Blog - KDI Photography

7 Reasons You’ll Love Having Portraits Made in Summer – Flagstaff Photographer

Thursday, June 2, 2016

By the time she finally called me, I could hear the guilt in her voice. They had waited and waited to find the right moment. Something always got in the way. The kids had some school event or sports activity. She and her husband wanted to lose a little weight. One of her children was going through an “awkward teeth” phase. (For the record, I absolutely love the visual time machine aspect of “awkward teeth”!) Scheduling was always a challenge. Before they knew it, the kids were just SO MUCH older. She felt like some of the important moments in her family’s life had been missed, photographically.

Have you ever heard that proverb: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now”.

You know when the best time is to make portraits? Now.

Here are my top 7 reasons to have your portraits made during the summer:

1. Coordinating schedules is usually easier in the summer. It’s less likely that you’ll have to work around school events, sports, lessons and other after-school activities.

2. People often feel more “photo-ready” in the summer. We’re outdoors, getting some sunshine and are usually more active than during the holidays.

3. Your stress level will be dramatically reduced when your holiday gift giving and holiday cards are completed before the rush sets in. And, when you and your family members find yourselves in relaxed summer mode during the session, your holiday portrait gifts and cards will show it!4. Family and senior portrait photographers (like me) (more…)

Emmalee’s Gift – Photographer in Flagstaff, AZ

Saturday, May 21, 2016

She was clearly getting ready to say something. She stood in front of me and paused, looking at the floor for a second. When she did glance up at me, she quietly mumbled, ‘I’m gonna miss you.’ I said ‘Oh, I know. Me too. I always love when I get to play with you.’

Later, at the end of the very full day, I looked at the wax bracelet she’d made me, snuggled sloppily around my wrist, and smiled again. My 3-year-old friend (she’d made a point to assure me we were real ‘friends’) had arrived in the morning with her awesome parents for their portrait View and Order meeting like she almost always arrives – looking very serious and shy. About 15 minutes in, she usually starts to warm up and progresses from there to the freely-climbing-on-my-lap level, and then finally on to full-out dance party mode by the time she has to go. In like a lamb and out like a very playful, giggly lion.

Today, our little dance break needed no music except us humming along to our crazy steps. I’ll confess, I love it when kids are reluctant to leave the studio because it means they’re happy to be here. Fortunately, I’ll get to see her again soon – there’s more on the calendar with her delightful family.

The bracelet was tangible evidence of some sweetness in a day that was full of sweet moments. A wonderful email from clients who were happily surprised by something that Keiji and I sneakily included in their order; a newborn’s sleepy sounds, furrowed brow, and prayerful toes; parental expressions as they reacted to their teenage daughter’s photographs; a woman’s joyfully enthusiastic voice on the phone as we conspired about her upcoming couples engagement portrait.

Again and again, beautiful souls somehow find us, walk through our studio door, and fill up my heart. Their presence is an amazing gift.

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

Pregnancy Portraits Over Time – Flagstaff Maternity Photographer Looks Back

Thursday, May 12, 2016

This year will mark the 25th anniversary of my first pregnancy portrait! (These sessions are sometimes also called maternity photography.)

KDI Photography Pregnant Portrait Flagstaff, AZ

pregnancy, maternity portrait, Flagstaff AZ

Clearly, that first mama’s belly got me hooked immediately because I’ve been photographing pregnancy and babies ever since that first session. For the last 20 years, I’ve been making portraits in my studio and on location in beautiful Flagstaff, Arizona.

Pregnancy and Newborn portraits, Before and After, Flagstaff, AZ by KDI Photography

If it’s possible, I’m even more passionate about making these photographs now than when I first started. Maybe becoming a mom simply made it more meaningful to me. As a parent, I certainly have a higher awareness about how quickly the time passes.

Waiting for a baby to come is such a magical time in a family’s history, and I love helping them document it to enjoy far into the future.

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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

Live Like Mason – A Heartbroken Mom’s Words of Wisdom

Friday, April 15, 2016

Two weeks ago, the phone rang and it was horrible news. My friends and clients, the Hanson family, had suffered an unimaginable tragedy. That morning, their 22 month old son Mason had unexpectedly run outside and was hit by their car. This precious boy, this adored ball of sunshine and love, was gone. In the days that followed, as I sat with them and created projects for his memorial and for their home with the portraits we’d made together, I saw up close what it looks like to suffer the worst pain anyone can imagine. The pictures were some comfort to them, and I was grateful there was something I could do to help, as I struggled with the absolute powerlessness we all feel when watching friends live through enormous grief.

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In the 10 days following Mason’s passing, they were surrounded with a tsunami of support, from helping with financial concerns to building “Mason’s Garden”, a beautiful growing, flowing memorial to their littlest child in their backyard. Along with extended family, friends and our remarkable Flagstaff community, they accomplished herculean tasks of organization and planning. When Mason’s parents took to the podium next to his casket to beautifully remember their child on Sunday, the sorrow in that room was palpable. But Jessica’s speech was also something else. An inspiring entreaty to make the world more Mason-like.

With Jessica’s permission, her words are included here.

Wow, there is a lot of love in this room. A lot of sadness, but a lot of love. Look at how beautiful that little boy is.

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I was contemplating talking about the most dramatic poop experience with you all but I suppose it would be a good ice breaker. 5 weeks ago I let my Mason go without a diaper for no more than 3 minutes. I wanted to watch his cute little naked butt running around for a short period of time. As I was watching him I noticed he was giving me the look….The, I’m going to poop on the floor look. From that second on everything was in slow motion. I said buddy, don’t do it… I stood up and as I was going to pick him up he pooped right on the floor…then I stepped in it. So there I was standing in my daughters room on one foot holding a naked baby who was ready to fire at any given moment. I started yelling for Mikey…

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First Communion Portraits – Flagstaff Family Photographer

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

When the Rodriguez family first arrived at my studio, they appeared, in a group. Since then, whenever I meet with them, there’s usually quite a few members of the family present. It makes sense, since they comprise two of the three local families that own the delicious Tacos Los Altos on Route 66 here in Flagstaff Arizona. Running the family restaurant business together, I’m sure they’re used to the need for lots of familial cooperation! Being really passionate about their food and about their customers means a lot of hard work. If you haven’t been to Tacos Los Altos, you need to go because it’s quite yummy: https://www.facebook.com/TacosLosAltos/

The two oldest daughters in each family were about to receive their First Communion and we needed to celebrate this important rite of passage. I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed being with them and being entrusted with documenting such a meaningful moment in their lives. Being with this family always brings a smile to my face and I hope we’ll get to make more portraits together down the road.

The story behind the sign – portrait memories in Flagstaff

Monday, March 7, 2016

It’s the first time I cried while changing the picture on our photography studio’s sign. We switch the portraits on our sign every few months but we put this portrait of a father and son up for a very different reason than the usual. We want to honor a friend who just passed away unexpectedly. Ed George was an amazing cinematographer/ still photographer, and an all-around great guy. Every time I saw him, his passion for his work, his family, and his life were very evident. His inner delight and enthusiasm shined out of his crystal clear, crinkly blue eyes. You can see some of his character in these portraits with his son, Kyle.

A few months ago, I was talking to Ed about his latest globe-trotting adventures. He’d been to several countries recently, was working on an amazing film project here in town and then planned to gallivant off to yet another exotic locale. Through his work, he’d been stalked by lions, filmed anacondas, swam with sharks. I said “Wow, Ed! Do you ever stop to realize that you have an amazing, enviable life? I mean, so many people only dream of the kind of life you have and would probably love to trade places with you!” He paused, smiled and said, “Yeah, well I’m not getting rich, but yes, it is a great life. I really feel grateful.”

This beautiful, very short film about Ed George is worth watching.

He will be missed.

A Special Senior Portrait in Flagstaff, AZ

Monday, February 29, 2016

I first encountered Abbie when she was just a little little. During her family portraits, she and her siblings were adorably loving and sweet. An early example here, although her brother’s not so sure about the snuggling!

Watching the 3 kids in this family grow, that loving sweetness hasn’t changed. Something that has changed is that Abbie has blossomed into a brilliant artist, committed runner, passionate skier, and someone who loves great books. She has also, unfortunately, has had way more than her fair share of health challenges. Diagnosed with Dysautonomia, she has spent an enormous amount of time in the hospital and has been in an out of a wheelchair. She has seizures and chronic pain, she passes out, she sometimes loses the ability to speak, walk or use her hands. And yet, she rises with determination over and over again and resumes pursuing all of her many interests and talents. She doesn’t seem to let anything stop her for very long. It’s a quality that she shares with Olympic athletes I’ve photographed.

With all of this in mind, we set out to make a senior portrait of Abbie making art and also outdoors in her beloved snowy Flagstaff.

The manner in which Abbie makes her art shows her sheer will. She will set up her materials anywhere – in a cluttered office, on the floor, wherever she can find space. And what she creates is remarkable. Her work reveals the beauty inside her and also sometimes unveils her physical and emotional pain, too.

I love how you can see in her face the strength she has inside.

Abbie’s so inspiring that she’s one of 4 nominees for a scholarship – an A.C.E. Award (Accepting the Challenge of Excellence) from the Exchange Club of Flagstaff. The A.C.E. Award is presented to a senior high school student who has shown perseverance and success in meeting difficult personal and academic challenges in his or her high school experience.

Sounds right up her alley.

You can read more about Abbie’s health and her phenomenal art in a recent article in the Arizona Daily Sun here.

BLE – Family Portraits in Sedona, AZ

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

I first photographed Annette when she was pregnant with her youngest daughter, who is now in middle school. I remember her reporting that her husband Nate loved a portrait of her laughing hard, holding her round belly. When I finally met him, I saw that humor was so much a part of who he was. If you live in Flagstaff, you undoubtedly know that Nate passed away in 2012 in an accident, leaving behind a huge hole in our community. Over the years that I knew him, he expertly modeled four things for me:
1. Make sure that the people you love, know it.
2. Be comfortable in your own skin.
3. Bring humor with you wherever you go.
4. Help when you can.
His family is amazing and they’ve let his life and remarkable style be a reminder to all of us to make it the Best Life Ever. BLE. Each of these 4 unique beautiful souls are so dear to me. They always make me laugh hard when we’re together and this session in Oak Creek was no different. All of them have the family humor, strength and kindness. I hope you can get a sense of that in these portraits.

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A Beautiful Mom & Daughter – Flagstaff Family Photographer

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

I made this portrait a couple of years ago and I just love seeing how North Country HealthCare designs around my pictures. This wonderful mama has three kids now! North Country HealthCare Tax Credit

Summer Portraits in Flagstaff – Northern Arizona Child Photographer

Thursday, September 17, 2015

Seriously, is there any more profound joy than witnessing a 1 year old learning to walk? If you then take that scene and drop it into a beautiful Flagstaff location with fun, kind parents, it’s pretty amazing. We wandered around, following the lead of beautiful, smart Porter, who truly LOVES to stop and smell the flowers. She’s a reminder of mindfulness and wonder.