About the Site
This is the second version of my aviation photography website, the first of which, airplanephotos.net, I launched in May 2003 as a way to share my love of commercial aviation with others. While I was happy with my initial effort, the site's design made it cumbersome to update. I hope that through the new map-based navigation framework, it will be easier for me to keep the site dynamic with examples of my latest work.

I took all of the aircraft photographs on this site with Canon EOS Digital SLR cameras and two Canon L lenses: a 70-200mm IS USM and a 100-400mm IS USM. I use BreezeBrowser Pro and Adobe Photoshop CS to edit my images and Macromedia Dreamweaver and Fireworks for web design.

If you have any questions or comments about my site or the photographs contained within, please feel free to contact me.

Photo by Norbert Genci
About Me
I have been fascinated by virtually every aspect of commercial aviation for as long as I can remember. Thinking about my first experience flying in an airliner brings back memories of an excitement that can’t be rivaled by much else. To this day, that thrill comes back to me every time I fly.

Aircraft photography is a natural extension of my life-long interest in aviation and photographing planes appeals to me both as an artist and as a collector. I began at a young age, using a Minolta point and shoot camera. From this camera, I transitioned to my father’s Canon AE-1, using Kodachrome 64 color slide film. This remained my photographic equipment for ten years. In
December, 2001, I purchased a Canon EOS D30 and have been taking digital photos since then.

I was born in Hartford, Connecticut and grew up in the Hartford suburb of Rocky Hill. I attended Georgetown University in Washington, DC and graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. After spending five years working in the financial services industry, I relocated to Phoenix, Arizona in May, 2002 to attend flight school. There I obtained my Private Pilot’s license in August, 2002. I currently work in Revenue Management at Southwest Airlines in Dallas, Texas.
Aircraft Photography and Aviation Security
In the years since the September 11 terrorist attacks, anything having to do with commercial aviation, and especially amateur aviation photography, has come under intense scrutiny by law enforcement. While thorough security precautions have rightly assumed an ever-increasing role in the air transport network, fear of the unknown and an inability to predict when or if another attack might occur have instilled in the general public an irrational fear of aviation photography. Airports not wanting to be blamed for the next terrorist attack have cracked down on aviation enthusiasts, developing "zero-tolerance" policies toward individuals who could otherwise serve as another layer in the security effort. I am continually saddened by stories of friends and fellow enthusiasts being treated like
criminals by law enforcement officers claiming incorrectly that aircraft photography is illegal or banned by any number of agencies including the TSA, FAA, and local airport authorities. I have watched some of the friendliest airports become cold places where even families taking photos together in the gate area are watched with suspicion.

Given this antagonism, many might suggest that it would be sensible just to give up the hobby in favor of something easier to pursue. On many occasions, I have even asked myself if the enjoyment that I get is worth the stress and potential for confrontation. Yet each time my answer to that question is undeniably the same: yes. I continue to take aircraft photos with every opportunity I get and I encourage others with an interest in aviation photography to persist when faced with challenges and help educate law enforcement and the public about our hobby.

Acknowledgements
I would like to extend a special thank-you to some of the people who have gone out of their way to help make my aircraft photgraphy experiences so enjoyable: Chris Sands in Calgary; Lyndon Thorley in Charlotte, Yo Tanaka in Dallas (now Tokyo); Mike Arcellana, Clovis Bouhier, Josh May, and Bill Paulsen in the Los Angeles area; Dave Faulkner and Brendan Vanderwerf in Melbourne; Terry Nash and Jay Piboontum in Phoenix; and Norbert Genci, Bruce (Shep) Shepherd, and Glenn Stewart in Sydney. I hope I'm able to return the favor some day and I look forward to spending more time with each of you.

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise noted, photographs contained in this site are copyright Timothy Keeney and may not be used without obtaining prior permission. Airline logos, liveries, and other trademarks are used for identification purposes only and are protected by their respective owners.