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SABINE, BASIS Flagstaff, Class of 2018 – Senior Portraits in Flagstaff, AZ

Sitting outside the door of my shooting studio, Sabine’s mom Gina was probably wondering why she was hearing so much loud laughing overlapping with the sound of things falling and crashing to the floor. Gina exhibited a tremendous amount of trust and didn’t actually ask any questions. (I think she’s come to expect these kinds of shenanigans at my studio.)

Sabine has a passion for some very cool hobbies, so of course some of them made their way into my studio that day for her senior portrait session. Sabine was game to try all the weird ideas I had and it was a blast trying them! My hope is that we made a memory that represented the essence of Sabine at this moment in time.

During the session we listened to Fall Out Boy – or at least we tried. The Pandora station I made called “Fall Out Boy” didn’t seem to think playing actual FOB music was a requirement. Sabine knew every song, though and cracked up at an algorithm that would spit out random non-genre related music. Sabine will attend the Honors College of Oregon State as a Marine Biology major in the fall and is a National Merit Scholar Finalist. So, I think it’s clear that music isn’t Sabine’s only area of intelligence!


Kristen Dacey Iwai of KDI Photography is a full-time professional portrait photographer based in Flagstaff, Arizona with more than 2 decades of experience. Making portraits of families, pregnancy, newborns, babies, children, high school seniors and for businesses in her downtown studio and on location, she serves clients from Flagstaff, Sedona, Tuba City, Winslow, Payson, Page, Williams, Prescott, Mesa, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Arizona

Flagstaff Family Portrait Photographer • Flagstaff Maternity Pregnancy Photographer • Flagstaff Newborn Photographer • Flagstaff Child Photographer • Flagstaff Senior Portrait Photographer • Flagstaff Couples Photography


 

Two New Babies In The Family – Newborn Twins Photography

The twin girls seemed eager to get here before their ideal arrival date, which made for a pretty exciting time leading up to their appearance. I was trying not to check in, because I didn’t want to annoy them but I was really hoping to hear good news soon. When the girls arrived, 33 minutes apart, they needed to visit the special care nursery for a while, and then got to go home with oxygen. This delayed our newborn portrait session a little bit but the girls seemed so perfectly healthy when I finally got to meet them in person. I was thrilled that they came to the studio with some deeply meaningful family treasures. The bassinet you see in these portraits has been used for several generations in their family, made with Drew’s mom’s wedding dress.

The blankets we used were made by beloved family members. This cornucopia or “horn of plenty” is what their  mama came home from hospital in when she was born, since she was a Thanksgiving baby.

Alaina and Drew felt that the girls should be the stars of the session. I agreed but also gently tried to convince them to be willing to appear in some portraits themselves! I believe that later, their daughters will love to see these portraits of their parents holding them, with so much love in their faces. How nice that they acquiesced, allowing us to make a record of this important time in their family’s history.


Kristen Dacey Iwai of KDI Photography is a full-time professional portrait photographer based in Flagstaff, Arizona with more than 2 decades of experience. Making portraits of families, pregnancy, newborns, babies, children, high school seniors and for businesses in her downtown studio and on location, she serves clients from Flagstaff, Sedona, Tuba City, Winslow, Payson, Page, Williams, Prescott, Mesa, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Arizona

Flagstaff Family Portrait Photographer • Flagstaff Maternity Pregnancy Photographer • Flagstaff Newborn Photographer • Flagstaff Child Photographer • Flagstaff Senior Portrait Photographer • Flagstaff Couples Photography


 

ALLY, Sedona Red Rock High School, Class of 2018 – SENIOR PORTRAITS IN AZ

Portrait of Sedona Red Rock High School Graduate, Senior Photos in Flagstaff, AZ by KDI Photography

There were two things on her mind; Ally was graduating from high school soon and yet, she also wanted a family portrait with her boyfriend, Kyle, with their adorable dog Paisley. We ultimately decided we needed to make a hybrid session to cover all her portrait hopes and wishes; senior portraits and family portraits.

We cracked up and chased Paisley around and had so much fun that it was hard for me to stop shooting. But, eventually it was time to go. I’m always aware of their commute from Flagstaff back to Sedona, AZ, not wanting to keep them too long. I guess she also just inspires my maternal instincts. A few years ago, Ally’s mom passed away I can see that Ally has become a remarkably independent person. She manages things that most kids her age never have to and she does so with a smile, kindness and humility. After she graduates, she’ll attend NAU to pursue the physicians assistant program. We’ll be truly lucky to have her serving our community. 


Kristen Dacey Iwai of KDI Photography is a full-time professional portrait photographer based in Flagstaff, Arizona with more than 2 decades of experience. Making portraits of families, pregnancy, newborns, babies, children, high school seniors and for businesses in her downtown studio and on location, she serves clients from Flagstaff, Sedona, Tuba City, Winslow, Payson, Page, Williams, Prescott, Mesa, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Arizona.

Flagstaff Family Portrait Photographer • Flagstaff Maternity Pregnancy Photographer • Flagstaff Newborn Photographer • Flagstaff Child Photographer • Flagstaff Senior Portrait Photographer • Flagstaff Couples Photography


Spread Some Love: Winter, New Year’s & Valentine’s Day portraits – Family Photographer Flagstaff

You made it through the holidays. Whew! Great job! Here are my best reasons why now is perfect for a family or couples portrait.

1. You never got around to portraits in 2017 and it’s making you feel guilty and maybe a little slackerish. Here’s your way out! You’re going to feel like such a good person when you simply refuse to let any more time go by before documenting the people you love.

2. Your life is hopefully a lot less busy now than it was a few weeks ago. School and social activities may not be in full swing yet, making it less arduous to coordinate schedules for a session. Did you know we can even help you with that? When you send us your preferred parameters (“Tuesday mornings or Thursday lunchtimes”), we can send a scheduling link with session options that you can share with those hard to pin down family members.

3. When you send your love ones a custom Valentine’s Day themed card with portraits of your family on it, it will really stand out since they won’t be receiving many cards right now. Who doesn’t love receiving Valentine’s Day cards?

4. A gift certificate for a couples portrait session can be a romantic Valentine’s Day gift. I’m talking to you, husbands! A family session is a meaningful gift, too. It tells the recipient that you treasure them most.

5.  Not up for Valentine’s Day cards? Just wait and include these portraits for your holiday card later this year. You’re already preventing 2018 holiday-related stress! See? You’re so ahead of the curve!

Maybe there’s never one absolute ‘perfect’ time, but it’s always a good feeling to look at your favorite people, smiling down at you from your now beautifully decorated walls.

Time is speeding by. This is one powerful way to savor it.

Valentines Day Family Portraits Flagstaff, AZ, KDI Photography

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


Who Should Select Your Profile Image? – Arizona Portraits

I enjoyed this article because it validated something I’ve observed in my work, especially when I make head shot portraits.

…the images chosen by strangers made a better first impression than those people picked themselves.”

Science confirms it—your LinkedIn profile photo looks even worse than you think it does

It’s certainly something to think about the next time you find yourself choosing a profile portrait of yourself purely because “my hair looks best” or “I look cool in that one.”

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Kristen Dacey Iwai of KDI Photography is a full-time professional portrait photographer based in Flagstaff, Arizona with more than 2 decades of experience. Making portraits of families, pregnancy, newborns, babies, children, high school seniors and for businesses in her downtown studio and on location, she serves clients from Flagstaff, Sedona, Tuba City, Winslow, Payson, Page, Williams, Prescott, Mesa, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Arizona. Please visit KDI Photography’s website.

Flagstaff Family Portrait Photographer • Flagstaff Maternity Pregnancy Photographer • Flagstaff Newborn Photographer • Flagstaff Child Photographer • Flagstaff Senior Portrait Photographer • Flagstaff Couples Photography

 

Celebrating Love With Summer & Fall Couples Photos in Flagstaff

“It’s benign.”  Isn’t that such a great sentence? Who doesn’t want to hear that the issue they’re having is harmless, noncancerous?

Those two words are an excerpt from one of my earliest conversations with radiologist Ken Salce. I hope he gets to say that to patients every day but, for me, hearing it was remarkable.

It was a long time ago, but ever since that day, seeing him has always been a happy reminder of his compassionately issued reassurance.

Flagstaff AZ Location Couples Portrait, couple holds hands in sunflowers, KDI Photography
Flagstaff AZ location couples portrait, a man gives a woman a piggy back as they smile at each other in the yellow summer sunflowers aspens of Northern Arizona, by KDI Photography
Flagstaff AZ Location Couples Portrait, Couple Snuggles in the Flowers of Northern Arizona, by KDI Photography

When I bumped into him at a fundraiser with his sweetie, Tara Cecil, she gave me reason to smile, too. She is a person who is filled with light and enthusiasm and love, all of which  radiate out of her face.  You can’t miss it, it’s contagious.

They are amazing together, sharing private jokes, finishing each other sentences. They share an easy confidence and it’s just a good feeling to be around them. When Tara finished her PhD and they set a date for their upcoming wedding, we made plans to create some overdue couples portraits. Their way of being together makes my job a breeze, I sometimes think they’ve forgotten I’m there, with my camera!

Flagstaff AZ location couples portrait, A woman and man Smile at each other in the fall aspens of Northern Arizona, by KDI Photography

We made the first photographs in the bucolic summer in Flagstaff, with  abundant, saturated yellow flowers surrounding the happy couple.

For their second portrait session, the turning leaves of the golden aspens in Northern Arizona were in their fullest glory.

Despite the fact that both of them work at Flagstaff Medical Center, Ken and Tara met for the first time while skiing in Telluride, Colorado.

They have made a beautiful life here in Flagstaff, but plan to celebrate their nuptials this fall in the place where it all started. If their Colorado wedding is anything like them, it will be lovely.

Flagstaff AZ location couples portrait, a woman and man sit snuggled, smiling in the colorful fall foliage of the aspens in Northern Arizona, by KDI Photography
Flagstaff AZ location couples portrait, a woman and man embrace during sunset, with the San Francisco Peaks behind them, and the colorful fall foliage of the aspens in Northern Arizona, by KDI Photography
Flagstaff AZ location couples portrait, a woman and man embrace watching the  sunset, with the colorful fall foliage of the aspens in Northern Arizona, by KDI Photography
 

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


Blessed – Flagstaff Newborn Photographer

I just typed ‘newborn’ into the search field on my computer and watched as 20,000 images of the very beginning of so many lives came up in front of my eyes, which now have tears in them.

What a gift that I get to do this for a living.

9 day old newborn in his father's armsOne very special newborn at 9 days old

We are literally “a mom and pop” photography studio.

We truly love making these family treasures for other parents.


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


CEO Portrait for Body Bliss in Cottonwood, AZ

“It was like jumping onto a moving freight train.” Flagstaff Portraits - CEO PortraitWhile were making some fresh professional portraits, I’d asked Pam about becoming the new owner of the popular aromatherapy products store, Body Bliss in Cottonwood, AZ. She was scrambling to get up to speed to stay on top of all the amazing growth in her business. Instead of the usual synthetic yuckiness, Body Bliss products are made with natural and sustainable botanical raw materials and can be found at some of the finest spas around the country. The company was originated by a botanist and a massage therapist, looking to create healthier supplies for massage therapists to use day in and day out.  It’s a product line that is near and dear to Pam’s heart and she loves her fun, demanding job.

FlagstaffPortraits-BodyBlissCEOBeyond what I originally thought of as aromatherapy products (like essential oils), Body Bliss offers a huge variety of delicious sounding goodies like “I RENEW Organic Tea Tree & Rosemary Foot Soak”, “Chai Spice & Vanilla Virgin Coconut Body Polish”, and “Pink Grapefruit & Jasmine Cleansing Cream.” I get hungry just reading their titles! Personally, I’m in love with the Organic Lavender & Vetiver Body Lotion and am kind of wondering how I lived without it all these years! You can purchase online, so go get something yummy for yourself or a lucky loved one: Body Bliss website

 

Kristen Dacey Iwai of KDI Photography is a full-time professional portrait photographer based in Flagstaff, Arizona with more than 2 decades of experience. Making portraits of families, pregnancy, newborns, babies, children, high school seniors and for businesses in her downtown studio and on location, she serves clients from Flagstaff, Sedona, Tuba City, Winslow, Payson, Page, Williams, Prescott, Mesa, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Arizona. Please visit KDI Photography’s website.

Flagstaff Family Portrait Photographer • Flagstaff Maternity Pregnancy Photographer • Flagstaff Newborn Photographer • Flagstaff Child Photographer • Flagstaff Senior Portrait Photographer • Flagstaff Commercial Photography

11 Days: Pregnancy & Newborn Portraits in Flagstaff

In my 25+ years as a photographer, I’ve never before had the opportunity to make portraits of a female firefighter. Arizona is a dry place and we’re enormously grateful to the firefighters, hotshot crews and Wildland Fire Managers who keep us safe. It was incredibly fun to make portraits of Katie in some of her firefighting gear, both during pregnancy and merely a week and a half later with newborn Ms. personality-plus in her arms. Katie doesn’t prefer to be the center of attention but her husband and I loved these portraits documenting the huge changes in their family in such a short window of time.

Before                         AfterPregnancy and Newborn Portrait, Flagstaff, AZWhat a difference 11 days make! I LOVE the thoughtful finger-pointing.

Here’s some more expert finger-pointing, six months later. I’m thinking that this is her evolving personal style. Nobody does it better. 🙂6Mo-Baby-Portrait-Flagstaff-AZ-Photographer

Kristen Dacey Iwai of KDI Photography is a full-time professional portrait photographer based in Flagstaff, Arizona with more than 2 decades of experience. Making portraits of families, pregnancy, newborns, babies, children, high school seniors and for businesses in her downtown studio and on location, she serves clients from Flagstaff, Sedona, Tuba City, Winslow, Payson, Page, Williams, Prescott, Mesa, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Arizona. Please visit KDI Photography’s website.

Flagstaff Family Portrait Photographer • Flagstaff Maternity Pregnancy Photographer • Flagstaff Newborn Photographer • Flagstaff Child Photographer • Flagstaff Senior Portrait Photographer • Flagstaff Couples Photography

RAFFLE TO HELP SUPPORT THE MASLAR FAMILY

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KDI Photography is holding a raffle to support a family whose 31/2 year-old daughter is going through cancer treatment. We’re offering a free studio portrait session for up to 5 people with a $99 print credit to one winner. Buy one or more raffle tickets and you will be helping to provide financial support to their family as they travel to Phoenix for chemotherapy treatments. One raffle ticket for $20 or 6 tickets for $100.  Raffle drawing will be November 21st.

We are excited to offer some support to this amazing family so thanks in advance!

TO GET YOUR RAFFLE TICKETS, PLEASE REACH OUT TO ANY OF THESE FOLKS:
Kristen or Keiji Iwai at (928) 779-4151 or studio@kdiphotography.com
Shannon Ellison at (928) 213-0888 or Sehavey22@yahoo.com
Heidi Komada at (928) 221-7854 or heidinted@yahoo.com
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• Want to help even more?  Sign up to coordinate raffle tickets at your work or school!

• Not interested in winning a portrait session with KDI Photography but still want to help? Please feel free to contribute to another fundraiser, a GoFundMe campaign that was set up by Maslar family friends.

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Fall Family Portraits in Flagstaff, AZ

Whats your season? Everybody seems to have their favorite.

Is it Fall, Autumn?  You know, the time of year when we all want to go leaf peeping and see the brilliant fall foliage? KDI-Child-Portraits-S-Kids-Family15_038Most years in Northern Arizona, the Aspens start turning from rich, radiant green to saturated yellow in late September. Some of that color can often be found as late as November. It starts on the mountain and moves into town, so different locations show their beauty at different periods within that few week window. It just so happens that lots of Flagstaff families and seniors in high school want to make portraits in that setting every year. In fact, October is our photo studio’s absolute busiest month.

It makes sense that Fall is so popular for portraits. Like the San Francisco Peaks, those turning leaves are pretty iconic to us Flagstaff residents. Why do I mention this while we can still see some of the flowers of summer? Well, because we are already booking up our busy September and October and I don’t want you to miss out. (It makes me sad when our clients are sad!) We fill up that time in our calendars every year, but this year we started booking the fall season sessions in February! We still have many studio sessions open but the location portrait sessions always go faster.

So, lovely past and future KDI Photography clients, consider this your friendly reminder. Fall will be here in a flash!

 

Kristen Dacey Iwai of KDI Photography is a full-time professional portrait photographer based in Flagstaff, Arizona with more than 2 decades of experience. Making portraits of families, pregnancy, newborns, babies, children, high school seniors and for businesses in her downtown studio and on location, she serves clients from Flagstaff, Sedona, Tuba City, Winslow, Payson, Page, Williams, Prescott, Mesa, Scottsdale, Phoenix, Arizona. To see more, please visit KDI Photography’s website.

Flagstaff Family Portrait Photographer • Flagstaff Maternity Pregnancy Photographer • Flagstaff Newborn Photographer • Flagstaff Child Photographer • Flagstaff Senior Portrait Photographer • Flagstaff Commercial Photography

 

 

Kind Words – Professional Portraits Flagstaff

I met a lovely person yesterday when realtor Linda Kiehne came in for her ReMax Peak Properties professional business portrait. Unlike my family, children and senior portrait subjects, I find that people often come to the studio to get an updated head shot with some reluctance. I can empathize because I prefer to be behind the camera (or at least one of my children!) when it comes to portraits, too. I try to make it a painless process for my commercial photography clients and I’m so glad that Linda enjoyed her experience during our session together.

You can see some of KDI Photography’s commercial portraits here.

commercial headshots

Keiji Iwai & Kristen Dacey Iwai

KDI PHOTOGRAPHY

 

724 N. Humphreys St

Flagstaff, AZ 86001

 

Phone

(928) 779-4151

 

Hours:

M - F 9 - 5 by appointment

KDI Photography Portrait Studio in Flagstaff, Az
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