Wondering when you need to submit your senior photo to the yearbook?
Did you know that when you work with us, we submit the yearbook photo for you? One less thing on your to-do list during senior year. 🙂 We can also help with senior tribute ads in the yearbook, if needed.
We reach out in the new year to design epic graduation cards for you! We aim to be a partner to help keep you on track during a super busy chapter.
Here are some high school-specific deadlines for the Flagstaff Class of 2026.
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
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
I first met the Montgomerys when their friends gifted them a family portrait session before William’s deployment to Iraq. I loved them immediately.
Just weeks after Williams’s deployment, Annie discovered she was pregnant with their third child.
I couldn’t imagine what it felt like to be either of the parents in that story: the mom at home with two little girls, a baby growing in her belly, worrying about and missing her husband. Or the dad, sent into the fray, trying to remain safe, absent for a monumental chapter in his family’s story.
I offered to do pregnancy portraits so William could experience it somehow. The letter he wrote me about what that meant to him was something I carried in my purse for a year. A prayer for his safety as much as a reminder of why I do what I do for a living.
He made it home with 12 hours to spare before baby Ella was born. We made portraits of them snuggling together before he left again. Happily, he eventually returned home safely, but it was an incredibly dramatic start to Ella’s life.
Fast-forward 17 years.
Now, can you understand why I was a giddy little kid at the prospect of making Ella’s senior portraits?!
It’d been five years since our last session, and reconnecting with Ella was so much fun. She is engaging, intelligent, beautiful, talented, patient, graceful, strong, delightful.
Nothing deterred her. Not fighting off the last of a cold, some hair-mussing wind, or some seriously questionable rutted roads into the middle of the forest.
Ella’s crew, mom Annie, and sister Grace were the dream team. Montgomerys are get-it-done people. If you want something done, ask a Montgomery!
We talked about Star Wars and Disney, horror movies, poison brownies (you had to be there), Texas, Batman, Halloween traditions, ballet, and sushi. We tromped around the mountains through meadows, rocks, and aspens. Ella was lovely through it all; her stamina as a dancer clearly an advantage. We even recreated one of her baby pictures, trying not to giggle.
As the sun set, bathing her in a warm glow, I felt so grateful for this moment and everything that led up to it.
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
So much had happened that I felt the need to take notes! Since we last saw each other, they’d moved multiple times, changed jobs, and traveled extensively. They’d even started FOUR new businesses, like Catalyst Coaching and Mentoring and Loveless LLC. And those are just a few highlights!
As we talked, memories of our time together floated through my mind. I was reminded of their kindness, humor, many talents, and their sweet extended family. It was wonderful listening to their South Carolina accents again. I adored hearing about their darling daughter at this stage, and the adventures they’d been on. I could easily talk with either of them for hours.
When Keiji and I met them on location in Sedona for family photos and saw their daughter again, she was utterly enchanting. I remember her as if it were yesterday, but she could hardly have remembered me after all this time. Nevertheless, she literally welcomed us with open arms. Her next move was to invite us to ice cream, which is the way to my heart, BTW. 😉 That’s just how adorable and engaging she is!
During this Sedona family portrait session update, we were accompanied by Blue Herons, jumping fish, and the scent of lilacs wafting on the breeze. As we walked, she charmed me with stories, cracking me up. She even enthralled us all with a heartfelt rendition of “You Are My Sunshine.“
This bright, compassionate girl is an original. She’s going places. I just hope she remembers me when she gets there because she and her parents have a special place in my heart.
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
Working with juniors and seniors in high school, we get to know our families during the senior photo process, and we understand how challenging charting a path to college can be!
Besides, we’re parents ourselves. We get it. We’ve been there!
Need help? We’ve got your back.
On September 9th, 2025, we are offering a free college counseling class with a fantastic college counselor. Juniors and seniors in high school, along with their parents, are welcome to join us for a warm, informative, and enjoyable presentation.
There will also be time for questions afterward so you can get the specific information you need.
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
She is almost 7 years old, ridiculously cute with wavy auburn hair, and has the most contagious giggle.
I mean, you could NOT keep a straight face once she unleashed it. I assumed she’d lose that sweetness over time and eventually morph into a stoic teenager, too cool for the giggle. Boy, I was wrong. Thank goodness!
Over the years, Jorah has been remarkably consistent. Sweet, funny, wise, empathetic, warm, a creatively talented soul, and a GREAT laughter.
She grew up playing in the ferns on the mountain in Flagstaff, so that is where we headed for her senior photos. It was a heart-filling session. I was grateful to be with Jorah again, and we reveled in a succession of ideal lighting conditions – first beautiful clouds, then the blessing of a quick sprinkle of rain, and lastly, sunshine.
Ever the imaginative theater kid, Jorah did accents with me, making up a hilarious fictional narrative about boarding school. Later, she graced us with a song, her voice carrying across the meadow to me and my camera, making me beam.
She brought the sweet and quirky Voodoo along. After completing his puppy modeling duties, he found his little body and leash completely ensnared in a pile of ferns. Thankfully, his family executed a highly skilled rescue.
Jorah’s mom was on hand for support. (In case you can’t tell, I adore both of these women.) Glancing over, I could see Ariel soaking this all up, as she always so masterfully does. Taking in this once-in-a-lifetime scene, her daughter in a watershed moment, shining like a beacon of light.
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
Whether you’re a mom of a senior daughter who’s headed off to the next chapter or a young woman wanting to feel empowered as you spread your wings, we hope this will be helpful.
We are offering a client appreciation gift to our beloved clients: a free self-defense class class for women. Moms and daughters are welcome to join us for this informative class and training session.
The workshop will take place at Sacred Mountain Fighting and Healing Arts on July 19, 2025, from 10:30am to 12:30pm. It’s a mom and daughter activity that’s educational and fun. It’s part informational instruction and practical tactics – like you get to hit a dummy and maybe flip your mom/daughter over! 🙂
Want to join us? Space is limited, so please let us know soon!
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
We met in the summer sunshine on a Tuesday afternoon, exploiting the last of the happy August flowers.
We laughed, danced, climbed on rocks, played the weird face game, giggled some more, hugged lots.
There were civil debates over who could have a turn holding the reflector, shirtless high-fives, silly slow-mo videos, and then finally, a little tailgate party. We had taken our “We did it!” family portrait selfie and were just standing around, grazing on snacks and sipping flavored Bubblys.
No one was in a hurry to leave – no school, work, camp, or obligations. Just family time.
As I played with Wilder, taking hilarious selfies, I noticed the sky was getting ridiculously beautiful. So, I did something I try not to do. I asked them to humor me and make one more portrait.
Being the sweetest, easy-going, fun group, they said, “Sure! Why not?”
It turned out to be the most stunning portrait of the evening – in a session already full of meaningful, joyful family portraits.
I always look forward to my time with this AMAZING crew. I also get a good night’s sleep because it demands my full attention! But I wake up with a smile on my face, knowing I get to hang out with them.
I’ve been photographing them for a long time, ever since Basil and Wilder were in utero. Do you know these guys? Then, of course, you love them like I do.
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
Driving through the pitch dark, I wound my way out of town and deep into the forest.
It was a last-minute leap of faith.
Would the lush yellow flowers remain? The most striking flowers within town had faded in the previous days. Would there be a bunch of campers in the area where we were headed?
We arrived and were rewarded with epic blooms, glorious light… and a sprinkle of sleeping campers. We tiptoed around, whispering in hopes that we wouldn’t wake them. Using hand signals to communicate, I’d say, “Turn a little to the left, move your hand lower, etc.”
Lucy is a phenomenal athlete who plays four different sports and has already been recruited by universities. She’s also had some modeling experience, so directing her for her senior photos was ridiculously easy. Her mom, Bridget, offered fantastic support, and we laughed (quietly) through the session.
At one point, Lucy jumped, exclaiming that a “huge bug” buzzed by her and had “growled” at her. I later discovered she was talking about a hummingbird moth loudly fluttering its wings. With so many blooming flowers to pollinate, I’m guessing it was a happy growl. 🙂
The whole session was incredible. I drove home in a state of euphoria about what we were able to accomplish, the incredible people I get to work with, and this stunning place we get to live in.
Would I lose sleep to have that experience again?
In a HEARTBEAT.
I hope my subject feels the same.
2 responses to “A Leap of Faith – Senior Portraits in Amazing Summer Wildflowers”
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
We parents are pretty good at capturing our newborns and toddlers.
After all, they are SOOO stinkin’ cute! And they change almost daily.
But the documentation slows down by the time they’re in elementary school.
We relentlessly snap pictures on our phones but never do anything with them.
We frequently find ourselves running between school activities, sports, play dates, camps. As parents, we’re often just trying to get through the day.
By the tween/preteen years, or from ages 8 to 13, the portraits are often non-existent. And MAN, there are a lot of developmental changes in there!
I see little quirky, snuggly boys morph into too-cool-for-goofiness teens in the course of a year. They sometimes stop making the ever-present silly faces and start styling their hair.
And that little girl who always wanted to sit on your lap? She’s rolling her eyes at you because she’s already figured out you don’t know everything, like she thought you did a minute ago!
There is some awkwardness in this chapter. Lost teeth, adult teeth, braces!
Puberty is here or en route. It typically begins around 10-14 for girls and 12-16 for boys.
So, between the busyness and awkwardness, you put off scheduling portraits. By the time you do, your kiddo is a junior in high school, and we’re planning senior photos.
You usually tell me, “I feel so bad! We haven’t had real portraits in so long!”
One more reason for parental guilt, am I right?
Here’s my plea: make time for tween portraits. You don’t want to miss this pivotal chapter.
Why it’s important:
SHOW THEM THAT THEY MATTER Investing in portraits sends a message to your kid that they matter, that you love them through every iteration of their development, and that they are treasured.I wish EVERY kid could feel that way.
SELF-ESTEEM Do you remember what a challenge middle school felt like? It can be hard to go through those transformations from elementary school to middle school. Beautiful portraits (and an uplifting portrait process) designed to remind your kid daily that they’re amazing can be a huge self-esteem boost.
PRESERVE AND SAVOR THIS MOMENT FOR THEM These portraits can serve as visual reminders of their growth, accomplishments, and connection to others so they can look back on this chapter of their story.
PRESERVE AND SAVOR THIS MOMENT FOR YOU Make a time machine of your child before these changes, while they still want to hold your hand, still snuggle and have those sweet, unselfconscious smiles. Document that Lego, stuffed animal, Harry Potter, or horse obsession before the next thing comes into focus.
EMPOWERMENT Set the foundation now that their passions and quirks are their superpower. It’s what makes them unique and special.
So, reach out to talk about options. Your future self (and your tween) will thank you for it.
We cannot underestimate the power of photographs to keep us feeling linked to others and belonging.
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
When I asked them what they hoped to portray about this chapter in their family portraits, Nick answered, “Just us being real.”
With three kids under five, I assumed that “being real” might have a more energetic flavor than a subdued one. I leaned into the beautiful pandemonium inherent to a family with young children and encouraged Nick and Jessica to do the same.
After all, before long, they could potentially have three sullen teenagers who’d prefer to look stoic than goofy. The beauty of this time can be found in its silliness, playfulness, and some occasional outright anarchy.
They are an endearing bunch. You can’t help but enjoy their company. In the mix, you’ve got:
• two patient, loving parents; a nurse mom and arestaurant* owner dad
• a one-year-old, recently recovered from surgery, free of his helmet, double-fisting juice boxes
• a game-for-anything preschooler and kindergartner who answer to the names of fictional characters and delight to see their brother flying through the air
The combo made for a session that left us all in need of a nap and, in my case, with a massive smile on my face.
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
I’m gonna admit it. I’m a touch sad. Happy, of course, yes. But also, a little sad.
It’s just bittersweet to reach this noteworthy milestone with these guys.
I’m trying to remember when I just KNEW I loved this family. Was it five minutes in? Ten? 🤔 It was quick. I’ll tell you that.
It was 2020, and as you might remember, things were a little wonky. It didn’t seem to matter. Even with pandemic mitigations in place, the connection forged.
In the nearly five years since, I’ve had the absolute pleasure of watching and documenting this awesome family’s growth. From two parents with a teeny two-week-old to a full-throttle family of four, a toddler and a preschooler exuding transformational energy daily! It’s been amazing.
There are too many beautiful/hilarious/poignant/awe-inspiring moments to recount, but here’s one:
After Sawyer needed surgery to separate the fused plates in his little baby noggin, he needed a helmet. (Can you imagine how his parents felt, going through that?)
Well, in true Hatch McDonald style, he absolutely ROCKED that look. He grew out a fluffy shock of hair and proudly sported a “Helmet Hair, Don’t Care” onesie.
Check out 6 month old Sawyer rocking his helmet with style!☝🏻
At his 12-month session, he happily “graduated” from that chapter. And he showed us how he felt about it by walking up to his helmet and hurling it to the ground with a flourish and a celebratory chortle! I think we all had tears streaming down our cheeks with laughter.
It was perfect. Just like so many moments with this incredible family.
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
