Here’s an abbreviated list of things we had to defend ourselves against:
• tarantula hawks and actual tarantulas • red ants • killer tomatoes • feral cats in an abandoned bus • spicy hot chilis • stinging bees
The name Liam means “protector,” and he certainly lived up to his name. No hospital visits for us. Thank you, Liam!
Okay, maybe they weren’t actually coming for us, but they COULD have! Liam, his mom Michele, and I laughed it all off, but all of these living things can actually be found in the immediate environment of Liam’s Sedona school.
His senior photo session could have gone horribly wrong, but instead, it was an absolute blast.
I loved seeing who he is now at this stage. He is delightful, kind, and interesting. He played his violin, made awesome, hilarious faces, and genially greeted passersby as we wandered around campus.
At 75 years old, Verde Valley School has such a happy vibe and is amazingly innovative. Just a few of the programs I witnessed or heard about were horseback riding, a biking club, camping trips, and gardening.
I wish I could go there! I’m sure Liam will miss it when he graduates in May. Congratulations, Liam!
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
It tends to overwhelm my subjects and, if I’m honest, myself!
But I had a lot of ideas after getting to know the Pozars. I wanted to tell their story an authentic way, and they had several places that were meaningful to their family history.
So I asked them to treat this family portrait session like a scavenger hunt, where we’d bounce from place to place. They were game because, well, they’re Pozars. A defining characteristic of their family is being game for anything!
It turns out that it was VERY important that we ran from place to place.
As I waited to meet the family, I spotted the two sisters running towards me, full throttle. I hoped it was because they were super excited for portraits but as it turns out, nope. They were running for their “lives”.
“Senior Assassin” is serious business and Izzy was being aggressively hunted. Because this was ”Purge Day”, she couldn’t protect herself with pool items (you know, floaties, goggles, etc.). In other words, she was an open target while I was photographing her.
She was cool as ever, but the whole family spent the session looking over their shoulders. Our adventure included fake-outs, car swapping, narrow escapes, and fortunately, the aforementioned multiple photo locations. I’m proud to say that they were unable to get her on my watch and she lived to fight another day!
2 responses to “Springtime Photos In Flagstaff • Living To Fight Another Day”
Burt Gershater
So creative. So much fun. So full of life. Simply a gem family photographed by gem photographer.
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 Hailey’s sister and mom, Krista, braved the five-hour drive to make portraits with us two years ago, it was an absolute delight. So, naturally, when Krista reached out about making senior portraits with her other daughter to celebrate her dual graduations from college, I was thrilled.
A little about Hailey; She likes to play and listen to music, is an amazing chef, and cares about treating people well. Besides being funny and smart, she is what I call a ‘thought broadcaster.’ When she makes her trademark faces, you can see what she’s thinking – something I consider a gift and a source of endless entertainment!
Case in point; Midway through during a Zoom meeting, she began making a pained, disgusted face. Trying not to take it personally, I inquired if she was OK. Laughing, she admitted that her dog was licking her feet off camera.
On the afternoon of our session, standing in ankle deep water, she suddenly screamed, nearly fell and then leaped dramatically to the beach nearby. Why? Well, a wee frog fell from the cliff above her into the water next to her and scared her out of her wits. I mean, who expects a FROG to fall from the SKY and splash down at your feet? Got a video of the cute little guy swimming, but sadly, not of her heroic leap. #photographerfail
She has achieved so much, graduating with two degrees in only three years while also managing her family’s citrus farm, yet she remains humble, kind, gracious. My only complaint is that she has no plans to open a bakery here in town. Congratulations, Hailey!
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
On the one hand, she is an absolute badass, something that is certainly represented in the first portrait. She will not only get excited to perform surgery to repair your guinea pig’s eyeball, she will calmly nerd out on the science of it. She will do this unflinchingly, with a love for the science of veterinarian surgery.
But on the other hand, she cares so deeply about others that the toughness you see in the first portrait really doesn’t begin to cover it. She is compassionate and humble to a fault. I joke that she will not cross the street if she thinks someone else might prefer to go first. She certainly got into veterinary medicine out of that unbelievable compassion for both the animals she cares for and the humans who love them. I call her a Magical Animal Whisperer because Dr. Doolittle is an inadequate description. She has a great laugh and tremendous amount of patience.
Our town is incredibly lucky to have her. I am even luckier to call her a friend.
4 responses to “Veterinarian. Mom. Superhero. Portrait of Chelsey in Flagstaff, AZ”
Deb smith
What a sweet write up about Chelsey. You nailed it and of course the photos are perfect! Happy holidays to you and yours from Peter and me. We’re happy and healthy and loving being retired. We do miss all the friendly faces from our past though…. ❤️
Thank you so much, Deb! Happy holidays to you and Peter. I’m so glad that you are well and that you liked Chelsey’s portraits. She is amazing! Wishing you all the best.
Leslie
Kristen, Your ability to capture so much about people in words AND photography remains only a part of how fully you are able to connect with humans and other beings. Thanks for sharing so much of yourself with so many so often.
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 love the way they think. That’s what you say when someone shares your mindset! 🙂
Truly, I love the way they see their children. They revel in each one’s uniqueness, while celebrating their overlapping traits. In selecting family portraits that tell the story of this chapter, authenticity was their top criteria. They work together as a fabulous team. Level headed, loving parents, trading off ideas and tasks with a shorthand ease that’s impressive.
It was a delight to be back with this awesome family. I got to watch them welcome their second cutie, witnessing the way that the family enfolds him in their arms, literally and metaphorically.
Cora is the fun, doting, big sister now, and Finn clearly adores the attention. Each parent snuggles him in that perfect puzzle piece way, a vantage point from which he’s safe to look out at the world and socialize.
Maybe that safety and love is why he’s maturing fast, seeming beyond his chronological age. It’s not every newborn that brightens my day as often as he does, with one of his trademark, beaming smiles. Such a sweetie!
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 won’t be defined. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that she won’t LET you define her, she is an easy going person. Define away.
No, I mean, she makes it impossible to put her into some narrow category.
When you meet her, she’s not a super chatty person, but I tend to pry. 🙂 Here’s what I found out: A hard worker who quit her job to focus on school, she plays guitar, likes photography and played soccer for this year’s state champs, NPA. WOOT!
She has the presence of a gentle soul, and a contagious laugh. But, her game day face? Whoa. DO NOT mess with that athlete. She had injured her arm right before her senior session, but never once whined about it. That gentle soul has fierce inner strength.
She loves being outdoors, especially at Snow Bowl, is a great dancer, can somehow manage to play nice music with giant, pretty nails, when asked.
What surprised me the most? She likes to go to Good Will. Not so much for clothes, like the rest of us. For law books. For FUN. She finds them really interesting. Strength AND brains.
See? She’s lots of things. Lots and lots of awesome things.
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
The end of high school is filled with new tasks and challenges. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by even the idea of the college application process, you’re not alone. We love an opportunity to help our families with this chapter, so next up, we at KDI Photography are sponsoring a juniors night at our studio.
For our first one, we’ll have expert college counselors help you figure out how to choose colleges to apply to. Later they’ll share what you need to know about paying for college.
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
Again and again, she returned with friends and siblings for visits to this special place. Games played, prom attire documented, picnics shared, impromptu photo shoots enacted. Over the years, memories accumulated.
It had started when they lived closer, the attachment to this lovely location. With a deck overlooking a pond and amazing flora and fauna on display in every direction, it’s pretty remarkable. Back in the day, it was right across the street, and even though they no longer live nearby, many happy memories remain. I have memories of her growing up, too. I used to see her in the neighborhood, usually in motion, always a bright smile and a friendly vibe.
Now, she’s selected this spot as the most meaningful place for senior portraits and I’m all in. She and her mom Belinda have that effect. If they want something, you want them to have it! They are both that wonderful.
I aimed to show the many facets of Mollie’s personality and interests, her strength, her humor. When we made portraits with her soccer gear, we didn’t know that Mollie would later lead her team as co-captain to win the state soccer championship! 🥳 💪🏼 I would follow her lead anywhere because she is so kind, so much fun, such a sweetheart.
Congratulations Mollie, on ALL the amazing things you’ve achieved!
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 drove through the drizzle, in frustration. Not because of the weather, but because I found myself crawling along behind a slow poke going 25 miles below the speed limit, with no opportunity to pass. I careened into the parking lot at exactly the session’s start time – AKA late, since I like to get there early. The rain was just stopping so we thankfully didn’t miss anything.
As Bryce, his mom Tammy, and I stood strategizing by the horse trailer, one of the 3 horses started loudly peeing. At first it was kind of funny but as it progressed on and on and ON, it became challenging to concentrate or talk over him! I guess it’s important to stay hydrated.
Big Red, Little Red and Willie (a steadfast presence since before Bryce was born) were more interested in eating delicious grass than looking up or pointing their ears towards the camera. But Tammy was an AMAZING, intuitive helper. Running, before I could ask, to exactly where I’d wish her to be, she would shake enticing treats in a cup. Between her expert maneuvering and a squeaky toy I keep in my camera bag, they gave us their stately attention.
I loved making this bookend senior portrait with Bryce, having first photographed him before (his pregnant mama) and after his birth. It was great to see his mastery with the horses and learn more about his artistry with leather work. Check him out at his Facebook Page.
As we packed up, the rain started again, signaling the end of a great session.
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
Hey, graduating class of 2024! How is your senior year treating you so far? Has senioritis hit you yet?
I know you have a lot going on, but yearbook deadlines are coming up fast. Make a plan now. You don’t want to stress about getting “real” senior portraits at the last minute.
Of course, yearbook pictures aren’t the most important reason to schedule a senior photo session.
Everything is about to change, right? You’ll be so glad that you recorded this watershed moment in your life. Who you are, RIGHT NOW, as you’re finishing high school.
We’ve got you covered with everything you need to celebrate how far you’ve come. These portraits will shine down from your walls and out from artful albums. We can also design for you some epic graduation announcements.
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 knew of Jack. I mean, everyone did. He had been voted an Arizona Daily Sun Citizen of the Year, for one thing. When I finally got to know him, I could see why.
I had always looked forward to reading his Trailheads column, published twice a month in the newspaper. It was in one of those columns that he encouraged readers to join the Big Brothers Big Sisters fundraising race. He challenged us non-runners to walk it, setting a goal for the most walking participants ever. I signed up, brought some friends and sure enough, many others heeded Jack’s call as well. The biggest walking turnout the event had seen to date.
I met him that Saturday morning and told him I was there because of him. I asked him if I could photograph him, as part of a personal project. He reached out three days later to say yes. I’m so glad he did.
Sitting on the red couch in my office, he told me his story. In 1943, when Jack was about 5 years old, he and his family moved into the St. Louis home they would occupy for 55 years. His mom had come from Kentucky, and was a phenomenal gardener. She nurtured a Victory Garden that, along with the other neighbors’ gardens, was a crucial source of food during the war. She didn’t just teach Jack. She insisted that the family participate in this important activity for feeding their family. When Jack arrived here, he started his own, saying that food is more challenging in Flagstaff than flowers.
After retiring from Benjamin Moore, he moved here to Flagstaff in 1998 and decided to get involved in helping people see the beauty of our town. He told me “I think it’s a great place to live and I like to show people.” He volunteered more than anyone I know, especially in trails, biking, and clean up, often coming up with pithy names for his groups. Once a month he lead a group that did trash cleanup in the city. Considering themselves stewards of the FUTS trails, they called themselves PUTLRUS, an acronym for ‘Pick Up The Litter, Recycle Useful Stuff’. He was relentlessly inclusive, always leading walking groups, teaching, encouraging. A partial list of organizations he contributed to over the last 25 years can be found here.
I think he was nothing short of heroic, but he would wave me away for saying anything along those lines. He was humble to a fault, minimizing his accomplishments and contributions. He’d stepped back as he’d gotten older, he said, because “People don’t listen to you anymore.” He didn’t seem to mind. “Younger people need to find their niche. I’m OK with moving aside to work on something else”
I loved becoming friends with him, getting to know him, photographing him. But I don’t feel I did him justice, photographically. It’s a daunting task to portray someone who embodied so much. Yet, he was so grateful, so appreciative of my time and the portraits themselves, despite his modesty. His favorite was the walking away picture, he told me, not only because his face isn’t visible but he said it “just showed something.”
He passed away last month at the age of 85. His positive, generous presence is irreplaceable but I think the world would be better if we all walked the walk, like Jack.
Very nice article!! I am happy to have had Jack in my life and to have known him as a friend. He encouraged me in many ways; joining the Flagstaff Bicycle Advisory Committee, participating in Flagstaff Trails Initiative, PUTLRUS, attending City Council, etc. I tried not to laugh at his corny Midwestern humor but I couldn’t help myself. And he always told me “If you are bored in Flagstaff, it’s your own damned fault”.
Marian
Love this remembrance, Jack really was an inspiration and such a important part of our community. He will be missed but I am confident others will take up where he left off and his good work will continue.
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
Usually there are tears. Often, we’re laughing so hard, we’re crying. Other times, a different kinds of tears – some grateful and some painful. So much has happened.
This journey started years and years ago when I photographed Brian’s amazing grandparents as they approached their 90’s, having been married for 63 years. The minute I spent time with this family, they became treasured friends.
Since then, I’ve watched them make so many life changes. I’ve said goodbye as they moved away. Welcomed their return back to town. Photographed several members of their families who have since passed. Watched their relentlessly delightful kids grow up.
Everything changes. Brian and Alyssa have stayed the same but their kids? Not so much! 😂
This session was a celebration after some heavy life losses. Like all my time spent with the Lindstroms, I drove home with a full 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
2 responses to “Springtime Photos In Flagstaff • Living To Fight Another Day”
So creative. So much fun. So full of life. Simply a gem family photographed by gem photographer.
Aw, thanks very much, Burt! So glad you liked the post. We appreciate the kind words.