Tom Keenan

 

Q What do you do?

“I’m a luxury wedding photographer based in Kent, though I recently relocated from Cambridge—a place I love returning to for work. While weddings are my primary focus, I also collaborate with brands and businesses and occasionally photograph families. I work with couples who see photography as a top priority for their wedding day, capturing both authentic moments and elegantly editorial portraits.”

Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?

A lot—I’m definitely feeling older than 30 right now! I first got into photography back in 2007 when I had a camera on my phone. That led me to college, then art uni, and eventually to winning the Photographer Academy Apprenticeship out of 800 people worldwide. I specialised in fashion photography, worked with modelling agencies, photographed celebrities, and assisted top photographers in London before growing my own business over the last 13+ years.

Q How do you stand out in your field?

I believe in community over competition—I’m not here to tear people down but to build them up. I know my worth as a business owner and the value of my time as a father, so I often turn down work if I’m already booked or need to balance work and family. Some photographers take on multiple weddings for a fraction of my price, but I’d rather give my time and attention to fewer couples who truly value my work and what I bring to their day.

Q What are you working on right now?

At the moment I've just finished editing a big wedding and I'm waiting on film scans to come back which I'll slide into the wedding albums I'm designing for the same client. Digitals in print, and negatives for nostalgia, what a win. Other than that I'm optimising my website for Google as the move from Cambridge to Kent hasn't done many favours for my SEO!

Q What’s your style?

My style is editorial with feeling, documentary with fashionable aesthetics. I love this wedding I shot that was all at a purpose built wedding venue - it was a hot day, but there was so much love. The bride and groom were authentically themselves, yet they also cared about styling and fashion.

Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?

I wish I had time and unlimited free film and film cameras to try out - having enjoyed the dark room 16 years back and quickly moved to the ease of digital, I'm finding my feet again getting the analog kit out. It's becoming more fashionable and I guess I wish I wasn't quite as "practical" with the ease of digital to open me up to shooting film more.

Q What is frustrating you right now?

Mostly Google. I was page 1 for Cambridge wedding photographer for a couple years while living there, and since moving to Kent it's a bit of a slog to get this improving.

Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?

Do my Pinterest for me, and know what they are doing to reach those clients who would love to work with me.

 

Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?

Hmm, when you shoot the posh wedding at St George's Golf Club, refuse to wear the oversized trousers the managers were forcing me to wear instead and stick with the smart black jeans. Let them call the police if it's an issue haha!

 

Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?

It would be about wedding planning - I'm well aware of the number of hours involved in this trade, but I would love to get insight on a wedding job from start to finish

Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?

Weddings in Kent, London & Cambridge. Businesses & brands in Kent who would like polished content on a regular basis. Families that want high-end wall art in their homes.

Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.

Ideal wedding job would be a Vegan, Christian couple celebrating their marriage at their stately home. They have their own forest where the ceremony happens, big outdoor reception space with lovely tables and places to explore for photos. The family and friends are fun, friendly and want to celebrate the couple. Also it would be cool if Mumford & Sons were booked as the entertainment, and Kibou were hired to do sushi catering!

Q: What is your rate?

Weddings are from £3k up to £7k+. Hourly rate for branding averages about £350 per hour, and the average family spends £2k on wall art.

Q How should someone approach you about working together?

For weddings www.tomkeenanphotography.co.uk/contact

For businesses: www.tomkeenanphotography.co.uk/personal-branding-contact

For families: www.tomkeenanphotography.co.uk/kent-family-photographer-contact

I love the formality of email, and then for less formal chat Whatsapp is great.

 
 

Q Who is a creative you admire?

Sophie Amelia rebranded my business and had a template website which I built my website off of - highly recommended!

Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?

Be the courageous, creative, comforting celebrator.

This member profile was originally published in February 2025.

United KingdomCharlene TimbolPhotographer