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Conversations with the Inspiring Madeline Castleman

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Madeline Castleman.

Madeline, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My journey to becoming a wedding photographer and ultimately an entrepreneur started almost four years ago. I was working and living in New York City in a job that left me feeling empty and exhausted. Owning a business had always been a lifelong goal of mine. With a Dad who is an entrepreneur, I grew up watching his work ethic, lifestyle, success and drive and knew that is exactly the direction I wanted to take as well. I had always loved photography and been interested in it but I had never even considered the idea that it could become my job. It was something I did for fun for many years. It wasn’t until I was stuck in my job in New York that I knew I needed to make a big change. I ultimately was looking for a transition that would lead me to becoming an entrepreneur but also allow me to do work with purpose and passion. I made the decision to quit my job in New York and move back to Texas to pursue photography on the side and slowly build a business over time. Little did I know that things would grow very quickly. I went from working a full-time job in Dallas with my side hustle and shooting about 15 weddings my first year to going full-time and shooting 45 weddings in only my second year of business.

Through hard work, dedication and passion I was able to take something that was my hobby for many years and it turn it into my career. Photography brings me so much joy and allows me to meet and impact so many people. Being able to provide people with memories that is going to bring them happiness for years to come is more fulfilling and life giving than I ever thought possible. Photography and specifically weddings is truly where my passion lies and getting to be creative through my job while running my own business is something I am forever grateful for. I am now in my fourth year of business and continuing to grow and be stretched in new ways. I am relocating to Denver, CO this year and transitioning my business into new areas that I am so excited about!! I cannot wait to see what 2020 will hold for Madeline Shea Photography.

Great, 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?
I think every journey in life has obstacles and bumps in the road. Nothing is perfect and ultimately you shouldn’t want easy. When faced with adversity we are given the opportunity to learn and overcome, and through that we get to grow as an individual and a business owner. Without difficulty and challenges, growth is limited.

My path and career has definitely faced its ups and downs. I won’t lie and say there hasn’t been days that I wanted to quit and give up. Being an entrepreneur and specifically a wedding photographer is very difficult and it is definitely not for everyone. Between the lifestyle with this career and the life you sign up for owning a business, it is challenging. Days can be lonely and decision making can be difficult. Social media is definitely deceiving when it comes to the life and career as a wedding photographer. I work independently most of the time and my schedule is opposite of most people. Another thing you don’t really know about owning your own business until you’re in it is that work never turns off. Since you are the boss, no one is telling you to log off and go home. Work is always on and accessible for me which has created the struggle of finding a healthy work life balance while maintaining a successful and growing business. Entrepreneur guilt is a real thing. I recently saw a quote that said, “Entrepreneurs put in the hard work that other people are not willing to do now, in order to live the life everyone wants down the road.” As hard as the hours and work can be, the payoff has been so rewarding and something I wouldn’t trade for the world. Working hard is a choice we get to make in life and it is one that I make everyday that has been able to trickle into many other areas of my life outside of my job; overall, impacting me in such a positive way.

I work with a lot of other entrepreneurs and aspiring photographers out there through mentorship and business coaching. One of the things we talk a lot about is the importance of recognizing when you are or are not ready to take your side hustle full-time. My biggest piece of advice would be to continue to work hard and when you are ready to take the step to going full-time make sure you have proven that you have a profitable business, people want to buy into your service or product. You want that confidence that you can in fact succeed on your own and through that hard work it will continue to grow. Time is so valuable and as soon as you get more time to pour into your side hustle it is going to grow so fast! Just remember to be smart and recognize when it is your time to take that step and continue to educate yourself! We will never be done learning even when you feel like you have reached ultimate success. There will always be room for growth with your personal and professional development.

What should we know about Madeline Shea Photography? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am full-time wedding and elopement photographer operating out of Colorado & Texas. I have spent the past few years shooting weddings all over the world and getting to meet and document some pretty amazing people along the way. I love nothing more than capturing people and their emotion in its rawest form while traveling and exploring this beautiful world.

I would say that 2020 is going to be a year of big accomplishments for me and my business and is filled with some projects and weddings that I am very excited about. It is definitely going to be a defining year for me and my business and the future of Madeline Shea Photography.

My photography is moody, creative, natural and elegant. A lot of my inspiration comes from fashion and editorials. I worked in the fashion industry for many years and continue to be so drawn to art and design elements which inspire my work today. I want my brides to feel feminine and beautiful and for my grooms to feel strong and confident. My imagery evokes emotion and really transports the individual back to the moment that the photo was taken. At the end of the day, I want people to see my photos and truly feel the emotion represented. I love nothing more than capturing people as they are and getting to adventure with them along the way. Being able to showcase that elegance and candid relationship between couples in adventurous and unique locations is something that I believe sets me apart in this industry and truly represents my style as a photographer.

Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
Hustle hard, network and say yes. Days may be long but the years are short and the work will pay off if you put in the time and effort.

Find a mentor or someone you look up to and do everything you can to learn and grow in the area you want to succeed in. Success will come in time!

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Image Credit:
Madeline Shea Photography

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