Hi Love! I’m Madeline.

A Little of My Story

I’m from a small town in Southwest Virginia, nestled in the heart of Appalachia and I’ve lived in Tulum, Mexico for the last 8 years. Growing up there shaped me in ways I’m forever grateful for—the strong sense of community, the deep connection to nature, and the value of hard work. But like many from small towns, I felt a pull to explore the world beyond the mountains. For years, that journey took me to Corporate America, where I climbed the ladder and checked every box society told me would lead to happiness.

I had the title, the office, the company car, and even the coveted AMEX that allowed me to travel the country for conferences and projects. On paper, I was living the "American Dream." At another point in my life, I had the other version of that dream: the house in the suburbs, the two cars, the dogs, and the marriage. I had it all—or so I thought.

But something was missing. I was doing all the right things—college, marriage, career—but none of it fulfilled me. Instead, I felt empty, restless, and lost. That feeling only deepened in 2016 when I lost my brother, Jarrod. His passing was a wake-up call for me, and I found myself questioning everything. Why him? Why not me? I was divorced, childless, and merely existing. In that dark time, I felt God’s whisper: You’re meant for more.

After months of mourning and introspection, I knew I couldn’t keep living the way I was. I started small—taking spin classes, learning to meditate, and cutting out negativity from my life, even when it meant saying goodbye to certain friends and relationships. I was creating space for something new, though I didn’t know what that would be yet.

And then, an opportunity came my way. A friend asked me to take on a photography project in Tulum, Mexico. It sounded crazy—I didn’t speak Spanish and had never been to Mexico—but something inside me said, This is it. Say yes.

Before I left, I took one last trip to Joshua Tree, California, during a work trip to Vegas. Sitting alone in the desert, I meditated and thought deeply about the life I wanted to create. I returned home to Maryland with clarity—and then everything unraveled. My car flooded in a freak storm, and by the end of that same week, I was fired from my corporate job. But instead of despair, I felt free. I called my friend with the Mexico opportunity and said, Let’s do it.

Fast forward eight years, and I can hardly recognize the woman I used to be. Moving to Mexico wasn’t just a new chapter—it was the beginning of a whole new book. I went from feeling lost and unfulfilled to building a six-figure photography business in a country where I didn’t even speak the language when I arrived.

Now, I spend part of the year in Nashville, a city I adore for its energy, creativity, and charm, working with incredible clients and capturing unforgettable moments. My journey has taken me across the world, but Nashville and my Appalachian roots will always hold a special place in my heart.

Photography isn’t just my career; it’s my passion, my purpose, and my way of connecting with people. Through my lens, I get to tell stories, capture beauty, and empower others to see themselves in a whole new light. It’s a far cry from the corporate office I once sat in, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that life isn’t about following a prescribed path. It’s about finding your own rhythm, listening to that inner voice, and trusting yourself enough to take the leap—even when it feels scary. My journey started in Appalachia, and it’s taken me places I never dreamed of. I can’t wait to see where it goes next.