This week, we’re thrilled to spotlight Kiana Bates, a documentary photographer and dedicated educator at Brigham Young University. Kiana is celebrated for her ability to capture timeless, authentic moments through a lens deeply rooted in cultural storytelling and personal heritage. Her work beautifully documents the customs, emotions, and traditions that define weddings across diverse cultures. Let’s dive into our conversation with Kiana as she shares insights into her creative journey.
1. What first inspired you to pursue photography, and how did your journey in the field begin?
My mom took a lot of photos of us growing up, and I was always drawn to the photo albums she made. I’m naturally a really sentimental person, so when I got my first camera at 12, I started photographing anything and everything around me. Documenting my own life turned into photographing my friends as we graduated high school, and as they started getting married I also started photographing weddings. Then, studying photography at BYU opened my eyes to other avenues and opportunities outside of portraiture and pure documentation—the world of fine art photography, long-form personal projects, and the need for mentorship and fellowship in the photo community.
2. How do you ensure authenticity when photographing diverse cultural customs and celebrations?
Most of my personal work revolves around my Japanese heritage and family history. I aim to approach other cultural celebrations and traditions in the same way that I do my own—with a sense of respect and genuine curiosity. My heritage is a special part of who I am, and something that I am proud of, and I feel that regardless of the culture, that appreciation and pride for one’s heritage is a universal feeling. More than purely taking a pretty photo, I hope to show respect for the culture and for the opportunity to document such special occasions. I am honored to have the chance to work with many people of different cultures and backgrounds. These relationships and opportunities have made my life rich.
3. Can you share a meaningful moment you’ve photographed that left a lasting impact?
I am currently working on a project interviewing and photographing immigrants on tintype. This has led me to meeting the most extraordinary, resilient, driven, kind, and genuine people. Most recently, I photographed a woman who has now become a dear friend—Torgunn. Torgunn immigrated from Norway in her twenties and has shared with me her experiences of love, loss, faith, and hope. Torgunn, along with the other people I’ve had the chance to meet and photograph, have inspired me to live life to the fullest, to have courage in pursuing things I feel called to do, and to appreciate the privilege that it is to live in America.
4. What makes a photograph timeless, and how do you achieve that in your work?
I think timelessness is rooted in simplicity. There is a wall in my parents house directly facing the stairs that is covered with photos of my ancestors. One side is my dad’s family, the other is my mom’s, and in the center is a mirror. Every time I would walk down the stairs, I would see my reflection in the mirror. Growing up seeing my reflection alongside these photos of my ancestors gave me a great appreciation for the sacrifices my family has made to provide for the life I now get to live.
These photos aren’t the most flashy, or photographically impressive, and in some ways they aren’t technically perfect, but they are timeless. When approaching my work, I aim to create photographs that will withstand the test of time. What do I want to remember about this moment? Who do I want to remember? What do I think my clients will cherish 50 years from now? These questions are in the back of my mind as I am working on my personal projects and shooting for clients. It’s easy to get caught up in taking an impressive photo, but I don’t think it’s always necessary.
5. How has teaching photography at BYU influenced your work, and what’s the most rewarding part of seeing your students grow?
Teaching photography at BYU has helped me realize that above all things, I crave connection and storytelling in my work. Whether that’s with my clients and their guests on their wedding day, or through personal projects, I love getting to know people. I’ve come to understand this through interacting with my students, seeing their work, and developing relationships in the photography community.
More than seeing progress in their photographic skills, it’s most rewarding to see my students grow as people. They are smart, fun, inspiring, and going through challenges just like you and me. I feel lucky to develop relationships with them and have the chance to be a sounding board for things both regarding photography and their personal lives. It is so special to play a small part in this stage of their lives, whether they pursue photography as a career or not. I deeply love them and am grateful to know them.
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A big thank you to Kiana for sharing her time and stories with us. To explore more of her inspiring work, follow her on Instagram and visit her website for a deeper look into her projects and creative journey.
Get to Know Kiana:
Kiana Bates is a documentary photographer and educator at Brigham Young University. Specializing in capturing timeless moments, Kiana’s work is deeply rooted in cultural storytelling and the documentation of her own personal heritage. She has a keen eye for showcasing the unique traditions, customs, and emotions that define weddings across diverse cultures, and her photography celebrates the beauty of legacy and connection.
Currently, Kiana is working on a project focused on photographing immigrants using the traditional tintype process, an alternative photographic technique dating back to the 1800s. Through this project, she aims to tell the stories of individuals and families navigating life in America while preserving their cultural identities. This ongoing project allows her to highlight the strength, resilience, and richness of immigrant communities, shedding light on their diverse experiences and journeys.
As a teacher at BYU, Kiana shares her passion for photography with the next generation of artists, inspiring her students to find their own voices and use photography as a tool for social change and cultural preservation.
Outside of her photography and teaching, Kiana enjoys hosting dinner parties, traveling, and diving deeper into her own heritage.