One of the things I love about being the photographer for the Miss Clemson University pageant is seeing how each contestant represents the school in her own way. There are women representing sororities, teams, and all sorts of campus organizations. Not only that, but it’s a more relaxed pageant environment for the people who have never competed before, and each competitor is being cheered on by the other members of the organization she represents. This year, the talent portion included dancing, singing, piano, chemistry, painting, sign language, and a monologue. Mattie came out on top of the talent portion with a jazz dance to River Deep, Montain High by Céline Dion, and took home the crown that night!

Mattie represented the Clemson tour guides when she was crowned Miss Clemson University. Yes, you could have a campus tour with Miss Clemson University! She is also a member of Alpha Delta Pi and is one of the Rally Cat dancers. She is a communications major and an intern with the Pearce Center. Mattie had competed in pageants when she was younger and decided to give this one a shot. Now, she represents Clemson and all the people who make it the wonderful place it is!

Mattie’s session was on a perfect spring day with a handful of trees turning pink or white. She wore an electric purple evening gown from Mackenzie Jade, an orange jumpsuit, and her Rally Cat uniform during the session—all equally amazing for representing Clemson. We made our way through campus, from Daniel Hall to the outside of Death Valley, and even got a few photos with the Clemson mural that was painted downtown last year. We ended the night watching a stunning sunset from Library Bridge, and we snuck in a few cool photos of her crown with it!

Check out some of the photos from my fun evening with Mattie!

Want photos that show you at the best university ever? Send me a message to get started, or check out some of my other work from around Clemson below!

Miss Clemson University 2020 Portraits | Mattie

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