FilmingLifer | Katrina Keenan
Katrina Keenan is a family filmmaker & photographer based in British Columbia, Canada and also one of our valued FilmingLifers here at the FilmingLife® Academy + Network.
Tell us a bit about yourself…
I am a mother to the most energetic and sweet 4 little girls, ages 2, 5, 7, & 9. I’ve been with my soulmate for 20 years, and counting. We live on a beautiful mountainside community on the edge of the city in British Columbia, Canada.
My background is in pediatric nursing, and I have been a nurse for 12 years, but I absolutely love to create art and document families as my side hustle. One day I hope to be brave enough to make it my full time work, as its something I really enjoy, and feel is such important and fulfilling work.
Tell us about the kind of photography & films you create…
I create family films that are more of a lifestyle approach. I sometimes use a bit of guided lifestyle approach, for example, I might make a suggestion of where to sit for an activity for the best light, or I may suggest doing a together activity, but I really love to just document families together as they are without intervening.
I also love to create personal family films with my own kids. My personal work of my family is a mixture of lifestyle/documentary approach, while others have a bit more of a creative flare and fun. I recently made a Christmas themed film with our elf that was very preplanned with each scene mapped out to the song I intended to use. It was a super fun project for both me and my family!
How did you first get started in photography?
Like so many other moms who become photographers, I became absolutely obsessed with documenting my own children in each of their baby stages, and this fueled my passion to document memories for my clients too!
What made you decide to learn video?
What was your motivation?
I have been following some big photographers for a long time, and one whose work I absolutely adore, created some short films of her daughters. The gorgeous light & details she captured inspired me to start creating some of my own. This led me to find the FilmingLife® Academy!
What was your biggest challenge when you first started learning video and how did you overcome it?
Learning how to document the most special moments of connection between family members, in a creative and beautiful way. This is something I still try to push myself to do better with each film I create. Some of these fleeting moments happen quickly, so you must always be ready to capture them.
Did you find it a challenge to educate clients on the value of films, how were they first received by clients?
I am always learning how to market my films so that families can see the true value of documenting themselves in this way. My clients always react positively but I am continuing to find ways to increase my exposure.
I really love getting feedback from families when they first watch their film that I created. What is the most fulfilling for me is creating these unique films that are really family heirlooms, and then hearing just how moved families are to see themselves with their loved ones.
Tell us about your favourite film and why it's special to you…
I have a few favorites, so this is a tough one. I suppose my most recent favorite personal film is a portrait film I made of my children this year. I wanted to try some new techniques with masking layers and with a blur effect to create something a little different and unique.
I also created my own macro flower clips to use as overlays throughout the film. I really enjoyed making it, because not only did I have fun making something very different than my usual films, but I also created another beautiful memory of my kids now, just as they are.
I love documenting their little personalities while they are still small! I know it is something I will love even more as they grow!
Katrina’s favourite film
What is your best piece of advice for those just getting started with films?
Don’t get discouraged if you think your work is not great yet! You’ll get there!
Keep working on learning and developing a new skill with each film you make, and pushing yourself to keep going.
You will be more successful each time you make one!
See more of Katrina’s work via her website - www.katrinakeenan.ca - and social media - IG: @katrinakeenanphotosandfilms
