Hey everybody, welcome to Get to Know Your Wedding Pro. My name is Reid with Best Made Videos®. We are a wedding videography company based out of West Seattle, Washington. And today I'm joined by Emily Keeney, of Emily Keeney Photography. And I want to thank you so much for coming on tonight. You know, it's late on a what is today, Thursday. You just celebrated the first birthday of your child and I'm sure it's been a busy day for you as well. And so know thank you so much for making the time. I always say especially in the summer months, you know, wedding vendors taking the time to, to come on and do this are really just speaks a lot to me about there, you know, just demotion and, and you know, uh, wanting to, to do anything they can. So I want to thank you so much. Uh, why don't you introduce yourself, tell us who you are, what you do.
Well, thanks Reid. I'm Emily Keeney and I am a photographer. I work primarily in the Seattle area, um, but all over the Pacific northwest. Um, and I primarily shoot weddings, especially in the summer months. But I do a little bit of everything, so it's fun to kind of have a well rounded, um, experience or out the whole year. So I also love to do some commercial and branding work. Um, and then fun portraiture of course, like all year round. But, um, as you said right now it's the heat of wedding season. So that's definitely my focus and where my mind and I'm going into is that, so,
yeah. So I'm, I kind of have your website on in the background and it's kind of scrolling through the slideshow and then me just, you know, obviously really beautiful images. Um, a lot of joy. Um, I mean, it seems like a lot of really exotic locations. How would you describe kind of your style and what do you look for whether excites you, you know, what, however you want to describe it. Well, what do you like to photograph?
Yeah, well, I think to answer that fully, and I'd have to back up just a little bit and talk about kind of my why about why I even do this in the first place. Um, and it really comes from a level of people, um, and a love of connection. Um, both of those things are at the forefront of my thought process when I'm working. Um, and I like a lot of people, I didn't kind of just start off as, you know, like at 2122 year old with my camera and go gung Ho for this business. Um, I actually have a background in education and then spent a while in a leadership position with a retail brand, um, that I helped grow the specific northwest region with. So I have, I have this really kind of unique background, but throughout all of those things was a love of people and connecting with people and helping them make meaning.
Um, and that was something that I found with photography. And, um, I got to a place where I wasn't creating. And I think as artists, we really, if you're not creating, you know, you're not thriving. And so I got to a place where I knew I needed to get back to that. Um, and I found photography through that, so I'd always had an interest in it. Um, and then it really kind of came full circle after doing some soul searching. And, um, I knew that, you know, I took painting classes and I loved that medium and I still enjoy it, but there was the interpersonal aspect that was missing. And what I love about photography is that it combines a love of arts with a love of people, um, and not just making pretty pictures of people, but like really getting in there and participating with their joy and their, their truth on this really cool day. Um, that not, you know, not many people get to be part of in that way. So it's, it feels really special to me. Um, and I think that that's the appreciation that goes behind it. Um, and when I photograph my couples, it's really important to me that it's, that it is connecting to that essence of really who they are and that it feels authentic. Um, and it really is joyful for all of us.
Yeah. No, totally. And, and me, I think it's, it's continually under your soul. I mean, at least for, yeah. I mean, I live in the video world. It, but it just, how much time connection that you know you're going to have with your vendors, with me, especially photo, you know, all through everything, you know, the engagement sessions, if you, you know, if you do that and then just, you know, you're with them through all these moments all day. And like I always talk with people after, like I always have kind of like withdrawals afterwards cause you're like, you spend this day with these people and then you, you go through the photos and like you just, it's just weird connection that sometimes you have the, I don't even know if they necessarily how we're not, you know, it's odd, right? I mean, but it is such like a personal day and it obviously doesn't sound like you take that lightly, that, um, you know, that you're kind of honored to be a part of that. Right?
Yeah. No, it's a, it's a gift. I mean, there's so many photographers, somebody who really great photographers that they could choose, um, especially in the Pacific northwest. And so I, I don't take it lightly when somebody invites me and to that day. Um, and really it's more than just the day. I mean all the, you know, all the planning that goes up to it and first started the engagement session and then, um, just really getting to be a part of their lives. Um, so that, you know, on the wedding day it feels like we're friends connecting, not just, not just like a vendor coming to perform a service. I really hate to even say the word vendor about myself.
It's m I uh, no, we had the same thing on, uh, our wedding salary. They, uh, they were asking about the, I got a phone call earlier that week asking about, yeah, Alger allergy staff for like Veggie meals. And I thought, man, if we're going to go down this route of the vendor or relationship with the venue right now, I had known the groom for years. I had done video work or his little company, you know, we got brought on, you know, it's kind of this whole family affair. I mean if we're going to be shuffled into the other room, you know, you certainly some more than others, but when you really do feel that connection, yeah. You certainly don't want to use the word like vendor or you know, make that distinction. Yeah.
Right. Exactly. Um, so how you, are you saying it's,
you know, Seattle and it is so competitive, you know, every service, photography. How do you stand out or how do you hope that you stand out? You know, what do you hope the people that choose you kind of see in you or your personality or your work or come to any Combo?
Yeah, that's always the fear, right? Is like are people finding me that shouldn't be finding me and I got to do things that there is a right match for every couple to every photographer. Like every photographer really does bring something a little unique to the table. Um, and that should align with the couple's priorities. So, you know, it is, it is my, my hope that, um, that I am finding those couples that will want to be found by me and that vice versa, that that relationship is happening. But, um, you know, I think the first thing is, you know, above, I don't know, it's hard to say that there's this thing in the photography world right now that is if there's a lot of epic, you know, there's a lot of epic and um, really like hyped stuff that's like big on Instagram and, and there's sort of this draw that couples feel like maybe they need to have this kind of wedding or they like need to love on a mountain top with like this epic view.
And for me, like the most important thing, whether it's a really small wedding with, you know, just a couple, um, or it's a 300 person Indian wedding, which was Super Fun. I just got to do one of those. Um, the most important thing to me is that the couple is surrounded by people that they love and that they're feeling joy. Um, and it's authentic joy and it's not there to put on a production necessarily. Like I think details are really fun and all those things are characteristic of that couple and they've put a lot of thought into all those details. So I'm not saying they're not important, but, um, I want, I want their first priority to be their, their love, their connection, like the reason that they're having a wedding. Um, and I hope that that reads in my work. You know, I, I wanna I want to read as somebody who's a contemporary photographer.
So of course like I'm paying attention to those trends and I borrow from those trends in someone's trends. A really fun, like mountain tops are really awesome and I will never, not love them, but also like a really simple, tiny park could be just as amazing a location. Um, and so for me, like I don't want the location to tell the story as much as the connection between the couples. And I received a really cool compliment from a perspective client who reached out to me and she said that she was just drawn to the couples. And my photos and she couldn't explain why. And I think what hopefully she was seeing was that there was an authentic moment of connection happening between the two of them. And you know, I captured it in a way that, you know, Ma it was composed, it was a beautiful photo, but really that like they could really feel the connection between that couple. Um, well it's important thing to me is that my photos read with emotion that you can really feel them. I say that on my website and I say that like on my Instagram, um, that I, my goal is that you can really feel your photos like with your feelings,
but isn't that great? I mean, that is such a wonderful compliment that someone could feel such a connection to that, you know, just because of, you know, that pure moment that you capture the value. We just have to think that that was a wonderful compliment you received.
And so how do you, how do you photograph [inaudible] I mean, how do you approach that? [inaudible] do you try to be real, you know, candid with the clients or how do you kind of handle the day of stuff?
So it goes so much before that? Um, so my background, especially with the, with the retail leadership role that I had, um, we talk a lot about, we used to talk a lot about, um, building relationships and how important it is to not just be there necessarily at representing like a brand or representing, um, a thing that you're trying to sell or, um, you know, that you're really there with first before anything happens at all. Like you really see that person in front of you, um, or you see that couple in front of you and you'd find some way to share common ground and you find a way to see one another through a mutual lens, um, that you have a shared trust and that you feel comfortable with one another, that there's a trust built. Um, so that, that kind of mentality really layers and way before the wedding day even, it goes back to hopefully what they see like on my Instagram or, um, you know, as they're, as they're kind of shopping around.
Like I'm really not afraid to make a little bit of like a Dork of myself. Um, I'm definitely not trying to play off as a cool kid. Like that's never going to be my jam. Um, and so I hope that people can see that I'm, I'm a human and I'm really dorky and like it's, you really want to try some stuff that ends up being a little weird and not working, but more often than not something really awesome and like beautiful happens. Um, so I hope that they can kind of see that from the beginning. And then, you know, throughout the wedding planning process, um, I'm, I'm pretty involved, you know, like it's, it's, it's a requirement for me to have a call with every client before we signed any papers and cause it's a huge day. It's a really important thing. And if I am going to be there and doing this really big, um, you know, if I'm gonna be creating these images for them, I need them to trust me and I want to trust them and I want to make sure that we're speaking the same language and accomplishing the same thing.
So, so that's a big piece of it too. So by the time the wedding day rolls around, it's really, I'm really leaning on the trust that I've built with them throughout the whole process. Um, I'm available to them throughout their, their planning. Um, I helped them with their timeline, so they've heard my voice and sometimes we face times they've seen my face, they've heard my voice. And so by the time I roll up on their, I don't have to start that process in that moment on this day where there's so much else going on. Um, and I can be a familiar face to them. Um, so the way, if we can just get right rolling.
Yeah, that's the thing. I mean, people know, it's just, you know, time is so precious day. And you know, obviously having like those connections in that preplanning and that pre-kinder relationship. I mean, you know, I, I always kind of defer the photographer in terms of a lot of free south. I mean I have my staff I go through the clients with and then, but you know, for timelines or certain things, I don't like to step on too many details. But yeah, I work with some, some passive photographers and kind of planning and then, and not, and it's hard sometimes when it's like, well, you know, I don't really know what's going on here. It's, you know, it'd be nice to, you know, cause sometimes we gotta we gotta know and it's, you know, we've got a week to go here and we kinda gotta figure this out because, you know, making a quick change or figuring something out ahead of time, um, you know, could save valuable time on the wedding day, which I do think is so precious to have.
Oh yeah. Yeah. It's, it's a huge part of my role to make sure that their wedding day go smoothly. And I take that really seriously. I think that planning is your best friend when it comes to not being stressed out on your wedding day.
Yeah, I was looking, I was trying to find your website here cause you had, you had, um, where like you're all in, right. Was that in the u and the, they hire you the year someone that's going to be, you know, all in that, that's right. Well I, I'm, I'm missing the phrasing. I'm trying to, I'm, I'm frantically trying to try and apply on your own as really about, but talk about that, talk about that philosophy.
So I don't know, maybe part of it is that now having had a child, you know, I have a one year old son. Um, and it's funny like sometimes things like that just really put things in perspective for you and just having this little life. Um, that depends on me and this thing that I do day in and day out. Like really nurture this relationship for me. It just solidifies that people are what counts. Like people are what matter at the end of the day. And, um, and those, the relationships you make, whether it's a passing relationship that you know, probably won't continue on for the rest of your life, or whether it's a lifelong relationship like mine with my son, um, that we, you know, it's really easy to get kind of consumed and like the minutia of day to day and, and to worry about like, how am I being perceived on social media or like, you know, I'm too busy and I want to, um, you know, clients need to pay or if they want to have me do their timeline or whatever.
And at the end of the day, for me, it's like these people have invited me in to their most precious day. And, um, that means a lot to me. That means a lot to me, you know, and more than just a paycheck or, um, that I got stuff to post on Instagram afterwards. Um, or things to show future clients or both my website, like those things are all reality is. But really what's important to me is that, you know, that these people have trusted me. They've trusted that I'm going to take care of them on their wedding day. Like I'm going to take care of their memories, their legacy, like their photos are the last living thing really of their wedding day and it, and it tells a story. It's like the beginning of their, of their story. Like they're gonna show these photos to their kids and their grandkids and these are going to become heirlooms.
So it's not, you know, it's, it's, I have to stay above the noise when I think about that. Um, and that's, that's kind of like the all in part. Um, I, you know, it's easy to get stressed out, especially during the heat of a wedding season or when there's a lot else going on in your life. But, um, it's, it's really that connection with the people that I work with that keeps me doing this, both in financial sense and like the soul sense. You know, when you talk about kind of the noise just to kind of, uh, when stigmas from other photographers, do you mean you know, the negativity or what, what do you mean? Kind of, because I think I know what you need though. What do you, how do you kind of visualize that? So I think something can happen when you're really invested in a field, um, or a project when you're, you know, so to take a step back, maybe when you're new at something you can, you can kind of have this distance between you and the subject and go like, wow, everything about that is so beautiful.
Like I used to take painting classes and my teacher was like, do you just love everything you see? And I was like, yes, I love everything. I see. And she was like, okay, that's a problem. Like you need to kind of, you'd probably be like, Hey, get some things in order to really know who you are or whatever. And so it's funny, like you see about, you see like the whole forest in front of you and you're like, wow, that was a great for us. And then the further end you get, you're like, oh, I see, okay, gosh, this is a problem. And like this Tangley vine, it's always getting ran. So like, yeah, I think there's like certain things that contribute to the noise. Like in social media, it's, Gosh, what, um, you know, like what platform should I be advertising on? It's the expectations that I put on myself.
Um, it's comparing, oh my gosh, I feel like all of us in this industry are, you know, it's so easy to compare your work to others and to try to find what you're not doing. Um, and yeah, so there's a lot of those little details. I mean, like taxes, like all that kind of stuff too and all adds up. Um, and it's really easy once you're really in that field or like really in that for us to just see all those little details. So to be able to back up and, um, and it takes some attention to do that. To really come back to a place where you can see the whole purpose from a distance and see your why. Um, you have to get kind of far away from it and mentally sometimes to see your why is I believe in like pulling back, um, in social media sometimes, like taking a week off if that's what you need to do or, um, getting up and walking away from your computer. And what's awesome about motherhood is that's installed this opportunity for me to have that break. Whether it's, you know, because there's like something falling off of something and you'd be like, go catch it or you know, or just like getting my kid outside and going for a walk and getting some fresh air. So, um, that's a, that's a beautiful thing about, about motherhood that has helped me I think immensely professionally is just to kind of get a little bit of that distance.
So let's talk a little bit about kind of your history. You said you went to school for education, uh, you know, what was the drive behind that? Where were you, you know, curious about what were you interested in? Then,
yeah. So I, um, grew up, you know, thinking I was just going to be a teacher and I don't know if that's just I'm from the Midwest. Um, I don't know if that was just like a thing that was an expectation expectation of me or if it's something that I just thought I kinda had to do. So, um, I went through and, uh, you know, did an English education program in college, so I'm a certified high school English teacher and it was actually a really beautiful experience. Working with the kids was awesome. Um, it just, after being in it, I realized that I didn't want to commit my career to it, that I needed to be doing something creative. So, so that, that didn't really quite pan out. But, um, another piece that, um, I, I kind of come back to and I think, you know, like our interests as children really do, I think, speak to us later.
I don't, I don't think we have to be confined to like if you're a kid and you think you're going to be like a firefighter, it doesn't mean you actually have to go do that. But there's probably other things in your childhood that greatly informed too you're going to become. And um, both of my grandfathers were entrepreneurs and have their own businesses and I spend a lot of time with my grandparents growing up and my grandfather on my mom's side had, um, this basement office, which was like so cool to me. So many things like neatly organized stacks and he and I had a tradition where you Saturday morning we go out together and run his business, Aaron. So we'd go to like the bank and to the stationary store. And so I kind of felt like, oh, this is little mini business partner in a lot of ways.
And um, as all grandparents house as far, you know, there's a lot of stuff like in closets and just like things that have been amassed over the years. And so I kind of made a habit as a young kid, I can't believe I'm like defaulting this, but I would make a little office inside there, a little closets. There were a couple of closets and like different veterans that you can kind of walk into. And I would make little offices. I'm like, create [inaudible] and have my friends come over and they'd like worked for my business. And so there's always been this thread of entrepreneurship that I knew I needed to follow. So that probably more than the education background as a, as a child at least was telling of where I was going to go. But it takes a lot of courage to be an entrepreneur. And I don't think at 2120, you know, I had the wherewithal or the experience as a professional, um, or the continents and the aptitude to take it to that level. So I'm really grateful for the work experience that I had leading up to this.
If you were, uh, I would say, and I'm sure you know, you were a 21 year old today, you would have your own business and we go on because that, it seems to be me and then it's every other day I'm, I, you know, you got a 20 year old with a camera that's like, Oh man, I'm, I'm a photographer and it's, you know, I mean by me. Good for you that to have that, you know, that have that knowledge, Indian, you know, feel like you need to pursue it and get some, you know, uh, knowledge in your bag before kind of continuing on. You know what I mean? Yeah.
I mean, I think that if I had it my way, I want to just hit the ground running with something, but, you know, luckily I had to, I had to pay bills. I have it figured out so, and now I look back, I'm like, wow. Yeah, I learned a lot of really valuable life lessons under the care of someone else's employment. Really glad I didn't have to make those mistakes all represented by itself.
So, so where did you find yourself then after with your education degree or where did that lead you? So,
um, kind of coming back to wanting to create, I um, was planning a wedding and also writing a blog. So I've always, always an interested in fashion. And so I had a little fashion blog that I was running and I started covering. Um, but I, I was also interested in like the business of fashion. So I was writing about different um, boutiques in the Chicago land area and interviewing their owners. Um, so that kind of ended up launching me into the career that I had with this retail brand. So I interviewed one of their stores and then I ended up becoming the store manager of that store. She was going to go have a baby and like all these stars aligned and I ended up just kind of taking her job. And so then that was the next six years I worked with this brand from my days in Chicago all the way to Seattle and went from being a store manager to being like a district manager where I was overseeing a whole region and developing and growing people.
Um, and I loved that. I really did, uh, company is a wonderful company, um, really awesome people that I got to work with and I found a love of leading, which I, I, I knew like as a, as a person who's pursuing education that I wanted to have some aspect of leadership in my work. Um, but I really got to del, delve into that. And I think in leading others, you lead yourself a little too. And, um, got to learn a lot about myself, a lot about growing a brand and the business and I'm doing so with grace and that was really valuable. Really grateful for that time.
What, what kind of, how'd you make the leap then? What was the way they kind of flipped out, switched to say, Hey, I'm going to, you know, pursue this photography. Yeah.
You know, there is that little tug and um, you know, as creatives, like I think I kind of said before, like if you, if you're, it's you're an artist and you're not creating, like your, your body's going to tell you that you're not in a good place. And I was, I kind of went through a depression. Um, I had a really, I had a really tough time for, you know, quite some time, quite many months. And, um, my, my aunt is a coach and she, you know, earlier on in my, in my young 20s, she was like, you need to do this book. It's called the artist's way. You need to do this. And I was like, oh, I don't know, whatever. And you know, it was just always in the back of my mind, you know, like, oh, fucking one day I just kinda had this really low.
And, um, my husband and I, this is before we had our baby, um, we decided to take just like a low week on trip and found this little college town and went into this used bookstore. And like it was kind of like a crazy, uh, stacks everywhere, like super organized, um, but kind of a treasure trove of, you know, like there's just things everywhere. And then sitting on top of one of those stacks of books, um, as I turned this corner was, that was that book and it's the artist's way. And I was like, oh, shoot, you know, I don't know if I'm like, Whoa, you know, I don't know if I believe in, say it or whatever, but I'm like, this, this is on my side when, you know, I gotta take this. So I did it. Um, and it's, if you haven't heard of the artist's way, it's, um, it's a workbook by a Giulia camera and it's been around for forever and it really just kind of helps you dig through your relationship with yourself as an artist and like what you're, um, through facing a block or a barrier.
Like what might be causing that. Like what things from your past or like your present are helping you or not helping you. Um, and it has, you do these little artists dates. So it's funny as it is, like, you know, she's suggest it can be anything that you do for yourself that is just, I can be like going and buying stickers and like putting them in a book. It can be, you know, really random stuff can be painting. And so I was painting a lot at the time, but I started picking up my camera more. So I had a DSLR that, um, I had had since college and I've been interested in photography since, uh, probably high school. Um, so I have this camera that was just kinda sitting, I'm not getting a whole lot of use. And so I started to that little artists date once a week taking my camera out and um, kinda exploring the northwest and exploring.
Um, some of them were far-flung areas and taking photos. And, um, after doing that for awhile I felt like, okay, now I need people in them. Um, and then that's kind of what started my, uh, that's really what started my business is I started photographing friends, um, family. Anybody who would let me take pictures of them, um, and I would do that and posted and then try to share a little bit more. And then it just, it really organically grew from there. So that was, that was really the, the story. So then what was it like kind of take me in the lead to see, you know, I'm going to do this and I'm going to make this be a career. So after I had started the business, um, you know, I was gaining traction and I was getting traction quickly and that was kind of fun.
It was really, it was actually really energizing at Salt Lake, that little kid, that little like seven year old and the closet was office supplies, you know, like she was kinda coming back out and I was really getting that itch to see what would happen if I gave this more of my energy, um, more of my time. And um, as it was, I wasn't able to dedicate as much time to it as I want it to having a full time job. Um, and then I think that honestly too, around that time, you know, I, I became pregnant and I was facing a decision about childcare, you know, following the birth of my son. And it really was, I kind of like a moment of clarity, like this is a good, this is a good time for you to make a decision. Um, and so I decided to leave my job and go full time. And, um, it was the best decision. It was really scary because I was walking away from, you know, a really regular paycheck and health benefits and you know, predictability and respect and, and all kinds of good things. But there was that Paul that I needed to, I needed to try this, um, and, and give it all my attention. So I, um, so I did, so the earlier this year I went full time and it's just an picking up and picking up sense, like when you make room for things may well grow. So,
yeah, isn't it? It's, it's funny how that works when it's meant to be, cause you know, it's one of those things where,
yeah, you're worried about filling the time or whatever. And then if you have it too to go in, you're, you're ready to hustle, you know, you just gotta be ready to go for it. You know what I mean?
Yeah. I definitely work harder and more hours than I've ever worked at any other job, but it's rewarding. And, um, I see, I can see the direct link between my work and my girls and that's really cool.
And obviously, you know, like you said with the family history of entrepreneurial ship, um, you know, it will probably wasn't a surprise to anybody that knew you right there. Maybe you would venture out to this at one point or to try to make a leap at something. No.
You know, and it's been, it's been pretty cool too. Um, honestly, just to kind of share this with my, with my grandpa, you know, like I have one of the two grandparents or grandfathers, you know, still living. And so when I go home, um, and does it, you know, he likes to kind of talk business with me and it feels really good. You know, it really feels like we can share that. And I know he's really proud. Um, and you know, it's, I think it's, it takes a lot of courage to be an entrepreneur. Um, but when you have a support system and you know that there is people who believe in you and you can see that there isn't a path that people who've done this before you in different ways, you realize that a lot of the things that you're scared of are probably like 2% of your overall vision and overall work and, and you know, are, but those 2% of things can really seem big and scary as you. And when you have a good network, they kind of remind you of the scale, the scope.
Yeah. It's funny that, yeah, I think back about the things that you, I used to worry about or didn't know. And I, it's funny just, you know, looking back over the years, you know, like man, you, whenever you used to really freak out the value [inaudible] about, um, what, uh, what was even obviously you said you had a history, you know, w w you know, with brandy and, and you, you know, have you kind of that, you know, outward look, whatever. But what was the hardest part of the, about, you know, uh, starting your company where, you know, we're a t you, you know, your name, you know, you're in the forefront, it's your work. What was the hardest part about that? Yeah.
Um, I think the first thing is at first when you're starting, you kind of want to be everything. Um, and you see all of this talent and you see all of those experience. Um, anything. Okay, I got to chase all that. I've got to go do all of that. Um, I'm going to be all that. And at the beginning it's, it's hard cause you can't set out and say, this is gonna be my really strong brand voice. Like I'm just starting a business and this is my brand. Where it's like, man, if you can start out with that kind of competence and knowledge, then that's so great. But for me, that wasn't the case. I, I set out and I emulated a lot of different styles, right? Editing. It's all, it's a lot. My shooting approach evolved a lot. It continues to evolve. Um, I think something I'm working on is saying I don't need to do these things to be a good photographer.
I'm like, instead of reflect a lot, like, what am I holding on to? What am I doing that I'm, I'm in a habit of doing but isn't necessarily fulfilling my definition of what a good photographer is. Um, and I think it's important to kind of release some of that baggage, um, as you go along. So that's probably been one of the bigger challenges. And the other one is just, it's so hard to see your own work. You know, you have so much of yourself and, and so much, uh, you know, emotions. Like when I'm in a season of creating something, like I'm taking things that have happened in my life and that's instancing my work. And so there's, it's so much more than just a picture. Um, just, I mean, it sounds like, Ooh and deep to say that, but it really is for me, I give a lot of myself back to my work and so there's, it's hard to, it's hard to be really, um, critical with kind, you know, but really honest with yourself about, you know, what work is serving me and what work is really carrying out this, this brand that I've created and what, what do I need to let go of?
And like, it can be really great, so I know what it might not be the direction that I'm going. Um, and so it's learning to kind of call my, call myself down, um, and, and let, let there be more space for the things that are, um, moving forward and, um, are going to be my areas of focus.
Yeah. It's the comparison with others. And it's so hard, you know, and I still struggle with it, you know, all the time. And you just, because there's so much talent and people doing crazy stuff and I just, we just delivered a wedding like last week or the whatever and yeah, the same planner, how to have another wedding and you know, I see their video and she posts it and you know, their weight, not ours. And it's like the best thing ever. And I'm just like, so I'm like, oh my God, you know, cause I'm like, I see this Sass and I'm blown away and yeah, my dad's not, that's not really our, you know, our style. And I'm like, oh my gosh, you know, I just feel and you know, and I've been doing this a while and I just feel so inadequate. And then, you know, I share our video with our couple and they're just like, you know, this is exactly like exactly what we want and exactly what we hired you for. ENL laughed. Great reasons, you know, buddy. But it is hard about like wanting to, you see other things or you know, and down in it, especially with visual fields like photography too, you know, where it's, it is easier to compare. Um, I mean, how do you Kinda, you just shut that off and just like you said, kind of step away or how do you kind of combat that?
I had it 100% figured out I'd be selling that answer, but, um, I mean the things that helped me definitely are taking social media breaks because the frequency with which we were seeing images, especially on Instagram, just by scrolling. I mean I wonder how many images we see in a day, especially in those ones who are working in this field. And we're probably checking social media a little more than just like the everyday person. Um, so really, you know, what you see really does influence you and it influences the way that you, um, get ready to shoot. You know, like things that I've seen, uh, live in my, in the back of your head, you know, like subconsciously those, all those images are still out there, you know, and they're informing the way that you approach your work. Um, and that can be a good thing and it can be a bad thing because sometimes it makes you, it fills your head with all of this information and there's like lots of competing voices for like your art director, like your little inner art director.
It could be like lots of competing voices for that role. Um, so stepping back from social media definitely helps kind of just calm the water a little for me. Um, and something I've been doing lately is, um, kind of enrolling ourselves a little bit and like the school photographers who came before me and studying their work, um, and like actually like reading books, um, you know, not learning it all on a screen. Um, like holding images in my hands and like reading the words of these photographers who are friends, you know, masters in their field and, and who on maybe like now on social media. Like, probably wouldn't have like the crazy cold following that, you know, some of these mega influencer photographers do. Um, and it's, it's really inspiring to see just how clear voices and um, and just to be inspired by that work. Um, and just to kind of continually have a rotating stimulus and, you know, try to go like go into museums and like going to see art. Um, and not just photography, like, you know, you can, you can learn a lot about composition and color and, um, human experience from a lot of different art mediums. So, um, I try to let, let those things influence my work as much as I can and keeping those things in check.
That's fine. How did you see that? Um, did you see that movie once that came out this year at the Beatles movie?
I feel like I'm behind the Times [inaudible]
there, you know, it's your story, you know, not giving it away, but then, you know, the guy wakes up, the beetles don't exist since, but he's got all the Beatles songs and so he, you know, is trying to become famous right in the beetle songs. And so he's plan, I just, when you were talking about, you know, these old school like great photographers, you know, kind of being lost today, he's trying to play, let it be for his parents, like anybody, like, oh, hey mom and dad, come here, let me show you. You know, and I've been working on upstairs and like they could not be bothered less to hear it. Right. And he's sitting there, you know, it's like you're watching the Sistine Chapel be painted and you're just not realizing that this is like this work of art. But it's like you said, we just Instagram in here, the number of images and you know, nowadays and people and attention spans and we're all these like great photographers or you know, where you're trying to like take the time to appreciate that kind of stuff where yeah, it might totally be lost nowadays where it's just, you know, who, who reads a book anymore, who takes the time.
Even like printing images. We just had, um, another podcast earlier today, guests, you know, uh, she does, you know, a letter press printing and, you know, having these tangible things. I mean a lot of these things are kind of going away or, or you know, attentions are being kind of shifted, you know?
[inaudible] it's hard to know when you're being a curmudgeon or when you're being an artist with those days.
That's awesome. Uh, what's your, what's your favorite thing to shoot kind of in a wedding day? Uh, what's your favorite moment or you know, collection of moments, but what do you, what really gets you excited?
I was just writing about this. Um, so it used to be couples portraits, like Duh, like you have, you have creative control and you can pick the lighting and you can pick the mood and you have this time. And um, that used to be my absolute favorite and I mean I think that that is still a very important part of the day because those photos are really the ones that end up getting printed and putting on, you know, being put on a wall, like cost out and stuff. But, um, the honest to goodness, favorite thing for me is kind of one, like nothing is going on, you know, it's like the in between stuff like, I mean, speeches are awesome because you get these great reactions from people and they have no idea you're taking your photo and they can just be in the throws of really remembering something beautiful that this, you know, groomsmen or father and the bride of saying, um, and, and being able to kind of participate and witness that sentiment of there is this really something special.
And then to capture it in a frame, like sometimes they're like, oh crap, like keep shooting, don't show just like Dickinson. Um, so it's, it's kind of those in between things or um, you know, as people are getting ready to sit down for dinner or as people are milling around, um, you know, waiting for the ceremony or waiting to the reception. And really it's after, it's really after the ceremony cause something happens. Like this leg curtain lifts and everything just gets easier. And you know, the couples like, Whoa, okay, now we can just go hang out with our family. And, um, you know, one of my favorite photos I've taken, um, they're kind of like series that I've taken. The summer was at a wedding I shot on Whidbey island and I was trying to get the bride over to this far edge of the property for a family photos and like everyone was over there and you know, you're, you're trying to wrangle all these people and I'm thinking of the timeline and everything.
And then, um, she, you know, she kind of walked past, um, her grandma and her aunt and they were just kinda standing off to the side and, um, and it's the first time her grandma's seen her that day. And, uh, she just, she just stops and like, I can only imitate it with like that sound, you know, she just goes like, oh, like just, I can't even handle how beautiful this is and how beautiful you are. Just kind of puts her hands down on her lap and friends over and just looks at the bride and I have the world with all the like actually snap that moment, you know, not just take it in. Um, and just the series that Kinda came after that of like them embracing and like their balls kind of tearing up and it was just so beautiful. And you know, those, those to me are the moments that are like, those are my like trophy moments.
Like that's the most important to me as somebody who's looking through their gallery that they see that and remember that moment and like remember that person. And now, you know, having been married for six years, I can look back at our wedding photos and there's people who are no longer with us and it's really special to me to have not just post photos with them but like actual photos of me and like living in this event, like in the space with them where I didn't even necessarily know that the camera was on me. Um, so there's, there's a balance in my work between leaving the couple and, and you know, helping move the timeline along and making sure that everyone's looking their best and photos. And then there's like the polar opposite where I am just like this little fly on the wall, like a little speck of grass in the field. But I'm just trying to witness this, um, this day of great meeting and for all these people and it's not about me. Oh my God, it's not about me. You know, to, to be able to witness this day and to capture it and images is a gift and it's not about me. And I just wish that, um, there was a little bit more of that spirit. Um, or at least in what, like we're all choosing to post.
Yeah, I was just gonna say that cause it's definitely not, that's definitely not like the sexiest Sephora, Instagram, you know, and we were having the, I was having a conversation the other day with a photographer because I even, I'll snap just a couple of stills just so I have them to post for like, you know, the thumbnail video or I can post one on Instagram. But I said, you know, like are the video, like the things that we really focus on like aren't that sexy? Instagram, 60 seconds kind of thing. You know. And I finally have kind of tried to realize that over the years of just like, what is Dean by Isa, kind of that sexy, whatever that post versus like what when our clients appreciate, which I guess ultimately is way more important than you know, these likes or whatever. This nebulous stuff out there. But like these moments, you know, that you're capturing like is that the sexiest thing to post some whatever like no, but like I'm sure that she'll have a cherish that father forever and have that moment way after. And so it is I guess doubts of like, well what, like what's the point here? Right. So what, what, why did we focus on? Yeah.
And it's hard cause I think that our clients, at least the ones who are kind of in the world of social media a little more are kind of maybe holding their wedding up to that trend to be, um, you know, level of expectation to like they might be looking for some of those like big loud moments in their, in their wedding galleries too, just because they have to keep up with like the trend and keep up with the Joneses. And, um, so, you know, it's, I hope that if, if in the moment that photo was grandma didn't mean the world to her that in five years that will, and, and so there's like, there's that too as I'm banking on like this future, um, and their, their interpretation of that day in the [inaudible] it's, it's really weird how going through your own wedding, you know, all I did was like, think about what God was that I should've done this differently. I was really critical, kind of every decision and you know, and now it's years later when all those details like do not matter and blah, that stuff is like frankly on style now. Um, you know, it's those other photos that are like, the treasure is to me. Um, so I have to have a little foresight with that and try to let my couples know like, yeah, we're gonna make some beautiful portraits, but like, here's also what you're going to get with me.
That's awesome. Um, but yeah, before I let you go here, you know, or we're winding down a little bit, what do you, what do you wish more people knew about you? Uh, and it could be, you know, you as a photographer or it could be you as the business owner. It could be you as the person you had the mother, wife, you know, however, but what do you, uh, what do you just wish you could tell more people or you wish more people knew? I that stuff like first Jay, you know, first
jumped to your head ball. I guess my thing I would say is that if you have in your heart something that you want to do, um, that you, you should do it. You know? And I think that it's so much simpler said than done. And, um, maybe it's about me. Like, you know, I, I was not like a super confident kid. Like I wasn't a popular kid. I didn't, you know, thrive in like sports or whatever. Not really until like high school, I guess. Um, but I didn't just like have this confidence all the time, you know? And, and I think that, you know, you see these people who are running these businesses and you think, gosh, they're so confident. And just knowing that there's a journey that goes into that and you have to just let go of so many expectations of what you're not going to be and let let go of, um, is perfection.
And the more you can embrace yourself and like the good and the bad ways and what you can offer, the world is so great. And I think that, I wish more people went after their dreams. Um, and, you know, whatever that looks like, whether it's providing more resources to kids and like underdeveloped areas or higher need areas or, um, just letting kids know that we believe in them like [inaudible] or whatever it is. But it does start early and I think it's really important to, um, to give like younger generations that confidence of, you know, you don't have to just follow this track and like go major in this thing, like go work at a corporation. You don't want to do that. Um, like you can really, you can create your own reality and there's so many different ways to do it. And especially when it comes to being a creative person, there were as many voices that were really encouraging to me growing up, um, encouraging me to do these creative endeavors or also lots of voices of warning.
And I know it comes from a place of love, but, um, you know, like, wow, do you want to be an artist? Do you want to put food on the table? Like art's the first thing to go and economy's telling, you know, like, stuff like that. And, you know, it was voices of love that want to the best for me. But um, you know, no decision that you make is like a hundred percent solid or safe. Like the company that you work for could lay off half a minutes, you know, people or whatever could go on. So really nothing is as secure as it seems and working through yourself, you know, at least you like the boss that you are in control of your growth. Um, and so especially for people who are feeling like they want to do something creative, I say find a mentor, do something soul-searching, like commit to yourself, um, and to like don't stop until you've found something that you love and it's okay if you change your mind and pursue something else along the way. But um, in the pursuit of yourself, like you'll always find yourself. So I've switched more people, but maybe commit to that process.
Yeah, I and I do agree with that. I mean, I've filmed, I've filmed a lot of like motivational speakers, you know, in my time in some good and some bad. I mean, we, Tommy Robinson is here two years ago. I mean, we, you know, filmed him and, and, and I, you know, do I think that every person that comes in and pays to, you know, the be gifted a packet that's going to change her life? I, you know, I don't know. But I do think, like you said, if you, if you have that belief in yourself, uh, I do think there's a lot there. And I do think that there's a lot of just working hard. And then I, I've always said that if you work hard enough, it's something that you're good at. I do think eventually something's gonna come of it. Um, and whether it's that thing succeeding or are you figuring something else out that, that spawned off of that, that's even better or whatever.
But I do, I echo the sentiments. I think that's a wonderful note to end on and I think that that's a really valuable lesson. Awesome. Yeah. Good job. You killed it. Well, thank you. It was a lot of fun. Uh, no, I mean, thank you so much for coming on to me. I think, you know, really, really insightful separately, great conversation and, and you know, photography and kind of the whole gamut. If people want to learn more about you and your photography and your style and what you do and your family and everything, where would you have them check out? So, um,
obviously my website, www.emilykeeney.com, um, is, you know, the, the main place to go, but then definitely follow me on Instagram @Emilyannekeeney. Um, I'm on there and that, that's kind of where I show a lot the behind the scene and stuff and I story at times. So I'm always, you know, doing behind the scenes staffs and showing what my baby is up to. And like, when I'm, you know, my life's, I'm pretty much an open bike. Um, I'd love to connect with anybody. Well, perfect.
Well, thank you so much again. And you know, like I said, taking the time and, and um, you know, just wedding season and schedules are crazy. And so I always do appreciate that people taking the time to come on. Uh, and, you know, talking about themselves and do a little, you know, whatever. This is it. It's, it's appreciate it. It's a cool project. I appreciate you letting me into it. Of course. Uh, if you're like Emily and you're, you know, interested in coming on the podcast and sharing your story, you can go to www.bestmadevideos.com/podcastguest a, that's a great, easy link to the questionnaire that they fill out to submit, to kind of give them the system and hopefully get things rolling. And, uh, I just want to thank you again. Uh, this has been another episode of Get to Know Your Wedding Pro. Check back next week for another wedding vendor interview. Thanks so much.