724 N Humphreys St Flagstaff, AZ 86001 (928) 779 4151 studio@kdiphotography.com

Springtime Photos In Flagstaff • Living To Fight Another Day

I never do this.

It tends to overwhelm my subjects and, if I’m honest, myself!

Family portrait of family of six, smiling, snuggled together, under flowering trees, Downtown Flagstaff, AZ Portraits by KDI Photography

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!

Portrait of family of six, posing very seriously in their Pittsburgh Steelers shirts, Downtown Flagstaff, AZ Portraits by KDI Photography
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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


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Celebrating Hailey’s Remarkable Achievements – Dual Graduation Portraits in Beautiful Sedona

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.

Fine Art Black and White Graduation Portrait with White Flowers, Sedona AZ, Northern Arizona Senior Photographer, KDI Photography

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!

Culinary School Graduation Portrait, Sedona AZ, Northern Arizona Senior Photographer, KDI Photography

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

Graduation portrait, Sedona AZ, Northern Arizona Senior Photographer, KDI Photography
Graduation portrait, Sedona AZ, Northern Arizona Senior Photographer, KDI Photography

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!


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


Veterinarian. Mom. Superhero. Portrait of Chelsey in Flagstaff, AZ

There’s clearly a dichotomy here.

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.

Black and White Portrait of Veterinarian Holding Chicken, Laughing in Flagstaff AZ, by 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


Welcoming a New Addition – Newborn Photography in Flagstaff

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!


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


Joss, Northland Preparatory Academy, Defying Expectations – Senior Photos Flagstaff

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.

Senior Photos in Flagstaff, by KDI Photography


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.

NPA Senior Photo, Portrait in Flagstaff, AZ, Arizona Senior Photographer, KDI Photography, Flagstaff, AZ

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


Navigating The Maze of College Decisions – Help With College Matchmaking

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 the FAFSA application process.

Where: KDI Photography Studio, Flagstaff, AZ
When: February 1st, 2024 at 6:30pm

Parents and juniors welcome. There is no charge for these services but seating is limited, so email us if you plan to attend!

Mollie, NPA, Class Of 2024 – Revisiting Her Happy Memories

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!

Summer Senior Photo, Northland Preparatory Academy (NPA) student, Flagstaff AZ, By 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


Making Bryce’s Senior Photos – An Afternoon With Two Special People and Three Handsome Horses

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.

Senior photo of cowboy looking at his horse in the mountains of Flagstaff, AZ, KDI Photography

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.

Senior photo of cowboy on with three horses in the forest near Flagstaff, AZ, KDI Photography

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.

Black and white senior photo of cowboy holding lead ropes with three horses in the forest near Flagstaff, AZ, KDI Photography
Senior portrait of cowboy on horseback riding in the mountains of Flagstaff, AZ, KDI Photography
Senior portrait of cowboy with horse in the mountains of Flagstaff, AZ, KDI Photography

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.

Senior portrait of cowboy on horseback riding in the forests of Flagstaff, AZ, KDI Photography

As we packed up, the rain started again, signaling the end of a great session.

Senior Photo of cowboy on horseback as the sun sets in the mountains of Flagstaff, AZ, 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


Flagstaff Class of 2024 Yearbook Deadlines: What You Need to Know

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.

Get in touch. We are here to help. 😃

12/1/23 BASIS Flagstaff

12/6/23 Coconino High School (CHS)

12/1/23 Flagstaff High School (FHS)

11/1/23 Northland Preparatory Academy (NPA)

12/20/23 Flagstaff Arts and Leadership Academy (FALA)

Class of 2024 Senior Photo Yearbook Deadlines, KDI Photography, Flagstaff, AZ

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


Jack Welch: Walking the Walk – In All the Ways

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.

Jack Welch, Laughing in Buffalo Park, Flagstaff, AZ, 2018. Portrait by KDI Photography.

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.

Portrait of Jack Welch Laughing in Buffalo Park in 2018, Flagstaff, AZ. Portrait by KDI Photography.

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.

Jack Welch Leads a Walking Group in Buffalo Park, Flagstaff, AZ in 2018. Portrait by KDI Photography.

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.”

Jack Welch Walking Away in Buffalo Park, Flagstaff, AZ in 2018. Portrait by KDI Photography.

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.

A celebration of his life is planned for September 7th.

2 responses to “Jack Welch: Walking the Walk – In All the Ways”
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    Marian

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


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