Blog - KDI Photography

Emory, Flagstaff High School, Class of 2023 – Grace on the Water

Thursday, June 29, 2023

He casts his line, whips the pole back and forth, monofilament popping on and off the surface of the water. He stops to tie new flies when needed, his whole kit designed to keep everything he needs at his fingertips. His technique is fluid and he seems so totally at home while he’s casting. It’s impressive to watch. But don’t let these calm, peaceful moments fool you about Emory’s lifestyle.

High school senior boy, sitting on a rock in the creek in Hawaiian shirt and blue fish socks, Sedona, AZ. Senior photos by Flagstaff Portrait photographer, KDI Photography.

He makes me feel like a slacker, honestly. He’s competitive in swimming and wrestling, loves fly-fishing, hiking, hunting, backpacking, and his dogs. And don’t forget, country music, cool quirky Hawaiian shirts, working out, trucker hats, traveling, and his 1967 Olds Delta 88. See what I mean? I’m tired just reading all of those things!

There was discussion of incorporating a variety of his many interests in his senior portrait session. But he has so many cool hobbies and skills that we had to narrow it down. I’m afraid my portraits only start to tell you the story of Emory. There is just so much to this chill, smart, polite guy!

So it’s not surprising that he was recently signed to swim for University of Puget Sound. (You can read about it in this article in the Arizona Daily Sun.

He recently graduated from high school. Congratulations on all of your success, Emory!

High school senior boy, wearing t-short and trucker style call cap, Sedona, AZ. Senior photos by Flagstaff Portrait photographer, 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

Izzy, Coconino High School, Class of 2023 – Catching a Star

Monday, June 26, 2023

Getting ahold of her is like tracking down a politician or a celebrity. Nearly impossible. Between volleyball, club softball, high school softball, and helping coach for the middle school team, she is rarely in one place at a time. She even started snowboarding last year! It was so hard to locate her that I met for the first time in person, at our senior session.

Coconino High School softball player sits against tree, Flagstaff senior photos, by KDI Photography.

Luckily, she was awesome and seemed to get used to me pointing a camera at her very fast. She makes even uncomfortable things look effortless, like when she walked across the mesa in her fresh red heels and got attacked by a random cactus. She nonchalantly plucked the painful, poky spines out of her feet. When back up was needed for a particularly tenacious one, she encouraged her mom to “Just grab it!!” No fear, no whining. Par for the course for this strong, athlete.

Softball player sits on rock wearing team colors, Flagstaff senior photos, by KDI Photography.

Izzy has big plans for this fall already dialed in. You can read about them in the Arizona Daily Sun, here.

Coconino High School athlete wearing her letterman jacket, kicks up her red high heel shoes, Flagstaff senior photos, by KDI Photography.

Three Generations and Never a Dull Moment

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

At some point, everyone fell.

Well, OK, maybe not literally… but like half of the portrait party? That’s a lot, right?

I’ve been joking ever since our July session that, “It’s not a portrait session until someone falls on their tuchus!” Fortunately, no one was actually injured in the making of these portraits.

Three Generations Family Portrait in Flagstaff, Summer in Northern Arizona

But here’s what happened.

The matriarch of the family tripped over a rock and fell down.

The big kids repeatedly fell off of a big log they were playing on. Yeah, that may have been a deliberate choice, since they sure seemed to like it. 🙂

My assistant Sydney tumbled while balancing, holding a reflector.

Three Generations of Family Members Laughing and Talking During Family Portrait in Flagstaff, Northern Arizona Photographer, KDI Photography

Grandparents and Siblings Kissing Baby Boy During Three Generations Family Portrait Session in Flagstaff, Northern Arizona Photographer, KDI Photography

Grandparents and Grandchildren Laughing, Three Generations Family Portrait Session in Flagstaff, Northern Arizona Photographer, KDI Photography

And, THEN the best one. Mom Katie, in a dress, holding her one year old, hopped a fence and didn’t quiiiite make it!

She did what any fierce, protective – not to mention acrobatic – mom would do. She saved the baby! She held him up from the ground as she tumbled, turning the whole thing into a fun adventure for little Ford.

His only problem was wondering why everyone was laughing so hard, including his mom.

Just another great session with these guys!

Family Portrait in Flagstaff, with the San Francisco Peaks in Background

Kids Playing During Family Portrait in Flagstaff, Northern Arizona Photographer, KDI Photography

Little Boy Laughing, Playing During Family Portrait in Flagstaff, Northern Arizona Photographer, KDI Photography

Quinton, NPA Class of 2023 – Senior Photos in Flagstaff

Friday, May 19, 2023

It wouldn’t have worked. Our goal was to show the mountains and it was one of those days where you would never know we had any in this town. The cloud cover stayed low to the ground, obstructing our beautiful peak views.

The weather relented on the day of our rescheduled session. It was especially wonderful to see Quinton in his element, with his super power. He has four self-purchased Subarus and builds, repairs and drives them like a pro.

Man! What I would’ve given to have just one of those vehicles when I was his age! Before the session his mom asked Quinton to clean his mud splashed car, but he declined, preferring to keep it in the condition it’s most suited for. I had to agree.

It was kind of an emotional session to begin with. I first photographed this particular high school senior when he was three days old. Back then, I was shooting in my garage. While it offered phenomenal light, my clients needed to politely ignore the lawnmower and crusty cans of paint sitting nearby. I have such a fondness for those who have stuck with me since those days, and this family especially. Documenting them over the lives of their children has been such a heart-filling privilege. I can’t even begin to tell you.
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Quinton graduates this week. I’m so excited for him!

Ellie, BASIS Flagstaff, Class of 2023 – Here Comes Graduation!

Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Ellie’s mom, Julie, was someone that I liked and admired the minute I met her years ago, so it’s not surprising that Ellie is wonderful as well. When we met to plan her senior portraits, Ellie said things that belied her visual savvy. It’s common for people to have difficulty articulating the nuances of why they are drawn to a particular photograph, but not Ellie. She sees more than most people. I loved collaborating with her to plan her session, deciding on what and who to bring, etc.

High school senior photos, Senior Portraits in summer in Flagstaff, AZ

Number one on the list? Kira the wonder pup! She was excited to be with us and had lots of energy but with Julie’s expert wrangling and Ellie’s fun, nurturing presence, they were adorable together. You can see their sweet rapport in the last two portraits. 🙂

When it came time to design Ellie’s custom graduation announcements, the collaboration continued, with Ellie sketching and designing ideas from Germany, where she’s been traveling. I wish she could come be our in-house graphic designer because I’d be happy to hang out with her and design things together every day. 🙂