Today we’d like to introduce you to Maddy Settles.
Hi Maddy, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have been photographing friends and family since I picked up my first dslr camera in college. What started as a hobby quickly turned into something I felt passionate about – capturing human emotions in a beautiful way. It was about 2015 when I decided I wanted to try making photography my job. Over the years I have worked in many forms of childcare (elementary school teacher, nannying, preschool teaching) – and while I knew I had the skill and patience to perform my duties in those roles, my heart and passion was always capturing a moment, object, or a person through a lens. When I left the teaching world, I decided to follow another passion – creating and managing my own mobile bartending business for weddings and parties. I started Little Cove Cocktail Co. in 2023, and found that most of my joy in creating that business was showcasing it through beautiful images I took on my camera to market our company on social media. In 2024, I gave birth to our son, a baby who we had been hoping, dreaming, and fighting to bring into the world for many years. His birth was traumatic, and he ended up spending a month in the NICU. During this time of postpartum was when I started to reflect on what I truly wanted to spend my time doing now that my baby was in the world. I found that life and my heart always kept bringing me back to photography. In January of 2026 I decided to bring my photography business back to life in the form of Maddy Malee Photography – a portrait photography venture that felt serendipitous with all the things in my life. I have spent the last 8 months spreading my art around through word of mouth, networking events, and social media. I feel so grateful to be doing what my heart loves to do as my main job, and I can’t wait to continue to grow the business and capture people in the most genuine and important seasons of their lives.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Photography has always been a natural inclination in my life – whether it’s my camera or simply my iPhone. I love capturing moments all day long. The struggle has been getting to a place in my life where I feel it’s time to go ahead and make it my full-time career. I’m still building my business, and focusing on which niche I want to cover, but for now I am seeing where my first year back in business takes me. While there are definitely difficulties in running a business and finding the exact clientele you hope for, I’ve found that as long as my heart is in the right place the people who I hope to photograph will find me.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a portrait photographer (a people photographer I like to say)! I capture love, families, parties, babies, weddings, branding. I am known for my bright, clean, colorful, and joyful aesthetic. Clients who work for me have said that I make their photo sessions feel comfortable, easy, and fun. I am so proud of making my clients feel excitement, joy, and in awe when they receive their sneak peeks or galleries. I think that coming into this profession at 36 years old, after working multiple other careers and jobs sets me apart from others. I have more wisdom now then I did when I was in my young 20’s, and I have had the time to hone my skill and feel confident in what my style and workflow is.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
There have been so many women in my life that have mentored or helped me move towards my goals in photography. Margaret Austin, Danielle Poff, and Maddison Rose are photographers that I have learned from over the years through second shooting weddings or doing their workshops. I think it’s so important to have people in your field to learn from.
Lastly, I owe so much of my ability to focus on building a career in what I’m passionate about to my partner and husband of almost 10 years – Ryan – who’s been my biggest cheerleader.
Pricing:
- Weddings begin at $2,000 for elopements
- Family, maternity, and newborn sessions $500 for an hour, $300 for 30 minutes
- Branding packages begin at $400
- Headshots are $200
- Mini Sessions happen every 2~3 months and are $250
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.maddymaleephotography.com
- Instagram: maddymaleephoto
