Hi, I’m Kyra.
I am an American photographer currently based nowhere and living everywhere. My heart leads me back and forth between many continents: Singapore, Australia, England and the United States. At any time you will find me in any one of these places! My background is in theatre art, fine art, and teaching. These interests, plus a bit of wanderlust and a lot of travel, have led to my career in photography.
I was born in Washington DC, but from the age of five I attended international schools in Dakar, Senegal in West Africa and then in Cairo, Egypt. After my high school graduation at the foot of the Giza pyramids, I moved to Southern Oregon for university where I earned a BA in Theatre and Visual Art. From there I went on to earn a Masters, with the goal in mind to travel again, and resume my international life abroad, first in Nicaragua, and then Singapore!
I am enchanted by light and people, colors and expressions. I have always been very visual in that way, but it was travel photography that initially ignited my love affair with the camera. I saw extraordinary beauty in foreign people and places that seemed to pass others by. There is also a strong connection for me between theatre and photography. Before becoming a photographer full-time, I was a full-time drama teacher! It seems I have some affinity for humanity and the stories that we weave.
I am currently engaged to the love of my life, and am a stepmother-to-be of a gorgeous little girl and boy. I specialize in portraiture for families with children, expectant mothers and newborn babies.
Awards/Publications:
Smithsonian Magazine Photo Finalist, Editor’s pick. 2010
MESD Photo of the Year Award-winning photographer. 2005
Publications: IM Malaysia, Time Out Malaysia, Expat Living Singapore, My Musical Chamber and Smithsonian Online Magazine.
Testimonials:
“The magic in Kyra’s work is that she has the extraordinary ability to find fantastic images without forcing them. She seeks to find the extraordinary in the ordinary and does so with ease. My daughter was instantly comfortable with Kyra which made for a wonderful shoot. I was impressed by her ability to observe my daughter, capture her in her world and to create subtle distractions to help direct the shoot. So often a photographer can take a stunning photo of your child but it is not necessarily a fair representation. Kyra was able to capture actions and expressions that were true to my child and our family.” ~Barbara Harvey
“My husband and I hired Kyra to take some shots of us for both our maternity and first-ever family portraits and had a wonderful experience with her. Kyra was not only highly organized and professional, but also very accommodating with our little newborn son. Her ideas were extremely creative and she produced pictures of outstanding quality. We thoroughly recommend her services for capturing any special moment in your life in a very unique, beautiful, and tender way.” ~Bridget and Ian Gambell
“Kyra gave us some beautiful photo memories of our two young children. They immediately connected with her and followed her directions. This was surprising as they are not normally so compliant with strangers but I think it was something about Kyra’s manner and background that instantly put them at ease and thus enabled her to take some beautiful shots.” ~Cindy Hemingway
“We are thrilled with Kyra’s photographs of our family. In particular, she was able to capture the personalities of our two young boys, which is what we were hoping for. She was very professional, and at the same time she was relaxed and easygoing, which made us feel comfortable in front of the camera. Our boys were full of energy and definitely at home in her studio, however Kyra remained calm, patient, and understanding at all times.” ~Jeff Scott