Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Madison Daube. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Madison thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about one of the craziest things you’ve experienced in your journey so far.
One of the wildest moments I’ve had as a photographer was at a Jaripeo—a traditional Mexican rodeo—where I captured a serious rodeo wreck mid-ride.
It was one of those moments I never expected to experience behind the lens. As photographers, we prepare for dust, chaos, and emotion—but I wasn’t prepared to potentially document someone’s last moments. The bull rider was thrown violently and trampled, and I kept shooting out of instinct.
There was a chilling stillness after the fall, and for a while, no one knew if he had survived. Thankfully, I found out later that although he had broken several ribs and spent over a month in the hospital, he made it through.
That moment completely changed my perspective on what it means to document real life—it reminded me of the responsibility we carry as storytellers, especially in high-risk environments.
Madison, 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?
Hi, I’m Madison Daube—a photographer, visual storyteller, and founder of Badland Archive. I specialize in equine, rodeo, lifestyle, and documentary photography, with a focus on capturing real moments that reflect the grit, beauty, and soul of the people and animals I photograph.
I earned my BFA in Photography from the Academy of Art University, where I honed my technical skills and developed a deep appreciation for visual storytelling. While school gave me the foundation, it was real life—being in the dirt, under the sun, shooting wild rodeos and quiet ranch mornings—that shaped my voice as an artist.
Through my personal brand and client work, I offer:
Fine art equine prints
Rodeo and event photography (including Jaripeos and jackpots)
Family, maternity, and wedding portrait sessions
Commercial and editorial photography for Western and lifestyle brands
What sets my work apart is its rawness. I’m not interested in overly posed moments—I want the dust, the emotion, the in-between. Whether I’m documenting a bull rider mid-air or a mother brushing her child’s hair before a portrait, I look for that quiet truth most people overlook.
What I’m most proud of is building trust with my subjects. Whether I’m working with ranch families, young rodeo athletes, or Western brands, I show up with deep respect for the people and culture I’m documenting.
For potential clients, fans, or followers—know this: I’m not here to fabricate stories. I’m here to tell them as they are, with reverence for the lifestyle, land, and legacy behind every frame.
You can find my latest work at www.themadpics.com and follow along on Instagram at @madpics.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I think what helped me build my reputation was a mix of consistency, trust, and a clear point of view.
I’ve always been intentional about how I show up—for my clients, for the communities I document, and for the stories I choose to tell. Especially in the equine and rodeo world, trust is everything. People can tell when you’re just there for the aesthetic versus when you genuinely respect the lifestyle. I take the time to build relationships and understand the culture, and I think that comes through in my work.
Consistency has also been huge. Whether I’m shooting a high-energy rodeo or a quiet branding shoot on a family ranch, I aim to deliver honest, high-quality work every single time. Word of mouth has played a big role—clients sharing their experience with others who value that same authenticity.
Finally, I’ve learned that having a strong point of view matters. I’m not trying to be everything to everyone. I’ve leaned into the grit, the texture, the imperfect beauty of Western life. That clarity makes my work recognizable, and that recognition builds trust.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
For a long time, I operated from the mindset of “I need to do this to make money.” But everything shifted when I asked myself, “Would I do this on my day off?” And the answer was yes—without hesitation. That day-off mindset is where my real passion was born. It’s where I stopped chasing approval and started creating from instinct, emotion, and purpose.
When you’re tapped into that place—where you’d show up for the work even if no one paid you—people can feel it. They trust it. And ironically, that’s when the money follows. Clients don’t just hire you for your talent; they hire you because they see your passion and know you care as deeply about their story as they do.
That mindset continues to drive me: creating from passion first, and trusting that everything else—recognition, income, opportunities—will fall into place because the work is rooted in something real.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.themadpics.com
- Instagram: @madpics
Image Credits
all images belong to Madison Daube