A couple stands close together at dusk holding lanterns, surrounded by palm trees, with the word “THRIVE” in bold white letters above them.

Celebrating our THRIVE Graduates

Meet the innovators redefining unconventional weddings & elopements

A couple stands close together at dusk holding lanterns, surrounded by palm trees, with the word “THRIVE” in bold white letters above them.

From Maddie Mae

FOUNDER OF ADVENTURE INSTEAD ACADEMY

“The Woman Who Helped Spark The Adventure Elopement Trend” – Forbes

Hello and welcome! I’m Maddie Mae, the founder of Adventure Instead Academy and the THRIVE program. I’m an award-winning destination wedding & elopement photographer and a business & marketing coach. Over the last 14 years I’ve traveled to 41 countries, all 7 continents, and planned & photographed over 300 elopements and unconventional weddings all over the world. I believe in doing business differently—sustainably, passionately, and with a focus on creating exceptional client experiences.

From Maddie Mae

FOUNDER OF ADVENTURE INSTEAD ACADEMY

A solid black square with no visible details or distinguishing features.
A completely black image with no visible details or features.
A circular logo with the text "As Featured On junebug weddings 2020" in a stylish font, enclosed within a thin gray border. The design is minimalist and elegant.
Logo image containing the text "Featured on green wedding shoes" with a small heart design. The text is arranged in a modern and stylish font.

What is THRIVE?

More than a course — it’s a transformative mentorship experience

More than a course—it’s a transformative mentorship experience

THRIVE is the world’s only comprehensive online program that trains photographers to build successful, sustainable businesses catering to clients planning unique elopements and personalized weddings.

This program is meticulously designed to empower graduates to build businesses that resonate deeply with their personal values and book out their season with the clients of their dreams.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THRIVE
A desktop, laptop, and tablet display different THRIVE branding screens: a woman with fire on the desktop, a smiling woman at a desk on the laptop, and a beach photo with the word "THRIVE" on the tablet.

Why Hire a THRIVE Graduate?

THRIVE graduates stand out in the industry with:

  • Specialized Services: THRIVE empowers photographers to design their entire business to be a perfect fit for their dream clients so that couples experience a personalized, tailored service that meets all their needs.
  • Unparalleled Client Experiences: Crafting a “red carpet” client experience is one of the key pillars of the THRIVE program, with a focus on excellent communication, exceeding expectations at every step, and delivering an seamless experience from beginning to end.
  • Expert Planning Skills: With specialized training modules on advanced location scouting, timeline optimization, and more, THRIVE graduates are uniquely qualified to help clients avoid common pitfalls in the planning process.
  • Authentic Marketing: THRIVE teaches photographers how to leverage their unique personalities to connect with clients in an authentic way online—enabling genuine and lasting relationships.
  • Ethical Business Practices: All of THRIVE’s business and marketing methods focus on running a business with integrity—ensuring fair practices that respect both the environment and clients
  • Values and Sustainability: THRIVE graduates learn to align their businesses with their core values and goals, ensuring they can sustainably offer a high-quality service for years to come.

​​This dedication to excellence is why THRIVE graduates are not just photographers—they are specialized experience creators who have designed their business to uniquely serve their dream clients.

Meet our THRIVE graduates

A Community of Trusted Professionals

Each of our graduates listed below has completed the rigorous, industry-leading THRIVE program, gaining the skills and knowledge to serve clients like you with extraordinary care and expertise—each equipped with unique skills that make them truly stand out.

Visit their websites, and see their incredible work firsthand

Where are they based?

usa

cANADA

eUROPE

WORLD

USA

Canada

Europe

World