On any given Saturday, you’ll find Stan Arnett on the sidelines of a soccer field, camera in hand, coaching and cheering. Balancing three kids in competitive sports, a demanding job, and his passion for photography might seem overwhelming to most, but for Stan, it’s a life he wouldn’t trade for anything.
“My kids’ moments don’t happen twice,” Stan says, adjusting his camera lens before a Rocky Mountain soccer game. “If I’m not there to see them, to capture them, I feel like I’m missing a part of their life.”
Stan’s three children each chase their own athletic dreams, from soccer tournaments that span states, to lacrosse games the eat up everyday of the week. The schedules overlap, crash into each other, and often demand lots of traveling around quickly. But somehow, Stan always manages to be there.
“I basically live in my car sometimes,” he laughs. “There are cleats, bags with equipment, and lots of food wrappers in the cup holders or floor. But honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Balancing work in a fast-paced career during the week doesn’t leave Stan much room to breathe, either. His job demands precision and long hours, but he’s learned to carve out time creatively. Early mornings, late nights, and strategically using vacation days to make it to tournaments. His weekends, however, are sacred.
“Work can wait usually,” Stan says firmly. “But my kids can’t.”
Beyond just being present, Stan has built a reputation on the sidelines for his photography. Parents, coaches, and even opposing teams recognize him by now, his camera is just another way to put himself out there. Through thousands of photographs, he’s created not just memories for his own family, but for dozens of others, sharing albums after tournaments and big games.
“Sometimes I wonder how he does it all,” says a local coach, Will Cantwell, smiling. “I’ve seen Stan sprint from one end of a field to the other just to catch a goal, then rush off to another game twenty miles away. But I am so grateful for his commitment to the team and his kids.”
Stan’s secret to balancing it all credits lots of preparation and his passion.
“You have to love it,” Stan explains. “Every game, every tournament, even the rainy, freezing, miserable ones. There’s always something exciting if you’re paying attention.”
Despite the hectic pace, Stan keeps the focus exactly where it belongs, on his kids. He knows they’ll eventually grow up, and these days, this chaos will be just a memory. But thanks to him, they’ll have not only the memories but the photos that prove they lived every second to the fullest.
“The best pictures aren’t always the trophies,” Stan says, scrolling through a gallery on his computer. “Sometimes it’s a kid falling down and laughing, or that little goofy look before they take the shot. That’s what I’m chasing. That’s why I enjoy doing what I do.”
