Meet Anita McKeith
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Q: How long have you been a business owner?
A: Since April of 1989 I’ve been a freelance photographer representing myself. Ten of these 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, most recently doing Senior and Family photos along with Dance Studio photos. As of 2018 I returned full-time to my roots as a commercial freelance photographer.
Q: How long have you been a Chamber Ambassador?
A: My Ambassadorship began January of 2019.
Q: What do you like about being an ambassador?
A: So far during my tenure I like promoting and celebrating the revitalization of Saginaw, getting the word out that there is more to the Chamber than making connections, meeting new people, helping to improve the reputation of the Saginaw area, and seeing people and organizations succeed and celebrating it.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
A: The outskirts of Saginaw Township is where I grew up. At the time it was the boonies and playmates were scarce, possibly one reason for my creative side. My parents, both immigrants from Germany, met here making me a first generation American. So I have lots of memories of a bunch of Germans gathering, enjoying Gemütlichkeit, having sing alongs accompanied by an accordion, and doing other German stuff. All influencing family traditions we still celebrate. As a small child I was always dancing around and my parents were encouraged to get me into dance lessons. So, at age 3, my lifelong love affair with ballet and dance began. Every school I attended from K thru 12 either no longer exists or has had a name change. At some point photography became my second love. Blame for my interest in photography and insatiable desire to travel and adventure partly lies with my uncle’s National Geographic collection and Nikon F. After graduating from high school it took a few years at Delta to figure out I needed to listen to me and what I wanted to do and enrolled in Lansing Community College’s Photographic Institute. Best decision I made. In 1986 I got married to my third love and eventually had 3 children. All adults now either in school or working.
Not long ago one of my daughters asked if I’m always framing the world into a photo. Yup, pretty much. Always seeing light, color, tones, and composition.
Q: What was your first job?
A: Bintz Apple Mountain Steak House is where I landed my first job. A “Salad Girl” and from there went on to become a “Steak Girl,” hostess, waitress and bartender. Basically did whatever I needed to do to get hours, make money, and learn new skills. It was at Bintz’s that I learned how to ski. 50¢ equipment rental and 50¢ lift tickets. Couldn’t beat it. To this day skiing is one of my favorite activities and I hit the slopes as often as I can. Oh, and it’s also where I met my husband. He was a ski instructor and worked in the ski shop. Those were good times.
Q: What worries keep you up at night?
A: Worrying is a waste of energy and time.
Q: What is your greatest achievement?
A: My family.
Q: What is your most prized possession?
A: My brain.
Q: What is something unique in your office?
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 driving his woody station wagon, heading back to his lodgings after a not so successful day of shooting. He glances east and sees a scene illuminated by the long, low rays of last light skimming across the plain. Coming to a screeching stop he starts yelling for the tripod to be found, the camera, the lens he wants, and the filter he needs. Ansel shot with an 8x10 view camera. Large, bulky, and cumbersome, nothing point and shoot about it. It is evening, the light is going 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: What is your favorite Michigan travel location?
A: The last place I visited. I always want to go back again and do a more thorough exploration. That said I do love the UP: chasing waterfalls, exploring & adventuring, learning about the area, camping, and hiking. Of course, always with my camera slung on my back.
Published: May 2022
A: Since April of 1989 I’ve been a freelance photographer representing myself. Ten of these 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, most recently doing Senior and Family photos along with Dance Studio photos. As of 2018 I returned full-time to my roots as a commercial freelance photographer.
Q: How long have you been a Chamber Ambassador?
A: My Ambassadorship began January of 2019.
Q: What do you like about being an ambassador?
A: So far during my tenure I like promoting and celebrating the revitalization of Saginaw, getting the word out that there is more to the Chamber than making connections, meeting new people, helping to improve the reputation of the Saginaw area, and seeing people and organizations succeed and celebrating it.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
A: The outskirts of Saginaw Township is where I grew up. At the time it was the boonies and playmates were scarce, possibly one reason for my creative side. My parents, both immigrants from Germany, met here making me a first generation American. So I have lots of memories of a bunch of Germans gathering, enjoying Gemütlichkeit, having sing alongs accompanied by an accordion, and doing other German stuff. All influencing family traditions we still celebrate. As a small child I was always dancing around and my parents were encouraged to get me into dance lessons. So, at age 3, my lifelong love affair with ballet and dance began. Every school I attended from K thru 12 either no longer exists or has had a name change. At some point photography became my second love. Blame for my interest in photography and insatiable desire to travel and adventure partly lies with my uncle’s National Geographic collection and Nikon F. After graduating from high school it took a few years at Delta to figure out I needed to listen to me and what I wanted to do and enrolled in Lansing Community College’s Photographic Institute. Best decision I made. In 1986 I got married to my third love and eventually had 3 children. All adults now either in school or working.
Not long ago one of my daughters asked if I’m always framing the world into a photo. Yup, pretty much. Always seeing light, color, tones, and composition.
Q: What was your first job?
A: Bintz Apple Mountain Steak House is where I landed my first job. A “Salad Girl” and from there went on to become a “Steak Girl,” hostess, waitress and bartender. Basically did whatever I needed to do to get hours, make money, and learn new skills. It was at Bintz’s that I learned how to ski. 50¢ equipment rental and 50¢ lift tickets. Couldn’t beat it. To this day skiing is one of my favorite activities and I hit the slopes as often as I can. Oh, and it’s also where I met my husband. He was a ski instructor and worked in the ski shop. Those were good times.
Q: What worries keep you up at night?
A: Worrying is a waste of energy and time.
Q: What is your greatest achievement?
A: My family.
Q: What is your most prized possession?
A: My brain.
Q: What is something unique in your office?
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 driving his woody station wagon, heading back to his lodgings after a not so successful day of shooting. He glances east and sees a scene illuminated by the long, low rays of last light skimming across the plain. Coming to a screeching stop he starts yelling for the tripod to be found, the camera, the lens he wants, and the filter he needs. Ansel shot with an 8x10 view camera. Large, bulky, and cumbersome, nothing point and shoot about it. It is evening, the light is going 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: What is your favorite Michigan travel location?
A: The last place I visited. I always want to go back again and do a more thorough exploration. That said I do love the UP: chasing waterfalls, exploring & adventuring, learning about the area, camping, and hiking. Of course, always with my camera slung on my back.
Published: May 2022
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