Hidden Gems: Meet Madison Yen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Madison Yen.

Hi Madison, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
So, I actually graduated from the University of Memphis (Go Tigers!) with a degree in International Business and Foreign Languages. Nothing to do with photography at all, really. But my dad was a photographer, and I was helping him with his business. When I first started and ran into old acquaintances from high school, I was honestly a little embarrassed to tell them I was a photographer. (Ever see Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion…?) All of these big plans and here I am working with my dad in his photography business. I’d tell myself: “This is just for the time being, Madison. You’ll find something better.” When I think back to this, part of me wants to slap myself and the other part of me just laughs. Because while I was freaking out right after college having panic attacks trying to decide what to do with my life, I was exactly where I was supposed to be. It turns out that being “just a photographer” and working in my dad’s family business was the best decision I ever fell into and something I never thought I would want, let alone need in my life. Yen Studios was my dad’s business, and it’s where it all started.

Working with my dad, Rupert… or Rufio as I called him, man, we fought ALL the time; it was just our nature. I thought I knew more about business because I had a business degree. And he thought I was too big for my britches and didn’t have a clue. (For the record – I was, and I didn’t.) Dad taught me a lot about business and photography, though it was more of a “wax on, wax off” kind of teaching… if you knew him, you’d laugh. But most importantly, he taught me about life and all of the things that make it worth living. After he passed away in 2015, I was left with his equipment and my memories and the shell of Yen Studios. What is Yen Studios without Rufio? What kind of business do I even have without Rufio? I thought long and hard about keeping it alive even when my dad wasn’t. I mean, how can you dismantle something your father worked 35 years on building? But at the end of the day, I just couldn’t make it my own. And I didn’t want to. It was always his, and I never felt like I could do it justice. Finally, after nine years of being in some sort of limbo, here I am. Where every day, I figure out that I have more to learn, more to see, and more to try. But I’m proud of this journey, I’m proud of this work, and I’m proud of this name I’m building. So, if you ask me, I’ll tell you…my name is Madison. Madison Yen. And I’m a photographer. And I’ve never been more proud than when I get to tell people who I am and where I came from.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has been a rough journey taking over my father’s business with little to no photography experience. I have learned my craft from many hours of watching videos on how to take photos. I’ve been so lucky to find an amazing mentor to help me get to where I am today. Of course, this was all in Memphis. Currently, I am in Denver, CO and am having to rebuild my business during a global pandemic where being around other people is not really supposed to happen. As a result, I have started my online business and community where I teach business owners how to take their own branding photos with just their phone. My goal is to give every business owner the knowledge and tools to effectively market themselves and get themselves out there… whether I take their photos or they do.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a branding photographer, which means that I take photos for business owners that they can use in their marketing. Of course, I’m looking for pretty shots and flattering poses, but I’m also looking for emotion. A feeling. Something that tells the viewer what this person is all about. My goal is to take a brand and translate it into photos. I’m always looking for a photo, something worth remembering. You’d be surprised to know that the little moments that you hardly ever think about are some of the most important moments that actually communicate who you actually are. I’m looking for that connection.

I’m proud of where I come from. I’m proud that I started this business journey with my dad. I didn’t understand his teachings half the time, but as I’ve gotten older and more experienced… they make sense now. I feel like I’m still learning from him even though he’s gone. I want readers to know that branding photography doesn’t have to be stuffy headshot photos. There’s more to it, just like there’s more to their business. I can take these photos for them or I can teach them how to take their own. But in this day and age, you have to have some sort of online presence and photos are a big part of that.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can check out my branding packages here: https://madisonyen.com/branding-packages/. They can also join my Free Facebook group where I have a ton of tutorials and teach how to take your own branding: https://www.facebook.com/groups/brandingthroughphotography. If they want to learn how to take their own branding photos, here’s a link to my online course: https://madisonyen.com/shooting-made-simple.

Pricing:

• Branding hourly rate: $350
• Shooting Made Simple (iPhone photography course): $97

Contact Info:

• Email: madison@madisonyen.com
• Website: https://madisonyen.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madison_yen/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/brandingthroughphotography
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnwAFGW_gdzuqHA4UuNh5Og
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/madison-yen-photography-denver-2