Ken Clough Photography

07/19/2026

For much of my life, I've been an educator.

Whether I'm teaching the Photography Merit Badge at Scout camp, mentoring photography interns, or writing books about photography, I've discovered something unexpected:

Teaching hasn't just helped others learn; it has helped me become a better photographer.

Explaining why I do something forces me to revisit the fundamentals, reflect on my process, and continually refine my craft.

I shared more about that journey in my latest blog post, What Teaching Photography Has Taught Me.

https://kencloughphotography.com/what-teaching-photography-has-taught-me/

07/12/2026

Some weddings are filled with grand moments. Others remind you that it's the quiet ones you'll remember most.

Yesterday, I had the privilege of photographing Liv & Erik as they began this new chapter together at the beautiful Mabee Farm in Rotterdam Junction.

From laughter beneath an old tree, to a quiet moment beneath the veil, to their first dance surrounded by the people who love them most—it was a day that never felt rushed. It simply unfolded, one genuine moment at a time.

Thank you, Liv & Erik, for trusting me to tell your story. Congratulations to you both! ❤️

Here's a small preview while I continue working through the rest of your day.

07/02/2026

I’ve been spending some time this week working through the photographs from Shannon and Doug’s beautiful wedding at The Duo at the Dunes, and I keep finding moments that make me smile.

Their day wasn’t about rushing from one photo to the next—it was about celebrating with the people they love most. We created beautiful portraits, but we also made sure they had plenty of time to simply enjoy being together and experience every moment of their wedding day.

One of my favorite parts of being a wedding photographer is reliving these moments while editing. Every image brings back another memory from a day that was filled with laughter, family, and genuine joy.

I can’t wait to share more from their story over the coming days.

Congratulations again, Shannon and Doug, and thank you for trusting me to be part of such an incredible day.

❤️

Venue: Duo at the Dunes

06/28/2026

For most of my professional life, I’ve had two parallel careers.

During the week, I worked in higher education, helping young adults prepare for their futures.

On weekends, I photographed weddings, documenting another important milestone in their lives.

For years, I thought of those as two very different professions.

Looking back, I realize they were guided by the same philosophy.

Whether I was meeting with a student or sitting down with an engaged couple, I never believed my role was to make decisions for people. My role was to listen, ask thoughtful questions, share what I’ve learned, and help them make confident decisions for themselves.

That philosophy has shaped not only the way I photograph weddings, but also why I’ve written books, created guides, recorded podcasts, and built resources for couples planning one of the most important days of their lives.

I recently put those thoughts together in a new essay called Why Conversation Comes Before the Camera. It isn’t really about photography. It’s about the thread that has connected my life’s work and why conversation, trust, and understanding have always come before the camera.

If you’re curious about the ideas behind my approach to wedding photography, I’d love for you to read it.

Why would a wedding photographer spend years writing books, recording podcasts, and creating guides for couples? This essay shares the philosophy that connects my work in higher education and wedding photography.

06/24/2026

What’s your senior portrait vibe?

Not every senior portrait has to be a field, a fence, or a cap-and-gown smile.

Some sessions are bright and playful.
Some are outdoors at sunset.
And some feel a little more like this, quiet, dramatic, and centered around something that actually matters to you.

Your senior session should feel like you. Your interests, your style, your personality, your season of life.

If music is part of your story, let’s photograph that.
If you want something cinematic, editorial, or a little different from what everyone else is doing, we can do that too.

Senior portraits don’t have to look like everyone else’s. They just have to feel true to you.

06/23/2026

📖 New Free Resource for Engaged Couples

One of the most common questions I hear from couples is:

“How do we know which wedding photographer is right for us?”

The answer is rarely found in a package list or a pricing guide.

The best photography decisions happen when couples first understand what matters most to them—what they want to remember, how they want to experience their wedding day, and what role photography will play in preserving those memories.

That’s why I created Finding Your Wedding Photography Fit: A Guided Workbook for Couples.

Inside, you’ll find reflection exercises, discussion prompts, and practical worksheets designed to help you:

✓ Clarify what matters most on your wedding day
✓ Understand your photography priorities
✓ Compare photographers more confidently
✓ Have better conversations as a couple during the planning process

Whether you ultimately work with me or another photographer, my hope is that this workbook helps you make a decision that feels right for you.

📥 Download your free copy at the link below:

I’d love to hear what resonates with you as you work through it.

Choosing a wedding photographer is about more than price and portfolios. This free workbook helps couples discover what matters most before making one of the most important wedding decisions.

06/21/2026

One of the reasons I offer wedding videography is because photographs and video preserve different parts of the story.

Photographs can show you what the moment looked like.

Video lets you hear it.

Last night at Shannon and Doug’s wedding at Duo at the Dunes, the dance floor came alive as everyone joined together singing Sweet Caroline at the top of their lungs. It’s one of those end-of-the-night moments that becomes part of the memory of the day, the kind of moment you can still hear years later when you watch it back.

A special shout-out to Party with Todd for keeping the energy high and the dance floor packed all night long.

These are the moments that make wedding films so special: not just the big events, but the sounds, laughter, voices, and shared experiences that photographs alone can’t fully capture.

Congratulations again, Shannon and Doug.

06/21/2026

Sneak Peek | Shannon & Doug at Duo at the Dunes

There’s a moment before every first look that never lasts very long, but somehow seems to stretch forever.

The anticipation.
The excitement.
The quiet nerves.

Shannon took those final steps toward Doug yesterday, knowing that in just a few seconds he would turn around and see her for the first time on their wedding day. Doug stood waiting, caught between the calm of the moment and the anticipation of what was about to happen.

It’s one of the reasons I love first looks. Not because of the reveal itself, but because of everything that happens in the moments leading up to it, the emotion, the expectation, and the realization that the day they have been planning for so long is finally here.

A beautiful day celebrating Shannon and Doug at Duo at the Dunes. More images to come.

06/20/2026

Wedding day today.

Before I leave for a wedding, I often spend a few minutes revisiting passages from my book, The Experience of Being Photographed.

Not because I need to remember camera settings or timelines.

But because I want to remember what this day feels like for the couple.

For most people, being photographed isn’t something they do every day. It can feel exciting, emotional, vulnerable, and sometimes a little uncomfortable.

My job isn’t simply to create beautiful images.

My job is to help people feel seen, comfortable, and present enough to be themselves.

The photographs come from that.

As I head out to today’s wedding, that’s what I’m thinking about.

Not poses.

Not equipment.

But, people.

06/17/2026

📷 The Myth of Being Photogenic

One of the most common things I hear from couples before a wedding is:

“I’m not photogenic.”

After years of photographing weddings, families, and portraits, I’ve come to believe that most people are wrong about that.

What many people call “not being photogenic” is really a combination of self-consciousness, unfamiliarity with being photographed, and seeing themselves differently than others see them.

The people we love don’t see us as a collection of poses, angles, or expressions. They see our personality, our laughter, our connection, and the moments that make us who we are.

The photographs that matter most years from now are rarely the perfect ones. They are the honest ones.

The smile you didn’t realize you had.
The look you shared with someone you love.
The moment you forgot there was a camera nearby.

Perhaps the question isn’t whether you’re photogenic.

Perhaps the question is whether you’re allowing yourself to be present.

Have you ever felt uncomfortable in front of a camera?