Behind the Lens: Keshia Amburgey's Journey from Passion to Profession

Keshia Amburgey’s passion for photography began not in a classroom, but in the quiet moments of everyday life. It was a journey sparked by her desire to capture fleeting memories.

When Keshia’s daughter, McKaley, was born, Keshia became fascinated with taking photos of her daughter with her PowerShot camera and editing those precious milestones. What began as simple curiosity quickly turned into a passion that shaped the trajectory of her life and career.

Though Keshia continued to capture moments with her daughter through her camera lens, it wasn’t until 2011 that Keshia’s photography journey truly began, when her husband, Tom, purchased Keshia her first “good” camera. It was a gift that opened a world of creative possibilities.

At the time, Keshia was attending Union College, working toward a career in psychology. Her life was busy, balancing the demands of school, being a wife and raising her daughter, yet she kept coming back to photography.

Armed with her new camera and an unwavering enthusiasm to learn, Keshia dove headfirst into the craft. She sought out online resources, tutorials, and forums where she could learn from others who have turned their own passion into a career.

“I was really wanting a mentor, but none of the local photographers here were doing any kind of mentoring, so all of my mentors are from YouTube and Facebook—they just don’t know it,” Keshia said. “There weren’t a lot of tutorials out there, so I really had to do my best to press a bunch of buttons and just figure it out.”

Keshia spent countless hours experimenting with settings and lighting, practicing on her daughter and anyone else that would be her model. Trial and error became her best teacher, and slowly but surely, her skills began to evolve.

“There is a manual to learn your camera but there is no manual to be artistic and creative, I think that just comes naturally,” Keshia said.

For many, the idea of switching careers midstream can be daunting, but Keshia was willing to take the chance. Despite being almost finished with her psychology degree, Keshia decided to quit school and pursue her growing passion for photography and never looked back.

“It was a gamble,” Keshia said.

Starting a business is never easy, especially starting a business built on a skill you have taught yourself, but Keshia pushed through. Keshia began by offering giveaways where she would do a free photo session to get her name out there and some extra practice until she began reaching more clients, and with each session, her confidence grew.

“I would try to have client sessions three times a week at least and that was pushing it—I wasn’t busy at all; I wasn’t making a lot of money either,” she said. “I was making maybe $200 a week, but then I started finding a niche.”

Keshia realized her love for senior portraits, engagements, branding/headshots, and sports portraits, which Keshia has dubbed “sportraits.” Each type of session brings its own unique challenges and opportunities, and Keshia thrives on the diversity of her work.

For high school seniors, Keshia captures the excitement and individuality of a pivotal moment in their lives. Her branding and headshot photography help small business owners and professionals showcase their personality and professionalism, something that is important to Keshia. Her engagement sessions capture the love between each couple she photographs. And her sports portraits celebrate the determination and skill of local student-athletes, turning action and passion into works of art.

Over the years, Keshia’s photography has evolved both technically and artistically.

“I started by focusing on natural light and candid moments, and through experience, I’ve developed a strong eye for storytelling, expressing creativity and emotion,” she said, noting that her editing style has also changed from her first sessions.

“My editing style has matured, becoming more consistent and reflective of my brand, and I’ve expanded into new genres that challenge and inspire me creatively. I’m always learning, adapting to new trends, and refining my skills to better serve my clients and create timeless images.”

Whether it is a candid smile or an intimate moment, Keshia’s photos resonate deeply with her clients, as they keep coming back for more from, seeing clients grow throughout their sessions from doing their senior portraits to weddings to family sessions and all the little moments in between.

“It makes you feel so good that they trust you every time and for every milestone, they come back to you,” she said. 

Through it all, Keshia’s approach remains consistent: she aims to create bold, authentic images that tell someone’s story. Her ability to connect with her clients on a personal level allows her to draw out their unique qualities and translate them into stunning, timeless photographs that her clients will enjoy for years to come.

Keshia’s photography business continued to grow steadily over the years, but one dream remained—owning a studio of her own. For nearly a decade, she worked tirelessly towards this goal, each photoshoot bringing her closer to making it a reality. Finally, in 2020, that dream came true when she, and her business partner, Jina LaFary, opened their photography studio in downtown London.

Studio 206 isn’t just a physical space; it represents years of hard work and determination. It is a place where Keshia has been able to further hone her craft and offer clientele a professional and welcoming environment, something unique for Keshia’s clientele.

“My studio is a cozy, welcoming space designed to make clients feel comfortable and at home,” Keshia said.

The front of the studio space is the perfect setting for senior portraits, families and branding shoots, especially when outdoor weather isn’t ideal.

“It’s also a space where creativity flows, and I love using it to connect with clients in a more intimate and relaxed environment,” Keshia said.

The opening of the studio marked a major milestone in Keshia’s career, a testament to her resilience and unwavering belief in her vision. Studio 206 has become a hub for creativity, a place where stories are told and memories are preserved.

“Having this studio has really been a blessing,” she said. “It has changed my mindset on the way I shoot and everything.”

Keshia’s story reminds us that success doesn’t always follow a straight line, and that sometimes, the most rewarding paths are the ones we carve for ourselves. With determination, curiosity, and a lot of hard work, Keshia turned a simple gift—a camera—into a life-changing opportunity.

“You could probably blame all of this on my husband because he’s the one that got me my first camera,” Keshia said. “He has been behind me on this whole journey, along with my daughter.”

For Keshia, this is more than just a career—it is an integral part of her life. It is a way to connect with others, to freeze moments in time, and to celebrate the beauty of everyday life. Her work is infused with gratitude, as she often reflects on how fortunate she is to turn her passion into a profession. But Keshia admits, it is more work than people can begin to understand, from editing photos to marketing to scheduling and so much more.

Spending countless hours editing the smallest of blemishes, answering inquiries and finding new ways to reach clients, it can all be a lot for one person. But the thing that keeps her going?

“It’s the people that I meet, having them in front of my camera,” Keshia said. “I love getting a girl in here and her mom says, ‘she doesn’t have hardly any confidence at all, she’s so down on herself,’ then being able to show her the images I have taken and showing her how beautiful she is and the joy—that pushes me through. One of my favorite things is showing these girls just how beautiful they are.”

And though she has had the honor of shooting some special sessions, Keshia’s favorite subject to photograph is still her daughter, McKaley, who remains her biggest inspiration in photography and in life.

Looking ahead, Keshia hopes to encourage a new generation of photographers with plans to continue growing her business by expanding studio offerings and creating more educational content for aspiring photographers through online and in-person workshops. But for now, you can find behind the lens at Keshia Amburgey Photography - 206 North Main Street, in the heart of downtown.