After a catastrophic rock climbing accident, my friend and fellow photographer John Burcham’s life was radically changed. We’re incredibly grateful that he survived, but there is a long road of healing ahead as he works to regain his eyesight, strength, and mobility.
We sat down to have a conversation about recovery, photography, patience, continuous learning, and surprisingly… crumpets.
EPISODE NOTES:
Want to follow John and see his beautiful work?
Please visit his website JohnBurcham.com and his INSTAGRAM profile.
To continue to help support the Burcham family with medical costs, rehabilitation expenses, and loss of income, please visit their GoFundme page.
That is also a good place to read more about the accident and see updates about John’s recovery status.
Some topics we touched on in our conversation:
- The support offered by ARIZONA HIGHWAYS
Richard Avedon’s self-criticism about Dovima With Elephants
- The helmet that saved John’s life:

The Burcham Family in 2012:
Flagstaff Family Portrait Photography • Flagstaff Maternity Pregnancy Photographer • Flagstaff Newborn Photographer • Flagstaff Child Photographer • Flagstaff Senior Portrait Photographer • Flagstaff Couples Photography
Kristen Dacey Iwai of KDI Photography is a full-time professional portrait photographer based in Flagstaff, Arizona with decades of experience. Making portraits of families, pregnancy, newborns, babies, children, and high school seniors in her downtown studio and on location, she serves clients from Flagstaff, Sedona, Tuba City, Winslow, Payson, Page, Williams, Prescott, Mesa, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Arizona








