Is there a trick to sending mail with AWS?

I am using an AWS LightSail server. My domain is verified in SES using the CNAME records provided. 
I am trying to send a simple test email like this:

$email = \Config\Services::email();
$email->setFrom('[email protected]', 'My Domain');
$email->setTo('[email protected]');
$email->setSubject('Email Test');
$email->setMessage('Testing the email class.');
$email->send();
$data = $email->printDebugger(['headers']);
print_r($data);

There are no errors, $data is empty, and if I use:
if ($email->send) {} it says it was sent. I am trying to use the built in email from Plesk, which is on and the sending account exists.