My name’s Donna, but I prefer to go by my nickname - dKaye (first initial, middle name). I was named after the Richie Valens song “Oh Donna.” Nothing like having a roomful of drunks serenading you to that, let me tell ya!

I’m a 40-something southern gal transplanted in Northern New Jersey -the pretty part of the state. And though living in the north, I’m still a southerner at heart! “You can take me out of the south, but you can’t take the south out of me. NashVegas will always be my home.”

Some other things to know about me:

• ..COMMUNITY MOM. :)
• ..photo promateur (check out my take on everyday life through photos over at my photoblog)
• ..music enthusiast.
• ..computer geek.
• ..'friends' addict (have all 10 seasons and randomly select a season/dvd daily).
• ..football freak (college - vols; pro - colts. to my surrogate son - peyton - mom's so proud ;) ).
• ..fancier of fine agaves and 'tekillya' (tequila). make the BEST margarita this side of the lake.
• ..philosophically unconventional.
• ..snarky.
• ..took the plunge on my 39th birthday - literally! skydiving is awesome. want to do it again. :D

Mini Bio: A photo hobbiest of more than 20+ years, I let my photography take a backseat to other interests. Then in 2000, an introduction to digital technology provided the springboard needed to rekindle my interest in the hobby. And, rekindle it did! Armed with books and tutorials, and aided by 'the masters' and mentors encountered along the way, I learned and re-learned the basics and advanced skills and techniques. Recognizing that technique is only about 10% of the picture, the other 90% (or "eye") then set out to find and tell stories.

After having taken more than 10,000 digital photographs of everything from bugs to buildings (and all things in between), I realized the best means of sharing my work would be to have a gallery created. And so it was done. Focusing on the simplicity of life - the unhurriedness of society, the beauty of places and things, and the tranquility (and oftentimes quirkiness) of nature - it is my goal to - someday - become a recognized visual storyteller. Recognized not by name - instead, by my photos.

My mantra: "Today is the tomorrow you were expecting yesterday. Will it be memorable?"

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