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Kiana Bates

@kianatbates

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Still alive, still shooting, and forever still wearing my slides

Thanks for the updated photos @gracegaoyu by @kianatbates

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a month ago

In Japanese culture the daruma doll symbolizes goals, dreams, and perseverance. It comes without any eyes, and the first eye is filled in when you decide a goal to work toward. The one-eyed doll then sits in a visible place as a reminder to never give up. When the goal has been reached, the other eye is filled in.

This daruma doll was my Jiichan’s, with the goal of graduating from BYU. He and my Baachan moved to the United States to give their children more educational opportunities, and although he took various classes throughout his life, he wasn’t able to finish his schooling before he passed away.

My graduation from BYU in 2022, as well as my opportunity to now study at the University of Notre Dame, feels like a fulfillment of his American dream. The more that I learn of Jiichan’s life, the more I understand that his legacy lives on, not necessarily through the goals that he achieved, but through the lives of those he touched.

Jiichan’s daruma doll sits on my desk in my studio, reminding me that I stand on the backs of those that came before me, and that I have the privilege and obligation to keep dreaming for myself, and for the generations that come after me. by @kianatbates

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a month ago

In July my momma and I had the opportunity to spend 3.5 weeks in Japan documenting the history and legacy of the Abeno church building in Osaka. Jiichan and Baachan, my grandparents, were part of the church congregation that constructed the building over 60 years ago. My mom was baptized in this building before they moved to America. My parents met in this building while serving as young missionaries in Osaka. I had the opportunity to speak here with my mom & Baachan at the conclusion of my mission. To our family, this building is an important part of our history.

The initial idea of photographing the Abeno church came to me in January. By the end of March, I received funding from Notre Dame to pursue the project. At that point, I reached out to the bishop of the Abeno congregation to see if he would allow us to move forward.

The bishop replied that the timing of the project was perfect, sharing that at the end of this year the ward would be hosting a 60th anniversary celebration of the dedication of the building. They were already compiling records and archives from members for the commemorative event. He was completely on board and excited to have us come.

The preparations for the project and our time in Japan can be described as nothing short of miraculous. Finding a tintype photographer to source chemicals (thank you @honda_yuuki_photo ), coordinating schedules and shoots with members, and being able to conduct the interviews in Japanese showed that something was pushing the project forward—and it wasn’t me.

Baachan has described to me what it felt like when she and Jiichan decided to move to America from Japan. She said that it was like she was being pushed from behind, toward this new adventure. I have to say that this project has felt the same way.

I’ve been hesitant to reflect deeply on this experience until now because it was so monumental. The stories of faith and sacrifice that we heard! The relationships we built! And especially the stories about Jiichan and Baachan and their legacy will be things I keep close to my heart.

(Continued in comments) taken in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Abeno Ward by @kianatbates

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2 months ago

Immigrating to a new country and seeking a better life and better opportunities inherently shapes not only individuals but family dynamics as well. This semester I have been exploring the impact of immigration on first and second generation Americans, particularly in terms of parent-child relationships.

I have interviewed and photographed individuals from 14 different countries. Across all countries and cultures I have found that parents want a better life for their children. While children have some understanding and appreciation for their parents’ sacrifice in immigrating to the United States, each also feels a unique pressure to succeed because of these many sacrifices.

As a second generation American myself, I have found great solidarity in hearing the experiences of other children of immigrants. Through my interactions with the parents I have gained a deeper understanding and appreciation for the complexity of the immigrant experience..

The wet plate collodion process that I use is raw and unique, producing a one-of-a-kind, direct positive image that is unalterable. This process takes significant time and patience. Each of the individuals you see here played an active role in the darkroom with me as I processed the images in real time. Having been trusted with their time, presence, and story, I feel an immense responsibility to portray these people with dignity and respect. Having them alongside me in the darkroom to witness their image appearing and to give final approval for the way they are being depicted has been a great priority in this process. Unlike past depictions of the immigrant experience, having these people feel that they have agency over the way they are seen and represented has been of the utmost importance to me.

In the installation, viewers could hear audio from the interviews, highlighting the layered complexity of the immigrant story—from hopes, desires, and struggle from the first generation parents, to pressure, expectations, respect, and frustrations from the second generation children.

It has been a great honor to meet these people and document their stories. Please message me if you are interested in being involved. taken in University of Notre Dame by @kianatbates

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5 months ago

Jiichan & Baachan’s wedding, 1962

This is why photography is so important to me✨ taken in Osaka, Japan by @kianatbates

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9 months ago

Cultivate is an expression of the admiration and gratitude I feel for my grandmother, Baachan.

Baachan is a cultivator. Despite knowing that she may never see the fruits of her labors in her lifetime, she lives her life by this Japanese phrase: 役に立つ, that she may be of use. From the outside she is unassuming. She lives a quiet life of service, constantly mending, cleaning, creating, learning, or pouring herself into others. She intentionally puts time into things that take time. Just as a gardener plants a seed, hoping that it will one day yield fruit, Baachan plants seeds in her own life and the lives of those around her. She nurtures her garden: her family, her spirit, her talents, and as I’ve come to realize—me.

I am beginning this new semester at Notre Dame with an immense amount of gratitude for the opportunity to explore these ideas within my work. These photographs are the culmination of the last 6 years of my deepening relationship with Baachan. My appreciation and admiration for her only grows. It is so rewarding to have the opportunity to showcase her love and her light through these photographs. taken in University of Notre Dame by @kianatbates

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9 months ago

Our fav lady turned 89 last week! Happy birthday Baachan ♥️ by @kianatbates

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9 months ago

H O M E !!!

An all gas no brakes two weeks of everything I love!! The people! The mountain! The galleries! The dinners! The gym! The temple! My heart is full. taken in Utah by @kianatbates

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9 months ago

2025!!

The year of ACCOUNTABILITY: to God & to myself

Some highlights:
- fulfilled a lifelong goal of doing a pull up!!
- started a podcast!
- ran an olympic tri!
- got a new sister!!
- spent unbelievable amounts of quality time with people I love!!
- moved across the country!
- left behind the people I love!!
- cried a bit!
- started grad school!!
- found more people I love!!
- lost myself a bit!
- cried a bit more!!
- started gaining confidence in my process!
- made some work I’m proud of!!
- developed more of an appreciation for Baachan & my Savior!!

Four things I’ve learned this year (and am very much still learning):
- the only opinions about my life that matter are my own and God’s. If I’m aligned with God and straight with Him, nothing else matters.
- it really is all about the loaves & fishes. I bring what I have—even when it’s stale bread crumbs & old stinky fish—and God will multiply and consecrate it to be what it needs. I just need to actually bring what I have. Put in the effort. Act. And He will make it enough. He’s given me the talents, the opportunities, the resources, and it’s my job to steward them wisely.
- stillness is key, especially in the mind. it’s wild how many more ideas I have, how much more I feel the spirit, how much better I’m able to show up as my best self, when I cut the mindless distractions
- engage in the wrestle. determine the things worth wrestling for. be willing to put some real time and effort into those things and ignore everything else.

Continually learning, growing, stretching, evolving. All glory be to God. I’m excited for this coming year. taken in University of Notre Dame by @kianatbates

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10 months ago

An afternoon at the Asian store with Baachan.

Walking the aisles.

Prepping for gyoza night.

Stocking up on inari skins.

The small details are what I want to remember. by @kianatbates

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10 months ago

Tonight is the opening of our first year MFA show! Come see what we’ve been working on in our first semester of grad school ♥️♥️

I’ll be showing a project about my relationship with Baachan, and what I’ve learned about her nature over the last 6 years of photographing her life.

December 4, 2025
5-6:30pm
AAHD Gallery in Riley Hall
University of Notre Dame by @kianatbates

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10 months ago

Two years ago today Baachan, my parents, and I visited the Manzanar internment camp where Japanese Americans were interned during WWII. It was unbelievable to walk the dusty roads and see the conditions where so many people were held against their will and realize that it could’ve been me. taken in Manzanar Internment Camp by @kianatbates

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a year ago