Hey, I’m
Maddie Mae
founder of Adventure Instead
a seven-figure luxury adventure elopement photography business that continues to succeed because I dared to pave my own path in this industry.
I’m here to help you discover what sets you apart—and make that your “SECRET SAUCE” to building your thriving business
I’m here to help you discover what sets you apart—and make that your “SECRET SAUCE” to building your thriving business
“The Woman Who Helped Spark
The Adventure Elopement Trend”
– Forbes
Here’s my story
and how I can help you transform
yours
When I started my business I was…
- Charging low prices and desperate for bookings. I took on any wedding I could (by any discount necessary) because I didn’t know what value I had to offer—or how to communicate it
- Convinced the only way to succeed was to become a copy-paste version of someone else who was ahead of me (but in fact, that was the biggest thing that held me back).
- Trying out every marketing tactic out there to bring in inquiries (wasting tons of my time and money in the process) because I didn’t know what worked and what didn’t
But NOW I…
- Exclusively photograph high-end, luxury destination elopements all over the world—documenting everything from helicopter glacial tours to Grecian sailboat excursions on couples’ wedding days
- Work with couples who are willing to book me at an average of $14,000 per elopement because I learned how to communicate the value of my expertise and creativity
- Have an inbox full of inquiries (daily) that I’m excited to photograph—all coming from efficient marketing strategies that sustain business long-term, regardless of the economy
But NOW I…
- Exclusively photograph high-end, luxury destination elopements all over the world—documenting everything from helicopter glacial tours to Grecian sailboat excursions on couples’ wedding days
- Work with couples who are willing to book me at an average of $14,000 per elopement because I learned how to communicate the value of my expertise and creativity
- Have an inbox full of inquiries (daily) that I’m excited to photograph—all coming from efficient marketing strategies that sustain business long-term, regardless of the economy
So if right now you’re struggling like I was, take a deep breath. You’re not alone and I promise you, there’s a path to your dream future too.
Because here’s the truth:
The success I achieved—it wasn’t just luck.
The same things that gave me a thriving business
can also work for you.
HERE’S 3 KEY TRUTHS I’VE LEARNED
1
You’ve got to be unapologetically different.
Look inward instead of outward. Have someone help you find that thing that makes you stand out from the photographers next to you (I promise you, it’s there).
Because if you’re just a copy-paste version of someone else, clients will just go with whoever is cheaper. And you deserve more than that.
That thing that makes you unique—that’s what your “perfect fit” couples are looking for. And guess what? They’ll pay a premium for it.
2
You don’t need the best work to charge the highest prices.
Honestly? I’m not the most creative, out-of-this-world artist in the industry. Yet I consistently charge some of the highest prices in this market.
How? Because I know how to communicate value in a way that matters to my dream clients.
And the good news? Anyone can learn that.
3
More than 80% of your bookings are coming from less than 20% of your marketing efforts
I know marketing can seem overwhelming and it’s easy to get stuck on the hamster wheel of “trying everything” and hoping something works—but that’s one of the quickest ways to lose.
Good news? There are easy-to-learn, effective marketing strategies that save you time and money while bringing your dream couples straight to your inbox.
my 2023 stats
$14,000
Average price couples are booking me at
13
Years photographing weddings & elopements
150+
Client reviews with
5-star rating
50-100+
Number of *organic* inquiries per month in my inbox
41
Countries visited
Here’s what most educators don’t want you to know
There’s no copy-paste formula you can use to replicate my (or anyone else’s) success
BUT you can learn the tried & tested business & marketing strategies that got me to where I am—to carve out your own path to wild success.
… while cultivating a brand so unique-to-you that you’re in a category all of your own.
How can I promise that?
Because it’s my passion to teach you:
Exactly how to identify and embrace what makes stand out from your competition and help you craft a brand that shows the world the undeniable truth that you are one-of-a-kind, and are absolutely irreplaceable.
That marketing doesn’t have to be hard, suck all of your time, or be boring. You can use your creativity and tried and tested, efficient strategies I teach to get most dream bookings for as little of your time and money as possible.
Proven, up-to-date methods that work every time (not just what worked for me once) with step-by-step action plans that help you actually reach your goals—all with caring long-term support you deserve.
Everything I’ve achieved is completely replicable…
and I would love to come alongside you and guide you to your own unique path to wild success.
ARE YOU READY?
I’m ALL in!
I just wanna get
my toes wet.
“Maddie genuinely wants everyone to succeed in the industry.”
Learning from Maddie Mae was the best investment I have made in my business. She has given me the solid footing that my business needed. She not only has an incredible breadth of knowledge about marketing, but is an impressive communicator and teaches in a way that you can actually comprehend and take action. Maddie genuinely wants everyone to succeed in the industry. She’s not just spouting community over competition, she’s living it.
– Jackleen Leed
Clinton, WA, USA
“So impressed with how jam-packed and expertly organized her content is”
Maddie Mae excels at teaching! She knows her stuff backwards and forwards and it shows. I have been so impressed with how jam-packed and expertly organized her content is! I’m very impressed with her focus on efficiency, business acumen, and branding. I’m just starting out in this market so learning from Maddie was a huge level up for me. It was so useful to realize all that I don’t know and it made me so excited to grow! Learning from Maddie was totally worth the investment.
– Keith Folken
Peoria, IL, USA
“Absolutely the BEST educator I have ever had!”
Maddie Mae is absolutely the BEST educator I have ever had! She packs so much info into everything she teaches and breaks it down in a way that’s easy to understand! She communicates not only the “what”, but the “why” behind it. Her passion for education, attention to detail, explanations every step of the way, and her complete transparency is truly inspiring! I HIGHLY recommend Maddie Mae. Every single thing I learned from her has been SO valuable!
– Cass Oldenburg
Duluth, MN, USA
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Last but
definitely
not least
I care a lot about photography and business, but I care even more about… humans and the environment
I recognize my many privileges and am still learning how to best use my platform and voice to amplify those in much different, often worse, positions.
Two groups I’m incredibly passionate about learning from and supporting are the LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. I’m committed to being both an ally and a friend—for the long run. Because allyship isn’t trendy—it’s an active, every day decision I’ll continue to make along with a commitment to ongoing learning (and unlearning).
I also care deeply about the environment and protecting our public lands as much as possible. Though my role may be small, I’m playing my part by running a carbon neutral business and partnering with the Leave No Trace Organization to educate myself & other photographers on best practices when shooting outdoors.
It’s also my goal to empower all women in the business space to be confident & knowledgeable AF—because female-owned and operated businesses fuel the world.
$139,938 in donations so far in 2019-2025 to these amazing organizations:
Where to next?