Mady has had a camera in her hands for as long as she can remember. Literally. Somewhere in a box amongst her grandmother's belongings, you'll find albums of holidays and gatherings filled to the brim with photographs with an unexpected perspective:
the eye level a three-foot tall five year old.
Photography has been a thread throughout her entire life — from photography club to yearbook staff to photos of friends' bands to a college newspaper to a commercial portrait studio. Years and years of dabbling in everything led to finding a place where she can pursue both her love of art as well as honest storytelling.
That place is weddings.
WHEN SHE'S NOT WORKING, YOU CAN FIND HER
PLANNING A TRIP WITH HER WIFE, INGRID, SPOILING HER TWO RESCUE DOGS, WITH HER NOSE IN A BOOK, OR MAPPING OUT THE NEXT PROJECT ON THEIR 1970’S FIXER.
A note
from Mady
Their love didn’t make sense but it didn’t have to. They lived all over the states and in Okinawa (a few times), raised four kids, and also raised me. Even when my grandpa was a stubborn ass (99% of the time), she’d complain under her breath but still look at him with loving eyes. Even when his brain started to deteriorate, he would still call her his sunshine.
They are no longer with me and I miss them every day. When I see these photos, I see undeniable proof that they were real and that their love was real. I remember the smell of her cooking and his musty man cave in the backyard. I remember being woken up at four in the morning to go over my homework before school. I remember being taught how to play poker and knowing how to bluff before my seventh birthday. I remember my mom being mad about it. I remember being a apathetic teenager and not being interested in spending time with grandparents. I remember hospital trips and health scares. I remember spiraling out in nursing home lobbies and my grandma’s last words to me, “don’t cry, Mady”, that even on her last day she cared for others first. I remember the phone calls to tell me dreaded news that I already knew in my heart.
When I think of this work, especially those including multiple generations of family members and friends from all parts of life, I remember that the true value of photographs only grows in time. Photos are a reminder of all we've felt —
that we loved and were loved in return.
A legacy.
These are my grandparents.
Mady is based near Raleigh, North Carolina, but has travelled all over in pursuit of creating honest images of people in love.
Her work has been featured in Green Wedding Shoes, Junebug Weddings, Dancing with Her, Huff Post, and more.
Her clients often mention her calming presence, her preparedness, and her keen awareness of important moments.
For most of my life, they were my absolute favorite people in the world.
Their love didn’t make sense but it didn’t have to. They lived all over the states and in Okinawa (a few times), raised four kids, and also raised me. Even when my Grandpa was a stubborn ass (99% of the time), she’d complain under her breath but still look at him with loving eyes. Even when his brain started to deteriorate, he would still call her his sunshine.
Their love didn’t make sense but it didn’t have to
02/05
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They are no longer with me and I miss them every day. When I see these photos, I see undeniable proof that they were real, that their love was real. I remember the smell of her cooking and his musty man cave in the backyard. I remember being woken up at four in the morning to go over my homework before school. I remember being taught how to play poker and knowing how to bluff before my seventh birthday. I remember my mom being mad about it.
their love was real
03/05
continue reading
I remember being a dumb teenager and feeling like hanging out with grandparents wasn’t very cool (boy, was I wrong). I remember hospital trips and health scares. I remember spiraling out in nursing home lobbies and my grandma’s last words to me, “don’t cry, Mady”, that even on her last day she cared for others first. I remember the phone calls to tell me dreaded news that I already knew in my heart.
always remember
04/05
continue reading
back to the beginning
Photos are a reminder of all we've felt; a visual momento to prove that we existed and that we loved and were loved in return. They are a vehicle of nostalgia and can transport you to a time and place, surrounded by ones you love, even if you haven't seen them in a long while.
A legacy.
