We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Madison Frazier. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Madison below.
Alright, Madison thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?
Yes! I’ve been able to earn a full-time living as a photographer, but the journey to get here was anything but instant. My love for photography started as a little girl, inspired by my grandpa, who did photography as a hobby and always had a camera in hand. That curiosity turned into passion when I got my first camera in high school and joined the yearbook staff—I never wanted to put it down.
Fast forward to college, I studied Mass Media & Communications at UTC, where I took Photojournalism I & II and completely fell in love with documenting people’s stories. That love grew even more when I studied abroad in London in the summer of 2018, taking photojournalism classes and immersing myself in storytelling through photography. When I came back to the states that Summer, I knew without a doubt that I wanted this to be my career. I graduated in 2019, originally dreaming of becoming a photojournalist for National Geographic. But along the way, I found wedding photography—and I fell in love with that instead.
That being said, talent and passion alone don’t make a successful photography career. I quickly learned that taking beautiful photos is only a small part of the job. You have to do the work—learn your camera, understand lighting and settings, invest in education, network, and constantly grow. I also did hundreds of free shoots in college to practice—because the more I shot, the better I got. After college, I did three mentor sessions with full-time photographers and attended three week-long photography workshops. The first two years, I barely charged anything and worked another part-time job for a magazine, but that period of learning was invaluable.
Now, with technology, there are so many resources for aspiring photographers. TikToks, YouTube videos, online courses—there’s a wealth of information at your fingertips. I always tell new photographers: never stop learning. If you want this career, you have to be self-motivated and willing to put in the time. You make time for the things you care about, and for me, photography was always something I was willing to pour my energy into.
Looking back, I think I could have sped up the process by focusing on branding and business strategies earlier. But every step, every shoot, and every mistake shaped the photographer and business owner I am today. I wouldn’t trade that for anything!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m a 28-year-old full-time wedding and lifestyle photographer based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, but I’ve been fortunate over the past two years to travel frequently for destination weddings. Wherever your love story takes you, I’m always ready to follow! My passion lies in creatively documenting real and raw love stories for couples in East Tennessee and beyond. While weddings are my primary focus, I still love capturing lifestyle sessions throughout the week, and one of my favorite parts of my job is photographing the milestones of my past couples—whether it’s their first home, first child, or other big life moments. Being part of their journey beyond the wedding day is something I cherish deeply.
Originally, I went to college intending to become a photojournalist, and that background heavily influences my photography and editing style today. While I’m always happy to guide my couples through posing, my heart truly lies in capturing candid, unscripted moments as they naturally unfold. Whether it’s an intimate chapel wedding or an epic destination elopement, I strive to immortalize each detail with a storytelling approach—giving couples beautifully realistic memories they can hold onto forever. A few words that best describe my brand? Organic, artistic, down-to-earth, genuine, and modern.
What truly sets me apart is my ability to connect with people. I’m extremely extroverted, and I recharge by being around others, so I thrive in environments where I can get to know my couples on a personal level. I pay close attention to the little things—how much you love your grandparents, how important your pet is to you, or the small traditions that hold deep meaning on your wedding day. I don’t just show up to take photos; I invest in my couples, and many of them become friends. That’s why I love what I do—every couple has a unique love story, and no two weddings are ever the same.
One of the biggest concerns my clients have is the fast pace of their wedding day. With so much happening during those 8 to 12 hours, it can be overwhelming to take it all in. Many brides worry they’ll miss important moments or that the day will feel like a blur. That’s why my second shooter and I make it our priority to capture everything—big or small—so you can relive it all through your gallery. My galleries often include 1,200 to 1,500 images, because if you hug your aunt for the first time that day, I’ll be there to capture it. If your mom sheds a tear during your first dance, I won’t miss it. My goal is for you to have a collection of moments that bring you right back to how it all felt.
I feel incredibly grateful to have turned my passion into a career, and even in the busiest seasons, I never take for granted the creativity and talent that God has given me. Some days, I can’t believe this is my job—I truly feel like I’m living the dream.
When I’m not behind the camera, you’ll probably find me hanging out with my dog, traveling, practicing yoga, going to concerts, or listening to music—always surrounded by people, because that’s where I thrive.
My mission statement:
CREATIVELY DOCUMENTING REAL AND RAW LOVE STORIES FOR COUPLES IN EAST TENNESSEE & BEYOND or
MADISON FRAZIER IS A PHOTO-JOURNALISTIC WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER FOR MADLY-IN-LOVE COUPLES IN EAST TENNESSEE & BEYOND.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
Most of my business comes from word-of-mouth, which is something I’m incredibly proud of! I can’t even count how many times I’ve photographed a wedding where one of the bridesmaids later becomes my next bride. In many cases, I end up capturing an entire friend group’s weddings over the years, which is such a special experience.
One small but meaningful thing I do at weddings is take the time to learn each bridesmaid’s name at the start of the day. I make a promise that by the time we take bridesmaid photos, I’ll know all their names—and it always surprises them when I actually do! Beyond that, I genuinely love connecting with people, whether it’s chatting with guests, making the bridal party feel comfortable, or simply bringing a positive energy to the day. First impressions matter, but for me, it’s not just about professionalism—it’s about truly being present and engaged with the people around me.
That personal connection carries over even after the wedding day. When couples inquire on my website, there’s a spot to list how they found me, and more often than not, they mention a past client who referred them. That means everything to me because it shows that my clients trust me enough to recommend me to their friends and family.
Recently, I even took a four-month social media hiatus, and despite not posting, my inquiries kept coming in purely from word-of-mouth referrals. That, to me, is the ultimate sign of a strong reputation—knowing that the experience I provide speaks for itself within my community. I’ve learned the past 6 years that you can have a beautiful instagram profile, but it’s your personality and connection with people that make a lasting impression.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I get asked a lot—”Do you see yourself being a photographer forever?” or “Will you always shoot weddings?” And honestly, the longer I do this full-time, the more I realize what aspects of photography truly stick with me and fuel my passion.
For some photographers, their love lies in styling sessions, organizing content days, or creating workshops where they set up elaborate shoots for others to photograph. That’s never been something I’ve personally resonated with. What I’ve discovered over the past few years is just how much I love the education side of photography.
In the next 10 years, my goal is to go back to school, get my teaching license, and teach photography. I believe that understanding camera settings, lighting, storytelling, and posing is so important, and the idea of helping younger students develop the skills to turn this into a career excites me. The only thing that could make me just as happy as photographing weddings is sharing the knowledge I’ve gained over the past six years—and the years to come—with future photographers. I’ve always had a natural ability to connect with people, and I know that would translate well into teaching. Eventually, I’d love to take a step back from weddings—maybe photographing 10 a year instead of nearly 30—so I can focus more on mentorship and education.
As for my shorter-term goals, in the next 3 to 5 years, I want to open a photography studio in downtown Chattanooga for both myself and other photographers to use. This has been a dream of mine for years, and I want to create something truly unique—a space where creatives can bring their visions to life.
Ultimately, my journey as a photographer is always evolving, but at the core of it all is my love for storytelling, connection, and sharing what I’ve learned with others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.madisonfrazierphotography.com
- Instagram: @madisonfrazierphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madisonfrazierphoto
Image Credits
All of these taken by Madison Frazier Photo