We had the good fortune of connecting with Madi Melinda Hayes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Madi Melinda, what do you attribute your success to?
My work is a collaboration between photographer & those in front of my lens. It is key to the success of my work and the impact of my brand that my clients see this collaborative spirit in my brand before they even book with me. I want the people I photograph to see themselves authentically in my work. My brand builds upon relationship and allows light and beauty to flow through those aspects of community. Whenever I show up online or in a zoom call with a prospective client, I look for opportunities to get to know one another. My work is successful because I give a little piece of myself & leave room for my clients to give a lot of themselves.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been shooting weddings since I was 15. But I didn’t see my business take off until I turned 26. It wasn’t easy, and I think the hardest thing to overcome wasn’t getting enough bookings, finding the right clients, or shooting in the coolest locations. The hardest thing to overcome was the way I viewed myself. It took me years to realize that I was holding myself back by playing the comparison game. There will always be someone better than you in your profession. It’s inevitable! But there will never be another YOU. I had learned to embrace the things that make me and my work unique, and only now do I see success in my business!

Photography has taught me that life is not linear, but instead a kaleidoscope of experiences. Different for all of us and yet connected by threads. Threads of Joy, nature, land & love all of these shared experiences flow together in my photography weaving a tapestry of life. How I see life, and how you, might see it as well. I am so proud that as a photographer in the wedding industry I no longer find myself chasing after brides and big ticket venues. Instead my work now focuses on documenting seasons of life with a steady & patient hand. Finding a photographer is really like finding someone who sees your soul. That best friend, knows your quirks kind of magic. My job is not to take pretty pictures that you glance at once a year. But instead to craft keepsakes packed with emotion and memory for you and your loved ones to cherish forever. It is a collaborative effort where together we tell your story.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
What a great question! I live just outside Tucson so we would start there:

Day 1: 5 Points Market & Restaurant in Tucson for one of the best cortados & a stellar order of chilaquiles, next a hike at Saguaro National Park, dinner at Mojo Cuban Kitchen and Rum Bar, and sunset at Honey Bee Canyon.

Day 2: Coffee and a pastry at Presta Coffee Roasters, their spring menu is DEVINE , thrifting because Tucson every thrift store in Tucson is fire, dinner at LemonShark Poke

Day 3: Camping at Lost Dutchman State Park, spend the day hiking & cooking meals over the fire

Day 4. Tube with wild horses on the Salt River

Day 5. Day trip to Sedona, hike Cathedral Rock or Sugar Loaf Loop, dinner at Cowboy Club

Day 6: Back in Tucson Exo Roast for some coffee and TallBoys before hitting the airport!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents! My parents raised me in southern Russia. We were Americans living in community with a completely different culture and language of our own. Every couple months we traveled to other countries to renew our visas. At a young age I learned a second language, had already picked up a camera at 10, shot my first wedding at 15, and been to at least 20 countries. My parents constantly challenged me to embrace my changing surroundings and seek out beauty and community where ever my feet landed. They taught me to bloom where I was planted long before it was a trendy thing to say 🙂

Website: madimelinda.com

Instagram: madimelindaphoto

Other: Tiktok: madimelindaphoto contact: info@madimelinda.com

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