Meet Madi Ellis

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Madi Ellis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Madi below.

Madi, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
My mother is my hero. She has worked her way up as a partner at a top law firm in Chicago from her humble beginnings. Her own needs come second to those who need her help and she loves what she does. Every time I’m in a tricky scenario, I always think about how my mom would handle it and use that as my compass.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m a full time wedding photographer in Chicago. I love being able to meet new people, work exciting events and dance the night away at my gigs. I’ve never felt like a 9-5 was the goal for me; my work experience took me through many different journeys through retail, restaurants, and other types of photography. But being able to capture such important events for people gives me an unbeatable rush.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Networking, education, and perseverance.

Networking: always keep reaching out to other people in your industry. Shake hands, go to meetups, assist for photographers you admire. Get people to know you and your business. Nearly 50% of my inquiries in 2023 came from people specially recommending my name, whether that was from a venue, a planner, another photographer or a friend.

Education: never stop learning or growing. I went through an online education course that skyrocketed my business and I continue to recommend it. Never be afraid to learn more, to go on retreats or take a class. Keep figuring out new avenues to market yourself and be up for the challenge of mastering it.

Perseverance: Imposter syndrome is the worst. Keep pushing. Never stop doing what you love, even if you’re in a rough patch. Keep going.

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Take a break and step back. I’ll dive into something I love, like watching a favorite tv show or meeting up with friends. When I go back to my work, it feels fresh.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Madi Ellis Photography

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