Today we’d like to introduce you to Madeleine Steele.
Hi Madeleine, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My love for photography started early. As a child, my parents gave me a camera, and from that moment on, it rarely left my hands. In high school, I took photography classes and joined the yearbook team, which gave me a strong foundation and an outlet for creative expression. I started casually doing photoshoots with friends, just for fun and as a way to explore my artistic side. When I went to college to pursue my degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, photography remained a creative escape from the technical world of engineering. It wasn’t until my junior year that I realized I could turn this passion into something more. What started as a side hustle to earn a little extra cash quickly turned into something much bigger. Now, I run a growing photography business where I specialize in capturing genuine moments. I capture everything from proposals and graduations to family portraits and artist events. It’s been incredibly fulfilling to build something that allows me to balance both sides of who I am: a creative storyteller and a problem-solving engineer. My photography lets me connect with people and preserve the moments that matter most, while my engineering background brings a unique structure and precision to my creative 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?
For the most part, the journey has been smooth, but it hasn’t been without its challenges. One of the biggest hurdles was relocating from my college town back to my hometown. I had built a solid network in school, so starting over and rebuilding my client base from scratch was tough. It felt like I was hitting the reset button. But over the past year, I’ve worked hard to make new connections, and I’m proud of the growth I’ve seen. Every new client and collaboration is a step forward, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to watch things build momentum again.
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?
Something that sets me apart is I’m both a photographer and an electrical & computer engineer. I love how these two different worlds fuel each other. By day, I work in the corporate world as an engineer, where I’m solving complex problems and designing products. But outside of that, I run my own photography business, where I get to channel my creativity, tell stories visually, and connect with people in a completely different way. As a photographer, I specialize in lifestyle portraits, and I’m known for my attention to detail and ability to bring out genuine emotion in my subjects. One of the things I’m most proud of is building a business that reflects who I am at my core, someone who is curious, deeply creative, and passionate about both technology and art. Balancing two careers has taught me how to think differently, work intentionally, and always keep growing.
How do you think about happiness?
What makes me truly happy is capturing THAT shot. The one where you can feel the emotion through the image. The kind of photo that speaks without needing words, where love, joy, and connection are frozen in time. There’s something so special about being trusted to document some of the most meaningful moments in people’s lives, whether it’s a proposal, a graduation, or a quiet, candid moment between loved ones. Knowing that I played a small part in helping someone preserve those memories brings me so much joy.
Pricing:
- Headshot Session (15 Edited Photos) – $75
- Mini Session (20 Edited Photos) – $100
- Essentials Session (40 Edited Photos) – $200
- Deluxe Session (80 Edited Photos) – $400
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.madssteelephoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madssteelephoto
Image Credits
Madeleine Steele
