Today we’d like to introduce you to Madi Flournoy Henderson.
Hi Madi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Thank you for having me! I started my love for photography back in high school when my friends and I would do little photoshoots with a point-and-shoot camera. Looking back at those images from time to time makes me laugh, but it also shows the time where I became interested in what developed into my career. I then grew a deeper appreciation for photography studying film development and film history at Middle Tennessee State University, where I began to really understand and focus on the mechanics of my film camera and my very first full-frame DSLR. Once I graduated, I tried to photograph anything and everything all the time- I tried to be a consistent blogger, which I wasn’t very good at… Then, one day, I was asked if I would be interested in photographing my very first wedding in Franklin.
I said ‘yes!’ immediately, even though I had no idea what it would entail, but I knew I’d be able to figure it out. I can’t tell you the level of excitement I had after having a phone call with that first client. Three years after that I had done enough weddings and grew my business to a point I could go full time. I have now been running my business full time for almost 7 years, and I’m still growing and learning every day how to better my service and myself through my work.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting a business takes an incredible amount of time, consistency, and dedication. And plenty of mistakes! There are a lot of crucial parts to making a business thrive- taxes (oof), bookkeeping, emails, insurance, equipment costs, contracts, business licenses, website development, editing, gear maintenance, social media presence, and on and on. I’ve definitely hit a lot of bumps in the road while figuring it all out, but it has made me a better business owner I believe.
The reason you do all of this is that you’re capturing really rare, intimate memories for your clients, who will have these images for generations to come. It’s the ice burg visual- the photography is above the surface for all to see, but below, what you don’t see, is what allows it to be a success and it’s 100% worth it!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have had Madi Flournoy Photography in business for 10 years now, and I specialize in weddings, even though I love photographing travel, lifestyle, and my sweet families. I run my business solo, but I wouldn’t be able to thrive without my family and friends, or without the Nashville photography/videography community. Everyone cares about each other’s successes and struggles, and they truly try to help one another out. The community’s reach ranges from gathering referrals to asking tax questions, to offering educational courses or just grabbing a drink to pick one another’s brains. I am very grateful to be a part of that community.
When it comes to my own work, I try to give my clients a collection of images that tell where they are at that moment in their lives. Do I want it to look aesthetically appealing and well lit? Yes, but what is actually happening in the photograph is my top priority. Sharing a dance at your wedding with your elderly grandfather who is sick. Holding your toddler at your family session, who will be twice the size in a blink. Crying and grinning from ear-to-ear seconds after the ceremony that made you a wife/husband. I mean, those moments are priceless, and I want to give them to you!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Professionally or with a phone camera, have your picture taken. Even if you don’t think you look thin, your wrinkles are deeper, you don’t have the time, etc., you could list a million other things you’d rather do. I promise you, one day, you or someone you love will look at that photo and be so glad to see your face.
Contact Info:
- Email: madiflournoyphotography@gmail.com
- Website: www.madiflournoy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madiflo/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MadiFlournoyPhotography
Image Credits:
Madi Flournoy Photography
Eric Emmer
September 3, 2021 at 3:43 pm
She is the very best
Smart and creative
Talent
Victoria Collings
March 31, 2022 at 10:10 pm
She’s the most incredible photographer, but what’s equally as important is that she’s sweet, adaptable, and fun to work with. She photographed our wedding and brought such positivity to our day, was organized and great at communicating, and was above and beyond with delivering our beautiful photos.