Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Madelin Berry. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Madelin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

Believe it or not, the idea of “Snaps by Madelin” came from an assignment I had when I was working on my Bachelor’s degree. I took an entrepreneurship course, in which I had to come up with a business plan for a real or fictional business. Photography has always been a passion and interest of mine, so to base my business on that was simple. I had recently gotten married and I was thinking about photography more and more around that time. I started to think, what would have happened if I took the leap? Where would I be if I followed my dreams.

I came up with my business name from the assignment. I wanted something that stood out and was different, like me! I came up with marketing strategies, a moto, a projected start date, etc. I never thought that it would actually come to pass, but it did in the most unexpected way.

Madelin , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Madelin and I am a wedding photographer based out of Central Florida. I became passionate for weddings because it reminded me of when I got married. We had the best wedding photographers and I remember how comfortable they made us feel, how much fun my husband and I had, and the beautiful images we have to remember those memories. I would love to do the same for my clients, and I am happy to use both my personal and professional experience to provide my service.

For me, it’s really important to serve my clients. It truly isn’t about me. God gave me this gift and I am so happy I have the ability to use it. Nothing makes me more happy than capturing the emotions and memories of a special moment between people that have so much love for each other. It can be felt and seen through the images.

My interest in photography started a very long time ago. As a kid, I would offer to take pictures of other people. Granted, I didn’t want to be in the picture, so offering was my excuse to not be in it. But I found comfort in it because I was good at it. I must have been in elementary or middle school when I went to a party of close family friends. They are a huge family and don’t get together often. Two of the sisters were trying to take selfies to remember the moment. They weren’t happy with how the images were coming out. I saw this and I offered to take their pictures. They’re expressions and reactions were priceless. It truly made me feel good that they were so happy with what I captured. It was only a picture on a phone, but a photo and memory captured means so much more. Throughout the years, I continued to do the same, mostly taking pictures here and there. I even offered to edit images of my friends if they liked my status. Thinking back, there were always cameras and pictures in our household. My mom likes to take pictures of everything. I never knew it would play such a huge role into where I am today.

I took a hiatus from photography for a long time. I considered it as a career path in middle school when I toured Full Sail. But as time went on and I grew older, I got distracted by what I should do. I didn’t really have many interests, so I spent a long time trying to figure out what I could do. Nothing quite stood out. After I got married, my interest in photography started again and I decided I wanted to just do it. My mom found some old cameras for me to use and I offered a few free sessions. I even earned $25 from one. I soon realized that the equipment was not the best and I shared this with my parents. They immediately supported me and bought me my first camera. Between school and work, I’d try to find time to use it, mostly practicing on myself. In late 2021, I made the decision to put myself out there for real this time. I offered holiday mini sessions. My husband and I bought and made the decor for it. Our neighbor even let us use his truck. The amount of interest and support was unreal. I felt like I could actually do this. I joined photography groups, posted my images, and also offered to help other photographers for free. I was given some opportunities and I grew my portfolio from there.

I had a full-time job when I took the holiday sessions and assisted with weddings. I was doing photography during the weekends and working during the week. It truly sparked a flame in me that I never felt before. I grew more and more unhappy at my job and photography, my family, and God were the only great things in my life at that time. One morning, God spoke to me. A voice in my mind said “Get your LLC”. I kinda laughed it off at first. I had just started taking pictures, there’s no way this was going to grow bigger than what it was. But then I thought about it, and then I realized it was God. When I worked on my Bachelor’s degree, I decided Snaps by Madelin would be a sole proprietorship. The instructor even tried to talk me out of it, but I was set on that. A couple weeks went by and things at my job just weren’t working out. Before I talked to my boss, I prayed. I was ready to leave and I prayed for insight and for his will to be done. I also told him I needed an obvious sign, because I was terrified. Throughout our conversation, he was trying his best to convince me to stay. Then, like a switch, he said I can see your unhappy here, it’s unfair to ask you to stay. It was the reassurance I needed to know my decision was the right one. From that day, I decided I would start my business and get my LLC.

When I started, I definitely had to grind. I took the time to learn my camera, learn how to pose, create a website, marketing, editing, you name it. I was building a business from the ground up and I held on to what God spoke to me. There were many times I doubted and wanted to give up, but every time I was given a reason to keep fighting. The doors and opportunities I’ve had are nothing short of a miracle. In my first year, I captured 17 weddings, 4 elopements, and 128 sessions. I will always give all the praise and glory to God, because it’s not by my doing, but by his.

What I’m most proud of is the amount of people I’ve reached in such a short amount of time. For me, it’s so important that my clients are happy with the images they’ve received, and that I leave a positive impact people I meet on this journey. I’ve been able to share my faith and personality openly and it has been well received. I am so thankful for everyone I’ve met, the friends I’ve made, and the memories we share.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When I started photography, I took pictures of everything. I just wanted to be behind the camera. As time went on, I realized that I wanted to focus on weddings and couples because of the connection I had with my clients. I had already been in their shoes could offer them my perspective, knowledge, and experience. It was hard to step away from family because if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be where I am. But I didn’t want to continue to offer something in which I knew they could find someone better. It’s not always about the quality of the images, it’s also about the connection.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

What I love about the Bachelor’s degree program that I graduated from is the wealth of knowledge it provided me. I learned about myself and the type of boss and person I want to be. I am so thankful I get to carry this with me because it was truly the best stepping stone I needed before starting my own business. I have my Bachelor’s in Organizational Management.

Here are a few things that have stood out to me and some books I’ve read:
– Think of a boutique store that has their items in front of glass window for all to see. If your life was on display, would you be ashamed or embarrassed? Or would you be content? Your business should be the same.
– Commit yourself to be a life-long learner.
– Surround yourself with truth tellers.
– All the success in the world means nothing if you don’t have integrity.
– “HBR’s 10 must reads on Emotional Intelligence”
– “The Go-Giver” by Bob Burg and John David Mann
– Trust in God and his timing

Contact Info:

• Website: snapsbymadelin.mypixieset.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/snapsbymadelin
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/Snapsbymadelin
• Other: www.zola.com/wedding-vendors/wedding-photographers/snaps-by-madelin