THE JOURNEY BEHIND THE ART
Deb Salay Fine Art Photography
ONE YEAR TOO LATE
Have you ever had a really huge dream… one that felt so far away
you couldn’t imagine actually ever doing it?
That dream for me was to go to Paris, France.
The Eiffel Tower, The Louvre, Notre Dame… I wanted to experience it all.
And the FOOD. All the amazing French cuisine.
Several years after college, I decided I wanted to go to culinary school and
learn the techniques of becoming a great chef.
Modern cuisine has very deep French roots, and studying classical French cooking
was fascinating. I was mentored by several incredible chefs,
and one in particular took me under his wing and taught me so much about
the culinary world and what it takes to succeed.
The culinary program I attended had a scholarship program, and the year after I graduated,
they began sponsoring a trip to Paris, France for the scholarship winners.
One year too late…
I was heartbroken. Paris remained such a huge dream for me, and I had missed my chance by just one year.
Life moved on.
I raised a family, built a life, survived difficult seasons, and somewhere along the way that dream quietly got packed away.
But dreams have a strange way of waiting for us.
And sometimes, when we least expect it, they find their way back into our lives.
Creativity had always been a part of who I was. Music had been one outlet. Cooking had been another.
And photography, a passion my father encouraged when I was young,
had quietly remained in the background through the years.
I wasn't thinking about becoming a professional photographer. I simply loved the way a camera allowed me to
capture beauty, emotion, and moments that might otherwise be forgotten.
Then one day, I picked up my camera again, and something awakened in me immediately.
The same passion I once poured into fine cuisine began appearing in my photographs.
Attention to atmosphere, emotion,beauty, and the desire to make people feel something.
I started studying and practicing again, and the feelings I had when
I photographed when I was younger came rushing back.
During that journey, a new mentor stepped into my life, and fittingly, he was from Paris, France.
That became the beginning of a new chapter for me, not simply as a photographer,
but as a fine art storyteller. I photographed constantly, studying light, atmosphere,
emotion, and composition with a passion I hadn’t felt in years.
Through repetition, experimentation, and persistence,
my artistic voice slowly began to emerge.
During this process, I had the opportunity to attend several workshops,
and during the first one in the United States,
I was invited to another workshop in none other than Paris, France.
I was equal parts excited and terrified.
I had never been out of the country before, and Paris and the Eiffel Tower had
become dreams I had quietly let go of long ago. But suddenly, there I was… packing for Paris.
The day finally arrived, and nervous and excited, I stepped onto the plane for my first flight
across the ocean. I still remember the feeling of carrying my camera through the airport
knowing I was finally on my way to the city I had dreamed about for so many years.
When I landed, I grabbed a taxi and made my way through Paris alone for the very first time.
And WOW… it felt incredible.
I made it to my hotel, met up with a friend from the workshop, and walked the streets of Paris for the first time.
I MADE IT.
I was living the dream I thought had passed me by.
That first night we went to dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant overlooking the city.
When they learned I was both a retired chef
and a fine art photographer, they treated me with
extraordinary kindness. As I photographed the skyline from our table
overlooking Paris at night, the executive pastry chef came out to meet me.
My two passions collided in that moment. I felt like royalty.
And the joy I felt that night, actually living the dream of dining in Paris
while creating photographs of the city I had dreamed about for decades,
poured directly into the images I created.
A beautiful skyline with the Eiffel Tower glowing in the distance
became so much more than a photograph to me.
It became proof that dreams can return to us.
Deb Salay Awards and Recognitions
That first night cemented my love for Paris, and I have returned several times since then. Every time I go back,
I photograph what I feel in the moment. Many of those images instantly transport me
back to the emotions I experienced standing there.
My camera and my love for the beauty in this world, helped bring an impossible dream to life.
Now, through my artwork, I hope to share those feelings with others.
I hope that when you stand before one of my photographs, you don’t simply see a place…
I hope you feel what it was like to stand there with me. And I hope it reminds you that
the dream you packed away isn't gone.
It's waiting.
Much Love, Deb
Extraordinary Visions, Forever Captured
Some moments stay with me long after I
leave them behind.
Those are the photographs I choose to release as
Limited Editions.
Each is offered in a small, carefully held number — not to restrict it, but to honor the uniqueness of the experience it carries. Over time, the piece becomes less about where it was captured and more about the feeling it brings into your space.
If one feels familiar the moment you see it, you’ve already found your connection. Some moments stay with me long after I leave them behind. Those are the photographs I choose to release as Limited Editions.
Each is offered in a small, carefully held number — not to restrict it, but to honor the uniqueness of the experience it carries. Over time, the piece becomes less about where it was captured and more about the feeling it brings into your space.
If one feels familiar the moment you see it,
you’ve already found your connection.
COLLECTOR REVIEWS
Words from those who’ve welcomed art into their lives.
“A marvelous, stunning and sensational image with wonderful colours and visuals! I love those exquisite reflections!”
“What a superb and sensational capture of this magnificent seascape! such peaceful energy. I love the high perspective looking at the intriguing waterfall and beach!!.”
— Kevin O. L. ~vancouver, B.C.
“Absolutely love this capture from Central Park! The vibrant colors and stunning reflection make it truly exceptional”
— TERje S. ~San Francisco, CAlifornia
“I so love the opening of your website, draws me in, wanting to see more. It is so cool, like I am wandering through your personal art gallery"
— Jerry S. ~vancouver, B.C.
“A rare talent for capturing the essence of the scene.
A true gift to be able to share.”
— Jerry e. ~Indiana
“I chose this piece because it reminds me of home and the calm of the outdoors. The quiet of the trees and the true beauty they show with no effort. The lights give them brighter color in the reflection. It’s give the hallway to my dining area life and bring relaxation in a subtle but lovely way.”
— Ashley t. ~ Port Huron, MIchigan
“As local business owners of Crispy Cones, Deb’s artwork was exactly what we were hoping for when we started showcasing
local artists Her work is truly exceptional!”
— julie C. ~ owner, Crispy cones, fort wayne, IN
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