KDI PHOTOGRAPHY

05/22/2026

05/18/2026

05/13/2026

Mayla was just a toddler when I first met her but she was, as she is today, ready to grab onto life and do ALL the things!

She was sweet and smiley and full of energy. So it makes sense that her mother describes her now as someone who “has so many patches on her letterman jacket that she looks like a NASCAR driver.” She is a busy lady.

I get the sense that she doesn’t want to waste her time. She wants to get everything out of life that she can, and not miss a thing.

Several months after her senior portrait session, we sat down to talk about this transformative year.

You can listen to her INNER PORTRAIT podcast interview at KDI PHOTOGRAPHY, link in our bio.

05/10/2026

Celebrating Mother’s Day�, Part 2 - More than two decades ago, we made a studio family portrait of Kelly holding her newborn daughter tenderly in her arms.

This year, we did a personal project in celebration of Mother’s Day.

Kelly and Hannah came back into the portrait studio AND the INNER PORTRAIT podcast studio to pay tribute not only to that first real portrait together, but to their relationship over time.

Hearing what they had to say about their mother-daughter bond over this 21-year span warmed my heart.

I hope you feel the same.

Mother’s Day Part Two – Hannah … LISTEN AT THE LINK IN BIO

05/08/2026

Celebrating Mother’s Day - More than two decades ago, we made a studio family portrait of Kelly holding her newborn daughter tenderly in her arms.

This year, we did a personal project in celebration of Mother’s Day.

Kelly and Hannah came back into the portrait studio AND the INNER PORTRAIT podcast studio to pay tribute not only to that first real portrait together, but to their relationship over time.

Hearing what they had to say about their mother-daughter bond over this 21-year span warmed my heart.

I hope you feel the same.

Mother’s Day Part One – Kelly

https://kdiphotography.com/podcast/in-celebration-of-mothers-and-love-shaped-over-time

04/15/2026

After a catastrophic rock climbing accident, my friend and fellow photographer John Burcham’s life was radically changed. We’re incredibly grateful that he survived, but there is a long road of healing ahead as he works to regain his eyesight, strength, and mobility.

Join us for this episode of the INNER PORTRAIT podcast with Kristen Dacey Iwai.

John and I sat down to have a conversation about recovery, photography, patience, continuous learning, and surprisingly… crumpets.

Link in bio. https://kdiphotography.com/podcast/johns-path-forward

04/10/2026

HAPPY NATIONAL SIBLINGS DAY!! I love the people I photograph, but it’s safe to say that these are my all-time favorite siblings. 😍

04/10/2026

Ash, Coconino HS, Class of 2026 - He is unapologetically himself, yet he remains kind and respectful.

He is passionate about his faith, but also loves learning about other faith traditions. I suspect that what he discovers not only validates his own choices but also helps him better understand others.

He has strong opinions and is very confident in them. Still, I don’t think he truly gets how amazing he actually is.

I first met him when he came for his first family session, an adorable toddler, newly adopted from Ethiopia. I remember how perfectly he fit in with his siblings, snuggling, belly laughing, and sharing the same silly sense of humor.

As I did with the rest of his family, I immediately felt drawn to his humor and warmth. Over the years, through countless family portraits, I’ve watched him evolve and mature, but one constant remains: he is a love.

And no, it’s not because he adores photography or calls me Mrs. Iwai, or, like his brother and sister, had a habit of taking my hand while walking when he was little.

You can talk with him for hours about so many topics, and he always makes me laugh. When I hug him goodbye, I’m always happier than before he entered the room.

He has dreams, goals, and intentions, and I’ll be so excited to see how he reaches for them.
with Kirsten Mellinger

04/04/2026

In case you missed it, Keiji and I started a PODCAST. 🥳

It’s called INNER PORTRAIT with Kristen Dacey Iwai. Keiji is our hard-working podcast producer so it’s a team effort.

I interview our subjects, allowing them to tell their own stories, because we want our guests to not only be seen but also heard and celebrated.

Kristen Dick and John Burcham’s episodes are available but we’re putting the final touches on several more, so stay tuned!

You can find us on our website AND on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.

https://kdiphotography.com/innerportraitpodcast

Hope you enjoy them!

03/17/2026

She’s coming to Flagstaff, people!!! I’m so excited to see her! My sister, Juliette Fay, author, is giving a book talk about her historical fiction novel, The Harvey Girls at Bright Side Bookshop.

The event is free but please RSVP! :)

I hope you’ll join us. 😀

https://brightsidebookshop.com/event/2026-03-19/harvey-girls-juliette-fay