
When I asked them what they hoped to portray about this chapter in their family portraits, Nick answered, “Just us being real.”
With three kids under five, I assumed that “being real” might have a more energetic flavor than a subdued one. I leaned into the beautiful pandemonium inherent to a family with young children and encouraged Nick and Jessica to do the same.

After all, before long, they could potentially have three sullen teenagers who’d prefer to look stoic than goofy. The beauty of this time can be found in its silliness, playfulness, and some occasional outright anarchy.
They are an endearing bunch. You can’t help but enjoy their company.
In the mix, you’ve got:
• two patient, loving parents; a nurse mom and a restaurant owner dad
• a one-year-old, recently recovered from surgery, free of his helmet, double-fisting juice boxes
• a game-for-anything preschooler and kindergartner who answer to the names of fictional characters and delight to see their brother flying through the air
The combo made for a session that left us all in need of a nap and, in my case, with a massive smile on my face.


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