Conversations with Anna Maria Madison

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Maria Madison. 

Anna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hey, I’m Anna Maria, I’m 24 years old. I was born in Hammond Indiana, my family moved to Michigan when I was 4 years old. I grew up in Dowagiac MI with my older sister, Gaby, and little brother, Vicente. My parents are divorced and I was raised by a single, determined mother. I learned much from her about perseverance, commitment, and how to step up to the plate when you have to choose to accept the broken pieces of yesterday or to keep moving forward on blind faith. I grew up in a Pentecostal church, learned about God, and salvation from a young age. Truly, my faith in Christ has been my life’s anchor, I consider it part of my life’s purpose to share His heart with others. At 19. I went off to college with a plan to be a pediatrician. I quickly discovered the human body is one of the coolest designs, but I wasn’t committed to spending 8-12 years studying about it. My sophomore year I changed my major to Psychology: Counseling; and stuck with it. College was HARD for me. I didn’t graduate, but I’m proud of those years. I pressed in like I never had before, I can truly say I had given it my all. For the first time in my life, I had a counselor, a mentor, a tutor… I eventually took advantage of every resource available to me because I realized I had never invested in anything so deeply before. I needed that experience to help me grow as a person. I had some heartbreaks, eye-opening experiences about my blackness, and disappointing moments. But also, moments of great victory, achievement, and watching myself grow in God, in relationships, and within myself. I’m still believing God for a way to finish my degree one day. 

I’ll never forget the Saturday morning my 4th year of college when I found myself sitting at my desk putting together photoshoot packages rather than doing homework or studying for my 4 classes. I had been recently inspired because I had been thinking about the concept of making the most of your gifts, and maximizing your protentional. I began to think about the gifts that I’ve sat on and tucked away. Photography was the most overwhelming one. Over the years people always told me I had a great eye, and that I should think about charging people for my work. I was hesitant but figured it was worth a shot. I began to think “If I’m as good as people say, and if whenever I take pictures of people and it makes them happy, I must sincerely have something to offer.” Then a blessing in disguise: Covid happened and I was sent back home. Devastated at first, because I had put all my investment(s) and build all my connections in Grand Rapids. A huge shift had taken place… I looked around and thought “what now?” But praise God I had my family, church home, and photography. That summer I booked my first client (A high school senior) and my goodness, I was ecstatic! Even now, as I’m writing about it, I feel the same now as I did then. Even in the midst of my college career being over in the blink of an eye, even in the midst of a global pandemic, even in the midst of transitioning back home after four years, God gave me a vision, a joy, a hope moving forward… and He used this old childhood love, and gift to do so. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
This road as a young entrepreneur has been a mix of me dipping my toe in and out of the depth of the water. I’ve always known photography is a sincere passion of mine and I’m confident in my skill. But the biggest battle has been the self-doubt, and discouragement that shows up within myself; the internal wrestling and fighting though the feeling of having to prove I’m worth the risk or investment. My father was also a business owner, but eventually, his personal battles stole it away from him. I don’t want to make that same mistake. Attempting to start a business and keep it going this on my own has been another big investment in my life; both emotionally and financially. And in all honesty, I’ve yet to give it my all. I have dreams of owning a Coffee shop/studio where my art is on the walls, where potential clients can inquire about photoshoots, where current clients can have their photo session live behind a glass wall. The Lord has given me big dreams for Anna Maria’s Photography. I’ve let discouragement and fear hold me back a lot in my life, one of my goals for my twenties is to learn how to live beyond the fear. 

It might sound funny, but growing up even when I would put the camera down at times because of the discouragement, months would go by, and I’d always find my way back to it; or it would find its way back to me one way or another. That’s how I knew it was meant to be more than a hobby. Photography I believe is one of the outlets God has given me to create, craft, and express a feeling words can’t. And even better, I’ve been able to share it with others and let them see the beauty, and creativity that exists within them too. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
The kind of photography I specialize in are portraits. Interestingly enough, when I was a kid I personally hated the camera. There’s pictures of me crying on my 5th birthday because my family members were taking my picture while singing happy birthday to me. It was all just too much lol. I remember thinking cameras were a strange contraption, and hating the flash. Cameras didn’t make me want to open up, but rather clam up. Part of what I do now with photography is attempt to help my client’s move beyond those feelings of wanting to clam up. Something happened for me around the age of twelve when I found myself playing around with one of my mom’s cameras; I realized I would spend hours taking pictures, making little vlogs, and editing them like it was my job. It became an everyday thing. 

The blessing in my story is that I had people in my life who noticed this gift and would push me go further with it. I have an uncle in particular, who’s a photographer; he would be so excited to talk with me about the pictures he saw me take, give me advice and tips and share some of his experience working as a photographer. My joy in photography lies in the fact that I can use it to pause a unique moment in time, and later in the editing process bring out the details of that moment. I can put it in a frame, splash it on a canvas, put all of those moments together in an album for my clients to remember. One of my favorite moments so far is when a high school senior told me he normally doesn’t like having his picture taken, yet I never would’ve known that during the session. He said felt comfortable with me as his photographer. His mom added in saying “Thank you for putting Devin at ease and creating these wonderful memories. I love that you asked for our input and ideas. I know this is your job, but it felt like so much more! The passion you have photography really comes though, and the excitement you share.” 

This moment meant a lot to me because it pulled on my Company Virtues. I work really hard to let these lead throughout photo sessions and my interactions with my clients. I have 5 Company Virtues that help guide how I run my business: 

– Promoting Confidence: This business promotes real confidence; I consider it an honor to help you feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera, no need to try to be anything or anyone other than who you are. I’ve found that the best pictures happen when people are just being themselves. 

– Sharing Encouragement: I want to reassure you that getting your photo taken isn’t as nerve-racking as it may seem. You can trust me as your photographer to capture you in a good light. 

– Embracing Hospitality: I welcome you to articulate your thoughts and ideas during the booking process and the photo session! 

– Spreading Joy: I hope the experience of having your photos taken by me is an enjoyable one. I hope that once your photos are received you are very pleased with them and proud to share them with others. 

– Here to Serve: Anna Maria’s Photography is here to serve you well. I will extend respect to you and your wishes, and meet your expectations to the best of my ability. 

I think these virtues help set me apart as a photographer and allow me to connect with my clients on a personal level. 

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice is for any teenager unsure of what to do next. Your life is more than just what happens within the next 4 years after you graduate high school. Take your time! If you’re unsure of college, hold off. Take the time to ask yourself what’s important to you, what you’re passionate about, what you want out of life, and make your following decisions based on that. Allow yourself time to get used to your new normal after you graduate high school. Don’t be afraid to seek out someone in the community or family who can trust to help you answer those important questions. If you are considering college, learn all you can about the campus, the faculty and the staff, the recourses offered to help you succeed. If you choose not to go to college, consider a trade, the military, or take a job where you can grow, and make a steady income; and in the meantime, take some classes on the side, create/discover your hobbies. Your options truly are limitless. Make a plan for your future, but don’t be so quick to run away from your hometown or fall under the pressure of “What are you going to do now?” It’s not a race, your life will naturally unfold, and it’s okay to fail a few times while you’re figuring it all out. 

Pricing:

• Individual Portraits — $150, $175, $200
• Small Wedding Ceremonies — $1,200
• Children’s Portraits — $200 and up
• High School Portraits — $200, $275, $300
• Couple’s Portraits — $200, $275, $300

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.annamariasphotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anna.marias.photography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annamariaphotos.yourstruly/

Image Credits
Anna Maria’s Photography