Rebecca & Marshall: 7 Minute “Anytime” Portraits

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As an only child, my parents have always made a special effort to love my friends and include them as a part of our family. Because of this, I have rarely felt lonely or like I was missing out by not having a brother or sister…my friends ARE part of my family. Of all my close friends, Rebecca is probably the most like a sister to me. She has been there nearly my entire life, and our paths have been a shared experience. We were in the same kindergarten class, we graduated from high school together, we shared the dumpiest college apartment on the planet (you could literally see through holes in the wall into our neighbor’s apt), and I was the Maid of Honor in her wedding. (Our friend Brandy and I knew before Rebecca did that Marshall was “The One.” 😉 ) Rebecca is ridiculously funny, fiercely loyal, pretty darn tall, protective of her friends, supportive, an animal advocate, and loves to run an inside joke into.the.ground. I *heart* this girl!

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This fall, Rebecca and Marshall celebrated their 5th wedding anniversary, and I helped Rebecca research photographers in Alabama, where they now live, to shoot some anniversary portraits. Marshall surprised us both when he said, “If anybody is going to take those pictures of us, it’s going to be Amy!” Um, hello good husband! We got together in the mountains of North Carolina during New Year’s weekend….when the highs were barely 20 degrees and wind chills were in single digits during the heat of midday. “Brrrrrr” doesn’t begin to describe it! We scrapped our plans for an “anytime session” all throughout the mountains and opted for a whopping 7 minute session (yes, I checked my starting/ending stats after downloading my photos!) at the Mountain Farm Museum near Cherokee NC. After only 7 minutes, my fingertips were grayish and burning…yes I will sacrifice my body for good photos, as I’m guessing that was some sort of pre-frostbite!!

Just like in life & love & friendships, the cold and wind are easier to bear when you hold close to the ones you love…

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This is true Rebecca and Marshall…full of laughter!

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Love this one!

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Daniel, add this one to your campaign kit, hehe…

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Just past the Mountain Farm Museum, we saw a bunch of elk on the side of the road! Several years ago, the parks department in Western North Carolina reintroduced elk into the mountain habitat…very cool to see them grazing just a few yards from all of us excited tourists. I like that this girl looks like she’s chatting with her elk buddies….

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Happy Anniversary to my longest friend and her perfect match. Marshall, we’re all glad you didn’t get on the train. 😉 Love y’all!

Don’t forget to leave a comment and “show me (and my BFF) some love!”

MLK Dream Weekend: Dreamers Part II

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Part II of the inspiring MLK Dream Weekend “dreamers” who remind us that the dream is alive, and the dream lives in Greenville…

Raven Magwood is not just a dreamer–she is a DO-er! This young lady can teach us “grown-ups” a thing or two about motivation: at 17, she is finishing up her second year of college, she had published two books by the age of 13, she is a nationally recognized gymnast, and she tours the country speaking to youth groups. Feeling inspired yet??

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Calder Ehrmann, with the Riley Institute at Furman, is promoting diversity in the workplace across the state of South Carolina…

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Lori Coon, editor of Greenville Business Magazine, is helping local business leaders to realize their dreams in the pages of this publication.

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Nicholas Wideman established YMRA–Young Marathon Runners of America–to combat youth obesity and to motivate teens towards healthier living, one mile at a time.

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One portrait of each of these dreamers was used in a print and internet campaign for the 5th Annual MLK Dream Weekend. I am honored that I was able to tell the stories of these seven amazing people through photos, and I am honored that Amy Clifton Photography was a sponsor for this community event! I was so excited to work on this project with the creative team from Peculiar, the fabulous folks who designed my logo, website, videos, and print pieces.

I’ll end with one more of Miss Raven’s portraits. We had weird weather for almost every single photoshoot–rain, below freezing temps, wind, and during Raven’s session, fog. I love this image, though, and it became one of my favorite portraits from the entire campaign.

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Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message is not about one race, one gender, one religious group. It is about us ALL. It is about working TOGETHER to dream a better life for each other. And it is about making these dreams a reality NOW.

All. Together. Now.
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As always, your “love” is appreciated! Click below to leave a comment for me or a dreamer…

MLK Dream Weekend: All.Together.Now.

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I am so honored that Amy Clifton Photography was asked to be one of the sponsors and official photographers for Greenville’s 5th Annual MLK Dream Weekend celebration. Our country has come such a long way since Dr. King’s time, but his message of acceptance, tolerance, and equality is as valuable today as ever before.

I had the privilege of meeting and photographing some amazing folks in Greenville who prove that the dream is alive, and the dream lives in Greenville. I loved the opportunity to tell each story through portraits. For more info on these people and their stories, please visit www.mlkdreamweekend.com . You can also see these photos used as the “official” MLK Dream Weekend ads.

Maria, with the Greenville Hospital System, works to promote breast health and mammograms for minority patients.

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My buddy Maxim, with Bon Secours St. Francis, is empowering residents to create a safer, healthier, more beautiful Sterling Community.

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Cristianna proves that women with a foreign accent can be vital players in the international business world.

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Check back this weekend for more photos of local dreamers!

Madison’s 1st Christmas: SC Baby Portraits

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First things first: I am making up a new rule. Please share this with all the babies you know. From now on, all babies MUST wear a hat. All the time. Why? Because it is just too stinkin’ cute!!

See?

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It is little Miss Madison’s 1st Christmas, and her sweet Grandmother wanted to surprise Madison’s parents with these photos.

Serious cuteness overload is coming your way:

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Lovin’ all these chunky little baby parts…

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Madison has a great big brother, Carson…

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How handsome is he??

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See what I mean about the babies-in-hats? She is downright squishable and way too adorable!

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Thank you Lancasters for welcoming me into your home! You guys are wonderful and have a precious family. Merry Christmas!
–Amy

You can access Madison and Carson’s entire gallery if you CLICK HERE.
Password Hint: their grandmother’s first name

Don’t forget to leave a comment and “show me some love!” 🙂

Kathy & Jonathan: Engagement Portraits

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Kathy and Jonathan are kind and loving, quietly funny, and have great taste in music. They are having an intimate wedding in January with only their immediate family attending, and I am honored to celebrate with them. We photographed their engagement portraits at one of their favorite places here in Greenville, SC–the Rock Quarry Garden. It was here that they ventured the evening they got engaged to dream about their future and celebrate their happily ever after…

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Like most photographers in Greenville, I shoot at the Rock Quarry pretty frequently (hellooo, it’s beautiful there!). It’s fun trying to find new angles or spots there to shoot…

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Earlier in the week, Kathy scoped out this amazing trail nearby. We almost didn’t go here, as it was getting close to Clemson’s kick-off 🙂 . I’m SO glad we did–it was a stunning location and Kathy and Jonathan just look so in love in these shots.

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LOOK CLOSELY! Do you see all 3 Kathys in this picture?

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Maybe my favorite from the whole session…love, love, love this one!!

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Kathy & Jonathan–I’m so happy to know you, and I’m looking forward to your wedding in January. It is wonderful and inspiring to see God in the center of your relationship.
–Amy