Chris McKenna Photography

02/08/2026

Hi friends

Many of you have followed my photography and creative work for years, and your encouragement has meant more to me than you probably realize. Truly—thank you!

As my writing journey has grown, I’ve created a Facebook Author Page where I’ll be sharing updates about my children’s books, my new adult fiction books, and an upcoming non-fiction book on underwater photography.

If you’ve enjoyed supporting my work in the past, I’d be incredibly grateful if you’d take a moment to:

• Follow the page
• Like or comment on posts when you see them
• Share anything that makes you smile

That kind of support helps independent authors more than you know.

You’ll see posts about Captain Olivia & the Treasure of Kindness, the world of Olivia, and what I’m working on next.

Thanks again for always cheering me on. It means a lot to have friends like you along for the ride.

Here’s the page below if you’d like to follow.

Thanks kindly.

Chris

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61586911577099

I’m Chris McKenna—an award-winning author, and photographer/filmmaker. I write across three lanes: uplifting children’s stories, adult fiction, and non-fiction focused on underwater photography.

Thanks for supporting independent authors and artists.

01/28/2026

Hawaii sunsets just hit different. 🌺🌊
The colors, the calm, the way the whole world slows down for a minute…

This is the kind of moment I live to capture. 📸
Hope it gives you a little peace today.

And to everyone who’s been following along for the photography and the new author journey lately—thank you. Truly. ⚓💛

11/22/2025

🌊📚 Adventure Ahead! Captain Olivia is preparing to set sail in search of the greatest treasure of all... 💛
Stay tuned — a magical new children’s book is on the horizon!

09/29/2025

✨ Meet the Author at ABC Days! ✨

I’m excited to be part of ABC Days—our community’s favorite fall festival—on Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 🎉

📚 I’ll be at the event signing copies of my children’s books (and will have a few for sale), and I’d love to meet you and your family!

👧📖 Storytime Sessions:

10:00 a.m.
12:30 p.m.
2:00 p.m.

Bring the kids, grab a seat, and join in for an adventure under the sea filled with imagination, kindness, and ocean friends. 🌊🐠

ABC Days is an annual tradition on the first Saturday of October, where the Bethel community comes together for a full day of food trucks, student performances, and engaging activities. Attendance has grown every year, and it’s something so many of us look forward to!

✨ Stop by, say hello, and let’s share some stories together. See you there!

08/28/2025

🌊✨ It’s Here… Early! ✨🌊

I am beyond excited to announce that Olivia Mae and Her Scuba Diving Day has officially launched — a few days earlier than we thought! 🐠📖

You can now order your copy on Amazon or IngramSpark and dive into Olivia’s magical underwater adventure with Pop-Pop, Adelaide the dog, and their new ocean friends. 💙

If you enjoy the book, I’d be so grateful if you could:
⭐ Leave a positive review on Amazon — reviews help other families discover Olivia’s story and support new authors like me.
📷 Send me a photo of you holding the book — I’d love to share your smiling faces on my page to celebrate Olivia’s journey reaching readers everywhere!

This book is so close to my heart, inspired by real-life adventures and my granddaughter, Olivia, and I can’t wait for it to make its way into your homes and hearts. 💕

Thank you for your support — now let’s go diving! 🌊

👉 Grab your copy here: https://a.co/d/5fvVEMK

08/20/2025

🎨✨ The Evolution of Olivia Mae’s Illustrations ✨🎨
Every book has a journey — and so do its illustrations. I wanted to share a behind-the-scenes look at how the artwork for Olivia Mae and Her Scuba Diving Day came to life.
1️⃣ The first image was the concept I personally put together. It was simple, but it captured the heart of the story — Olivia, Pop-Pop, and his dog Adelaide on the beach, ready for adventure.
2️⃣ The second image was the version I received from my former publisher. Unfortunately, it didn’t reflect the vision I had in mind and was clearly AI generated with cut/paste elements from different sources. The characters didn’t look or feel like “Olivia and Pop-Pop,” and I knew the story needed more heart and authenticity.
3️⃣ The final image — created by my wonderful illustrator, Farheen Fatima — exceeded every expectation. She listened carefully, captured every detail I hoped for, and brought Olivia’s world to life with warmth, joy, and magic. From the beach to the underwater adventures, every page feels alive. 💙
I am so grateful to Farheen for taking my vision and transforming it into something truly beautiful. She not only delivered, but elevated the entire book.
📖 Olivia Mae and Her Scuba Diving Day releases on August 22, 2025. I can’t wait for you all to see the final illustrations throughout the book!
💬 Which version do you think looks most like the Olivia Mae you imagined?

08/19/2025

I’m excited to share a short read-aloud snippet from the book with you today! 📚

🎙️ It’s just a small peek into Olivia’s big adventure beneath the waves, where she meets all kinds of colorful sea creatures and learns just how magical the ocean can be.

This is just a very small taste of the full story, and I hope it brings a smile to your face. 😊

💬 Leave a comment and let me know what you think—and if you’d like to see more of Olivia’s adventures!

👉 Full book available August 22nd!

08/14/2025

🐙 Meet Ozzy the Octopus!
Ozzy is one of Olivia Mae’s most fascinating new underwater friends. With his big, curious eyes and a personality as colorful as the reef, Ozzy loves to show off his amazing talents. He can change the color and texture of his skin to blend in perfectly with coral, rocks, and seaweed — making him a true master of disguise!
Playful and clever, Ozzy enjoys guiding friends through the reef’s hidden nooks and secret spots, sharing fun ocean facts along the way. He’s not just a friend — he’s a protector of the sea, always reminding visitors to respect marine life and leave the ocean just as beautiful as they found it.
Fun Fact: An octopus has three hearts, and when they swim, two of them actually stop beating! 💙

08/12/2025

Come and view this preview of "Olivia Mae and Her Scuba Diving Day." In this delightful underwater journey, Olivia and her Pop-Pop meet colorful sea creatures, discover the wonders of the deep, and learn the importance of caring for our oceans. 💙 Perfect for young readers, parents, and grandparents who love a good adventure.
🗓 Release Date: August 22, 2025
💬 Follow along this week for sneak peeks, character spotlights, and behind-the-scenes looks!
💬 Help us spread the word! If you know parents, grandparents, teachers, or ocean lovers who would enjoy Olivia Mae and Her Scuba Diving Day, please share this post with them. Every share helps Olivia’s adventure reach more little readers who will love diving into the story! 🌊📚💙

08/11/2025

Meet Olivia Mae and Her Scuba Diving Day — a delightful underwater adventure for curious young readers! 🌊 Follow Olivia and her loving Pop-Pop (inspired by my very own granddaughter, Olivia) as they dive beneath the waves to meet colorful sea creatures, discover the magic of the ocean, and learn how to care for our underwater world. 🐠💙

This heartwarming, beautifully illustrated story celebrates curiosity, family bonds, and ocean stewardship — perfect for bedtime, classroom story time, or any moment of wonder.

🗓 Release Date: August 22, 2025
💬 Follow along this week for sneak peeks, character spotlights, and behind-the-scenes looks!

💬 Help us spread the word! If you know parents, grandparents, teachers, or ocean lovers who would enjoy Olivia Mae and Her Scuba Diving Day, please share this post with them. Every share helps Olivia’s adventure reach more little readers who will love diving into the story! 🌊📚💙