It is extremely hard to believe but I think we just had our first week without snow and temperatures in the 60’s. I actually got the opportunity to break my shorts out for a trip to the studio.

Sunday evening I had the incredible honor to be one of 6 honorees to be recognized by Oakwood University at their “Festival of Spirituals VI” bi-annual UNCF music festival. The award is given to individuals who have, in their opinion, made “significant contributions to society at large, and to the ARTS in particular.” Other individuals being recognized included painter, Howard Bullard, Operatic singer and founder of Ars Nova, Ms Ginger Beazley, minister and recording artist, T. Marshall Kelly, Mayor Loretta Spencer and Grammy award wining recording artists, Take 6. The award ceremony took place during the musical festival that symbolizes the very best in African-American musical tradition and heritage as celebrated by 12 colleges and universities.

As I received my award from Oakwood President, Dr. Delbert Baker and Representative Ms Laura Hall I felt very humbled that I was receiving recognition for something that I love and have such a passion for. To me it has been award enough to be able to do something every day that I love and now to be recognized as an artist … very special. I am grateful to Dr. Roy Malcolm for nominating me for this honor.

As I sat and listened to the majestic harmonies of each of the University choirs singing traditional black spirituals I could not help but think how much gospel music had been part of my early years. My grandfather was the head of the music department at Berry College in Rome, GA and my father a minister of music in the Southern Baptist Church. Both my father and grandfather sang in gospel quartets. As a kid, I had grown up with gospel music riding pews in church and sitting in folding chairs at tent revivals. For many years my family, which included my father, mother and my sister, sang as a gospel quartet. I held my own until puberty hit and I lost my tenor voice. I was promptly “fired” from the family quartet. Now that can have a daunting effect on a child for the rest of their life. Luckily for me God saw fit to give me another artistic outlet. As I sat there I could not help but wonder how proud my grandfather might be today. As for the family quartet, lets just say, I am still a photographer.

As for Oakwood University and my recognition, I am truly humbled and grateful. With that I give you one of my first introductions to the beauty of black spirituals from Oakwood.

If you have an upcoming assignment that we can assist with, do not hesitate to call or email.

Best regards ……..
~dK~

To think we would have snow so far south that it would find it’s way to Mobile, AL is unbelievable. Another week of Mother Nature’s fury. I write you as I head home from a two-week stay in Hatteras, NC.

Wednesday morning my girlfriend and I drove 2 1/2 hours to Norfolk, VA encountering snow as we hit the Virginia state line. Heading to the airport to catch a flight out, we arrived early only to be informed that my flight home was cancelled. So back to the Outer Banks (OBX) we drove only to find that strong westerly winds had pushed the water from the Pamlico Sound up on to the only road in and out of the Outer Banks, Hwy 12, at levels anywhere from 1-3 feet.

Within the scope of traveling 9 hours that day we went through mild flooding, rain, sun, sleet, beautiful skies, snow, gale force winds and finally, major flooding. Coming back into the Outer Banks, State Troopers were warning drivers headed south on Hwy 12 (his joke to us … swim at your own risk, every man for himself) that only 4×4′s and individuals stupid enough to attempt it, could proceed. With my girlfriend and her dog on board and no place to go, we chose to venture down the highway now aptly titled “Canal 12″. Westerly winds upwards of 60 mph had pushed the water from the sound up on to the road and as high tide approached, the water depth was elevating. We actually had waves crest the hood of our SUV from on coming vehicles as we chased waves from our own vehicle. I literally felt like we might end up in one of those homemade rescue videos floating down the highway.  Passing the many storefronts with water up to their porches we actually saw, amongst many other things, two kite boards floating down the road from one of the rental locations. After a return “float trip” of 5 ½ hours, we finally arrived home as the sun was setting. I felt like a Kayak would have been a more appropriate travel vehicle.

As the sun rose on Thursday and the winds subsided, the waters receded from the road back into the sound. It was as if the day before was only a dream (nightmare). It just goes to show you just how fragile and ever changing the weather can be on an Island.

The last image of the day ….. the sun setting on Hwy 12.

I hope you all spent Valentines day in a fashion very befitting your current relationship status.  For those that are single …. Another 12 pack of beer I presume.

~dK~

Another week of Mother Nature’s glorious beauty and fury. Snow in the Midwest and Northeast and rain in the south. I would like to know which one of you got on her bad side!!!???

I finally was able to make my way out of Nashville and slide right into Norfolk along with 6 inches of snow. After a little journey taking in the sights, I headed south to the Outer Banks - the beach.  Of course, the week ahead called for more Snow and more Rain. How wonderful winter is.

I must say for a Florida boy with deep ties to Alabama (now), I have seen more than my fair share of snow this winter. Which is all good … no sliding into ditches, no fender benders but more importantly, some wonderful photographic opportunities.  I am always like a kid in a candy store when it comes to snow and my friends all give me the “look” and ask how many times did my mama drop me on my head when I was a child. Not enough I reply!!!

While visiting Williamsburg during a recent “snow expedition” I marveled at the beauty of the city, with it’s rich history and colonial architecture. I looked at the many structures, still inhabited and operational, left from our founding fathers and thought what stories those buildings must hold, especially the taverns! As I wandered through the many streets I came across a very large tree with wooden benches placed in a semi-circle around its trunk. I wondered, with its limbs stretching out as if beckoning one and all to sit, who might have accepted the invitation and sat on theses benches before me. Was it a place where our founding fathers sat and listened to debate or where school children came to expand their knowledge? Could it have been a place where the community gathered for musical enrichment or where the locals came to discuss the current days topic?

No matter what the reason or what might have taken place I realized it was a welcome spot for all who wished to rest their feet. Do they also wonder, as I did, who might have sat on the very bench years before me. The tree still beckons to come, sit and listen.

Please make note that I am “No Longer” receiving emails at:
dkstudio@ bellsouth.net.
My current and correct emails are:
dennis@dk-studio.com
dkeos1@mac.com

I would be remiss if I did not end this with - “WHO DAT?”
Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints and their SuperBowl Win!!!!

~dK~

It has been so cold of late that I thought I saw two polar bears wearing Billabong baggies and Oakley sunglasses walking down the street to the pool this week. They had Ice Skates hanging over their shoulders. Then I woke up, realized it was only a dream and put another log on the fire.

With plans to fly to the Outer Banks this past weekend, I was met once again by the white fury of Mother Nature. After shooting an assignment in Hollywood, Al on Friday I was heading west to Nashville on I-24 only to find myself coming to a dead stop in a snow induced parking lot around Murfreesboro. Seems that a couple of rigs decided to get intimate on the interstate and needed an audience. As usual I found myself in the cheap seats behind hundreds of taller Semi’s.

Four inches of snow and blankets of ice brought the city to a crawl and made the Nashville airport a No Fly zone. With my flights cancelled and stranded in town for an additional 36 hours, I decided to make the most of it. On Saturday I grabbed a good friend, put my Four Runner in 4-wheel drive, told him to strap in and headed out to play dodge ball bumpers with all the cars slipping and sliding up and down the hills. It is totally amazing to be following a car one minute and the next see them spinning out of control like one of those teacup rides at the carnival. Whoa ……

My reward for my daring and sometimes comical misadventures of the day … A beautiful shot of the Nashville skyline all decked out in white.

One bit of news … Over the next couple of months I will be making some changes to my phone and email service. Please make note that I am “No Longer” receiving emails at dkstudio@ bellsouth.net.

My current and correct emails are:
dennis@dk-studio.com
dkeos1@mac.com

Best wishes from the Frozen Icy Tundra of Tennessee and the Chilled Shores of Cape Hatteras, NC …
 ~dK~