Star's Kelly Presnell named Arizona Photographer of the Year
Arizona Daily Star staff photojournalist Kelly Presnell was named Arizona Photographer of the Year by the Arizona Newspapers Association during the annual awards ceremony on Sept. 28, 2019, in Phoenix. Kelly has been at the Star since 2003.
Kelly is a six-time National Press Photographers Association Regional Photographer of the Year and has been recognized in other contests including Best Of The West, National Association Of Hispanic Journalists, NPPA, the Arizona Press Club and the Associated Press. He has worked in Iola, Kansas; Junction City, Kansas; Salina, Kansas; Wichita, Kansas and Norfolk, Virginia.
Kelly Presnell, Photographer of the Year portfolio
Dancers watch for the wings, watching their castmates and waiting their cue to take the stage during a dress rehearsal for the Tucson Regional Ballet's production of Southwest Nutcracker at the TCC Music Hall, Wednesday, December 12, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Goddess of Agave mural
Traffic on Sixth Street speeds by the Goddess of Agave mural on the old Tucson Warehouse & Transfer Co., and the current home of Benjamin Supply, at Seventh Ave., Friday, March 22, 2019, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell, Photographer of the Year portfolio
Kyle Eaton gets pinned by his ride Muley Madness after getting tossed in the bull riding completion on the opening day of the 94th Annual Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo, Saturday, February 16, 2019, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell, Photographer of the Year portfolio
Mitch Pollock tests the stirrups of his saddle as the prepares for the saddle bronc event on the second day of competition the 94th Annual Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo, Snday, February 16, 2019, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell, Photographer of the Year portfolio
Emily Watkins de Jong, left, and Amy Floyd hold each other during a vigil for their classmate Genevieve Comeau at the University of Arizona, Thursday, March 14, 2019, Tucson, Ariz. Comeau, the victim of murder/suicide on March 5, 2019, was a PhD candidate at the U of A.
Kelly Presnell, Photographer of the Year portfolio
Tucson Fire Department personnel rescue musical instruments from an adjoining unit while working on structure fire at 1319 S. 6th Ave., Wednesday, December 5, 2018, Tucson, Ariz. Fire units were dispatched at 2:15 p.m. and had the fire under control at around 2:50. Several residences and apartments retrofitted into the structure were involved in the fire, smoke or water damage.
Kelly Presnell, Photographer of the Year portfolio
Arizona guard Aari McDonald (2) yells for a timeout as Northwestern players converge on her in a scramble for a loose ball in the championship game of the WNIT at McKale Center, Saturday, April 6, 2019, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell, Photographer of the Year portfolio
Sunset behind the utility towers southeast of the city near Houghton and I-10, Saturday, June 30, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell, Photographer of the Year portfolio
Cienega's Diego Rubi (2) holds on for dear life to drag down Marana's Xoeius Ratliffe (21) for a five yard loss helping blunt a Tiger comeback late in the fourth quarter of their game at Cienega High School, Friday, April 12, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell, Photographer of the Year portfolio
Eleven-month old Denilison Agustin stands with his mother, Marleen Aguilon, with an ankle tracer bracelet, in the Yuma Refugee Ministry shelter, Saturday, July 27, 2018, Yuma, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell, Photographer of the Year portfolio
A crucifix is adorned by rosaries and icons from migrants at the Casa del Migrante la Divina Providencia, Thursday, July 26, 2018, San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora.
Kelly Presnell, Photographer of the Year portfolio
Several refugees from Central America and Mexico talk with Customs and Border Protection officers, trying to get admitted into the US for asylum interviews at the pedestrian entrance of the San Luis Port of Entry, Thursday, July 26, 2018, San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora.
Kelly Presnell, Photographer of the Year portfolio
Maureen Aguilon, bottom, and her son Denilison Agustin, Catarina Jacinto and her daughter Petrona Perez lay down for post lunch nap at the Yuma Refugee Ministry's shelter, Saturday, July 27, 2018, Yuma, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell, Photographer of the Year portfolio
Melani Gayana plays with the toys she's carefully collected at the Yuma Refugee Ministry's one-room shelter, Saturday, July 27, 2018, Yuma, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell, Photographer of the Year portfolio
Alicia Chilel, her son Oscar, from Central American and Reynaldo Ruiz, brother Jason, mother Maria and sister Estrella wait in the Target parking lot for the bus to take them east after being released by ICE, Saturday, July 27, 2018, Yuma, Ariz.
Kelly Presnell, Photographer of the Year portfolio
Yuma Refugee Ministry volunteer Fernie Quiroz hugs Anna Pascual and her daughter Kimberly as they prepare to board a bus for the east coast, two of several Central American immigrants released by ICE, Saturday, July 27, 2018, Yuma, Ariz.
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
The Arizona Daily Star won 32 journalism awards in the Arizona Newspapers Association’s 2019 contest, including first place in general excelle…