Spring in Seattle

I have three favorite times of year….fall, winter, and spring. Right now I am firmly stuck in the belief that spring is the most glorious of them all…especially here in Seattle. How magical that the sun and the rain can share the same sky practically at the same time. How beautiful are all the trees blossoming. How cheerful are the daffodils poking their heads up from the soil.

I walk my dog three times a day on Queen Anne Hill and every walk I am astounded by the new forms of life that have popped up since my last tryst down the Avenue. What a time to be alive <3

An hour north of Seattle my parents have a flower farm. The allure of spring is even clearer there. There are baby chicks chirping, swans migrating, and brightly colored blooms everywhere coming into there own.

Last week my mom brought a bit of the farm spring magic into my Studio. Our Easter sessions featured chicks, flowers, and sweet children and I don’t think there is anything cuter in the whole world. Here are some photographs from one of the sessions <3

Much Love, Kiana M.

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The Banahans

Emma cries when you pick her up because she has learned what Henry David Thoreau knew all along: that all good things are wild and free. Her parents call her Freebird as she runs through flower fields laughing and chasing bubbles. Emma is magic. A whirlwind of curls and giggles. A giver of wildflowers she picked herself.

Maddox is a total sweetheart. So helpful, curious, polite. His laughter is infectious and he transitions so easily from pine cone wars to serious discussions of soccer camp. He is always my assistant and always a wonderful buddy to have around.

It’s been a beautiful year of watching these adorable kiddos grow and change. I’m so sad it is over but I can’t wait to continue to capture this fantastical family!

Much Love, Kiana M.

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Anders is One!

Many moons ago Hope came into my studio to do her maternity photographs. By the time she came back in for her premier Anders had already arrived in the world and I have been watching him grow since then! His one year shoot was a magical day…he took his first steps right in front of my camera! I feel so blessed that I could capture his grin as he wobbled a few feet toward the mirror in my studio.

Anders is a sweetheart and the perfect model because he always turns his head towards the light 😉 I can’t wait to watch him continue to grow and hopefully witness more milestones!

Much Love, Kiana M.

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Why I Love Wall Portraits

I was recently having a conversation with a dear friend about my business and what I create. We were talking about why I don’t just offer digital files but instead focus on beautiful heirloom products that won’t disappear on a hard drive somewhere. I told her about how I think portraiture is so important and that they should be loved and displayed instead of hidden and lost. Then she said something that changed my world. She said “I don’t think people see their family pictures as art.”

My little heart broke a little because I realized that she was right. A lot of people don’t see their family pictures as art. The thing is, I truly believe that life is art. That family love is the most beautiful and important thing on the planet. That babies grow into adults and the memories leftover from childhood should be cherished.

My apartment is covered with my family portraits…with my mom and brother in my childhood home. With my dad and I fishing at a pond in our neighborhood. With photos of my husband and I laughing and hugging. These are my treasures, my favorite works of art. These are the reason I love wall portraits.

Much Love, Kiana M.

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Dragons, Oh My!

I LOVE photographing this family. Emma has the cutest baby face and her parents have the sweetest hearts. Everytime I meet with them I am filled with joy and contentment. They always make me feel like I am doing exactly what I am meant to be doing and they make me so very thankful for my job. For this shoot which was part 2 of 6 of Emma’s first year of life, the Banahan’s brought their adorable little nephew along. His goofy grin and willingness to play dragon stole my heart in a second.

Want to see more from this session? See their image premier video (which also happens to be my favorite of all time) here: http://animoto.com/play/ngcvZOi9gy07yEbo7Vz27A

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Kelly and Myra

I met Kelly about a year ago when a mutual friend suggested that I photograph her adorable daughter Myra. I left that shoot with a big smile and a new friend. Kelly is so cute and wonderful, she is full of laughter and fun and is such an amazing mother to her little one. Myra is so sweet and brave, on this shoot she fell completely in the ocean and she came up laughing and dragging her mom in for more. I am so blessed to have met these two beatiful ladies!

Much Love,

Kiana M.