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Miracle Baby – Family Portraits in Flagstaff

If you know Brewer, you probably know that earlier this year, she was diagnosed with a softball sized tumor on her kidney. It was just a few days before she turned one. When I met Jeff and Sunshine, they were looking at their tiny daughter possibly having cancer. They couldn’t get treatment right way because of some complications, including that Brewer had RSV. However, when her surgery finally happened in early March, they removed what was found to be a benign “cystic nephroma” and determined that no further treatment (chemo or radiation) would be required.

You’d never know what she’s been going though because she seems to be her happy bright self again, laughing and walking and being amazing. Brewer still needs to return to Phoenix for regular ultrasounds to make sure she remains healthy, so please keep her in your good thoughts!CoffmanBalmat15_025002CoffmanBalmat15_004N 003CoffmanBalmat15_012004CoffmanBalmat15_030005CoffmanBalmat15_016   008CoffmanBalmat15_011BWWe made these portraits on Jeff and Sunshine’s wedding anniversary, which made it even more special.

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Mother’s Day, Headed Your Way [newborn photographer Flagstaff]

Mother’s Day is coming up soon – on May 10th. We’re already celebrating with a new image on the sign in front of our studio!

There’s still time to make sure that the moms in your life feel special and loved. I’m conspiring with some kind and sneaky people right now to surprise their moms / wives with great presents like coffee table books, framed prints and canvas gallery wraps. If you haven’t had a portrait session in a while, here are two more ideas for a portrait related surprise:

1. a KDI Photography gift certificate for prints or a portrait session (comes gift wrapped)
2. wrap up a frame with a note in it that portraits are coming

Happy Mother’s Day to all you mamas out there!

Mother's Day, Flagstaff, AZ

 

Flagstaff Photographers Profiled in the Arizona Daily Sun

Ever wake up on a sleepy Sunday and find your own face greeting you in the morning newspaper? It’ll wake you up quickly, I can tell you that! The Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff’s local newspaper, came over to visit our downtown photography studios and did a profile on Keiji and myself. If you’d like to read the article, it can be found here. These are two Keiji Iwai photographs that somehow never made it into the article. I love both of these images.Dragonfly Catcher, JapanSnowy San Francisco Peaks, Flagstaff, Arizona

Something to celebrate – Flagstaff photography studio

Dear past, present and future KDI Photography and Keiji Iwai Photography clients and friends;
Please join us for an open house to celebrate our new photography studio on Saturday, January 24th!

Even if you are unable to make it that day, we’d love it if you’d give our studio your blessing by leaving a comment below.

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Flagstaff Best of Business awards – Flagstaff photographers

Well, this was a nice surprise. We are honored to be chosen as best photographer by the Flagstaff Best Of Business Awards. Congratulations to our friends at Ascendant Financial Solutions, Northern Arizona Dermatology, Collins Irish Pub, Peak Engineering, Herron Interior Design, AEC Printing and Northern Arizona Radiology for their wins too! You can find the whole list of winners in this month’s and next month’s issues of the Flagstaff Business News.
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A visit to the mother road – Flagstaff photographer

We recently made this portrait of the staff at Mother Road Brewing. If you haven’t been to their establishment, you should check it out, especially if you are a fan of craft beer. They sell bottles to take home or you can enjoy their products with a Fratelli pizza, all in the room where they brew the beer. It’s quite the experience. As you can tell from their clothes, this local, family-owned Flagstaff business celebrates Route 66, dubbed the ‘Mother Road’ by John Steinbeck in the 1930’s.

TARA

I’m too sad to do this well, but I wanted to tell you that Tara passed away this morning. I made this picture outside her house when I visited her two days ago to say goodbye. It felt to me that her light was illuminating this tree in her yard with all the fierceness of her spirit. Tara’s sister Krista posted this quote on Tara’s CaringBridge site today and it’s been comforting me all day. I hope it gives you comfort too.

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!”

“Gone where?”

Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and she is just as able to bear the load of living freight to her destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the moment when someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!” There are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout: “Here she comes!”

And that is dying.

~Henry Van Dyke

If you want to hold her husband two little boys, Liam and Quinn, and family in your heart and prayers, that would be appreciated. Here is information on how to make a contribution to the Tara S. O’Connor Memorial Fund (in lieu of flowers).
If you would like to contribute via check, please make donation payable to:
TARA S. OCONNOR DONATION ACCOUNT
Mail these checks to:
National Bank By Mail
(Chase)
PO Box 36520
Louisville, KY 40233-6520

Electronic transfer will be set up soon.

RAFFLE TO HELP SUPPORT TARA’S FAMILY

KDI Photography is holding a raffle to support a family whose mom is going through cancer treatment. We’re offering a free studio portrait session for up to 5 people plus a $99 print credit to one winner. Buy one or more raffle tickets and you will be helping to provide diapers, formula an other needed supplies for Tara O’Connor’s 2 children, ages 3 and 8 months. One raffle ticket for $5 or 5 tickets for $20.

TWO WAYS TO GET TICKETS:
• contact us at 928 779 4151 or studio@kdiphotography.com
• and also at
Haven Montessori (c/o Cristy Zeller)
621 W Clay Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 522-0985
cristyz@havenmontessori.org

Raffle drawing date has been extended to September 22nd.

BIG DREAMS {Flagstaff Photographers}

Some of you may know that Keiji and I have dreamed of a bigger and better studio for our family business. Well, we are on our way to that dream coming true now. The sign is up in front of our new location but we still have a long way to go to get the building ready to be studio-worthy. As you know, these things take time, so wish us luck in getting it done fast! As of now, we think we’ll be able to be working there in the fall. Thank you to those of you who have expressed encouraging words about this big transition for our family. We feel SO grateful to be a part of this supportive community and to have you cheer us on means more than you know. Here’s to dreams coming true!

helping flagstaff families

Want to get in the true holiday spirit with your kids? My friend Cristy started this wonderful project to help Flagstaff families in need. Please scrounge though your outgrown stuff or grab an item or two when you’re shopping and bring it by. My studio has a donation box for these much needed items between now and December 20th. Email or call to arrange to drop off your donations studio@kdiphotography.com (928)779 4151.

Suggested items:
*Children’s books, games, toys, and arts and crafts supplies
*Olive Oil
*Large bottles of spices (such as Thyme and Garlic Powder)
*Large bottles of salad dressing
*Harkins Gift Cards in $5 increments for Reading Prizes (for the reading room)
*Small items (pencils, erasers, stickers, etc.) for the children’s treasure box in the reading room
*School supplies
*Backpacks
*Sleeping bags
*Warm coats, hats, gloves, boots for children
*Warm unisex socks, gloves, scarves, mittens & hats for adults
*Fuel gift cards (for the FFFC truck)
*Canned food and other non-perishable food items *Diapers (SIZES 3 AND UP), wipes, and other baby-care items
*Baby formula, baby cereal, and baby food
*Personal care items for children and adults (including toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, etc.)

Used items as listed above are welcomed as long as they are in very good shape. Please do not bring items that are dirty, overly worn, have holes, or are missing pieces (or otherwise something that you would not want to use in your own family, or give to your most particular friend!). If items do not fit these criteria, I’d suggest putting them in one of the clothing donation bins for BBBS or Goodwill around town. This year we will not be accepting clothing beyond warm coats, hats, etc. (the items specifically listed above).

https://www.facebook.com/notes/cristy-schaefer-zeller/flagstaff-holiday-drive-please-repost/184022269563

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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