I looked out my studio window on a late June morning as disappointment and claustrophobia washed over me.
Our normally crisp, clean Northern Arizona air was choked with smoke blowing north from the Pocket fire in Sedona. Going outside wasn’t just unappealing; it was potentially hazardous.
To top it off, many forest roads were closed to prevent even more fires. The rains had been scarce.
We looked everywhere for a location for Brooklyn’s senior session.
The goal:
Clean air, trees, and, if possible, flowers.
Finally, we found it! The bohemian yellow flowers up on the mountain were happy from the snow-pack they’d received. AND, even better, the air on that side of the peaks was amazingly clear.
On the day of her senior session, I told Brooklyn and her mom, Carra, to cross their fingers. As a precaution, I’d bring masks in case the wind changed directions and suddenly clogged up the air with smoke.
And you know what? It was amazing. I said that Brooklyn’s effervescence manifested the beauty that surrounded us. 🙂 She is magic!
She made my job an absolute breeze. She had flattering, portrait-friendly wardrobe choices, a glorious bouquet, and her very supportive parents along to help. Even Willow, her adorable dog, was groomed to butter-smooth perfection and calmed down after running around.
It was a party, like every time I get to hang out with Brooklyn. (Really, I look forward to my time with Carra, Ken, Steph, Alexis, Kendra, and Brooklyn. They make every day better!)
But it was a little bittersweet when we delivered and installed her beautiful artwork. As satisfying as it was to finally complete the wall of four sisters’ portraits that we’d planned years ago, I was sad because Brooklyn’s is the youngest – the last sister to bring the wall into perfect balance.
My consolation? The knowledge that her wonderful parents will now have a record of each of their daughters to walk by every day in their home.
Flagstaff Family Portrait Photography • 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
