Love Made Tangible

I was SO looking forward to seeing the Leiendeckers again! When I had last seen the twins, they were babies. Now, nearly a year later, they had grown into real toddlers, approaching their second birthdays. We had never done a portrait of their family in the vivid yellow flowers so we made a plan for late summer. But, you know, the best laid plans…  this was the year that the flowers decided not to come. Summertime in Flagstaff can be a showcase for huge carpets of gorgeous yellow flowers but this year, practically nothing. Keiji and I scouted all over town, trying to find a flowery location worthy of this awesome family. Eventually, I discovered one small but amazing patch of flowers, with a phenomenal view of the peaks rising up directly behind. The only problem? They happened to be growing on private property, belonging to owners I had never met. Fortunately, I live in the friendliest community, ever! When I asked the owners, they not only agreed, but offered their assistance in any way we might need it. Total Flagstaff style!

On the afternoon of our session, my heart was full but, sadly so were the rain clouds darkening the skies overhead. When the family arrived, Alaina proclaimed, “If you want it to rain, just call me. I’ll schedule a portrait session!” Because, in truth, it has rained at the beginning of every location shoot I’ve ever done with them. We sat in cars watching the downpour, trying to remain hopeful. Finally, the trademark Leiendecker weather miracle kicked in, the sky brightened, and we were off to the races! We played a really exciting game called “How many nice portraits can you make with two slightly sleep deprived and teething toddlers before they get hungry, sleepy and understandably ornery?” Between Alaina, Drew, my trusty assistant Téa, and myself, the ratio of adults to kids was just about right. The girls were as adorable as ever.

As the sun lowered in the sky, the remaining rain clouds caught the setting sunlight and made our scene even more stunning. A day later, when I went to leave a thank you for the property owners, the flowers had all been completely mowed down, making me even more grateful for that fleeting window of time.

Flagstaff Family Portrait Photographer • 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