Picture Perfect Art

August 2025, by Diane Sulg

Misting Morn at Cataloochee Cove was taken in the Smokies a few years ago. The choice of monochrome was obvious, to emphasize the heavy fog and stillness of the early dawn.

A few weeks ago, it dawned on me that I have been writing this column for nearly six years and never featured a photographer. Today everyone loves photography, as we all snap dozens of pictures with our smartphone cameras. I also realized I knew a fine, award-winning photographer, so please meet my friend Sandy Dimke.

Back when we both lived in Danbury, Connecticut, Sandy worked for a local camera shop. She had a master’s degree in marketing from the University of Albany and did marketing for the shop, as well as some bookkeeping. It was a perfect place to learn about cameras, equipment, and what made photographs great.

The Flute Player was captured in Bali, Indonesia. I chose to wait until he started to play, to compose my image instead of him smiling at the camera. Photos courtesy of Sandy Dimke

Soon she was using her talents to support the burgeoning housing market in Connecticut by making brochures for real estate agents selling upscale homes. Naturally, her photos showed very appealing rooms in exquisite homes

In 2001, Sandy and her husband, Russ, moved to South Carolina’s Lowcountry, the beautiful coastal area with low lying marshes and historical significance. It was the ideal location for Sandy to perfect her skill at portraying the feeling she had when she snapped the shot. Her goal is to have the viewer share her emotions in that moment.

Sandy is also an inveterate traveler, estimating she has visited nearly 100 countries across the globe. In each place, she captures unique architecture, scenery, people, and moments, documenting and sharing unique experiences. I urge you to visit dimkephoto.com and browse her enormous gallery of photos — it is like taking an intimate voyage around the world.

The Touch of Friendship was taken on the Chobe River in Botswana. We were able to spend almost an hour just sitting near the bank and watching the elephants enjoy the cool water. One of my goals when I went to Africa was to photograph animals interacting, either with other species or with their kind. This really spoke to me.

Diane Sulg is executive director of CRAFT and founder & co-chair of American Craft Week (ACW). She is a handmade advocate who provides valuable information in her one-day seminars at wholesale shows throughout the United States. She can be reached at dianesulg@gmail.com.