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Greenville Mountains Engagement | Brandon + Andrew

Today is Brandon + Andrew’s wedding day, and I am SO EXCITED! Their Greenville mountains engagement session last fall was ahhhhhh-mazing, and I can only imagine how special their wedding will be. These two sweethearts, who go back as far as middle school, are filled with love and compassion for each other and for those around them. They support and push one another, and they are so intentional about their love. During their session, Brandon + Andrew showed not one bit of hesitation as they allowed themselves to be vulnerable in front of my camera. That trust, that vulnerability, that joy of being in the moment makes for beautiful portraits, but mostly, it makes for a beautiful life together.

Introducing…Brandon + Andrew, Engaged

We started their Greenville mountains engagement session at Wildcat Falls in northern Greenville county. I love this area because it is beautiful yet so easy to access!

Andrew was a good listener, and he bought the perfect ring for Brandon. Gorgeous, right??

After leaving Wildcat Falls, we headed up the mountain to what may be my *favorite* photography spot–Bald Rock. We had incredible afternoon light and some gorgeous fall color. Looooove!

In their pre-session questionnaire, Andrew was telling me that he knew Brandon was “The One” when they were seniors in high school and planning to go away for college. He said, “I didn’t think I could ever live my life without her, and it turns out I was right.”

May you two spend the rest of your lives looking at each other with this much admiration and love.

So. I am 100% a crazy cat lady. When little Piper, their mini-Aussie, made her debut, however, I was smitten. How stinking cute is she??? This baby pup nearly stole the show from her mama and dad!

Oh my heart! She is so cute.

To really make their session meaningful, I asked Brandon + Andrew to write each other a love letter. They traded letters and took a few minutes to soak in this special time. Brandon so perfectly summed up the engagement experience: “There is something that changes in your relationship when you get engaged. The change from wanting to be with someone forever to knowing that you will be with them forever is an incredible feeling.”

Brandon + Andrew, may you always dance like no one is watching, fall in love over and over again, and put each other before yourself. I am grateful to capture your love with my camera–it is truly a special thing. Happy Wedding Day today! –ACK

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Bald Rock Senior Portrait | Greenville SC

Madi’s Bald Rock Senior Portrait Session in the mountains of northern Greenville SC reminded me of HOW MUCH I love photographing high school seniors! The short drive up the mountain had us traveling through bursts of rain, overcast skies, and misty fog. As I turned the last bend before the random pull-off parking lot (if you’ve been to Bald Rock, you know what I’m talking about–it’s a bit quirky!), the skies opened and the sun came out! The view looking out from Bald Rock was just perfect, and the rainstorm even gave us a little surprise…but you’ll have to read to the end of this post for that. 😉 As soon as she stepped in front of my camera, Madi was full of quiet confidence, natural posing, and a “Mona Lisa smile” that revealed nothing but the reminder that seniors are full of mystery, hope, confidence, uncertainty, and nostalgia, which combine to create a most beautiful year. It’s not too late to photograph this year’s Seniors, and I would LOVE getting a head start on members of the Class of 2019. If you know of a Senior who needs his or her year captured (both for themselves and also for the Mamas and Daddies who are going to be missing them like crazy), please send them my way.

Introducing Madi…Class of 2018

I’ve said it before, but man I am jealous of people who can pull off the serious face! Madi killed it; when I do it, I just look like I’m coming down with a cold. (Ha!)

The views at Bald Rock are gorgeous, but so are these little patches of greenery and lovely light. Madi was such a natural in front of the camera.

This image…it just speaks to me. One of my favorites from her Bald Rock Senior Portrait Session.

Super cute senior!

Grace and confidence with the whole world in front of her, yet a bit apprehensive about taking that jump. I think this image is such a metaphor for that Senior Year season of lasts…which leads to a whole new season of firsts.

As many times as I’ve shot at Bald Rock, I had never ventured off “the rock” to this wooded patch. I LOVED what we found and how Madi rocked this part of her Bald Rock Senior Portrait Session!

Madi and her sweet Mama…

Remember that rain storm I mentioned on the drive up the mountain? How many times do you get a perfect surprise like this rainbow? It didn’t last long, but it sure was beautiful!

As usual, I’ll end this post with one of my favorites from the session. Every now and then, you just see an image happening and KNOW it’s begging to become a B&W photo. No doubt, this portrait is one of those times.

Best wishes, Madi and the Class of 2018, for a senior year that fills your hearts with memories to last a lifetime!

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LaRhonda’s Bridal Portraits at Lindsey Plantation, Taylors SC

I met LaRhonda and her mother at Lindsey Plantation in Taylors, SC, to photograph her bridal portraits on a sunny late-summer day. The only thing shining brighter than the hot September sun was LaRhonda herself. This South Carolinian-turned-Texan simply glowed! She glowed when she put on her bridal gown, and she glowed when she saw the wide-open pastures and mountain views, but her light glowed the brightest when she talked to me about her soon-to-be husband Josh. After spending the afternoon learning about these two lovebirds (their new last name is actually Sparrow…), I have no doubts that these two are the real deal when it comes to love and adventure and lots of silly fun.

LaRhonda requested for her bridal portraits to be fairly natural and unposed, and I feel like her quirkiness, her effervescence, and her love for Josh shines through in these photos. Now that the Sparrows are officially Mr. and Mrs., I am excited to reveal these Bridal Portraits!

Introducing, the brand-new Mrs. Sparrow…

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THIS. This is LaRhonda, pretty much always!

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Lindsey Plantation has an amazing variety of spots for portraits, but the sun setting over the pasture can’t be beat.

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Heeyyyyyy! This sassy girl was so much fun. I cannot wait to begin working on her and Josh’s wedding day images. If you haven’t already “liked” Amy Clifton Keely Photography on facebook, please hit the button below so you can keep up with The Sparrows’ Sneak Peeks as I post them!

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LaRhonda, lady, you are incredible! I’m so happy to know you and to have played a small part in telling yours and Josh’s love story. Y’all are amazing!!

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Coming Soon…The Liner Twins!! | Greenville SC Maternity Photographer

Back in middle school and high school, long before my photography career, I had quite the successful stint as a babysitter. I read the “Babysitters Club” books, I made up my own tote bag of books and games to take with me, and every weekend was filled with jobs caring for little ones from my neighborhood and church. One day, a mama from around the corner called me and asked if I could babysit her daughter, Morgan. She said, “She’s two and a half and a ball of fire!” I said “yes” to the babysitting job, and that sweet, brave, happy girl became like family to me; I was at their house regularly until I went away to college.

Now, Morgan is all grown up, but she’s still a ball of fire, still sweet, still brave, and still one of the happiest, kindest people you will ever meet. She and her husband Robert are expecting miracle twins, and I LOVED the opportunity to photograph these mountain-lovers’ maternity portraits at Bald Rock in Greenville SC. Truly, these precious babies–one boy, one girl–have been prayed over, wished for, dreamed of, waited on, hoped for for years. They will be so incredibly loved; they already are.

Coming Soon…The Liner Twins!

Love, love LOVE this one!

Can’t decide…color or b&w. What’s your favorite?? Either way, I love this sweet shot!

Morgan, my sweet friend, you are a beautiful, glowing Mama!

Morgan looks just like her mama in this shot!!

I’m envious of anyone who has a good non-smiling face, because well, my own just doesn’t look this classic and fierce. 😉

Spring is [finally] in the air! Morgan and Robert were trusting enough to follow me down the mountain into a parking lot for this last set of photos. I’m so glad they did!!

And then this happened…..so much happy!

Morgan, Robert, and your sweet families: I am so happy to have just a small part in celebrating your joy over these two precious little lives. I hope these photos will always bring you happy memories of fulfilled prayers and dreams that came true.

To view Morgan and Robert’s complete proofs, CLICK HERE. Password is Morgan’s maiden name.

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