He Is Gone

Daddy passed away on May 27, 2009. He is with my mom now, and we will miss him greatly.

I am looking forward to Elizabeth visiting me next month. We will be posting highlights of our visit together.

A Long Road

I have not gotten on here much at all, except to check out a few posts. My father has gotten ill again, and I have been driving back and forth from Dallas to Oklahoma every week. There is not much energy except to do my photo shoots for clients, get their packages put together, send to the lab, and then go back to check on Daddy. He has been in the hospital with congestive heart failure for over two months now, and we have no clue what is going to happen. Things like this are sad, but I do not want him to suffer anymore. He is already up in his eighties.

This has taken a toll on me, but I will post some photos when things settle down...

A Whale of a Tale

Last year 'E' and I went on a trip up just north of where she lives in NJ...she mentioned that we would be going along the ocean and that she missed the boat the year before...yeah, she missed it alright...

The Whale watching boats do not go out late October due to cold weather and well...no whales, they all head over to warmer waters so their babies can grow after fattening up on food while they were here...


Here is off the coast of Cap Cod... We got lucky because the weather this year was warmer for a longer period of time, and the boat captain said the mothers wanted their babies to eat more to make that long trip down south and over to the various island regions...

We got lucky, one of the young ones had fun showing off for my camera!

That was a great trip and we love traveling together...I have a good laugh at her all the time...while reloading my camera, and changing some lenses I looked up and what did I see, 'E' was flat up against the front outside window like a bird just drop her out of mid-air, and she went splat...everyone was laughing so hard in the cabin...and that is no whale tale either...

All photos property of DK Photography, and any use without permission from this or other istes is not permitted ~ All photos available for sale through website ~

Unseen Beauty

These are a few more of my photos on the road from Dallas to Shreveport, then on to Arkansas...around Lake Caddo...

Have you ever been Uncertain? Well their is a town just off the lake and the surrounding cypress are like a creature from another planet...as if they sleep waiting to awaken and walk again...

What's in a name? The whole history of a town whose remote beginnings reflect the nature of the place, a place of exotic beauty, deep secrets, the haunts of wildlife where those who need respite for their souls can find harmony and peace. Uncertain, along the shores of Caddo Lake has, for over a hundred years, provided a means for launching into another world--a fishing hole, a cathedral of cypress, a paradise of the past.

Restoring Old Memories

First, I would like to thank Debra for this award...I will say "I try"! ...and 'new' friendships made...

Many people have come to me once a loved one has passed and asked if I could help bring their loved one back to life...well, what I mean is in their old photos; they will bring me photos that have been found laying around their families homes, in old packed boxes, and brought down from the attic, and would like to display them, but they have either faded, cracked, or are peeling. Sure if we think about it our family took these photos to cherish their own memories, and we should keep that in mind and not put them back in the attic for further damage.

Damaged photographs can look as good as new, or even better. With the use of technology today, and with someone you trust, your photos will look just like new.

We specialists in repair stained, spotted, torn, cracked, bleached and faded photos like yours every day. Just take a look at some of our photo restoration work.

During a typical digital photo restoration or photo enhance, we always adjust contrast, sharpness, and color levels. We also remove scratches and replace missing or damaged areas. In short, we do whatever is required to produce the best possible results.

Photo colorization involves adding/enhancing selected colors on a gray scale (black & white) or faded color photo. Some of the basic procedures that can be done are adding text, changing the background, changing color, correcting color, removing bad shadows, fixing clothes, fixing hair, fixing skin, lighten/darken areas, motion effects, red eye repair, remove persons from group photographs, remove unwanted objects etc.

Special effects can also be added to the photographs, like focusing or defocusing parts of the photo, softening portraits, adding perspective, correcting distortions, adding optical lens patterns, glows, glints, sparks and flares to produce dramatic effects.

My company offers photo colorizing and restoration services, that is colorizing a black and white photo, restoring very old damaged photographs, which are faded and creased with marks, stains, dust and scratches etc; back to original condition.

Restoration is only the tip of the ice burg when it comes to taking your old and worn photos and making subtle changes...I will post some of even older ones in another blog.

Visit DK Photography at this website to see the quality you deserve...

A New Years Look

My husband and I traveled over from Central Texas to Shreveport and then hopped on over the Hot Springs, Arkansas...if you have never gotten in the car and just let the wheel take over; then you sure are missing some darn pretty sites...
This is a closer view of the water falls that dot the Hot Springs side roads...


Find a river and follow its path...sure it is cold outside, but you have to get out of the car now and then...here go take a look...

I have a program that allows me to paste a photo and then paint and distort what you actually see into a work of art...I have done this on many photos dotted about this site...

Hope you enjoyed some of the trip...there will be more to come...here is one of my lil sis Chef E's poems to go with this...

Pretty Brook (2)

Sputtering brook
winding down
as far as eyes can see
just past our way
fish jump
hearts pump
as lines are cast
the fresh taste of things to come

Cast iron heat
with a little oil, cornmeal
breading and baiting
patience and wait
listen to geese, bullfrogs
small birds, the breeze
the quiet moments we steal

Watch men in waders pass by
in and out of glory
their big fish stories
dip down
into watery holes
up to their knees


You and me,
a pole, wiggly worms and hook
sharing landscape
full of more history than fish
mile for mile
casting a new path
down off Pretty Brook



All Photos are the property of DbyDK and its owner ~ If you are interested in purchasing a photo in gift card form or posters please visit my website...

The End of the Road

Steve and I just returned from a whimsical trip to Shreveport and Arkansas...Yes every now and then you have to just get in the car without a plan and drive to escape...

I took beautiful photos and will be posting them soon...and the New Year marks my journey down new roads of presenting my talents as a photographer. My lil' sis Chef E has encouraged me to get on here and visit other sites. Her and Doggybloggy think that I need to make some friends...I say 'So Be It'! See Ya'll later...

Texas Roads & Sunsets

Old Texas Roads

Long roads in front of me
Come on sister, lets beat the
summer heat and forgotten needs
Lanes one, two, four; they come and roll
Maybe, just maybe trying to line up what I have no control

Wheels pulling this car deeper into pain
Leave behind what is remembered with shame
Highway ghosts cannot be far behind
Review mirror reflections seem there to remind

Old beat up blue car ride
Man behind the wheel grins with his eyes
Louisiana woman at his side
in the back seat dreams remain
a young boy, freckle face, and Mary
running from Texas heat and love
can it be gone; it was what it was

Took the last exit off those old roads
Left fast highways behind years ago
Only passing signs that now say
Read between the lines-- on your way

And-- never forget-- long roads in front of me
old friend full of dusty heat and memories
Windows rolled down; shapes and colors pass by
Past landscapes still comes to mind
Highway ghost coming up fast behind

Old beat up blue car ride-- seems to fade
No grinning driver or Louisiana woman today
Back seat seems empty
But listen...you can still hear
Laughter and lies of a young boy, his red headed sister, and little Mary

No longer am I happy with the Texas heat,
long roads, love and what’s to come
Can it really be gone or is it back where I started from

- E Stelling, 2008 ©

Sunset Over Lake Texoma Lake~ http://www.dimensionsbydk.com/
Vist our website for more artwork and photography bio ~ All contents of this blog property of
writer and photographers listed above...

Reflections

Time

Change

life can

rearrange

Once

Large

is still

flowing

Taking

Moving

passing

us all

Rush

Curves

giving

others life

Bending

Shadows

Beautiful

Light

Poem, Reflection~ E Stelling, 2008

Photo, Reflection~ Donna Kay, 2008

All contents of the website is property of http://www.dimensionsbydk.com/ ~ Artwork For Sale

The Get Away

Many country back roads hold treasures to the naked eye, and I never miss the chance to take a turn down one of those paths. They can lead to mystery and stories untold.

Can you imagine the day when these vehicles dominated the road? The men and women we see in our parents old photos who got all dressed up to go out on a Saturday night...grandpa's slicked back hair, short sleeve dress shirt over his new white T, or even maybe a freshly ironed T-shirt with its sleeves rolled up with a pack of Marlboro reds tucked in tightly...along with freshly shined shoes and pressed trousers...hop in the driver side and they are ready to roll...cruising avenues...watching the chickies in their clinging tight sweaters and matching poodle skirts, bobby socks, penny loafers, and lipstick smiles.

Daddy's car was ready to attract some excitement on a Saturday night. Plenty of hot chickies out there waiting for them...maybe even a group of young girls at the drive-in gawking over all the beautiful cars rolling in...the smell of burgers and fries...sodas and shakes sitting on the door window sill. Maybe a drive up to the nearest hill top and lovers over look, and the chance for an arm over the shoulder and even a good night kiss as you look out into the night filled with city lights.

All innocents of their era in many ways...but the true story of this car has been hidden for the past century. Buried under the heat and winds of Oklahoma's tornado alley. Following up on the identity of this cars owner we might find it belonged to a local raised and wanted gangster of the twenties. Depression and prohibition had made it hard to make a decent buck in those times. Running with the elite of the bad ass bootlegger wanna bees.

The beat up Chevy truck you see, just up to the left was once a jewel of its time as well. This beauty could have been owned by the bootlegger's side kick and partner. Growing up together in that dusty old town the two decided to run booze and out run a few lawmen on the way.

At the ripe age of sixteen and seventeen they were chased down by the law in over six counties. Get away cars of their time were big and fast. Engines like...well they just do not make them anymore. Life in the fast lane..that is until they both were caught. One wrong turn off the main road near town they were arrested by their own cousin who just happened to be the local and honest sheriff.

Long jail terms for the both of them...the city impounds their vehicles and here they are in this back road junk yard...names and details changed to protect the guilty...and all the rest is up to you...

Writer~ E Stelling 2008

Photo~ Donna Kay 2008

Visit http://www.deminsionsbydk.com/ for more artwork and photography bio...

Nature's Best

As I have traveled around the country, I have become facinated at capturing just the right moments in natures time.

'Water Bird'

~ All photos and artwork property of artist; available for retail
www.dimensionsbydk.com ~

'The Past'

'Reflections'

'Sedona'

Capturing Natures Goodies

I grew up in Oklahoma and my parents kept a garden, this is one of my dad's new okra crop coming in this summer/fall.













'Okra' by Donna Kay




Food and wine are one of natures wonderful gifts to this world! I love taking photos at wine events and have had fun with this photo at all angles.












'Another Pour' by Donna Kay

~ All photos and artwork are property of artist and are for purchase
www.dimensionsbydk.com ~

An Artist Eye

Some of my photos are works in progress, and have been inspired by my work in photography over the years.









'Woman Proud' is a collaboration with my good friend Elizabeth Stelling, who is an artist in her own right.




In Dallas I work with the Summer Musical Guild and photograph their parties during and after shows.






'New Orleans' by Donna Kay

I will get into playing with paint programs and this is the result of a highly frustrated evening on the job...

'Fury' by Donna Kay

~ All photos are owned by artist and are for retail purchase; visit www.dimensionsbydk.com

Photos to Paintings

'Mardi Gras' by Donna Kay

Having an eye for simple and ordinary things that would move across a canvas can be one of the most difficult things in my business. I just recently picked up the paint brush with my friend Elizabeth's encouragement and began some works of art.

This photo was orginally taken in the fall of 07, at a farm in Northfork, LI...Harbe's Farm, and is titled...










'Window Box' by Donna Kay



Some of these photos were taken on my trip through the north east in fall of 07, and I have tried to depict the brilliance of the landscapes and other sites. The photo below is a blend of two different photos taken in different areas off the coast.

'Stormy Seas' by Donna Kay

~ All photos are owned by artist and are for retail purchase; visit www.dimensionsbydk.com

Fall Discoveries

Fall can be such a majestic sight when the foliage starts to peep out through the green landscape along the north east country side. I had the privilege of this experience while visiting a friend of mine who lives in New Jersey, Chef E. For the past two Octobers she has been my tour guide into Pennsylvania, Southern and North New Jersey, as well as heading up into New York state.

Our last visit together was a road well traveled, and some unforgettable pictures were taken on our journey. As we ventured into Long Island, and over to the north east side of the island, Northfork, the colors of fall only became more brilliant. I want to share some of the trip through photos, as my friend Elizabeth journals about the details and my work. -Donna Kay









Some photos will become watercolor paintings, such as this scene off Herring Cove, MA.

Driving along the coastal shorelines of Cape Cod during October is breath taking. The waves hitting the beach and rocks, and endless signs of wildlife in various marsh locations gave me an opportunity to shoot pictures like these.







This is a classic site along the Cape Cod coastal areas and inlets. Just sitting at the local eateries that dot the marinas, sipping on a Bloody Mary and watching the boats come in and out of the harbor.

All in all it was a wonderful trip and as we process more photos, like our successful hunt for whales and the perfect Bloody Mary; then we will update this blog... -Chef E, Poet/Writer

~ All photos are owned by artist and are for retail purchase; visit www.dimensionsbydk.com

Introduction to a photonut

My name is Donna Kay, and I am a photographer that resides in Texas. Originally from Oklahoma, I have lived in Texas for more than a decade and been an active photographer for over thirteen years. My love affair with the camera and most of my subjects began way before I ever bought my first camera.

My goal is to give my clients the utmost in customer service and an outstanding final product. When you see my work I hope that you would see that I take great care in my job as a photographer.

For the past six years I have been the official photographer for the Dallas Summer Musical Guild. You can see my work displayed on my official website, www.dimensionsbydk.com.

I also have done work for The Dallas Epilepsy Foundation and La Toque, a charity dinner founded by a local chef, Gilbert Garza of Suze Restaurant here in Dallas for three years; as well as the United Way Foundation.

In the past year or so I have discovered painting my portraits and will post a few here and there as I go, blogging about the experience with the help of a friend, Elizabeth Stelling, who is a published writer and poet. We have been working together creating photo stories told in my work and her poetry, and or short stories. We hope you enjoy what you see!

Dimensions by DK Photography, Inc. has served the Dallas/Fort Worth area since 1995. For your convenience we bring our studio to you. All the pictures presented on our website have been taken on location or at the client's home. We believe this provides our clients a more warm and relaxed setting.

I love meeting people, and giving them beautiful portraits that capture the person, not a stiff, unnatural pose or look.

Remember me for your one-stop shopping for portrait photography, wedding photography and special occasion photography in the Dallas Ft. Worth Metroplex.

All art work on this site and our 'View Art' on the main website are for sale. Contact me for pricing and any other information.

www.dimensionsbydk.com