Photographing your moments in San Francisco, California

real moments on the blog

ABOUT Kya Liann

view galleries

Wedding

boudoir

family

INQUIRE

We often hear couples say " but, we are awkward!" Who said awkward is bad? It's in all the quirks, jokes, and that 'hanging out with your best friend feeling' that you are the most you! And we are too! 

I'm Kya Liann,
A photographer & educator in Michigan

WHAT I AM ALL ABOUT HERE

Alex and I are a couple team who spend our weekends crashing weddings with the most incredible people. Whether it's me and Alex on your wedding day or just myself third-wheeling along with you it will feel like you are with your friends and, sometimes even forget we are there! It's not just about the photos it's about the memories and being present in them and we are your guides through it all. 

this is me and alex and our pup fenrir!

Featured in:

Because I was born for this

It runs in my blood. My eyes are the lens and my heart is the shutter

My great great grandfather Wallace Kirkland was a photographer for LIFE and to this day I feel him move throughout my work as a photographer.

He had a definition for happiness: Being busy at the thing you like to do.
And as he said I will say again as his great great granddaughter-

I am a photographer.
I am happy at being busy at photography. 

13 years

behind the camera

1,512

cups of cofFee drank

8 years

attending weddings

GET TO KNOW ME BETTER!

FACTS QUIZ

1. I START EVERY MORNING WITH:

a.  an inspirational podcast
b.  a cup of tea
c.  a yoga practice
d.  a ride on the Peloton

2. Favorite dog breed

a.  golden retriever
b.  siberian husky
c.  corgi
d.  none - i'm a cat person

3. I'D LOVE TO NEVER GO WITHOUT...

my nintendo switch

4. MY FAVORITE MOVIE

a.  mean girls
b.  enchanted
c.  elf
d.  wedding singer

5. my favorite marvel hero

rocket raccoon 

6. my favorite season

a.  summer
b.  autumn
c.  winter
d.  spring

7. my ideal vacation

a.  on a beach in greece
b.  cabin in the mountains
c.  exploring nyc
d.  exploring the countryside in ireland

8. my go to cocktail / drink:

Diet Coke

early years

running around with a disposable camera in hand. asking friends at school to model. sleepovers to do photoshoots. walks looking for all the wildlife.


any camera i could find to capture moments

2010

being asked to take photos for friends and family. learning more about my camera and exploring more creative concepts. falling back in love with the camera while adulting.


TRADED A DISPOSABLE CAMERA FOR A LIFETIME OF PHOTOGRAPHY

2016

my best friend crashing weddings along with me and photographing moments together. directing music videos and being excited to create art together as a team.


ALEX JOINED THE TEAM AND THEN WE BECAME TWO

2017

our first destination wedding with the most incredible intentional day and couple who we hold so dear to our hearts. adventuring with them to celebrate that just married feeling in Hawaii.


A DESTINATION WEDDING IN MAUI, HAWAII

2020

after many years of photography and trying to figure out this adult thing I finally decided there was no where else I would rather be and went all or nothing in to spend the rest of my life behind the camera.


ALL OR NOTHING WITH A CAMERA IN HAND

How I got here

UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS

Life never gives you what you expect

Bucket

our dream locations

New Orleans
Cannon Beach
Forks, WA
Glacier National Park
Vegas
Joshua tree national park
Italy
Paris
Hocking hills state park
Arches National Park
Kauai, Hawaii
Scotland


List

to adventure with you

The prompts are so fun and Kya’s personality makes the experience even more fun! 

My fiancé and I didn’t know what to expect, but we were blown away by the super fun and natural approach she takes. If you’re looking for a photographer that won’t make posing awkward, look no further.

Renee + Spencer

Kya is the best photographer around! 

She makes every session super fun and enjoyable! She’s got great energy and knows how to get her clients to show genuine emotion and feel as comfortable as possible- she ROCKS!!!

Christina + Logan

We will forever use Kya for every special occasion, she is the best! 

Kya is amazing! She took our maternity and family photos, and each picture turned out absolutely perfect. She also makes every session we had with her super comfortable and fun!

Madison + Jacob

Kya is such an awesome and bubbly person.

She is very easy to work with as well! I’ve been following her work on Instagram for a while and I’m thankful for the special photos that she captured of my fiancé and I with our animal babies.

Jennifer + Robby

Not only did Kya Liann fly thousands of miles to shoot my wedding, she was the best photographer for the big day. 

She was intuitive, efficient, and incredibly creative. I am overwhelmed with her attention to detail and her ability to capture such a momentous day. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, our wedding would not have been the same without you.

Jessie + Kalama

She even was SO KIND as to bring a bottle of water for our dogs who were hiking with us for pictures.

She made the little things count and provided countless laughs which were beautifully portrayed in our photos. I highly recommend Kya as a photographer, whatever you’re envisioning, she’s on it! She possesses such a talent and truly has her clients best interests and visions in mind. We’re so grateful to her for making our engagement session dreams come true!

Kendall + JacoB

Ready to DOCUMENT YOUR LIFE in this season?

show us all your favorite things

start HERE

all content @ kya liann 2023. All Rights Reserved. 

Powered by showit

Ready to jump on a call with your new bestie who just so happens to also be a photographer

Send me an email hello@kyaliann.com

FREE guide

Download the FREE PHOTO GUIDE HERE

Stuck on what to wear and feel like you have nothing in your closet? I got you & can help you feel re-inspired with this how to guide.

contact me

Finding magic in the little moments. Storytelling in every season of life.