Where Winter Leads
Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photography by Cassell Archinuk
The road stretches ahead, a ribbon of asphalt cutting through a landscape transformed. Snow clings to desert vegetation, coating saguaros and ponderosas alike in unexpected white. The familiar Arizona terrain — the one we know in its sun-baked glory — has become something else entirely: ethereal, fleeting, magical.
For photographer Cassell Archinuk, these moments represent both a challenge and an obsession. Since founding Cassy Arch Photography more than a decade ago, she has built her reputation on capturing the Southwest’s diverse beauty through natural light. But winter in Arizona presents a unique opportunity — one that requires careful planning, quick reflexes, and a willingness to chase storms.
“There was one year when I was determined to capture snow in Arizona, and I got lucky,” Archinuk recalls of a morning along the Mogollon Rim. “Early the next morning, I drove up there, about an hour and a half from home, and discovered the most beautiful scenes: snowy, untouched trees and a blanket of fresh snow.”
This month’s photo essay — a sequel to our previously published “See You Down the Road” and “On the Road Again” photo essays — showcases Archinuk’s ability to find wonder in the transient. Unlike the summer editions that preceded it, these images embrace a softer color palette — whites and grays punctuated by the enduring greens of conifers and the rust red of distant cliffs. The compositional element remains constant: roads that lead the eye forward, inviting exploration.
“There’s something about including a road in a photograph — I’ve always loved capturing them,” Archinuk explains. “When a road is flanked by snow-covered trees, it creates such a strong sense of direction. It makes you feel as though you’re headed somewhere, maybe even on an adventure!”
For longtime Arizona residents, these images offer a reminder: Our state’s beauty transcends seasons, revealing new dimensions to those willing to venture out when winter arrives.
About the Photographer
Cassell Archinuk’s photography journey began more than a decade ago with a smartphone and a sense of wonder at Bryce Canyon National Park. Captivated by the remarkable rock formations, she found herself experimenting with angles and perspectives through her phone’s camera lens — an unexpected discovery for someone who had always been an avid hiker but never considered herself a photography enthusiast.
One year after that Utah trip, Archinuk purchased a Nikon camera and dove deeper into the craft. Through online tutorials, abundant trial and error, and countless hours in the field, she founded Cassy Arch Photography and developed a distinctive approach centered on natural light.
“I am a passionate photographer who loves to capture landscapes, nature and people with gorgeous scenic backgrounds,” Archinuk says. “I love nature and the outdoors as it provides a sense of peace, balance and beauty.”
Her background in cosmetology proved surprisingly advantageous, gifting her with an ability to visualize end results — a crucial skill when composing shots in challenging conditions. This foresight becomes especially valuable when working with the unique lighting of snow-covered landscapes, where bright Arizona sun reflects off white surfaces, dramatically altering a scene’s appearance.
“Light behaves differently on a snow-covered Arizona landscape compared with when there’s no snow,” she explains. “On our bright, sunny days — even when it snows — the light shines and reflects off the snow, altering the entire look of the scene.”
These days, Archinuk’s schedule is busier with weddings and portrait work, making her landscape photography more intentional. She carefully plans outings around golden hour, interesting cloud formations, thunderstorms and — of course — snow.
“I specialize in natural light photography and use that to bring the ‘wow’ factor into a photo,” she adds. “I feel like that is one thing that sets me apart because I understand the surrounding landscapes and how to best use this natural light to accentuate the photos in the best possible way.”