Good Day to you all. My apologies for the blog being somewhat late today but the difference of time zones has me still dealing with a little bit of jet lag. First cup of coffee down so here we go.

Last week I was in Pittsfield, IL instructing at the “Hit the Lodge” photographic workshop with the Supershoots.com group. For five fast and furious days we seclude ourselves in rural America (amongst the barns, deer and cornfields) with a collection of professional instructors, models and makeup artists to provide an intensive learning forum for 20+ aspiring photographers. The workshop provides for extensive studio lighting setups, as well as, the opportunity to hopscotch across the rural terrain looking for optimum outdoor shoot locations. The locals begin to think there has been an invasion for the few days we mix and mingle. We mostly hear, “ You are not from around these parts?”

One of the locations we used, as a backdrop was a rock quarry in Hannibal, MO, which is now used for 4-wheeling racing competitions. The quarry provided a diversified challenge for the photographers and models but was an exceptional location. Travis is the lucky one, our only male model amongst the bevy of beauties.

I think one of the unique aspects about the workshop is the diversity of talent involved with the workshop. We have instructors, models, MUA’s and photographer that are an international blend of travelers and educational levels. I do not generally showcase any of the photographs from the workshops but there were a couple more images that I found to be very unique. One of the treats this year was a model that chose to participate while in the latter stages of maternal bliss. I cannot think of anything more beautiful that embraces her maternal beauty. Marjorie was a real trooper and gave the “slim” ladies a run for their money.

The one other shot I enjoyed was a secondary location we used on the banks of the Mississippi river. A tree stump had found itself washed up on the bank and it provided the perfect background at sunset. Thanks to Miranda for braving the elements to make this photograph happen.

So that was “Stop #2” on my current journey.  Look for great things to come from my stopover in Arizona to visit family.

For ALL of your stock imagery needs or if you are looking for art for corporate or private collection (liked the image in this blog) look no further we may have exactly what you need. If you have an upcoming assignment, I am asking that you please keep us in mind!!!!

Best regards ………. dK

I hope this email finds you all doing well. I am on travel for the next two weeks and hope to find some interesting locations to send your way.

Last weekend I was extremely fortunate to be one of the sponsors and a participant in the YMCA’s first ever fund raising event with the Over the Edge group. The fundraiser allows individuals to raise money for the opportunity to rappel down the side of a city building. The Huntsville event offered the participants the once in a life experience of scaling down the face of the historic Times Building. For a first time event, it offered everything that was promised and more. Twelve stories up, over looking downtown, it provided the participants a spectacular view of the city.

You could see it in each and every ones face as they approached the staging area and looked around, taking in the moment. And then it was time, to hook up and go over the edge. Anxiety, anticipation and exhilaration!

One by one they took one small step for man and then one large step for mankind. It was a great experience for all that took the leap of faith. At the end of the day, a very successful fundraiser by my good friend “Brenda Hennessee” with the YMCA. Thanks to all that came out and cheered me, as well as, all of the other participants as we went “over the edge. Many thanks to Jeff White with Jeff White photography for his value assistance over two days in helping me capture the moment.

Two days of success, no one lost, no one injured and many a smiling face. At the end of the day, another incredible view was offered my Mother Nature. Enjoy …..

For ALL of your stock imagery needs or if you are looking for art for corporate or private collection (liked the image in this blog) look no further we may have exactly what you need. If you have an upcoming assignment, I am asking that you please keep us in mind!!!!

Best regards ………. dK

I trust this email finds you rested from your weekend and headed back to work knowing that the rain, which is needed, is just here for a few days.

Last week I was able to take off, at the invitation of a dear friend, Ms. Laura Ragland, and head up to Mentone, Al for a day trip of sightseeing atop Lookout Mountain. To me the area is best known for the Little River Canyon, Desoto Park and the many waterfalls along the canyon. I have visited numerous times and always take the driving route when I venture over to Atlanta. There are two waterfalls in the area that are picture perfect, Desoto Falls and Little River Falls, both of which are extremely majestic when the water is running. The optimum time for viewing the waterfalls is late winter and early spring but anytime is a good time. And in the fall, the colors are just spectacular.

The primary purpose, for the day trip was to get out of “dodge and get in amongst them!” Laura had heard of the Wildflower Café and put that on the agenda for lunch. It was the perfect stop for two “weary and hungry travelers” as a wood carving of two bears greets you. In addition to the café (YUM – try the sweet potato biscuits) we stopped at St. Josephs on the Mountain with it’s beautiful stained glass windows and then, the Sallie Howard Memorial Baptist Church which is connected / built around a boulder. It is amazing site to see from the inside, which as the sign says is always open for all. The final piece of the trip was to travel down the canyon ridge road and come face to face with a huge boulder that splits the highway. All and all, a great day in the country!!!! If you have never been up to Little River Canyon, you should plan a day trip to see the wonderful sites and do not forget, Wildflower Café. Just get there early!!!!

For ALL of your stock imagery needs or if you are looking for art for corporate or private collection (liked the image in this blog) look no further we may have exactly what you need. If you have an upcoming assignment, I am asking that you please keep us in mind!!!!

Best regards – dK

I would hope that most were able to get out and enjoy this fabulous spring type weather we were experiencing over the weekend and avoid the thunderous rains we experienced last night.

For me this past weekend turned into a photographers dream. I had two commercial shoots, one photographing an up and coming hip-hop artist from the area who is all of fifteen and goes by the artist name JBass.  As we would say, he is cooler than cool! Then I was off to the airport to photograph the arrival of the newest plane in the Panalpina cargo fleet, the Boeing 747-8. With either of those two shoots, a photographer could have called it a day, but I had a little free time between shoots. So I decided to take advantage of the beautiful weather, while in the mooresmill area, to visit the North Alabama Railroad Museum. The Museum is located in the Chase Industrial Park area in Huntsville, Al. and is a visual wonder for train enthusiasts.

The day was perfect with blue skies and beautiful puffy clouds. So I thought why not!! Of course to me it screamed Black and White (Infrared).

There are so many incredible aspects related to the old railroad cars and I realized that one photo could just not do it justice. So I thought why not try and capture the essence of the museum in a collage.  You can learn more about the museum by visiting the web site – www.northalabamarailroadmuseum.com

ENJOY!!!

For ALL of your stock imagery needs or if you are looking for art for corporate or private collection (liked the image in this blog) look no further we may have exactly what you need. If you have an upcoming assignment, I am asking that you please keep us in mind!!!!

Best regards – dK