In December, Brides.com named Kiyah C Photography one of America’s top wedding photographers of 2020. All glory to God! I’m honored and humbled to be on this list alongside some of the most talented photographers in the world.

I truly never imagined what my love for taking pictures in middle school would lead to. From photographing my first wedding in college to eventually this accomplishment and more. I wouldn’t be here without my clients, the support from my family and friends, and my Jesus. This is all only possible by putting God first in my business and my life!

As we all know, 2020 was an unforgettable and unpredictable year. As the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in March, I faced the reality that the rest of my year would not go as planned. By April, all of my remaining weddings were postponed, downsized, or canceled, and I was getting unsure about the state of the event industry as a whole. Was this the end of the weddings I’d grown to love photographing and celebrating? Were we ever going to all gather safely and joyfully again? Are my business and my livelihood in danger? Many questions were swirling in my head, but I held on to two things: God is in control; love will never be canceled.

In 2020, I was able to photograph 15 incredible weddings in Atlanta, Virginia, and Maryland. These weddings looked nothing like my couples or I could have imagined! Living room ceremonies, family portraits in masks, vows live-streamed on Zoom, little to no bridesmaids and groomsmen, plans changed 3+ times over, distanced dance parties, and more. And yet, at the end of each celebration, I left with the same joy I felt after the very first wedding I photographed in 2014. No matter what a wedding looks like, there will be love, truth, beauty, and people. These are the things that matter and are meaningful to my job, my clients, and my work.

While being included on this list isn’t the sole mark of my success as a wedding photographer, I’m still so grateful and proud to be on it. It’s helped me realize how my passion, hard work, and faith in God’s promises to me have not gone unnoticed. Ultimately, I photograph weddings because of the clients I get to work with, and their satisfaction is my main motivation. However, public recognition is a wonderful encouragement and I’m humbled in every sense! Thank you, Brides, for the honor and recognition to be named one of the top wedding photographers in America during an especially crazy year.

About Brides.com

BRIDES is an American website and magazine started in 1934 and designed to be an inclusive, in-depth resource for brides-to-be. BRIDES includes over 10,000 articles giving advice and inspiration from the top experts, vendors, writers, and editors in the wedding industry. With over 4 million monthly readers, BRIDES aims to inspire, guide, and entertain brides through authentic and celebratory help during their planning process.