
It was an emotional week and I didn’t think it would all get done, but it did with a lot of help from family and friends—thank you all who came to support me and my art.

ART SHOW THIS WEEKEND
We are excited to be part of the inaugural Salt Lake Art Show this week, May 14-17, 2026, at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy, Utah. Tapahe Art + Photography will feature a selection of photographs and contemporary art.
The VIP Preview Evening is Thursday night, May 14, from 6 to 10 pm, when we will debut new art and photography. The show will continue the rest of the week, with Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm.
Get your tickets early and use our Family and Friends discount code SLAS26 to receive 20% off. We hope to see you there!