Today we’d like to introduce you to Madison Fulford.
Hi Madison, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My love for photography actually started long before I ever thought about making it a business. Growing up, I always loved being in front of the camera. I was constantly posing for my mom’s camera, and as I got older, I started working with friends who were photographers on creative shoots. I loved the entire process, the art of modeling, creating a concept, finding the right light, and seeing an idea come to life through a photograph.
Eventually, I found myself thinking, I want to create these shoots. I want to build something of my own. I completely admired the art of photography and the way a photograph could capture a feeling, not just a moment, and I wanted to be on the other side of the camera creating that for other people.
The first person I ever told about my idea was my grandmother, who I called Mimi. I remember telling her, “I know this might sound crazy, but I want to start doing photography and create a business from it.” Instead of thinking it was crazy, she listened and believed in me. That same day, she helped me buy my first camera, a Canon Rebel T7, and that was the beginning of Madsshoots.
I started Madsshoots in December 2023, initially learning as I went and photographing anything and anyone who would give me the opportunity. What started with creative shoots and portraits slowly grew into couples, families, seniors, events, and eventually weddings. I was building the business while also finishing my degree at East Carolina University, so there was a lot of learning, experimenting, and figuring things out along the way.
As I grew as a photographer, I also grew into my own style. I realized I was most drawn to warm, golden, cinematic imagery, the kind of photographs that feel nostalgic and emotional rather than overly posed or perfect. More than anything, I wanted my work to feel like the people I was photographing.
Sadly, my Mimi passed away, but that first camera still sits on a shelf in my office today. It has become so much more than my first piece of equipment. To me, it represents the very beginning of Madsshoots and the person who believed in it before anyone else did. It is also a little piece of her that I get to carry with me as I continue building what we started that day.
Today, Madsshoots has grown into a North Carolina based wedding and portrait photography business, but I still feel like I’m at the beginning in a lot of ways. I’m constantly learning, evolving, and finding new ways to tell stories through my work. I think that’s one of the things I love most about this business. It has grown alongside me, and every step of the journey has become part of the story.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. As someone who struggles with anxiety, imposter syndrome has been a very real part of building my business. There have been so many moments where I’ve compared myself to other photographers, questioned my work, or wondered if I was really good enough to be doing this.
Photography is such a personal art form, so putting your work out there can feel incredibly vulnerable. I’ve had to learn that I don’t have to be the best photographer in the room to deserve to be there. I’m allowed to still be learning, growing, and figuring things out.
Looking back at how far Madsshoots has come has helped me trust myself more. I still have moments of self doubt, but I’ve gotten much better at recognizing them for what they are instead of letting them convince me that I’m not capable.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a wedding and portrait photographer based in North Carolina, specializing in warm, golden, cinematic imagery that feels genuine and emotional. I photograph weddings, couples, families, seniors, and other milestones, but at the heart of my work, I’m really about creating images that feel like you.
What I’m most proud of is the experience I’m able to give my clients. Some of my favorite clients are the ones who come into a session nervous and tell me, “I don’t photograph well,” or that they’re uncomfortable in front of the camera. Being able to help them relax, have fun, and eventually show them their gallery and hear them say, “I can’t believe that’s me,” is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.
I think that is also what sets me apart. I don’t want my clients to feel like they have to know how to pose or look a certain way for their photos to be beautiful. I want them to feel comfortable enough to forget the camera is even there. For me, the best photographs happen when people can genuinely be themselves, and being able to give someone that confidence is something I’m incredibly proud of.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is making people feel confident and comfortable in front of my camera while giving them something they can hold onto for a lifetime. I want every person I photograph to walk away seeing themselves in a way they may not have seen before.
Whether it’s a wedding, a couples session, or simply a milestone in someone’s life, I want to capture the moments that might feel small now but become the memories they look back on years from now. Being able to give someone that confidence and preserve those moments for them is what makes this work so meaningful to me.
Pricing:
- Seniors/Creative/Branding start at $140
- Couples start at $160
- Families start at $180
- Wedding Packages start at $1,200
Contact Info:
- Website: https://madsshoots.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_madsshoots_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madsshoots/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@madsshoots
