Rising Stars: Meet Madison Merry of Denver CO

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

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My love for photography began when I was nine years old with a small pink digital camera that I carried everywhere. I am 30 now, and I have never pictured myself doing anything else. In high school, my dad took a chance on me and bought me my first real camera, and that was when everything changed. For the first time, photography felt not just like a hobby, but something I was meant to do. I grew up in Nashville, Tennessee and spent my twenties building an incredible network in the creative community there. I met so many talented people and had the privilege of photographing bands and artists throughout the city. When I moved to Denver during the pandemic, I found myself starting over, and it became the perfect moment to shift my focus toward weddings and love stories. Five years later, Denver has given me the most fulfilling environment I could ask for. I have had the honor of capturing so many proposals, I dos, and genuine connections that make this work feel so rewarding.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been all sunshine and rainbows. Leaving Nashville and all my family and friends behind was a huge challenge, especially moving during the pandemic when everything already felt so isolating. Once things started to open back up, I had to push myself to get out of the house and start making connections in a new city. Adjusting to a new place also meant figuring out how to grow my business from scratch again, which brought its own set of challenges. One of the biggest struggles has been the social media side of this career. I really dislike being tethered to my phone, but I’ve come to realize it’s just a necessary part of running a business today. My business thrives on word of mouth and referrals, but I constantly wrestle with feeling like I’m not showing up enough on social media. I love the people I’ve met through Instagram, but these days, it’s not enough to just post photos and log out. They say we’re supposed to show our faces, make reels, and basically become a mini influencer for our own brands. Learning to navigate that has been a struggle, but it’s also part of growing and evolving in this industry. At the end of the day, I’m always striving to be more active online and share my work with as many people as possible.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in editorial wedding photography and fashion forward portraiture. A lot of my inspiration comes from thrifting and fashion, and I love giving new life to pieces that might have otherwise ended up in a landfill. Old Vogue editorials, vintage films, and the textures and silhouettes I find while thrifting all play a huge role in shaping my style.
Inclusivity is at the core of my work. I want every client to feel safe, seen, and celebrated. When preparing for this article, I spent time looking back at my body of work, and it made me genuinely proud. I have photographed so many different moments in people’s lives—milestones that become part of their family history. I often imagine future generations flipping through these photos and thinking, “Damn, my grandparents were cool.”
What sets me apart is the level of intention and creative direction I pour into every session. I am not just showing up with a camera; I am building a world with my clients. From brainstorming unique locations to helping them style their looks, I love shaping each shoot into something editorial and personal. I offer a curated client wardrobe filled entirely with thrifted pieces I have collected over the years, everything from bold statement items to basics. Sustainability matters deeply to me, and building this wardrobe secondhand is one of the ways I keep my business aligned with that value.
Above all, I am most proud of the trust and intimacy that form between myself and the people I photograph. It is a privilege to immortalize moments that will outlive all of us, and it is a responsibility I do not take lightly.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
You might be surprised to know that I have more than 70 houseplants tucked into just about every corner of my home. They have become a little indoor jungle that I tend to every day, and caring for them is one of the things that brings me the most calm. When I am not behind the computer editing, you will almost always find me curled up with my Kindle, completely absorbed in a fantasy book. Someday, I hope to have a big greenhouse where I can lose myself for hours with my hands in the dirt while listening to whatever fantasy novel I’m currently on. Editing may be my job, but collecting houseplants and reading is my sport.

Pricing:

• Weddings starting at $3,600
• Portraits starting at $600

Contact Info:

• Website: https://madmerryphotos.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madmerryphoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madmerryphoto