“Travel brings power and love back into your life.”
― Rumi

For the last few years I’ve been trying to focus on being present. I was noticing that my intense need to photograph my most exciting experiences was creating physical memories, yes, but it was also taking away my moments. I would completely miss whatever was happening because I was so focused on getting the perfect picture of it. Maybe you can relate. So, I took a couple years off from it. The documenting. The sharing. The likes. Besides a cell phone picture here and there, I never brought my camera. I went so far to the other side I stopped sharing/creating many things overall. I’m learning that there is a balance to everything. My intention for this trip to Alaska was to experience the moments, but also take time to enjoy being creative behind the camera.

These pictures were a reminder to me of how much I enjoy photographing many things; my travels, my family, fuck, the wallpaper, but more importantly, it reminded me of the balance. I’ve always been taught – “find your niche”, “be specific about what you shoot”, “do one thing really well and do only that” but I’m starting to realize that may just not be me. That may not be what makes me happy. Maybe I can and want to do more. Today I am officially introducing my rebrand to just Dana Kae, with Photographer following where necessary.

Boudoir IS the photographic love of my life. With any love, it’s necessary to have space. Not space like distance. Space like… expanse, ease, openness. I have been in a self-inflicted box for a long time. I’ve felt that I’ve been trying to play the part of the “perfect boudoir photographer” and in the past, the part of “the perfect commercial photographer”. I felt stifled by and flawed at both. I think at best, I could be called a people photographer, but even then, shooting product is a secret love I rarely talk about but would certainly love to share and explore more. On an even broader scale, I’ve been weaving lately and I want to start painting. Who knows where it will go. I just want the ability to let IT come. Whatever it may be. And I want this space most importantly because I want to continue to serve the world in more meaningful ways. This is me saying yes.

This is me being Dana Kae.

~All my love~