Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Keeney.
Hi Chris, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Life is learning, and throughout your life you will meet people who will teach and influence you in ways that will change your life some for the better and some for the worse. My story is about the people I have met so far who have moved me in a way that has shaped the person that I am today.
I was born in La Jolla, CA, and grew up in Del Mar going to the beach and camping in the mountains. When I was in grade school, I was inspired by Art, the computer teacher that introduced me to computers and programing. Personal computers were just coming out, so I was fascinated by what they could do. I got into computers so much that I wrote a computer program that won a local computer programming contest. To make extra money, I would tutor adults on how to use their computers. I had no idea at the time how much computers were going to change my life.
While I was since in grade school, I got into backpacking and would go on summer camping trips into the wilderness with a mountaineering group called Sierra Expeditions. One of the leaders of the trip, whose name also was Chris, was into photography and saw that I had an interest in what he was doing. He taught me the basic camera settings… aperture, shutter speed, etc. I was hooked, and that’s where I learned how to create my first images with a 35mm DSLR. He also taught me how to plan for a backpacking trip, how to leave no trace and be respectful of wild animals and other people we would meet on the trail. We worked together to carry the food, filter water, and prepare the meals. It was my first real lesson in teamwork.
Fueled by this new photography passion, I was determined to save up enough money and buy my first camera, which ended up being a Canon AE-1 Program with a 50mm lens. There was no turning back from there. Being inspired by nature and photography, I soon learned of Ansel Adams and was inspired by his work.
My interest in photography continued into high school. In my junior and senior year, I was a teacher’s assistant for Fred, the commercial art teacher. Fred was brutally honest about work that I would share with him. I remember one summer going on a backpacking trip to the Yukon and coming back with what I thought was an all-time image. I had the photo enlarged to an 8×10, and as soon I got a chance to share it with Fred, he looked at it and plainly said, “Yeah, it’s a sunset… it’s a nice sunset, but that’s it.” I was crushed; I knew from that point forward I needed to up my creative game and show something unique and original. With Fred’s honest and creative feedback, I soon started creating more inspiring images that inspired myself and others.
I wanted to study photography in college, but my parents felt that photography was a limiting career path and encouraged me to look at commercial art schools. Fred suggested that I look at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. The school happened to be his alma mater, and he thought it would be a good fit for me as I could enroll in the commercial art degree and take photography classes as electives. I applied and got accepted to RIT! While I was there, I spent countless hours (over the weekend) in the darkroom processing and printing images I had taken on my travels. While I was at RIT, I was fortunate enough to see Jerry Uelsmann speak about his work. I found his work fascinating and knew that he was yet another influential person in my life. I graduated with a BFA in commercial art and moved to Los Angeles to start looking for a job as a graphic designer. I mailed out dozens of resumes and examples of my work, and out of all the letters I sent out, I got a call from a publisher in Sun Valley, Idaho. He asked if I could meet him the next day for an interview, and I told him I was in LA. He said he was impressed with my resume and really would like to meet. So, I jumped into my car and drove to Idaho. After the interview, he offered me a job, and with that, I moved to Idaho to start my graphic design career.
The best part of working at this company is that I met my wife of thirty years there and learned how to snowboard from a bunch of crazy fun Australians.
After a couple years my girlfriend at the time and I moved to back to San Diego, and I continued my career as a graphic designer working for a few companies and design firms. At each one of these jobs, I met people who inspired me and helped me grow as an artist. One of the designers heard about a new camera that was coming out (Holga) and bought me one as a gift. While I had that camera, I experimented with taking multiple images but partially advancing the film between each image; the result was very unique panoramic where one frame would blend into another. (Photos: Train image, tractor, Nicole on the beach with seagulls)
I worked as a graphic designer for fifteen years. During that time, I was fortunate enough to work on projects for Fortune 500 companies such as Qualcomm, Harcourt Brace, Penn Racquet Sports, Prince Tennis, and LEGO. While I was a designer, I continued with my interest in photography. One of my images of our daughter was used in a banner as you entered Legoland.
All this time, I was a graphic designer, I still had a large passion for photography and knew that if I didn’t do something about it, I would probably never see the dream of becoming a professional photographer come true. So, I left my job as a graphic designer and started my own photography business. I knew that to promote myself, I would need a webpage. I couldn’t afford to pay someone to make it for me, so I drove to the bookstore (remember those) and bought a book on Dreamweaver. The book even came with a CD that had some basic HTML templates (which I didn’t use). So, I began to hobble together a website. It was crude, but it did the job. I even learned to program some Java script and had the home page randomly selecting a new image every time you came to the homepage. In the following years, I become heavily involved in the photography site “Flickr.” It was a great outlet for posting images and having people like and comment on your photos… sound familiar? I remember one of my “Flickr friends” posting an interesting dreamlike image. This image turned out to be a pinhole photograph made from a hacked Holga camera. Before I knew it was making my own pinhole cameras out of pretty much everything. Soon my website grew with pinhole and analog film images. I started a monthly blog featuring new pinhole artist around the world. By doing this, I, too was pushed to create my own work. One day I got an email from a publisher in New York City asking me if I would be interested in writing a book of DIY pinhole photography. Not being an author, I was hesitant to accept this offer, but she assured me that I could do it. So, without looking back, I jumped into writing my first book. Within a year the final manuscript was delivered, and the book was published months later. The book was well received and was printed multiple times. I guess that was my Andy Warhol, “15 Minutes of Fame.” After their book came, I wanted to pay this new pinhole passion forward, so I gave presentations at local San Diego schools and colleges. At one grade school, I helped a couple of fourth and fifth-grade glasses convert the janitor’s room into a makeshift darkroom, and we made and processed paint can pinhole photos right before our eyes. (Photos: pinhole photos taken at Loma Portal)
During that, I was asked by Nick, a wedding photographer, if I wanted to assist on one of his weddings. I was hesitant at the time and never liked the idea of being a wedding photographer. I decided I would give it a try. After apprenticing with this Nick for a year or so, I realized that wedding photography, be it stressful, is a lot of fun. After all, it is a celebration and most of the people there are in a good mood. I soon came to understand and appreciate the saying, “did you get the shot?” After you’ve photographed and delivered enough weddings you learn that you must be one step ahead of the action in order to be a pro. That’s why I always loved that saying by Arthur Fellig, “f/8 and be there.” Being at the right place at the right time with the correct camera gear and settings is something that always needs practice.
After years of running my own photography business and both our children in college, I thought it was time for a life change. I started networking and had lunch with an old graphic design colleague who worked at the Salk Institute at the time. He told me that Salk’s photographer was retiring and encouraged me to put my resume together if I was interested in applying. So, that’s what I did. I updated my resume, read over the job description, which was five pages long and applied for the job. I went through the job interview phase and soon was hired as the next photographer for the Salk Institute. One of the lead scientists at my final interview asked me why I wanted to work at the Salk Institute, and I simply replied, “I want to work for something that is bigger to myself.” I have always thought that there is something artful about the sciences. And to be the photographer who helps visualize what all the beautiful minds at Salk are doing is an extreme honor. To be able to work with all types of people with different backgrounds is refreshing. People are smart and courteous at photo shoots, all this while you’re working in buildings designed by Louis Kahn. Sometimes I will stand at the end of the courtyard and stare out at the Pacific Ocean and thank the universe for my good fortune. I know life is what you make it, but I’m working my dream job.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve learned that nothing good in life comes easy. If you want to succeed in something you need goals and the ambition to achieve those goals. I think everyone has had their fair share of troubled times, but I’ve found ways to learn from my mistakes. Keep a positive mind and trust yourself that you can make the best out of what life sends your way. When I first started out as a photographer, I had to have confidence that my time behind the lens was worth what I was charging. Often people would ask me if I could work pro bono, that it would be a good experience and I’d gain notoriety. Sadly, both of those things don’t pay your bills. I learned that if I gave my clients more than what they originally asked for, it never hurt my business.
Looking back, I now realize that my success in my personal and professional paths is largely because of the people I’ve met over the years. Some people pull you up, and others pull you down. Finding the right balance is probably the secret to living a happy life. To put relationships before material things and knowing when give and when to take. If life blesses you with good fortune, then give back in some way that benefits others. Treat people with respect and kindness. Because there will be days when you’re down needing a helping hand to get back on your feet. We all get by with a little help from our friends.
Self-doubt and fear erode at your creative drive. Believe in yourself and know that you’re worthy. You can do amazing things if you set your mind to it.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m happiest when I’m healthy in body and mind. The older I get the more I realize that regular exercise is the fountain of youth. Many people and things in life make me happy…although being in the ocean bodysurfing is up towards the top. I love the ocean. From free diving to snorkeling to SCUBA diving, the ocean is an amazing place. I respect it though. I’ve surfed large days and been held down on the ocean floor and knew Mother Nature was in charge. It is your will to live that makes you go to the surface for air. When I don’t surf, I miss it and become irritable. So, I know it has healing qualities. Being in nature has that effect on me, and this is why my wife and I like to travel to places in the world where we can experience new cultures and beautiful landscapes. [Photos? Bodysurfing image]
I’m most inspired when I travel, and this when I do my best to create images that don’t copy other photographers. I challenge myself to look at iconic vistas and create images that are unique and inspired. Someone once said to me, “Don’t go looking for the photograph; let it find you.” I like that idea because this way you aren’t always looking for the next “photograph.” Instead, you are being one with the moment. And when the moment strikes in you, you ask yourself why? What is this that I’m looking at that draws my attention? Don’t look for the obvious reason why but why it attracts you. Then, use your creative vision to make an image that is special. That speaks your passion. And if it truly does this, then I think I have a winner. And most likely this image will inspire others. I love that whole idea of “paying it forward.” The universe has given me a gift to see the world creatively. It is my duty to share that vision with others making their lives better in some way. When I can do that, I’m happy.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Just get out in the world and meet people either from working or going to networking events. Be gregarious and open-minded to other people’s ideas. Treat people like you would want them to treat you. If things don’t work out, at least you can say that you tried. Don’t give up and challenge yourself to do things that you normally wouldn’t feel comfortable doing. Regardless of who you meet and work with, treat them with respect and compassion.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.chriskeeney.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriskeeneyphotography/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriskeeney/
Image Credits
Will Sooter, Blair Austin
