Meet Maddie Kelly

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

Maddie , first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

I overcame imposter syndrome by focusing on improving my photography skills every day and always giving my best effort for each client. I truly love my job, and it’s rewarding to hear clients say they can see my passion through my work. I have also had people start asking me to mentor them in photography, which is so exciting!

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 started my photography career in 2020 when my husband bought me my first camera. At the time, I was passionate about fashion photography and experimenting with my new gear. In 2021, I realized I wanted to pursue photography more seriously, inspired by mentors I admired.

I got married in 2022, and just six weeks later, my sister got married. Our weddings were completely different, and during her rehearsal, while our family was in town, I brought out my camera to capture the moment. Later, I started experimenting in Lightroom and thought, *”How fun would this be as a job?”* The next month, I began taking clients and practicing with friends.

Nearly every day after work or on weekends, I dedicated time to improving and becoming a respected photographer. I started shooting weddings, proposals, Auburn University graduates, families, corporate headshots, branding shoots—basically anything I was asked to do—and offered my services at a low rate to gain experience. I got incredibly busy and am so thankful for every session I took on in those early days! It was a lot of learning, but it shaped who I am today.

Now, I photograph about 50 university graduates per semester, 14 weddings a year, and also offer mentorship sessions, videography, and content creation for weddings. My husband works all the weddings with me, making Maddie Kelly Photography a family-run business.

We’re also expecting our first baby girl this spring, and I can’t wait for her to grow up and be part of this journey with us!

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?

Mastering your camera inside and out is one of the most important steps to becoming a successful photographer.

My best advice for aspiring photographers is simple: learn by doing. Practice as much as possible and immerse yourself in the process.

It’s also invaluable to have a support network—people you can turn to for advice or guidance. I always try to help others whenever they have questions because we all grow together.

Take advantage of resources like YouTube, podcasts, and practice sessions (even with your dog at home!). The more you learn and experiment, the better you’ll become.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

My husband has been an incredible support system throughout my photography journey! As a scientific photographer, he uses cameras regularly at work, and while our subjects may differ, he’s been instrumental in helping me learn my camera and choosing the gear I need to succeed.

He reviews every gallery I send out, giving me a fresh perspective, and helps take care of the financial and business side of things. He’s also full of creative ideas that keep me inspired.

On top of all that, he’s by my side at every wedding I shoot. There are times when I’m occupied, and he steps in seamlessly—I never have to worry because I know he has everything under control. Having him help makes everything easier.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Maddie Kelly Photography

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