Whitefish sits for a portrait

By OLIVIA KOERNIG/Whitefish Pilot

If you're expecting a who's who in Whitefish, then photographer Laira Fonner and editor Dave Reese's "Portrait of Whitefish" will surely disappoint. But if you're open to experiencing a candid reflection of the people — average and extraordinary alike — who make Whitefish what it is, the book will delight.

"We didn't want it to be a who's who and offend people," Fonner said. "We just let it fall into place."

And fall into place it did. Fonner and Reese said that no sooner would they mention someone who they wanted to see in the book than that very person would cross their paths.

"It happened again and again," Fonner said. "I'm talking about people we hadn't seen in 10 years. It's the power of visualization."

While Fonner and Reese both claim the idea for the book, they'll happily share the credit for the finished product.

"I'm the dreamer; he's the doer," Fonner said.

Fonner, with her background in artistic portraiture photography, lays claim to the beautiful artwork throughout. Reese, with his journalism roots, steered the interviewing and writing process, redirecting Fonner and editing as necessary.

"He helped me to see that everyone has a story," Fonner said. "I just had to ask the right questions."

The result is the 100-page "Portrait of Whitefish," which features black-and-white photos alongside 500-word biographies of 100 different Whitefish residents.

The people in "Portrait" are listed alphabetically by last name. Not surprisingly, Charlie Abell starts the book and Winter Carnival's first "first lady," Alda Zerr, ends the book. But in the intervening pages, you're likely to find people with names and stories you've never heard, although they're no less compelling.

"I felt this story had never been told," Reese said. "The book shows a good cross-section of what and who Whitefish is — old and new and everything in between."

Still, Reese acknowledges the book includes more "old Whitefish" personalities than new, which is partly why he wants to do another edition next year. Fonner said the project was "an absolute blast" and that she couldn't nail down her one favorite portrait.

"I walked away from every interview saying, 'What an amazing person,'" Fonner said. "I hope people will see that it's a beautiful book, but it's also got these fascinating stories."

"Portrait of Whitefish" sells for $49.95 and is available at Bookworks, online at montanaliving.com and at the downtown farmers market.

Fonner will read from the book at Whitefish Credit Union on June 20 from 3 to 6 p.m.