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

Hi Madelynn, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

I would say a risk I took was in December 2023 when I decided to dedicate myself to photography.

I had just moved from Oklahoma to Portland in early 2023. I had spent the majority of the year attempting to adjust to the city, not knowing exactly how to do so with a remote job. It was a year filled with lots of personal challenges, change, and accidentally going the wrong direction on a one way street.

Needless to say, it was a tough year. One day, I reached out to a venue, Polaris Hall, to ask if I could photograph a concert at no expense. I’ve always been interested in photographing artists but was always too worried about what others may think or say. Looking back, it felt like a major risk, walking into a room of people I didn’t know, doing something I wasn’t completely sure how to do. But to my surprise it couldn’t have gone better! The band was great, I had complete creative freedom and I made a friend within the first 15 minutes who happened to be a photographer in the city.

I felt more at home than I had in the last year. It was an amazing feeling to put aside my fear and to find solace in something I was truly in love with.

Madelynn, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Madelynn but most people call me Mady. My dad is in the corporate world and my mom is a seamstress. I was born in Oklahoma and have four brothers, two older and two younger. Our family had moved around frequently in my younger years and I still treasure my time spent in places like Nebraska and Florida. I was thankful that I was a part of a family that allowed me to explore new places. Eventually my family ended up settling back in Oklahoma.

Fast forward to early 2023, my partner and I made the move from Oklahoma to Portland. It was really hard for me to adjust at first. I was incredibly close to my parents and not having my parents down the road was difficult for me. Nonetheless we eventually settled in.

Unfortunately on December 7th, 2023 I was woken by a call from my parents that one of my older brothers, McKeon, had passed away. I ended up flying back to Oklahoma and spent the following month with my family. Near the end of that month, one night on the couch with my dad, he had asked me what I was passionate about. I told him if I could do anything it would be to follow around rock bands and take pictures of them. He didn’t even blink an eye! Long story short- I flew home with a brand new camera. I think Mckeon’s passing had made us all realize how short life can be and that it’s important to do the things you are passionate about. Once I flew back to Portland, I booked my first show and haven’t looked back.

Since then I have photographed artists such as T-Pain, The Wallows, Central Cee, Billy Idol, The Femmes, and so many more! I have found myself in some incredible places I never thought I would have space in. Concert Photography has led me to other forms of photography as well. I’ve had the privilege of photographing for local businesses, weddings, and artists of all kinds.

I love the creative freedom photography gives me and more so the relationships I build with the people I meet doing photography. I find it important to listen to the person I am photographing and enjoy executing a vision, whether it’s mine or someone else’s.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

My most effective strategy for growing my clientele is simply putting myself out there as much as I can. I reach out to people I want to work with even if I don’t think they will respond! I connect with fellow photographers and always try to introduce myself and collaborate with other creatives. Not only is your work being more exposed but you are making friends! I also find it incredibly important to be confident in what you are doing because that reflects in your work! Creating relationships with those I photograph is one of my favorite parts.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I had to unlearn was that it was too late in life for me to completely pivot my career. I was so scared to get in to photography because I was not only worried what people would think but I also was worried I wouldn’t fit in to the space or wouldn’t be “talented” enough. I knew photographers who had been in the game for decades and I thought that it would give me a major disadvantage. It really doesn’t though! Of course I run into problems here and there but there is always someone in the photography community willing to help out. I’ve met some amazing people that I wouldn’t have met otherwise.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Madymackey
• Other: A lot of my writing and photography is on ElevenPDX.com!

Image Credits

All images are my own