Archive for the ‘2011’ Category

This past weekend I got kidnapped by a friend and taken to Gulf Shores, Alabama where the annual Shrimp Fest was being hosted. I had never been before and this years’ was the 40^th annual. Only in the south could they host a festival that large totally centered around “fried” seafood. To say the least, it was a fast and furious weekend.

Last week in my blog I pointed out that there are two things that are pretty much guaranteed come October every year. One is the change of colors in the fall season and the second is my annual trek to Las Vegas to instruct at a four-day photographic workshop with Supershoots.com. My accountant, after reading my blog (which I was surprised) so aptly pointed out that there was a “third”! The final days to get my taxes prepared and submitted for the previous year, which I tend to wait, till the last moment in October every year to submit. I found her “observation” to be quite on point and extremely humorous.

While in Vegas last week teaching a workshop, I found myself on the last day with a few hours to spare so I decided to drive up to Hoover Dam and see the completed overpass. The bridge offers the perfect view of the Dam with Lake Mead in the background. For those that have never seen Hoover Dam it is one of the most incredible structures ever built by man. The Dam project began in 1931 and was completed in 1936. A total of 3,250,000 cubic yards of concrete was used to build the arch-gravity dam in the Black Canyon on the Colorado River.

Next time you find yourself looking at a slot machine, do your self a favor and take the drive up to Boulder City for some fresh air and enjoy the view of this exceptional feat by man.

If you are in need of an executive portrait of have an upcoming photographic assignment, please keep us in mind. In addition, if you find yourself looking for stock imagery or art for corporate or private collection, we may have the image you are looking for. Take the opportunity to look at http://www.dk-studio.com or http://store.hwy12photoarts.com

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

Best regards ……….
dennis keim

It was one more week of absolutely stellar weather in the southeast and you know that fall is just around the corner.

There are two things that are pretty much guaranteed come October every year. One is the change of colors in the fall season and the second is my annual trek to Las Vegas to instruct at a four-day photographic workshop with Supershoots.com. As luck would have it, most every day is filled with educational and instructional workshops leaving little time for us to venture out on to the strip or find our way into the casinos. What little time we do have is spent eating and photographic road tripping.

The year was no exception because two of the workshops require travel of 2 hrs one way on the first day and an hour and a half on the second. I can attest to the fact that both scenic locations are well worth the drive. The first location is an old abandoned mining compound with its half built concrete buildings and the second is in the heart of Lake Mead National Park.

Lake Mead National park is a stunning place to visit as well as photograph and for the past few years we have found our way back to Redstone, an incredible locations surrounded by mountain ranges that are red rock. It is the perfect backdrop for our workshops, which focus on editorial and fashion photography with beautiful models and stellar settings.

Each year there seems to be one surprise or another and this year was no exception. Just as the sun was setting in the west we were blessed with a full moon rising in the east. The moon was magnificent highlighted in the crystal blue of the eastern sky and the backdrop of the red mountaintops. One view proved to be the winner. The moon rose between two peaks as if they were here to guide it into the evening sky. It was a breathtaking and magical moment, one that was not left without being captured.

As always, please consider us for any upcoming photographic assignments that you may have. If you are in need of an executive portrait, stock imagery or art for corporate or private collection, we just may have the image you are looking for. Take the opportunity to look at http://www.dk-studio.com or http://store.hwy12photoarts.com

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

Best regards ……….
dennis keim

It has been a stellar week with the weather here in Alabama and what an incredible weekend for getting out and enjoying it. As well, might I add my congratulations to UA and AU for outstanding football victories on Saturday. Fall Weather and Football – go hand and hand!!!

I had a full and enjoyable week shooting executive portraits and working on a couple of commercial assignments. In between those shoots I was able to work in a fashion shoot with “aspiring” fashion designer-model Sharon Xiques and the fabulously talented make up artist, Sylvia Smith from Huntsville. Sharon is going to UT and studying to be a Physicians Assistant and when she is not making the rounds in the hospital or classes, she designs and models. What makes a shoot like this so enjoyable, other then the obvious, is the enthusiasm that each of these talented ladies brought to the project. Sharon’s beauty and captivating eyes and Sylvia’s flawless makeup made this as well as the rest of the shoot images sing.

I know it is not sunsets, commercial buildings, skylines or fishing villages but I do think it was one captivating image worth sharing. For more of Sylvia’s talent you can find here at: http://promakeupartiststudio.blogspot.com/

As always, please consider us for any upcoming photographic assignments that you may have. If you are in need of an executive portrait, stock imagery or art for corporate or private collection, we just may have the image you are looking for. Take the opportunity to look at http://www.dk-studio.com or http://store.hwy12photoarts.com

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

Best regards ……….
dennis keim

It has been a wonderful change of pace to be home for the last couple of weeks working and catching up with friends. Given the beautiful weather, I was able to attend some of the outdoor functions that make Huntsville such a great place to live this time of year. But like a gypsy, the calling of the road has beckoned again.

I had the pleasure of traveling to St. Louis for a few days to instruct at a photographic workshop. The events are jammed packed with students eager to learn, teachers eager to teach and beautiful models looking to showcase their talent in front of the cameras. All in all it was one stellar event.

When traveling and teaching, it is some times difficult, on the tight schedules we maintain, to take advantage of any sightseeing. Anyone that has ever visited St. Louis knows there is plenty to see. No visit to St. Louis would be complete without getting to see the “Arch!” It is the majestic icon that defines the city’s skyline. So with a little time on our hands between workshop and dinner, we grabbed our cameras and headed across the river to capture the glow of the skylines evening lights.  And, as if to add a defining touch, a commercial jet chose to pass over the city at the exact moment.

Enjoy your week.

As always, please consider us for any upcoming photographic assignments that you may have. If you are in need of stock imagery or art for corporate or private collection, we just may have the image you are looking for. Take the opportunity to look at http://www.dk-studio.com or http://store.hwy12photoarts.com

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

Best regards ……….
dennis keim

How wonderful the weather has been and with so much going on this past weekend, I hope you were able to get out and enjoy it.

Last week was a great week for me with shoots and catching up with friends. Since I have been back in Huntsville, I have not made much time to get out and play. I have witnessed most of the splendid sunsets, while driving in my car. So, with the potential of another stellar evening glow on Thursday I grabbed my cameras and headed out to see what just might be in store for me. As promised, with all the clouds in the blue sky, the sunset provided a spectacular array of golden hues reflecting off of them. Just as I was about to pack it in and head home, I heard the very beautiful and harmonic sounds of Canadian Geese announcing their arrival. It was just the perfect addition to another beautiful show by Mother Nature.

If you are in need of stock imagery or art for corporate or private collection, we just may have the image you are looking for. Take the opportunity to look at http://www.dk-studio.com or http://store.hwy12photoarts.com

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

Best regards ……….
dennis keim

Another week in Alabama and the weather could not have been more perfect. I hope you were able to get out and enjoy the weekend, as well as, take in some FOOTBALL. Fall like temperatures and college football, it just does not get any better than that.

This weekend was a very special weekend with the tenth anniversary of 911. For most of us, we have a firm vision on where we were and what we were doing on that horrific morning. I was backpacking in the southern sierras and was unaware of the event until I hiked out the following Friday. It was a very revealing moment to come face to face with the imagery of the event, even more so 5 days after the fact. The good news is, as a nation we have moved on but always with a thought of remembrance for those that perished that day, as well as, for those that have fought the battle to maintain our way of life and our freedoms. It is impossible to think about that day without seeing the imagery of the moment and all the images that followed from the liberation of Iraq. Hopefully we are a stronger and a more resilient nation.

While teaching at a workshop in Chicago, a group of us ventured in to Gary, IN to a place of esteem reverence and notoriety. It is the remains of the once glorious City Methodist Church built in 1926 at an expense of over 1 million dollars. The vacated church was heavily damaged by fire in 1997 and has been left as is with its future in question. Most who visit the church today do so with camera in hand, looking to capture the majestic beauty of its current state of decay. Standing in the sanctuary and looking at the architecture, you could not help but hear the angelic voices of praise that once filled the hall. With all the decay brought on my weather and vandals, she still stands tall and proud awaiting what destiny has in store.

If you are in need of stock imagery or art for corporate or private collection, we just may have the image you are looking for. Take the opportunity to look at http://www.dk-studio.com or http://store.hwy12photoarts.com

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

Best regards ……….
dennis keim

If it is not Hurricane Irene causing issues on the eastern seaboard then it is Tropical Storm Lee dumping tons of rain on our Labor Day hopes. After an exhausting week of shoots, it was quite comforting though to have a day off and just listen to the rain.

With all that has happened in the last few weeks, you have to wonder what Mother Nature still has in store for us. The Outer Banks is still left with no access to the mainland, other than by ferry, and access to the island by non-residents is still very much in question. With Tropical Storm Katia making her way up the east coast, OBX could be vulnerable to a devastating 1-2 punch.

Last week I was blessed with 6 days of photo shoots in the Tennessee Valley, which allowed me to keep my mind off of the Outer Banks and the relief program they were getting underway. One of those shoots, a 3-day photo assignment with Janson Communications had us traveling to three military installations to photograph the activities of the Army Materiel Command. If was absolutely amazing to see all they are doing to support of troops overseas. It was even more amazing to be allowed into the areas to photograph the men and women refurbishing all the tanks, helicopters and weapons that the troops use to fight the battle for our freedoms. As we left came to a close on Thursday, I commented to my assistant that this is probably as close as we will ever get to the war without actually traveling to the front line. Many thanks to the Janson group for giving us that opportunity.

I am playing a little catch up due to all the travel and weather but while I was in Columbus, OH teaching a workshop, I had an extra day on my hands and was given a special tour of the country side by my dear friend Denise Frysinger. She took me to an old country residence with an exceptional barn and white fence. Given the beauty of the day, it was a majestic scene and a photo opportunity not to be missed.

If you are in need of stock imagery or art for corporate or private collection, we just may have the image you are looking for. Take the opportunity to look at http://www.dk-studio.com or http://store.hwy12photoarts.com

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

Best regards ……….
dennis keim

I hope this note finds you doing well and that those reading it from the eastern coast have weathered the storm. I know that last weekend was an extremely trying time and there is still much to deal with in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

I find myself looking back one year ago this week and reliving the fact that Hurricane Earl chose to visit the Outer Banks and the eastern seaboard, interrupting the last summer holiday weekend, Labor Day. Giving consideration to all the weather information, we chose to ride the storm out with friends and stayed on the island. Luckily for us all, the hurricane never came ashore and the flooding was minimal. With Hurricane Irene coming ashore this weekend, the island along with all the residents that chose to stay have not fared quite as well. Massive flooding, strong winds and high surf have left the Outer Banks with out communication and due to two breaches in the only road in or out, Hwy 12, the islanders that did stay are currently stranded and cut off from the mainland.

I was fortunate enough to have corporate travel scheduled and had left the island a few days early. Knowing that there was a
possibility of a direct hit on Hatteras Island, I chose to pack up the most vital things and left the rest behind for Mother Nature to deal with. Throughout the weekend I watched the news with extreme anxiety knowing that I had left friends behind and wondering what was to be left of the island on my return. I was able to stay in contact until late Saturday and then all went silent. It appears that the islands and those that stayed have fared fairly well but now there is allot that they will need to deal with. The first and most important thing to do is find a way to repair the breaches, reconnect the communication channels, allow the flooding to subside and start the repairs. I am currently unable to reach anyone or know the extent of damage that may have occurred to the Hwy 12 Gallery.

The good news is this is not the first time they have dealt with a hurricane, or the loss of access to Hwy 12 and the island.
Hurricane Isabel paid them a visit and it was months before things were back to normal. Until the repair of Hwy 12, the ferry systems that service the islands will be in overtime, picking up new routes ferrying people and vehicles back to their homes and businesses. I can only sit and wait until I hear the news of the island and wonder the fate of my friends’ homes and business.

Until  then … may god bless them all and to those all along the eastern seaboard that are dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

If you are in need of stock imagery or art for corporate or private collection, we just may have the image you are looking for. Take the opportunity to look at http://www.dk-studio.com or http://store.hwy12photoarts.com

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

Best regards ……….
dennis keim

The weather has been absolutely stellar on the Outer Banks this past week. I have had the luxury of being here for all of a week and now find myself leaving paradise once again to travel for corporate assignments. It looks to be a stellar week ahead.

During my years of travels I have come across many interesting subjects but these structures, dotting the landscape of the US, provide their own unique place in Americana. My two most previously encountered “Spaceships” had both landed in Florida. One in my hometown of Tampa that sat on top of a “dance” club called the 2001 Space Odyssey and the other on Pensacola Beach, sitting atop a blockhouse, currently the headquarters for the Pensacola Beach Preservation and Historical Society. My newest sitting of the “Alien Space Ship” happens to be in Frisco, NC which I pass every day on my way to Hwy 12 Photo gallery (www.hwy12photoarts.com). It is definitely an eye catcher and many stop to take photos of themselves and the unique structure.

The Futuro House, as it was so aptly named, was the brainchild of Finnish Architect Matti Suuronen. Around 100 were built during the 1960’s and 1970’s providing 300 square feet of living space. Its flying saucer elliptical shape evoked images of Alien space pod invasions, interplanetary travel and science fiction futurism. Today, roughly half of the fabricated alien ellipsoid structures have been accounted for.

With the thought of Orson Wells “War of the Worlds” blasting over the radio, I give you my own “Alien Encounter”! Of course, I do not think I have ever envisioned aliens of this beauty. Many thanks to Alabama’s own, Ms Kristi Green, for making the futuristic trek to the Outer Banks and gracing the islands with her “out of this world beauty”.

If you are in need of stock imagery or art for corporate or private collection, we just may have the image you are looking for. Take the opportunity to look around this website or visit http://store.hwy12photoarts.com

Have Camera – Will Travel … Corporate, Advertising and Editorial

Best regards ………
~dK~

To each and every one of you that text, emailed or called, I cannot truly express to you how each of your comments or discussions helped bolster my spirits while dealing with the recent loss of my mother. It would be impossible to explain just how important and meaningful each of your contacts has been and came at times when needed most. For my family and myself, it is truly appreciated.

During times like these I have found it best to be busy and stay busy and that is certainly what I have tried to do. After leaving Phoenix I was back in the Outer Banks for a couple of days and then flew to Chicago to instruct at a photographic workshop in Michigan City, IN.

At the bend of Trail Creek in the Michigan City harbor stands an historic old structure whose beacon has served as a guiding light for Great Lakes sailors for more than 100 years. Every year that we have conducted a workshop here I find myself at the same location at the end of the second day, watching the sunset at the Lighthouse. It must be true that the light provides safe travel and directs your path. It is always a beautiful scene.

If you are in need of stock imagery or art for corporate or private collection, we just may have the image you are looking for. Take the opportunity to look around this website or visit http://store.hwy12photoarts.com

Have Camera – Will Travel … Corporate, Advertising and Editorial

Best regards ………
~dK~