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claire kai

@claire.kai

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digital & analog photography
side quests: art, travel, & coffee
✞ cultivating a heart of gratitude

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pov: you don’t need an expensive camera to capture beautiful moments. sometimes, a phone is the most accessible camera to carry around, and this a proof that it can be just as effective!

📍locations:
• Rainier National Park
• Banff National Park
• Coast of Oregon
• Glacier National Park
• Yellowstone National Park

#shotoniphone #travelreels #godisanartist #lightroom #iphonecinematography taken in Banff National Park by @claire.kai

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2 months ago

moments of grief & joy on earth are temporary, & it will fade. God’s glory is eternal, so let’s shift our focus to an eternal perspective. when God has blessed you, give generously and thank Him. when you are in the midst of suffering, seek His wisdom, & walk in victory knowing the battle is already won.

→ what we do now matters in eternity: walk in obedience, forgive, be generous, pray, and serve others
→ consider it joy to suffer along with Christ, because we also join in His glory
→ store up treasures in Heaven, not on earth

#godisanartist #faith #glorytoglory #encouragementfortheday #godisgood taken in Destin, Florida by @claire.kai

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2 months ago

we’re halfway through 2026 already!?!!

snippets of the year so far & many not photographed: hosting dinners, road trips, traveling, flowers & garden, friends, community, LOTS of weddings, florist/photographer/bridesmaid, home barista, saving turtles, late night walks, reunions, dog sitting, & amish markets!

#carouselpost #canonphotography #digitalnomads #documentyourdays taken in Washington D. C. by @claire.kai

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3 months ago

GRADUATION.

a year late in sharing… but I took my first steps toward my college education after my accident… and I graduated with highest honors. this is a special moment that reminds me that it takes a community for this to happen. and for those of you who are in that community, whether a medical professional, family, or friend, I am so thankful for your generosity and patience and care to see me through it all. this is truly a testament of God’s goodness & faithfulness in my life.
#collegegraduate #portraitphotography #explore #graduation #braininjury by @claire.kai

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3 months ago

no one else I’d rather dance with.

#destinflorida #explore #beachsunset #couplephotography taken in Destin, Florida by @claire.kai

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3 months ago

let your heart remain soft.

(a gentle reminder to release any form of resistance that hinders your heart to be shaped by the Creator).

#exploremore #lightroomcc #westernphotographer taken in Grand Teton National Park by @claire.kai

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8 months ago

second half of the year and many un-pictured moments: living in nature or the car, road trips, outside of the country experiences, coffee shops, sunrises, animals in national parks, 20+ usa states, airport homework set ups, coastal towns, early morning flights, paddle boarding with millions of jellyfish, weekly farmers market, amish milk & bread, sweet friendships, fishing, brunch & pastries, helping a pig give birth, dog sitting, lots & lots of studying, trying different foods, new car, deeper appreciation of the little things.
I am so spoiled by the friends and family who support me. and I am so grateful and thankful for every person in my life, thank you thank you thank you!! by @claire.kai

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10 months ago

a series of blessings;

first half of the year filled with matcha, adventures, friendship, goals, beautiful views, fishing, film photos, crab searching, coffee shops, sunsets. I am one lucky girl, & lucky for everyone in my corner. by @claire.kai

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10 months ago

there is no striving in your presence// finale

I started this series a few years ago after my accident; my ever-revolving life had urgently stopped, causing an unraveling of weaknesses that needed confrontation. sometimes God answers prayers in ways we don’t desire, but if you allow Him to transform you, any circumstance can be good and used for good. for a long time I prayed for God to place me somewhere that would satisfy me, not realizing my actions contributed to the burn-outs. instead of putting a bandage on my weaknesses, God wanted to cleanse and restore the fears and deep rooted lies I’d been living with. satisfaction isn’t from the striving, but from the complete peace that surpasses understanding. this included learning to rest, the surrendering of my plans and expectations, patience, willingness to say yes, and intentional time. through that, I found a glimpse of wholeness in myself through Him; I found peace, humbleness, security, trust, identity in Him, and joy.

God doesn’t want us to be striving in His presence, but instead, to simply soak in His presence. He brings us in and out of seasons, through mountains and valleys, He gives and takes away. in His strength, we can be more. I’m learning to live in surrendered trust to the author and perfecter of my faith. by @claire.kai

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a year ago

salt & light by @claire.kai

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3 years ago

there is no striving in Your presence// part 6

I AM BECAUSE YOU ARE.

*beep beep beep* again. and again. and again.
my body slowly became conscious of my existence as I roll out of bed and shuffled around in darkness. tears streamed down my face while I put myself together; in the simplicity of getting dressed and brushing my teeth, my thoughts of confusion swayed toward who I was, what time, day, month it was, what I’ve been doing or what has happened to me. I couldn’t give you an answer.
I’d show up to my appointments feeling lost; they’d put me in my own room while everyone else was in a large space together. I’d watch patients come and go while I’m still hooked to a machine receiving treatment. I’d hear whispers of “oh no, she’s not ready for that” and “don’t forget, she has a brain injury so be gentle.”
that is what the first few months after my accident looked like: limited. unaware. migraines. heavy brain fog. dizziness. all words that are comprehensible but have no depth unless you’ve walked through the process.
this accident made me recognize my limitations. and I began forgetting who I was. people who placed me in a box made me believe that this is who I am now and what my life will be. there was nothing more I wanted than to be invisible and slip away; but instead, I’ve had to show up and try to be the claire I can’t remember how to be.
and while I am changing and healing, God hasn’t changed. I am reminded that who I am runs deeper than what I am going through. I am because You are; it’s through His grace, mercy, strength, that I am intact. God never forgets who He created you to be. let Him define your limitations, not the world nor your circumstances.
in His strength, He refines your seasons.

everyone, meet Rosita! she was spicy, dependable, high maintenance, and occasionally a b**** (ahahah keeping it real). she has been through every season of life with me and was a champ in keeping me safe in the accident! taken in Michigan by @claire.kai

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3 years ago

there is no striving in Your presence// part 5

PRESS IN DEEPER
LEAN IN CLOSER

victory is not necessarily in the overcoming, but in the midst of sharpening and refining. it’s when we give up control that allows God to work in and alongside us, leading us to wholeness while confronting our weaknesses.

sharpening faith is being vulnerable to the attacks and still believing God is good and He works for good. it’s in the surrendering and breaking that we experience His glory (and it grounds us in truth).
during the silence, press in deeper.
in turmoil, lean in closer.
He is the author and perfecter of faith. by @claire.kai

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4 years ago