Bio
Anthony Keehner is a documentary street photographer who is drawn toward the overlooked, unconventional, and idiosyncratic figures who disrupt the rhythm of everyday life. He is currently studying at the Fashion Institute of Technology, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Photography and Related Media. Anthony’s freelance work primarily documents those of New York City and Suffolk County, Long Island. Any individuals who may not fit into conventional boxes of “normalcy,” but whose presence reveals the hidden richness, humor, and complexity of everyday life. For Anthony, these people are more than curiosities. They are a unique mosaic of everything and everyone they’ve ever been, met, and aspire to be. His subjects embody resilience, individuality, and the raw power of human expression. In 2025, one of Anthony’s photographs was selected for inclusion in the Best of SUNY Student Exhibition, a prestigious, juried show highlighting the strongest student work from across the State University of New York system. The piece, from his ongoing series Just Give It a Shot, explores his personal relationship with his father. The exhibited image, titled From Holding to Helping, is a black-and-white photograph of his father’s hands. Through picture, he tells the story of his journey from being carried as a child to being championed in his early steps as an artist and young adult. Currently, Anthony is developing a street photography book centered on the unique and striking composition he encounters while shooting. This project further expands his vision of the street as a spotlight for unfiltered people and life. Through this work, Anthony aims to elevate those who live slightly left of center, inviting viewers to see humor, dignity, and humanity in life’s odd details.
Artist Statement
I believe no two people ever truly look the same. Even when similarities exist, subtle differences set each individual beautifully apart. My photography is drawn to those who stand outside the regular crowd, people with alternative, offbeat styles who embody the kind of individuality that absolutely refuses to blend in. These striking characters inspire me because they push the envelope. They push the boundaries of what is considered normal and remind us that uniqueness is what makes life visually and emotionally rich. My work grows out of real-world experiences and a desire to preserve the fleeting details of everyday life, the moments most people overlook or forget. Using rich color, heavy contrast, and on-camera direct flash, I compose images that force attention onto the subject, amplifying their presence within the frame. I also work with 35mm film, because I believe its tangible nature captures something more than just an image, it holds a fragment of the subject’s energy, a trace of their existence in that moment. Their essence. Much of my practice currently unfolds in New York City, where the streets act as an ever-changing stage for human interaction. I document the characters who move swiftly through it, often catching them so absorbed in their own worlds that they don’t even notice my camera even when lit by flash. By photographing these overlooked moments, I aim to reveal the humor, rawness, and humanity in everyday life, highlighting the beauty of people who might otherwise go unnoticed.