Abi Carter 18x18

Indio native and “American Idol” winner Abi Carter attends a parade in her honor in downtown Indio on May 14, 2024.

Taya Gray/The Desert Sun

Betty Ford fans 20x16

People wait in line for autographs in front of a projection of the Betty Ford commemorative forever stamp during the first day of issue dedication ceremony at the Helene Galen Auditorium at Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage on April 5, 2024.

Jay Calderon/The Desert Sun
here.

Barack Obama, Raul Ruiz and Sky Ruiz 11x14

President Barack Obama holds Sky, the daughter of Rep. Raul Ruiz, at left, during the president's fifth visit to the Coachella Valley on June 20, 2015

Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Larry Ellison & John McEnroe 13x10

BNP Paribas Open owner Larry Ellison, left, shakes hands with tennis legend John McEnroe during John McEnroe's Challenge for Charity tennis event at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 1, 2014, in Indian Wells.

Michael Snyder/The Desert Sun

Billie Jean King 30x24

Tennis legend Billie Jean King motivates tennis players during a clinic at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on Oct. 30, 2008.

Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Arnold Palmer 10x13

Arnold Palmer acknowledges the crowd as he walks onto the 17th hole of the Arnold Palmer course during the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic at PGA West in La Quinta on Feb. 17, 2001.

Taya Gray/The Desert Sun

In 2001, I was still very new to understanding golf but it was easy to see why Arnold Palmer was so admired. The crowds loved him and he loved his fans.
– Taya Gray

Barbara Boxer 11x14

Sen. Barbara Boxer of California speaks at the Palm Springs International Film Festival on Jan. 15, 2014. She was talking about her daughter Nicole Boxer's documentary, "How I Got Over," which follows 15 homeless women as they craft an original play to be performed at The Kennedy Center for one night only. Boxer is a Valley resident; she left the Senate in 2017.

Crystal Chatham/The Desert Sun

Barack Obama 14x18

President Barack Obama waves goodbye as he departs Palm Springs International Airport on February 17, 2014, after a four-day visit to the Coachella Valley. During his visit he met King Abdullah II of Jordan at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage.

Omar Ornelas/The Desert Sun

Barack and Michelle Obama 16x20

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wave goodbye as they board Air Force One in preparation to depart Palm Springs International Airport on June 16, 2014.
Jay Calderon/The Desert Sun

I remember this day for how hot it was. Journalists were to arrive early for a security sweep and wait on the hot, black tarmac for the president to arrive hours later. I was uncomfortably in a collared shirt and tie and cheap black dress shoes. I distinctly remember the pavement being so hot that it melted the glue holding the sole of one of my shoes together, and I walked unevenly until we left.
– Jay Calderon

Chad Bianco 18x14

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco gives remarks before leading the Pledge of Allegiance at a campaign rally for Donald Trump on Oct. 12, 2024, near Coachella. The rally marked Trump's only California stop during the 2024 presidential campaign. Bianco in 2025 announced his candidacy for California governor.

Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun

Going into this event, I knew there was some controversy surrounding Sheriff Chad Bianco’s attendance and potential speaking role at Trump’s campaign rally. I had already made a number of photos of Bianco shaking hands with attendees and posing for photos with supporters, but I knew the moment would be him on stage if he did in fact appear. Generally, I believe a speaker behind a podium is among the most dull and uninformative photos I can capture — but in this situation, it was a key moment.
– Andy Abeyta

Trini Lopez 8x8

Singer and guitarist Trini Lopez at his Palm Springs home on Sept. 24, 2016.

Richard Lui/The Desert Sun

Suzanne Somers 8x8

Actress and author Suzanne Somers poses for a portrait at her Palm Springs home in 2009. The "Three's Company" star was an advocate for holistic medicine and created a company called Suzanne Organics.

Jay Calderon/The Desert Sun

I remember being at her home and only having a short time to take a portrait. In the daily newspaper business, we usually don’t get to scout out the location beforehand nor choose the time of day (like say a Vanity Fair photographer would have). We react to the situation on the fly with what equipment we have and the backdrop we are given.
– Jay Calderon

Kirk Douglas 8x8

Actor and longtime Coachella Valley resident Kirk Douglas discusses his book, "Let's Face It" at a book signing at Cinemas Palme d'Or in Palm Desert in April 2007.

Wade Byars/The Desert Sun

Josh Homme 14x11

Josh Homme, lead singer of the band Queens of the Stone Age, performs with Palm Springs All-Stars during the Rock The Plaza benefit concert at the historic Plaza Theatre on Nov. 11, 2022. Homme is a longtime Valley resident.

Jay Calderon/The Desert Sun

I prefer shooting celebrities in uncontrolled situations, preferably with some action or movement or even chaos. I prefer not to pose or orchestrate photographs if possible.
– Jay Calderon

Paula Badosa 13x10

Paula Badosa of Spain reacts after winning the women's final at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells on Oct. 17, 2021.

Taya Gray/The Desert Sun

The championship match between Badosa and Victoria Azarenka went three sets. The two women battled it out for 3 hours and 4 minutes, with Badosa winning 7-6, 2-6, 7-6. I love covering tennis for the emotional reactions of the players. It's an individual sport, fiercely competitive. The annual BNP Paribas usually happens in March, but it was played in October that year due to pandemic postponements. It was exciting to be back. The match seemed to rise to the level of making up for time lost. – Taya Gray

Carlos Alcaraz 18x14

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain returns the ball to Andy Murray of England during the BNP Paribas Open on Oct. 10, 2021, in Indian Wells.

Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun

In 2021, I would’ve said this was one of the truly difficult photos to make. Working with a mirrored camera (think loud clicking shutter sounds) means you have to minimize the number of photos you take out of respect for the athletes. You wait and try to time one or two to the right moment. With some skill and even more luck, you nail one. Now, having covered my first BNP with mirrorless cameras that don’t make a sound, this has become one of the first photos I make just to “get it out of the way” before looking for a more creative angle or use of light to really make a photo that shines. – Andy Abeyta

Naomi Osaka 24x30

Naomi Osaka of Japan prepares a serve to Sloane Stephens of the United States during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells on March 10, 2022.

Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun

Taylor Fritz 30x24

American Taylor Fritz reacts after defeating Rafael Nadal of Spain to win the men's final at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells on March 20, 2022. Fritz won 6-3, 7-6 (5) and became the first American to win the tournament since 2001.

Taya Gray/The Desert Sun