Today we’d like to introduce you to Madi Cook.
Hi Madi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started taking pictures when I was ten years old. My parents gave me a small red camera, and I immediately became obsessed with it. I would spend hours running around my neighborhood with my friends, photographing anything that caught my eye. I didn’t know then that I was building the foundation for what would eventually become my career—I just knew I loved creating.
I credit so much of who I am today to my parents. They always poured into me and my sister and gave us the freedom to explore our creativity. My mom had a huge art closet in our house that we would spend hours playing in, filled with paint, glue, sketch paper, pencils, and every medium you could imagine. We were encouraged to get messy, try new things, and simply create. When I became interested in photography, they encouraged that too. My mom even entered some of my photos into a competition we found in the newspaper. I was a kid with a little red camera and a dream, and I had incredibly supportive parents behind me.
As I got older, I became the friend who always had a camera in hand. I loved documenting trips, friendships, and little moments that otherwise might have been forgotten. For me, photography has always been about loving the people on the other side of my lens and preserving memories.
One moment that really solidified photography as something I wanted to pursue was when my pastor’s wife, who ran her own photography business, let me borrow her camera. It was the nicest camera I had ever held, and I remember being completely in awe.
Then, during my freshman year studying in Brooklyn, I decided to dive in headfirst and declare photography as my major. My parents showed up on my college campus with a brand-new professional camera as a gift. That moment meant so much to me because it was another reminder that they believed in me and were willing to invest in the dream I was chasing.
Eventually, that childhood hobby became Madiicookphoto. What started with a little red camera has grown into a business where I get to capture people’s most important days and memories, help shape brands and businesses, and genuinely love the people who step in front of my lens.
Today, I’m also fortunate enough to serve at my church, The Garden, on the photo team. I get to help teach and encourage others with a passion for photography and creativity and show them how they can use those gifts to build the Kingdom of God. It feels like a full-circle moment—something that began with a little girl simply wanting to create has become something I can now use to serve others and the Lord.
I’m still building and dreaming, and I want to continue creating work that takes me to new places, introduces me to new people, and allows me to tell stories through imagery. When I look back at that little girl with her red camera, it’s pretty special to realize that she was already doing what she loved—and somehow, I’m still doing it today.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Working jobs that stifled my creativity. There were seasons where I was in environments that didn’t give me much room to create or express myself. That was especially difficult because creativity has been such a foundational part of who I am since childhood.
Learning to trust God with the unknown. I’ve had seasons where I didn’t know what the next step was or where the business was going. Learning to move forward without having every detail figured out has been a huge part of my journey.
Balancing the business and the art. Being a photographer means wearing a lot of hats. Some days I get to be creative and photograph people, while other days are spent answering emails, working on invoices, editing, marketing, or handling the less exciting parts of business. Learning to balance those two sides has been an ongoing challenge.
Growing without losing the reason I started. It can be easy for photography to become about numbers, bookings, or trying to keep up with what everyone else is doing. I’ve had to remind myself that I started because I genuinely love creating – not simply because I wanted to build a business.
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?
What I do: I’m a professional photographer specializing in portraits, branding, weddings, couples, & families.
What I’m known for: Creating images that feel elevated, intentional, and authentic, while capturing the emotion and personality behind the person or experience.
What I’m most proud of: Turning something I started at ten years old into my full-time creative career. I’m proud that I’ve been able to build a life around something I genuinely love.
What sets me apart: I see photography as an art before I see it as a business. I care deeply about the creative process and the art I’m producing. No matter how much Madiicookphoto grows as a business, I never want the business side to take priority over the art. The art will always come first for me.
My goal: To create work that isn’t just beautiful, but makes people feel something, tells a story, and has a lasting impact.
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me happiest is living a life I genuinely enjoy. I’m grateful for the freedom to create, to pursue work that feels meaningful, and to build a life that feels true to who I am. My faith is at the center of that for me. It reminds me that my life and creativity have a purpose beyond just myself, and I find so much joy in knowing I get to use the gifts God has given me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.madiicookphoto.com/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madiicookphoto/
- Other: https://madiicookphoto.pixieset.com
