Happy Day after Mothers Day! The one day of the year that we officially celebrate and honor those that have given so much of themselves to make us who we are. It was officially observed, for the first time, in Philadelphia in 1908 and given federal recognition in 1914. Why is it that we only “officially” do that once a year? Should it not be a monthly or weekly thing or more to the point, an everyday celebration? I hope you found time to recognize and rejoice in their life.

My mother passed away almost two years ago and like most there is not a day that goes by that something does not remind me of her. I think of her when I look to the heavens and know that she is there enjoying her family and friends and looking down on us. I think of her most when there are majestic moments with clouds in the sky as if it were a message to me. No better moment of love and solitude then to be shared with loving thoughts of her.

And now on to another mother of sorts, Mother Nature. It appears that spring is trying to find its way without allowing summer to just roll right in. And with spring comes the blossoming of nature and all of its beautiful colors. While visiting with my dear friends Jack and Elaine in Mentone a few weeks back, Elaine mentioned that they were heading to The Pocket at Pigeon Mountain in Georgia to view the wildflowers at the Shirley Miller Wildflower Trail Boardwalk. Unfortunately I was on my way home and unable to join them. But I was so intrigued by their excitement that I choose to pick a free day and run back over to the park which is just east “a little” from Mentone. Granted I am not much of a horticultural enthusiast because most that know me and read my blogs know that I never identify the plants or flowers properly. Of course the replies and corrections lead me to believe that some of you are reading my blogs. With the help of my “wing-woman” and photography student Ms. Laura Ragland, I think I was able to capture some beautiful and colorful items. I will leave it up to you to identify!!!

ENJOY!!!!!!!

Please do keep us in mind for any upcoming photographic assignments. As well, give thought to our vast collection of stock imagery for any of your art, corporate or editorial needs.

Have Camera – Will Travel … Corporate, Advertising and Editorial.
Best Regards …..
~ dennis keim ~

Another weekend of rain and cold weather but it is becoming the norm for this years Alabama spring. Why else would we hold weekend outdoor festivals unless to endure the elements and show our passion for the arts, music and food. This weekend we mixed BBQ, rain and mud and if the truth were known … a few libations together at the 13^th Annual Whistle Stop BBQ Festival at the Historic Huntsville Depot.

It is mostly considered a southern tradition but there is No Doubt that all those that cook and compete in BBQ competitions approach it with a feverish spiritual nature. Competitions are as much about the camaraderie and the mutual consumption of shared social libations as it is about the final product. The team names are as well thought out as the quality and spices that go into the final grilled meat submitted for judging. Teams have names like; Southern Stiles BBQ, Why You Grillin Me Dawg, OOPS BBQ, Bush League, Uncle Jay’s Dat-Da1-BBQ, Fat Drunk and Stupid, Swine and Dine, Jiggy Piggy and Squeal Appeal. You may ask yourself just how many different sauces and marinades are secretly prepared for these selected precious meats? Well I would guess as many as there are teams. And how great is it, you would think, to be one of the judges tasting 62 different entries in each of the different meat categories which include professional, amateur and the kids competition. Can your taste buds really discern from 62 different sauces times well, that many?

What I inevitably find most interesting, while walking around in the competitors area, is not what is being cooked for competition but that rare food item doused in BBQ sauce that you just might find while meandering through the camps. You do have to display the look of, “I might just be able to sample one more rib!” while making eye contact. My selection for “Peoples Choice” was not any of the ribs, pork or chicken but to my newfound favorite … a smoked and grilled Corn Dog topped with a secret barbeque sauce. Trust me, do not knock it until you have tried it!!!!! I must say, it was mighty tasty!!!

All in all, in spite of Mother Nature, it was another exceptional event hosted by Early Works and the city of Huntsville. And where else, but in the south, could you go to watch a group of adult men and women vying for the grand poopaa of titles, the “Alabama Corn Hole Champion?” In my day you would have stood close to a wall.

For those that can remember, Happy Day After – Cinco de Mayo!!!! I hate to admit it, I do remember and it was a fabulous evening. Enjoy!!!!!!!

Keep us in mind for any of your upcoming photographic adventures.      Have Camera – Will Travel … Corporate, Advertising, Editorial and Art.

Best Regards …..
~ dennis keim ~

 

Greetings and welcome to the last Monday of April, which should be by the very nature of the year, time for enjoying spring and to be celebrating. It appears that Mother Nature seems to have a different opinion of what spring should be like.

I was very fortunate, for a change, to be in town this weekend and have the opportunity to get downtown to enjoy our yearly art festival, Panoply. The Arts Council and festival staff continue to do an exceptional job of putting together just the right mixture of the Arts and this festival has pretty much something for everyone.  Kudos to the Council and to the city for finally allowing a beer and wine garden to make a debut at the festival, tucked away neatly from the masses. Could it be that we finally may just be “growing up” a little?

With an ever-present prediction of rain for most of the weekend, it was unfortunate that when it did not materialize that more residents did not venture out to take advantage of what was overall a wonderful weekend of Music, Arts and Community. Panoply continues to be a regional showcase of talent with this year’s musicians and artists once again accentuating the extent and depth of talent residing in and around this area. Talking with some out-of-town visitors from Philadelphia that were in town for the weekend, it was refreshing to hear how extremely complimentary they were about the quaintness, the organization and the overall quality of the event being hosted downtown in the park. It was very gratifying to hear their perspective, coming from someone living in such a large metropolitain.

Unfortunately, the weatherman’s prediction of rain finally caught up with the festival on the final day but, even with the early showers, they prevailed on Sunday to add a final crescendo. It was, as we say, just another Panoply weekend.

ENJOY!!!!!!!

Keep us in mind for any of your upcoming photographic assignments. If you were unaware, all of the art showcased in my blogs, as well as, on my web sites is available for publication or for purchase as corporate and residential collectible art.

Have Camera – Will Travel … Corporate, Advertising, Editorial and Art.

Best Regards …..
~ dennis keim ~

For the most part, it was another beautiful week in the neighborhood. Other than a little flair up by Mother Nature at the end of the week, I think we fared rather well.

I spent last weekend in Nashville, Tn. instructing at a Supershoots photography workshop (www.supershoots.com). The workshop has been held for the last few years at the Marathon Village complex (www.marathonvillage.com), which is historically known, for being the Marathon Motor Works automotive manufacturing plant in the early 1900’s. Like most plants of that area, the company moved on and left the large facility vacant which like other buildings was finding its way into decay. In 1986 it was bought and over the years, with much needed renovation, has slowly turned into a thriving artist enclave with the latest surge of occupants breathing new life into the community with American Pickers placing a store there. What once was a sleepy little section of town has grown and flourished into a very productive entertainment and artist district. To say the least, we no longer have the run of the grounds and have had to selectively pick our outdoor shoot locations.

Nashville is known as the music capital of the south, which provides the base for everything else to flourish. Great music, great entertainment and exceptional food including Sushi make for my increased desire to visit.  But the one thing I always will find time for is photographing the majestic skyline across the Cumberland River. It is a stunning meld of old and new – which pretty much fits what Nashville has become to be known for musically.

ENJOY!!!!!!!

Please do keep us in mind for any of your upcoming photographic assignments. All of the art showcased in my blogs, as well as, on my web sites is available for publication or for display as corporate and residential decorative art.

Have Camera – Will Travel … Corporate, Advertising and Editorial.

Best Regards …..
Happy Holidays!!!!
~ dennis keim ~

For the most part, it was another beautiful week in the neighborhood!!

It was, of course, one of those weeks you either loved or hated depending on whether you are prone to allergies or not. With pollen in full force, hay fever is rampant and eyes are watering.

The good news for the week is it appears spring has arrived and as is the case, GONE! We never seem to have that transition from winter to spring to summer temps. One day it is cold and the next day we are in the 90’s and then the cold sneaks back in. Such is the southeast. The trees and plants do not know quite what to do because they get the hint of warm weather and start their awakening and then another cold spell slaps them.

For those of you that had the pleasure to get downtown last week, on one of the “spring like” days, you were treated to one of Mother Natures colorful blessings, the Cherry Blossoms in full bloom around Big Spring Park. The display was a little later than normal due to the unseasonably cold weather we have been experiencing.  For those few blessed days, it was a beautiful sight to behold.

I was fortunate enough to have a pretty open schedule last week that allowed me to make a couple of photographic journeys to the park. With the weathermen predicting severe weather for this past Thursday I knew there may be little left on the trees after the storm blew through. So I decided to make the most of those two trips and photographically cover the park from every angle possible.

Not only were the cherry blossoms in full force but so were the “pitcher-takers”. You could not throw fish food in one direction without hitting someone. On my first of two trips, Monday afternoon, they were shoulder to shoulder looking to capture that perfect cherry blossom instagram capture. Well not exactly shoulder-to-shoulder, that may be a slight exaggeration, but there were a gaggle of shooters strategically position around the park. It was almost like an “x” had been placed at the perfect camera spots.

For those that did not make it…… Enjoy!!!!

Please do keep us in mind for any of your upcoming photographic assignments. All of the art showcased in my blogs, as well as, on my web sites is available for publication or for display as corporate and residential decorative art.

Have Camera – Will Travel … Corporate, Advertising and Editorial.

Best Regards ….
~ dennis keim ~

Happy Monday morning to you and I hope that you had a fabulous weekend. For most of us, we are still awaiting the arrival of spring.

I spend a fair amount of time wandering, looking for that perfect picture or that perfect setting and I have come to realize that it is not always the obvious that makes the best photograph. The easy and obvious, in this city,  are the setting suns, the city skylines, beautiful architect or majestic space artifacts. Sometimes it is the not so obvious that I find most appealing and end up making the best art.

One of my true loves is turning the world upside down, using the mirror reflection of what we see every day and capturing the essence of that beauty and simplicity. While out recently, on one of my many photographic journeys, I was watching and photographing the setting sun when I noticed the reflections in the water. The reflection of the bridge against the colorful clouds, with the slight movement of the water in the pond, made for a beautiful and artful abstract.

And as I watched the sun slowly slip away behind the clouds, I saw the beautiful hues of color and light become more brilliant reflecting in the water and noticed that I was “not alone” in my solitude. Sometimes you just need to stop and allow the moment to find you and appreciate the fact that you may not be alone in your moment of “reflection!”

Enjoy!!!! Happy Birthday Ms. Lucy!

Please do keep us in mind for any of your upcoming photographic assignments. All art seen in my blogs as well as my web sites is available as stock or corporate and individual decorative art.

Have Camera – Will Travel … Corporate, Advertising and Editorial.

Best Regards !!!!
~ dennis keim ~

Good morning to you all. Last week I was sitting in the office when the phone rang with an over seas phone number. The gentleman on the other end identified himself in a heavy German accent as Mr. Claus Van den Burger, the head of the marketing department of Mercedes Benz – Euro. He told me he had seen my recent model photo shoot with the Ukrainian super-model Marina Semenova using their Mercedes SLS AMG sports car as a prop. He indicated that we were very impressed with the imagery and asked if I would be interested in working on their 2014 campaign. At first I could not believe it and once I got over the shock, I said I was all in. He told me it would be one to two months shooting in and around the Swiss Alps and they were partnering with Victoria Secrets on the project so we would be using their models. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. After all these years, I felt like all the hard work had finally paid off.  Of Course for all of you reading this …. April Fools!!!!!

Have a great April 1!!!! Don’t hate the Playa, just had the Game.

Each year I begin the process of shooting new stock images that go into my stock archives. These “stock” images are offered for sale to magazines, corporations or private collectors looking for specific scenic imagery of select areas for publication, corporate wall art or private collection. Because our city is every changing, it is a continual labor of love to capture the essence of what the city has to offer with a new “coat of paint”. There is nothing more iconic than the Space and Rocket Center and I know that it has been photographed a million – zillion times but coming from a NASA background I never tire of the majestic beauty of the center or standing in awe of the historical space artifacts. Could there be anything more impressive for a visitor entering the city then seeing the Saturn V from a distance?

Last week I took the opportunity to get out and shoot a few new shots of the center. I always love the night view seen from I-565 because it gives the appearance of  a very metropolitan big city look, captured with the streaking lights of the cars.

Since the Davidson Center was built I have shot numerous aerials of the center and some interior views of the rocket but had yet to attempt to focus my camera on the exterior at night.  I had seen a multitude of images but wanted to capture something different and something that showed the enormity of the building and rocket. I was pretty pleased with the results and I hope you …. ENJOY!!

Have a great April Fools day and  “Get out their and punk somebody!”

If you were not aware, Huntsville is in the “finals” for being the host for SoMeT13US – Social Media Tourism Symposium, November 6-8, 2013. It is an online contest so to vote for Huntsville, you will need to go to http://woobox.com/txqjs5 on Tuesday, April 2.

Please do keep us in mind for any upcoming photographic assignments. As well, give thought to our vast collection of stock imagery for any of your art, corporate or editorial needs.

Have Camera – Will Travel … Corporate, Advertising and Editorial.

Best Regards …..
~ dennis keim ~

Just another day in the neighborhood, or more aptly put, “another week in the neighborhood!” The official first day of spring was March 20th but given last weeks weather you would be hard pressed to verify that. Of course, if the truth be told, there were weather highlights during the week but as most of you would say, “welcome to the south!”

As I mentioned, there were weather highlights last week and the numerous storms that threaten the area on and off during the week, also provided for some very dramatic photographic opportunities. One of the things I have learned over my many years as a professional photographer is to … Look at the weather and anticipate when it is going to be worthwhile to get out to shoot. Watching the pattern last week, I knew that one of the days would end up being that “oh so perfect cloud day!”

And what better place to be then downtown with our beautiful park and cityscape that provided the “foreground” for Mother Natures show of beautiful puffy clouds. Other than the chill, it could have very well been the perfect 1^st day of spring.

And for those that missed the one afternoon to be in the park, do not forget that your time is near. The Arts Council will be hosting a stellar arts weekend with the annual arts festival Panoply, April 26 – 28. Always a great time to get out and enjoy the “neighborhood!”

Enjoy!!!!

Please do keep us in mind for any of your upcoming photographic assignments. All art seen in my blogs as well as my web sites is available as stock or corporate and individual decorative art.

Have Camera – Will Travel … Corporate, Advertising and Editorial.

Best Regards …..Happy Holidays!!!!
~ dennis keim ~

A very good “Top of the Morning” to you all!

You would be hard pressed not to have known that yesterday was St. Patrick’s Day. A day of celebration for every one Irish and those wanting to be Irish for the Day and wear green and drink libations with friends in a “blessed manner!” The celebration honors the life of the patron saint, Saint Patrick, whom folklore tributes with charming all the snakes in Ireland to the sea where they drowned and the use of a three-leafed shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity to the unfaithful. The shamrock became Ireland’s national flower and the symbol for St. Patrick’s Day.

Like most cities, Huntsville held it’s annual St. Patrick’s Day on Saturday and the color of the Day was … GREEN!!!! I think, by the very nature of the festivities, the parade was full of frivolity but not overly long so most could go and enjoy the best part of the celebration, the downing of PINTS of beer! I must say that I do not look good in green but I did join friends after the parade for a few toasts. And many an Irish toast there are.

“May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine to warm your face,
The rains fall softly upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you
In the Palm of his Hand.”

“Here’s to me and here’s to you. And here’s to love and laughter. I’ll true as long as you. And NOT one moment after.” ENJOY!!!

Please do keep us in mind for any of your upcoming photographic assignments.

Have Camera – Will Travel … Corporate, Advertising and Editorial.

Best Regards…..Happy Holidays!!!!
~ dennis keim ~

Good Morning! I am beginning to feel like the Monday morning weatherman where each week I give you the new and latest weather for the south. Last week it was bitter cold, then we moved into the weekend where it was unseasonably warm and now rain. You just have to love late winter in the south.

One of the things that I enjoy the most about my profession is getting the opportunity to do aerial photography. To coin a phrase, “it is a whole different view from above.” My father was a private pilot so I grew up with little fear of flying and over the many years of my professional career I have spent more than my fair share of documenting my clients needs from above. During my years at NASA we flew our photographic missions with the Army in Huey helicopters strapped in with the side door completely open. I acquired a great appreciation not only for their pilot’s talents but also for flying in helicopters, which allows for the ease and potential of different perspectives than a fixed wing plane. I think my many years of being around airplanes and flying with my dad helped provide me with an acute awareness that has benefitted me when I deal with clients in aviation or clients with aerial requirements.

One of those clients that I feel very blessed to have had the opportunity to work with is the group of pilots, Para-medics and staff at Med Flight. Theirs is a life and death mission every time they lift-off. Over the many years of our professional relationship, many of the faces have changed but their dedication to their craft has not. Their pilots are some of the best I have ever had the pleasure to fly with when that rare opportunity does arise.

One of the most challenging requirement came a few years back when the wanted to photograph both of the transports with the Huntsville Hospital as a backdrop, which required the use of a third helicopter. After a few meetings discussing requirements and logistics we got airborne and headed out from their station in Meridianville.  Coordinating all three helicopters and the aerial staging was a very monumental task. What we did not factor in was what the sight and concern of three helicopters hovering outside the perimeter of the hospital would cause to those on the ground. Word got back to the pilots that cars were stopping on the roads and the phone lines were lighting up at the TV and radio stations. I guess that was one for the records.

So the next time you hear that “aerial music to my ears”, the roar of the beautifully painted green helicopter flying overhead, give a nod to them and know that they fly for all of us.

ENJOY!!!

Please do keep us in mind for any of your upcoming photographic assignments.

Have Camera – Will Travel … Corporate, Advertising and Editorial.

Best Regards …..
~dennis keim~