Meet Anita McKeith
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Anita McKeith
Freelance and Fine Art Photographer Anita McKeith Photography (989) 274-9902 [email protected] www.anitamckeith.com |
Q: What year did you begin working at your company?
A: Since April of 1989 I’ve been a freelance photographer. Ten of those years I was employed full-time as a staff photographer at Dow Chemical. After leaving Dow to become a full-time mom I did some freelance jobs here and there. As my children required less of my time I began doing Senior and Family photos along with Dance Studio photos. In 2018, I returned full-time to my roots doing freelance commercial photographer creating images that support businesses with their branding and storytelling. Since 2024 I have also been turning my lens to creating a body of fine art photography.
Q: What year did you become a Chamber Ambassador?
A: My Ambassadorship began January of 2019. I did two three years terms, took a mandatory year off, and now in 2026 am back at it with my third term.
Q: What motivated you to become a Chamber Ambassador?
A: At a Michigan Chapter of an ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers) meeting, a fellow photog suggested that I join my local chamber and become an ambassador. Best business related advice I have received. It got me back out in front professionals and allowed me to build relationships which is the foundation of my business. Plus I get to promote this area that I truly believe in.
Q: What’s a small moment as an Ambassador that made you feel proud to be involved?
A: During my second year of being an Ambassador which was also my first year as a team leader I had the best group of people. Two have been the Ambassador chairs, while the third is the current chair and they are serving as diplomats. The fourth member has been an advocate for my fine art work. Or being a good Ambassador and reaching out to Lindsay Kerry at a Perc Breakfast. It was her first experience with the chamber and we both considerate a very serendipitous meeting.
Q: What’s a piece of advice you’ve received that has stuck with you, personally or professionally?
A: Be who you are and really tune in and listen to your inner voice and let that guide you.
Q: If someone is attending their first Chamber event, what’s one thing you hope they take away from the experience?
A: That the staff and members of the Chamber are a welcoming group. That someone, maybe an Ambassador reached out and made you feel welcome and think “Wow, I have made the right choice in connecting with this group and this area is amazing with so much to offer.”
Q: If someone wanted to start a conversation with you at a Chamber event, what’s an easy topic to bring up?
A: What are my next travel/adventure plans.
Q: What role has the Chamber played in your personal or professional growth?
A: Choosing to participate in as much the chamber had to offer was a confidence builder. After being out of the professional workforce for quite awhile I was hesitant in putting myself back out there and really didn’t know where to start. Attending all the events I could, joining a Leads Roundtable group, and then becoming an Ambassador all built upon each other and built my confidence giving me the vehicle to foster sincere relationships along the way.
Q: What’s one skill or area of expertise people are often surprised to learn you have?
A: My first love was dance. My love affair with dance began when I was three. Until recently there was very little time that I was not involved in dance. At one point I was privileged to teach. For seven years I worked with dancers passing on the knowledge and discipline instilled in me by my most beloved dance teacher Doris Marsh. She did not have children and I felt this was one way to keep her legacy going. Every dancer has a specific teacher who impacted their lives. I remember Doris talking about her teacher Betty Oliphant, in turn I talked about Doris to my students, and maybe my students will have found memories of me.
Q: What’s something you’re currently learning or would like to learn next?
A: I am becoming a National Ski Patroller and am currently working on the book portion of Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC): Getting this certification not only provides patrollers with the skills to navigate complex medical emergencies in challenging environments but is the first step in becoming a patroller. OEC prepares patrollers to manage everything from trauma and medical crises to wilderness rescues.
Q: What's one thing you always have at your desk?
A: Right above my desk is a framed 30x24 Ansel Adams print of “Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico, 1941.” Look it Up! Along with being beautiful, what makes it special is the story of how this image was captured. Imagine, Mr. Adams riding in his woody station wagon, heading back to his lodgings after a not so successful day of shooting. He glances east and sees an image! The long, low light of a sunset skimming across a plain illuminating an old cemetery. He slams on the brakes and comes to a screeching stop. Starts yelling for the tripod to be found, the camera, the lens he wants, and the filter he needs. Ansel shot with a 8x10 view camera. Large, bulky, and cumbersome, no point and shoot about it. It is evening, the light is gong fast and the light meter cannot be found. However, Ansel with his experience and knowledge of light was able to mentally calculate the exposure and expose a sheet of film. As he was ready to shoot a second image, Poof! The light was gone. In the end it didn’t matter that he was able to get only one exposure. He had created one of his most recognizable images. It hangs smack dab in front of me, seen every day as a reminder to - Know your stuff, be aware and attuned to what’s around you and you won’t have missed opportunities
Q: If your job had a theme song, what would it be?
A: Abba’s “I Have a Dream”, Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)"
Published: June 2026
A: Since April of 1989 I’ve been a freelance photographer. Ten of those years I was employed full-time as a staff photographer at Dow Chemical. After leaving Dow to become a full-time mom I did some freelance jobs here and there. As my children required less of my time I began doing Senior and Family photos along with Dance Studio photos. In 2018, I returned full-time to my roots doing freelance commercial photographer creating images that support businesses with their branding and storytelling. Since 2024 I have also been turning my lens to creating a body of fine art photography.
Q: What year did you become a Chamber Ambassador?
A: My Ambassadorship began January of 2019. I did two three years terms, took a mandatory year off, and now in 2026 am back at it with my third term.
Q: What motivated you to become a Chamber Ambassador?
A: At a Michigan Chapter of an ASMP (American Society of Media Photographers) meeting, a fellow photog suggested that I join my local chamber and become an ambassador. Best business related advice I have received. It got me back out in front professionals and allowed me to build relationships which is the foundation of my business. Plus I get to promote this area that I truly believe in.
Q: What’s a small moment as an Ambassador that made you feel proud to be involved?
A: During my second year of being an Ambassador which was also my first year as a team leader I had the best group of people. Two have been the Ambassador chairs, while the third is the current chair and they are serving as diplomats. The fourth member has been an advocate for my fine art work. Or being a good Ambassador and reaching out to Lindsay Kerry at a Perc Breakfast. It was her first experience with the chamber and we both considerate a very serendipitous meeting.
Q: What’s a piece of advice you’ve received that has stuck with you, personally or professionally?
A: Be who you are and really tune in and listen to your inner voice and let that guide you.
Q: If someone is attending their first Chamber event, what’s one thing you hope they take away from the experience?
A: That the staff and members of the Chamber are a welcoming group. That someone, maybe an Ambassador reached out and made you feel welcome and think “Wow, I have made the right choice in connecting with this group and this area is amazing with so much to offer.”
Q: If someone wanted to start a conversation with you at a Chamber event, what’s an easy topic to bring up?
A: What are my next travel/adventure plans.
Q: What role has the Chamber played in your personal or professional growth?
A: Choosing to participate in as much the chamber had to offer was a confidence builder. After being out of the professional workforce for quite awhile I was hesitant in putting myself back out there and really didn’t know where to start. Attending all the events I could, joining a Leads Roundtable group, and then becoming an Ambassador all built upon each other and built my confidence giving me the vehicle to foster sincere relationships along the way.
Q: What’s one skill or area of expertise people are often surprised to learn you have?
A: My first love was dance. My love affair with dance began when I was three. Until recently there was very little time that I was not involved in dance. At one point I was privileged to teach. For seven years I worked with dancers passing on the knowledge and discipline instilled in me by my most beloved dance teacher Doris Marsh. She did not have children and I felt this was one way to keep her legacy going. Every dancer has a specific teacher who impacted their lives. I remember Doris talking about her teacher Betty Oliphant, in turn I talked about Doris to my students, and maybe my students will have found memories of me.
Q: What’s something you’re currently learning or would like to learn next?
A: I am becoming a National Ski Patroller and am currently working on the book portion of Outdoor Emergency Care (OEC): Getting this certification not only provides patrollers with the skills to navigate complex medical emergencies in challenging environments but is the first step in becoming a patroller. OEC prepares patrollers to manage everything from trauma and medical crises to wilderness rescues.
Q: What's one thing you always have at your desk?
A: Right above my desk is a framed 30x24 Ansel Adams print of “Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico, 1941.” Look it Up! Along with being beautiful, what makes it special is the story of how this image was captured. Imagine, Mr. Adams riding in his woody station wagon, heading back to his lodgings after a not so successful day of shooting. He glances east and sees an image! The long, low light of a sunset skimming across a plain illuminating an old cemetery. He slams on the brakes and comes to a screeching stop. Starts yelling for the tripod to be found, the camera, the lens he wants, and the filter he needs. Ansel shot with a 8x10 view camera. Large, bulky, and cumbersome, no point and shoot about it. It is evening, the light is gong fast and the light meter cannot be found. However, Ansel with his experience and knowledge of light was able to mentally calculate the exposure and expose a sheet of film. As he was ready to shoot a second image, Poof! The light was gone. In the end it didn’t matter that he was able to get only one exposure. He had created one of his most recognizable images. It hangs smack dab in front of me, seen every day as a reminder to - Know your stuff, be aware and attuned to what’s around you and you won’t have missed opportunities
Q: If your job had a theme song, what would it be?
A: Abba’s “I Have a Dream”, Green Day’s “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)"
Published: June 2026
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