Beyond words: Kalamazoo in photos, 2023

A photograph captures a moment in time — but for a photographer, there's usually so much more to the story. Check out some of Fran Dwight's favorite 2023 photos. She shares a few thoughts about how she connected with the moment the shutter clicked.

By Fran Dwight

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General

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January 4, 2024

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This photo was taken at the Rootead Youth Drum & Dance Ensemble (RYDDE) Showcase in December 2023. "It was a joyous event," says photographer Fran Dwight, "and then these girls came out and they were just smiling and having the time of their lives."

Bringing beauty to the mall: Chafe Hensley paints the mural on the front of Amy Zane's store, Earthly Delights, downtown. — Bringing beauty to the mall: Chafe Hensley paints the mural on the front of Amy Zane’s store, Earthly Delights, downtown.

Sneak Peak: Booker T. Jones performed at the Kalamazoo State Theater in July as part of the Black Arts & Culture Festival and in celebration of the Kalamazoo Public Library's 150th anniversary.

An iconic short of Dean Hauk, Michigan News Agency owner and what Fran calls 'the light of Kalamazoo.' — An iconic short of Dean Hauk, Michigan News Agency owner and what Fran calls ‘the light of Kalamazoo.’

On another photo shoot in her neighborhood, a man came out and asked if she wanted a kitten. This photo drew new owners of several of the litter.

Kalamazoo Pride 2023 drew hundreds to celebrate at Arcadia Festival Site.

Kalamazoo Choral Arts Holiday Concert: The Kalamazoo Bell Ringers posed as Fran lay on the floor looking up for the shot.

Two adult male rescue dogs visit with volunteer Simon Limback during Dogs in the Zoo, sponsored by Downtown Kalamazoo Shops.

Dr. Barry Ross, former assistant conductor of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra and professor emeritus at Kalamazoo College, performs at a Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition fundraising event.

In Bronson Park in June, Fran caught these youth playing a game that was part hopscotch, part chess.

Poet Gail Griffin was caught between the books reading from her new book, "Omena Bay Testament," at This is a Bookstore "It was a great turnout. I was trying to stay out of the way, hiding behind a rack." — Poet Gail Griffin was caught between the books reading from her new book, “Omena Bay Testament,” at This is a Bookstore “It was a great turnout. I was trying to stay out of the way, hiding behind a rack.”

Inside Out Kalamazoo Public Schools. "I don't feel like it's my picture, but it is my picture because of the leaf." This assignment, Fran says, was dear to her heart because she was photographer in the first Inside Out project in Edison. — Inside Out Kalamazoo Public Schools. “I don’t feel like it’s my picture, but it is my picture because of the leaf.” This assignment, Fran says, was dear to her heart because she was photographer in the first Inside Out project in Edison.

National Night Out was celebrated on August 1 in several neighborhoods throughout the city as a day to celebrate the community and for residents, public safety officers, and emergency personnel to meet each other socially. This is in Vine.

On National Night Out in the Northside: "I love this one. I was surprised the kids stopped and did that for me because you know they tend to be a little huffy. They were having a good time." — On National Night Out in the Northside: “I love this one. I was surprised the kids stopped and did that for me because you know they tend to be a little huffy. They were having a good time.”

Derek Jeter. former shortstop of the New York Yankees, returned to Kalamazoo Central High School, his alma mater, to commemorate a gift of his Turn2 Foundation: new baseball and softball fields.

This photo was taken at the Rootead Youth Drum & Dance Ensemble (RYDDE) Showcase in December 2023. "It was a joyous event," says photographer Fran Dwight, "and then these girls came out and they were just smiling and having the time of their lives."

As Fran was taking the shot, she fell over backwards and ended up in the hospital with a concussion. The people she was shooting didn't speak English, but she gave them her card and they checked on her the next day. "I was very touched by that." — As Fran was taking the shot, she fell over backwards and ended up in the hospital with a concussion. The people she was shooting didn’t speak English, but she gave them her card and they checked on her the next day. “I was very touched by that.”

Jaydon Kelley, Loy Norrix High School graduate, 2023, attending prom at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo where he and other seniors were, as Fran recalls, "flying through the clouds" — Jaydon Kelley, Loy Norrix High School graduate, 2023, attending prom at the Kalamazoo Air Zoo where he and other seniors were, as Fran recalls, “flying through the clouds”

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