Keenan Angel Photography

It’s Bittersweet.

I have been photographing families, individuals and weddings for about 7 or 8 years now. I’ve met hundreds of people, flown all over the country and have been able to be part of so many couples special day’s. Today is my last ride as a “professional” photographer and will be the end of this amazing journey I’ve been lucky to go on. The people who have supported me, trusted me with their memories and recommended me to others…I simply can’t thank all of you enough. You let me photograph the way I wanted to, no expectations and let the candid work speak for itself. It’s been one hell of an adventure. Thanks for the memories. 🙏🏼📸

I've been quiet as of late and it's mostly for personal reasons. I just wanted to give an update, a small TedTalk and let everyone know that I'm just going through, mostly, some mental things and that is the reason for my absence. I still take photos. Photography will always be a love of mine. I’ll still do weddings here and there, family photos, seniors and everything in between.

Please, everyone that reads this, just take the dang photo. Don't worry about the camera, don't worry about the lens and don't worry about the focus. We've all been tricked, by the industry, to believe that the latest camera and the sharpest lens will produce the greatest photo. That is false. The photo, no matter what the quality or subject is, will determine greatness. When someone sees a great photo they don’t ask about the camera or lens. They ask about the story. They ask how? Never, ever never, has anyone that's seen an amazing photo and had it truly affect them asked what camera you used...let that sink in.

I have one wedding left this year. After that is over I think I'm selling all of my camera gear except my X100V and my film gear. I want take the next year(s) to strictly shoot what I love and what inspires me while also catering here and there to clients. I've said this far to many times that it's almost become redundant but I never came into this thing for the money. If I had this could have been a career...but I wouldn't sacrifice the love of the art for a paycheck. If I had my heart set on money I could be doing this full time, without a doubt and could have had enough success to only do just this. After a few years I began to realize the shoots that paid aren’t really, at the end of the day, what I want to be doing as a career. Hence my semi removal from the industry. That doesn't mean I didn't work hard and do the best I can at every shoot but when I went home at the end of the day...I’m haven’t felt fulfilled. Being an “artist” is a weird and odd journey. I will still be taking work from previous clients, and new clients, if it works for me. Reach out, ask the questions and be curious. If I think it’s a good fit then let’s make magic. If it’s not for me then I have a laundry list of people that can do just as good, often times better, as me.

I’ve been thinking recently at my career thus far and there’s a part of me that is sad. I thought I could make this career come to fruition and make an HONEST living out of it. Currently, that’s not the case. Because of my own choices and feelings towards my work and I’m learning to accept that. There’s also a part of me that says, you’re 34, don’t be an idiot. You’ve traveled the entire country, you’ve taken photos in the style you want for so many couples/families and you were able to keep a roof over your head, food on the table and doing that all while being a father and husband (not always the best but I’ve tried). I think success at the end of the day looks a lot different for many people. I’m okay with not being great. I’m okay with probably or possibly not making it. I’ve become more and more self aware that I’m here for my kids to make it. I’m here to push my kids and be that motivater and inspiration that they need. Slowly…I’m becoming more and more okay with that 😎🙏🏼📷…….Agape Love

The only thing I have to say is that I really do adore this family. Thank you as always 🙏🏼❤️📷.

“A good time to laugh is any time you can.”

Don’t be afraid to go after what you need in life 📷

The older I get the more I realize that the American dream, often times, is a perception of progress rather than the reality of progress. If “we” can promote the visual idea that we are progressing then that clearly means we are. Look at communities all over the United States. We cater to the dream but we don’t do much to add progress everyone’s dream of a better life.

The same idea applies to the progress of photography. Technology, unfortunately, has tricked us all into thinking that the latest and greatest gear will make a better photo. Sharper, faster and more megapixels. That’s just not reality and isn’t true.

“This is the same problem I have with digital photography. The potential is always remarkable. But the medium never settles. Each year there is a better camera to buy and new software to download. The user never has time to become comfortable with the tool. Consequently too much of the work is merely about the technology. Instead of focusing on the subject, users obsess over RAW conversion, Photoshop plug-ins, and on and on. For good work to develop the technology needs to become as stable and functional as a typewriter.”

Keenan Angel Photography Documentary Photographer in Rapid City, SD.

"Don’t wait for things to get easier, simpler, better. Life will always be complicated. Learn to be happy right now. Otherwise, you’ll run out of time.”

Probably an album cover or some sort of cover for something…someday.

“Greatness is for someone else. You don’t get to experience your own greatness. And if you do…maybe you’re not that great.”

As I grow older, I pay less attention to what men say. I simply watch what they do. Actions will always speak louder than words. These two cameras, these two focal lengths, these formats, they speak my language in photography. How a man, a person, conducts themselves speaks volumes about them. What a company does, not what they preach, speaks volumes about them. Kodak sells film. They don’t advertise film they advertise memories. It’s a weird time in the world right now. Sometimes, it’s better to be good and then gone. 🫶🏼✌🏼📷

A question I ask myself now and then, "Would the founding father's be proud of where we're at as a country?"

“It’s a good thing babies don’t give you a lot of time to think. You fall in love with them and when you realize how much they love you back, life is very simple.”

“Growing up happens in a heartbeat. One day you’re in diapers; the next day you’re gone. But the memories of childhood stay with you for the long haul.”

“Children have neither past nor future. They enjoy the present, which very few of us do.”

My last wedding of 2023 🙏. I appreciate everyone from this year! I don't know what 2024 holds but I'm having some good feelings about it!

“Growth is actually contagious, so if you want to reach your goals, you’ve got to get around people who are going in the same direction you want to be going, and you will catch the success.”

Something I said the other day and I think it rings true for a lot of businesses and people that forget about the foundation.

"They don't care if the work or product suffers...as long as the image looks good."

“Nothing beats the beauty of growing old together with the one you love and cherishing the moments that make life worth living.”

"Love is a friendship set to music."