PHOTOGRAPHY

A nine day road trip in the American Southwest

When you think of a vacation, does it feel like something that routinely exists in your life or more of a luxury that’s too far for reach? The simple definition of vacation is: extended time not working. I used to always say my family never went on vacation. But what I should’ve said was we never went very far from home. As I’m getting older. I realize we vacationed a lot. They took us to beaches and zoos, we visited family on the weekends in the southern part of the st

I recently wrote an article for Women Magazine on food and wine pairings, and I had so much fun learning more about the world of wine I wanted to share it with you! I hope it can spark up some ideas for an upcoming date night, girl's time, or a solo r&r evening in. Enjoy! #kyraranephotography #womenmagazine #freelance #midwestphotojournalist #published

It's that time of year again! Less than two months till December, and while most of the American population is anticipating the countdown to Christmas, snow angels, Hallmark movies, and all such holiday fun. The big thing on my mind is dresses. That's right, this December marks year four of participating in the Dressember style challenge, a campaign focused on raising awareness on human trafficking by wearing a dress every day of December. Like many issues, it can feel too bi

Staying up till 3am just to get this shot may be why I’m sick in bed now, but it was SoOo worth it. I wanted to see the northern lights so bad while we were camping alongside Lake superior. My eyes kept glancing from the campfire to the lake, wishing to will the lights to dance before me. So when they came, I almost couldn’t believe it. I freaked out so much I’m surprised the whole camp didn’t wake up! I was so giddy, and felt like a stranger to my camera fumbling to get

He fell asleep the other night holding my hand. I’m not sure how he cares so well for me.⠀⠀ Within twenty minutes of me waking up the next morning, the fourth thing out of my mouth is “I’m sorry.”⠀⠀ How do I so quickly do or say selfish things that require an apology? I think I say ‘I’m sorry’ more than I say ‘I love you.’⠀⠀ And I think it’s a good dang thing to practice apologies. I greatly value the opportunity to talk through our misunderstandings, hurt, and faults.

I was 16 when my parents told us they were expecting. I remember it so vividly. At the time I didn't know what a sonogram was so when my mom passed the picture to me, I swear I thought they were showing us a a tumor. One of my greatest fears happened for a second as I thought our whole world was about to change and one of my parents was sick. But nope, just a baby on the way. In sorts, our whole world did still change. In the best kind of way though. I looked forward to com

This is our first year with the garden. It happened on kind of a spur of the moment. I have always longed for one. Envious of others’ serene spaces and homegrown produce. But I didn’t grow up with a garden and the task always felt out of reach. With so many excuses prolonging an attempt to just try. ⠀ “...When we own a home or have more money...I don’t know where to start or what to do...what if nothing grows...” Perfectionism paralyzes. In the the last year I have been o

It's been a year since we lost my grandpa. And while his passing wasn't a surprise since his health had been declining for awhile, you never really can prepare for the letting go. The pictures were what I kept reaching for. The imperfect, overexposed, no one smiling at the camera ones. It was like he was letting his stories continue to be told to us. It meant the world in my season of grieving. My grandfather was one of nine siblings, and all have passed except for one, spunk

Hey, 28. You feel good. You look good too. Some things are changing, that's for sure. I try not to linger in the bathroom mirror for too long, cause admittedly there's new lines around my eyes and mouth that can be seen if I look close enough. In hindsight though it's all just signs of a life being lived. And for that I am truly thankful. Maybe even a bit proud. In just a couple of years I'll be 30 and there's this common theme of dread I witness being expressed for those ent