yah Photography

Let’s Talk About First Touches! by Kelli Conley

As a wedding photographer, I love all of those high-emotion moments during a wedding day. They are so much fun to document for my clients, and I love knowing that they have those pictures to look back on forever. One of these high-emotion moments that I love to photograph is a first touch. For those that don’t know, a first touch is when the bride and groom have a moment together before their ceremony, but they are not seeing each other yet. Usually there is a wall or something in between the two of them, but this is a good time to get those pre-ceremony jitters out and share a minute just holding the other one’s hand and maybe reading some private vows to each other. It’s a super emotional moment because you’ve spent the whole day with your respective bridal party getting ready and becoming nervous yet excited for the ceremony and you’re finally able to spend a little time together before your big walk. You’ve hopefully taken the morning in, and now you’re realizing that this is your wedding day, and it’s finally here.

I love a first touch because it’s a good way to save the traditional “see you for the first time at the aisle” but still lets the bride and groom have a minute together. I also love it because of the incredible emotions filled photos that come from it too! Here are some of my favorite first look photos! ↓

FAQs About Photo Sessions by KlixAdmin

When booking new clients, we are prepared to answer a string of frequently asked questions! We want our clients to feel prepared, confident, and excited for their upcoming session, so we wanted to create a blog post acknowledging and answering some of the most common questions we get in reference to our photo session packages!

What to wear:

Depending on what your session is for, like engagement photos, I suggest having two outfits for an outfit change, usually starting with something more dressy and then switching to something that is more casual. When picking out outfits (and trying to coordinate with your significant other) I suggest picking one color palette/pattern and then work off of that to coordinate everything else. For example- if have a floral dress that has three colors in the pattern, pick one of the colors in the pattern for his shirt so you are coordinated but not matching or clashing patterns. Avoid super bright colors, like neons, but ultimately wear what you feel comfortable in. These pictures are a moment in time but you will look back on them often. I also encourage layer and accessories, they look so good in photos and add some extra dimension!

Where do you take the pictures:

There are so many great locations out there, and I really look to my clients to see what vibe/look they are wanting and then suggest a location from there! All photo locations are typically within the greater Charlotte area, but I am happy to travel. I also give my clients a link to view sessions similar to what they are looking for, and if a session location stands out to them, they let me know and then we can choose to photograph there. My go-to locations the past year have been Glencairn Garden in Rock Hill, The Ivy Place in Lancaster, and the Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill.

How long is the session:

Most sessions are an hour long and we are usually in one outfit for half the session and one outfit for the other. Some people only have one outfit and that is totally fine, the session is still just as long and we will get a variety of great poses all through out the location of your choosing.

When will I get my pictures back after the session:

Most sessions I turn around in two weeks, if it’s not during the busy wedding season I can get them turned around sooner! If there is a rush or urgent need just let me know and I can always work with you to get them to you in time.

Noelle & Jeffrey- Engagement Photos to Pregnancy Reveal! by KlixAdmin

Pregnancy Reveal, 2023

It all started back in May of 2021 when I met Noelle and Jeffrey for their engagement photos, capturing such an exciting season of life for them! Little did we know that here we are in 2023, capturing and celebrating yet another special and exciting season of life together!

Engagement, 2021

Engagement, 2021

I am so honored when my couples repeatedly choose me to capture these huge moments in their lifetime. This is what being a photographer is all about- creating connections and relationships through photography that last!

Wedding, 2022. Jade Phan Designs, The Magnolia Room, Makeup By Jenny Le, Hair By Aura Elizabeth

Wedding, 2022. Jade Phan Designs, The Magnolia Room, Makeup By Jenny Le, Hair By Aura Elizabeth

Photography for me doesn’t stop at engagement photos and then the wedding. I am also along for the ride of wherever life takes my clients! That can be pregnancy reveals, maternity sessions, newborn photos, or even boudoir! (Yes I do that too in case you didn’t know!)

Pregnancy Reveal, 2023.

Congratulations again to Jeffrey & Noelle! Thank you for repeatedly choosing me and believing in me to capture your big life moments. Can’t wait for baby girl Nguyen coming in March!

Loray Mill Wedding | Lindsey & Nathan by Kelli Conley

Lindsey and Nathan are just the sweetest! When I first met Lindsey to chat about her wedding day we skyped since she was in school in Wilmington and I feel like we just clicked right away! Then throughout the whole wedding planning process I knew that her wedding would be beautiful and filled with emotion. They decided to get married in their local church and to have the reception at the beautiful Loray Mill. One of the photos she specifically requested was for me to get pictures of her and Nathan in the prayer room immediately following their processional at the end of their ceremony. I absolutely adore these pictures of them share those first minutes as husband and wife in that prayer room. They also had one of the sweetest first looks I have witnessed, and were surrounded by beautiful stained glass from the church’s windows. Also their reception could not have been more fun, they had such a beautiful ambiance in the mill. And their bridal party and guests were such a blast to hang out with in the photo booth, on the dance floor, and during their beautiful sparkler exit!

Venue: Ceremony at Myers memorial Methodist Reception at Loray Mill
Catering: Waiters Choice
Cake: Brenda's Cake Gallery
Dj: Audio to go
Rentals: Creative Solutions
Bridesmaids dresses: David's Bridal
Her dress: New York Bride and Groom
Florist: New Creations

River Run Country Club Wedding | Bri & Ryan | October 8TH, 2016 by Kelli Conley

Not even a hurricane could stop Bri & Ryan from having one of the best days of their life! When I got to the River Run Country Club I remember checking in on Bri and she wasn’t phased a bit that a hurricane had hit that morning and she wouldn’t be able to have her ceremony outside like she had envisioned. She was just happy to be marrying Ryan no matter what the weather. Their amazing planner Amanda helped transform the ballroom into a gorgeous ceremony space with an amazing display of candles and flowers in front of the fireplace. Everyone was in awe of how beautiful it all turned out considering, and to top it off a rainbow appeared right after the ceremony! Bri also didn’t worry one bit about wet grass and followed along as I took them to a beautiful bridge just down the way for their couples portraits (the videographer even brought out his drone). So no need to worry about a hurricane on your wedding day, there always seems to be a beautiful rainbow at the end!

Wedding Planning, Design and Flowers: Magnificent Moments Weddings

Venue, Catering, and Cake: River Run Country Club

Hair and Make up: Sweet Magnolia Beauties

 DJ: Split Second Sound

Videography: CLT Production

Wedding was featured in Borrowed and Blue.