About

Chris Keeney, a San Diego California based professional photographer, creates images with the highest of integrity and originality. Specializing in portraits (babies, children, families, couples, graduates), weddings (bridals and engagement), lifestyle, events (parties, corporate meetings, etc.) - as well as personal and fine art projects.

Primarily shooting digital, Chris Keeney constantly is refining his passion for traditional film and alternative film processes. Well known for his pinhole cameras and hand-made prints, distinguishes him as a one of the most unique photographers of his time and area. Bringing an unparalleled eclectic eye to the [viewfinder] of his camera (a marriage between his literal and intuitive eyes), he channels his style to reflect that of his clients’ vision and essence. Chris’ love for his family, children and friends has taught him the importance of time/timing; flaming his desire to preserve each moment as it unfolds. For him, knowing photographs he takes will touch lives, or simply bring a smile to someone’s face by visually recording a memorable moment that will be passed down through generations, fills him with gratitude and humility.

Bozeman Montana – Learning Circle Montessori School Photo Shoot

Monday, November 23, 2009 Posted in Assignments, Portraits, Travel

In October, I had the pleasure of traveling north to photograph the students and teachers of the Learning Circle Montessori Elementary School in Bozeman, Montana. For those of you that know my photography, you already know that I love to photograph children. Maybe it’s because I’m a child at heart? I think helps me to reconnect with the wonder and curiosity we often lose track of as adults—a playful view of life, how everything is still magical and wide open to explore.

This Montessori school encouraged an innovative style of learning by creating two large open classrooms of combined grades (1st-3rd grade and grades 4th-5th). Without a formal classroom desk setting, students were encouraged to move about the room, self-guided and independently working on projects and assignments one-on-one with their teachers. Whether it was doing math problems or finding a comfy bean bag chair to read their book in, I saw examples of students happy to learn and explore new things, individually and together. As I observed them learn and play in this open environment, it reminded me how important it was to continually take note of the many wonders of life happening all around us. Being there, but not interfering with whatever they were doing, allowed me to capture that spontaneous joy they so naturally bring out, without interjecting my own adult preconceived notions of what I thought those images should be like. Its not so much about finding that perfect shot, as it is about a perfect shot finding me.