
A results-driven business and marketing program for photographers who want to stand out from the competition, attract perfect-fit clients, and build a reliable six-figure income (and beyond)
Get fully booked photographing weddings & elopements you love at your highest rates yet
—with a clear business and marketing plan, ongoing mentoring, and proven systems that actually get results
Enrollment CLLOSES in
“Last year I made $28k, now I’m making $100k”

“I got one hundred more inquires this year than last year.”

“I just booked my highest package yet, $14.5k”

Ever wonder how some photographers have a thriving business and a lifestyle they love?

a calendar full of amazing clients they can’t wait to meet

dream inquires that come to them instead of constantly chasing bookings

easily charging rates that support the life they want?
Meanwhile, your daily reality might look more like…

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone here. Many TALENTED photographers
have these struggles, And it doesn’t have to stay this way.
TAKE A DEEP BREATH AND SAY THIS WITH ME

You can create a reliable, full-time career photographing high-paying wedding and elopement clients that genuinely excite you
whether that’s…

NO MATTER WHAT MARKET YOU’RE IN…
There’s a space in this industry that’s all yours.
There’s clients ready to pay you top-dollar for exactly what you’re excited about.
You can become the go-to photographer for the work you actually want to create.

Korey increased her inquiry volume by 2.5x and booked more weddings in the first 5 months of 2024 than she booked in all of 2023.
She’s now getting 45% of her inquiries from Google (SEO)


Millie doubled her average booking from $4000 to $8000 in the year since since joining THRIVE.
She feels genuinely fulfilled by her business, lovers her connection to her couples and her photos were also featured in the New York Times.


Sierra has nailed down her branding, has confidence in her workflow and has raised her rates since reaching page ONE on Google for Alaska since joining THRIVE and using all the resources available in the course.

WONDERING WHY IT HASN’T HAPPENED FOR YOU YET?
It’s not your work, your market, or your rates keeping you stuck.
It always comes down to these 3 issues
1
Your brand is blending in and feels too similar to everyone else
If couples can’t quickly understand what makes you different, they’ll just pick whoever is cheaper.
With THRIVE, you’ll discover what makes you unique and create a brand that’s unmistakably yours, so you clients feel like you’re the obvious choice (even when you’re more expensive).




2
Your business isn’t being found by enough of the right couples
You can be incredibly talented, but if your marketing isn’t consistently reaching the right people who want what you offer, inquiries will be slow or unpredictable.
Inside THRIVE, you’ll learn a proven targeted marketing system that consistently brings you dream inquiries, without hustling or burnout.
3
Your value isn’t being clearly communicated
When inquiring couples can’t easily understand the full value of what you’re offering, they haggle, ghost, or choose someone else.
THRIVE will show you how to stop underselling yourself and communicate your value in a way the builds trust, confidence, and your highest-paying bookings yet (without any slimy sales tactics).


When you change these 3 things, everything changes.
you already have what it takes
What you need to get more bookings is a proven PLAN
A clear, step-by-step roadmap designed to help you create a brand that stands out in a crowded market, attract your dream clients consistently, and empower you to confidently book out your season with the “perfect fit” couples at higher rates.
When you know what to focus on and why it works, your business starts to feel predictable instead of stressful.
Yes, proven. See the real results
from THRIVE program members

After a year of trying to figure it out on their own, Leticia and her partner have used the roadmap THRIVE provided for them to get in the top 5 google search positions for ‘Utah Elopement Photographer’, doubled their inquiries and raised their prices.


Six months after joining THRIVE Sarah had updated her website, improved her pricing and while bookings in her area are down – her revenue is up, she is booking dream couples and couples are ready to book straight away!


Vanessa used THRIVE to revitalize her marketing, and a year later is still seeing growth she didn’t imagine possible. She’s fully booked for the year with couples she is excited to work with – with an average package price of over $7,000 and almost all 8+ hour packages.

INTRODUCING

12-month business & marketing mentoring program

Learn how to become fully booked photographing the weddings & elopements you love—while building a six-figure (& beyond) business that supports your dream lifestyle
THRIVE is your all-in-one blueprint to growing a sustainable, profitable photography business through clear strategy, ongoing support, and proven systems that actually work in the real world.
as seen on










With THRIVE you’ll have a step-by-step plan to:

Don’t compete on price. You can easily outcompete everyone else by being something un-copyable—you.

you have something to offer that no one else does
“I sent out my first $10k invoice this morning and I started photographing weddings last year”

“Thanks to Maddie, I hit 6-figures in my first year full time, and am set to break $200k”

“I’ve raised my average booking by $2k and am fully booked for this year”

READY TO SEE HOW IT WORKS?
Welcome to the
Thrive System™

THRIVE is your all-in-one blueprint for a successful business packed with the hands-on support, resources, community, and motivation you need to achieve real-world, life-changing results
Including

THRIVE System™ Video Trainings & Clear Action-Steps
My practical, easy-to-follow training videos and guided action-steps walk you through implementing the tested and proven strategies for branding, pricing, websites, marketing, and sales so you book better, higher-paying clients consistently.

Twice-per-Month Live Mentoring Calls with Maddie Mae for 1 Year
You can hop on live group video calls with me twice each month and get my personal feedback and tailored answers for your individual business—plus get advice and encouragement from your fellow THRIVE members for an entire year.

Q&A, Audits, & Feedback from Maddie Mae in the VIP Community
Between calls, you have 24/7 access to getting answers and in-depth feedback from me on what you’re implementing (your website, your pricing, etc.) in an intimate private community of fellow thriving photographers for a whole year.

Done-For-You Templates, Scripts, Calculators and Resource Library
Save countless hours with ready-to-use email templates, consult call scripts, pricing calculators, website copywriting guides & more—designed to accelerate your success.

Choose-Your-Own Pace, Guided, & Customized Success Plans
Choose from the 90-day Fast-Track, or 3 customized action roadmaps designed to tackle your most pressing goals and exactly what your business needs most right now

Lifetime Access to Trainings & Resources
Never fear missing out or being left behind. Unlike other programs, your access to the video trainings, templates, resources, & workbook in Thrive never expires—it’s yours, forever.
The weekly (or self-paced) video trainings & action steps guide you through:
The 7 steps to building a thriving wedding or elopement photography business
STEP 01
FOCUS
Define your vision and align your business to your dream life
STEP 02
BRAND
Craft a unique brand that irresistibly attracts your perfect-fit couples
STEP 03
PRICE
Maximize your profits with strategic pricing and irresistible packages
STEP 04
MARKET
Utilize powerful and efficient marketing strategies to get inquiries consistently
STEP 05
BOOK
Turn your inquiries into highly profitable bookings with authentic selling
STEP 06
CREATE
Master expert skills, deliver amazing client experiences, earn 5-star reviews
STEP 07
GROW
Streamline your business with efficient systems for sustainable success
How much time do you need?
The trainings on average are about 2 hours of guided curriculum per week for a 12-week period (if you follow the 90-day Fast Track).
You can start them whenever is convenient for you, but the faster you dive in and start implementing the strategies, the faster you’ll see results.
You keep lifetime access to the training modules, so THRIVE can fit with your schedule even if it’s your busy season.

Here’s a deep-dive into each step
Step 1: Focus
Step 2: Brand
Step 3: Price
Step 4: Market
Step 5: Book
Step 6: Create
Step 7: Grow
PLUS, THERE’S EVEN MORE INSIDE
BONUSES to help you Thrive
OVER $7,500 OF ADDITIONAL VALUE INCLUDED WHEN YOU ENROLL
1 Year of Twice-per-month Live Mentoring Calls with Maddie Mae
Get personal feedback, ask questions, and get tailored solutions for you over 24 live mentoring calls with Maddie Mae over 12 months. Plus get advice from your fellow like-minded photographers in the program who want to see you succeed!
These calls are designed to let you overcome blocks, get hands-on attention, and guide you through your real business questions so that you can reach your goals. I’ll never leave you without support.
If you need to miss one or two, these intimate calls are recorded so that you can always catch-up or revisit at any time, again and again.


4 Personalized Audits/Reviews
OF YOUR CHOOSING, ON YOUR SCHEDULE
As a THRIVE member, you can get 4 personalized reviews on anything you’re actively implementing on any of the twice-monthly live mentoring calls with me or directly inside the VIP THRIVE community.
So whether you’re working on leveling-up your:
You can get experienced eyes on your work, stop second-guessing yourself, and get clear next steps to move forward with confidence after applying what you’ve learned inside THRIVE.
Exclusive Membership to the VIP THRIVE COMMUNITY
Q&A and Support from Maddie in an Encouraging Community, 24/7
For an entire year, you can get answers to any questions you have for me between the mentoring calls, so you’ll never be left on your own. You can also crowdsource recommendations and advice from a whole group of business-minded photographers in the VIP THRIVE Community and:


Done-For-You Templates, Scripts, Tools, & Resource Library
Save countless hours & streamline your workflow with instant access to a toolbox full of ready-to-use, customizable templates and resources to jumpstart your success including:
- pricing calculator
- price guide template
- inquiry response email templates + follow-ups
- inquiry consultation call scripts
- branding guidelines template
- client questionnaires
- location list library & timeline templates
- client packing lists
- website copywriting guided outlines
- content calendar
- content idea bank
- market research email template
- model call wording examples
- asking for a review email template
and so much more!
Digital & Printable
THRIVE™ Workbook
This isn’t your ordinary workbook—it’s a 150+ page complete roadmap to your success.
Designed to directly work with the video trainings, this workbook is filled with
And the best part? It’s both digital and fully print friendly. That way you can choose whichever way you work best (or use a combination of both!)


90-Day Fast-Track & Customized Success Plans
The 90-day fast-track is an ADHD-friendly plan that breaks down the THRIVE system video trainings and action steps into a manageable 12-week plan—showing you exactly how to get the most out of THRIVE in your first 90 days and see more inquires and higher bookings, the fastest.
You’ll get weekly emails from me telling you exactly what trainings to watch (about 2 hours of content per week) plus exactly what action steps to focus on. There’s also a “challenge” section of the THRIVE community where you can turn in your weekly homework and get support and encouragement!
For a customized route through THRIVE to tackle your unique goals—there’s also a “Where to Start with THRIVE” flowchart which will give you 3 other personalized routes through the program depending on your experience and needs. You can also ask for my advice anytime on where to head next in the program so you can reach your next goal.
FREE BONUS COURSE
How to Leave No Trace
for Wedding & Elopement Photographers
BECOME PART OF THE SOLUTION
A portion of your Thrive enrollment will be donated to the great earth-loving, land-protecting, Leave No Trace Organization and grant you access the How to Leave No Trace – for Wedding & Elopement Photographers course— created by the Leave No Trace Organization, Maddie Mae, Anni Graham, and Gabi & Brandon Fox, for free.
With this course, you’ll:

Supercharge Your Sales in 14-Days
Customized Success Plan
Your fast-track to more bookings at higher rates
If you’re struggling to convert your inquiries into highly profitable bookings, this step-by-step plan guides you through overhauling your pricing and sales process with specific masterclasses in the course and action steps to take.
In 14 days or less, this plan will help you maximize your profits with strategic pricing and irresistible packages and revolutionize your inquiry-to-booking workflow so you can turn your inquiries into highly profitable bookings with authentic (non-sleazy) selling.

Craft an Irresistible Brand in 30-Days
Customized Success Plan
Your fast-track to stand out from the crowd
In 30 days or less you’ll go from “blending in” to one-of-a-kind with a distinctive unique brand that will magnetize your dream clients.
Using specific masterclasses in the course, you’ll pinpoint your unique differentiators (what sets you apart from your competition) and utilize the 9 elements of branding strategy to complete a revolutionized brand guide for your business that puts you in a category all of your own.

Ready to create the business and lifestyle you love?
Invest in Thrive before February 26th
& get something brand new

THE EXCLUSIVE thrive GRADUATE BONUS
6-Month *FREE* extension of
Mentoring calls & VIP group support
when you Graduate THRIVE
THRIVE is the only program in the industry with a huge graduate bonus like this that’s designed to motivate and reward you for taking action so you can see real results.
All you need to do to take advantage of these incredible perks of being a THRIVE graduate is to complete the video trainings and a short assessment/survey within 12 months of enrolling.

When you graduate within 12 months, you unlock:
6 more months of twice-per-month live mentoring calls with Maddie Mae (12 more calls) for more personal feedback and tailored answers
6 more months of Q&A and personalized support from Maddie in the dedicated VIP Thrive community. I love supporting your growth!
Lifetime access to the THRIVE Graduate community to share wins, get referrals, source recommendations & forge lasting friendships
The THRIVE Graduate Badge and free listing on the THRIVE Graduates page with a valuable backlink
The opportunity to get on Maddie Mae (Adventure Instead’s) personal referral list for inquiries I can’t take on
Exclusive early access to new offers, special discounts, and ongoing perks—I take incredibly good care of THRIVE graduates
Plus, your enrollment already includes
Lifetime access to the video trainings (including all future updates), resources, and workbook
I fully believe in what the
THRIVE System™ can do for you
Because I know what it has done for me
Hey there—
I’m Maddie Mae
Founder of Adventure Instead
a thriving seven-figure luxury elopement
photography business
When I first started my photography business, I found myself in a race to the bottom. I charged below-average rates, mimicked others, and lost time & money on ineffective marketing. I was photographing weddings I didn’t love, feeling undervalued, and on the verge of burnout.


That all changed when I went to business school, discovered the secrets and proven methods to success (the basis for the THRIVE System™) and after implementing it…
I made 6-figures in my FIRST year as a full-time photographer, documenting unreal elopements across 13 countries.
SINCE THEN, I’VE:
- traveled to all 7 continents and photographed high-end elopements in 20
countries - been recognized by Forbes magazine as “the woman who helped spark the
adventure elopement trend”
today:
- My current average booking price is $14,000 per elopement
- and with 50-100 organic inquiries per month, I have the luxury of being
selective about what bookings I take on









Bottom line:
I’m not any different than you.
Hundreds of photographers have implemented my approach, and seen similar results: a flood of inquires, better clients, higher prices, and a stronger, competition-proof brand.
All you are missing is the THRIVE System™
With THRIVE, you’ll be able to:
understand and leverage what sets you apart (because there is genuinely no one like you)—so you never blend in again
navigate economic and market fluctuations with resilience—because you’ve built a strong, competition-proof brand
experience financial freedom and attain the lifestyle you dream of because you have consistent inquiries and profitable bookings
prioritize your time on the kind of marketing that actually results in your dream bookings with a clear marketing plan you are able to adjust & adapt
have the luxury to be selective about who you work with and know you have enough inquiries to still comfortably sustain yourself
confidently raise your prices and know exactly when it’s time to raise them again—so you’re not missing out on potential profit
break free from the “have to’s” and comparison game that’s holding you back and experience your own definition of wild success
never doubt yourself or your dreams—knowing that the life you have intentionally designed for yourself is better than any boring 9-to-5
So what if I told you that you are only 90 days away from living the life you are dreaming of?
And don't just take my word for it

Alli had never booked a wedding before and had a "non-existent portfolio" and used THRIVE to build her website from scratch and then she instantly received her first inquiry and used the THRIVE consultation call script to confidently and easily book them at a higher price point than she could have imagined!


- Alli Nash
British Columbia, Canada

My 30-Day *Life-Changing*
Guarantee or Your Money Back
Take the plunge & learn to THRIVE—risk-free
I guarantee your business & life will never be the same.
Here’s the deal: If you watch all the video trainings within 30 days of joining and decide it wasn’t helpful, just email me and I’ll send you a full refund, no questions asked.
We’re in this together. I want you to have full confidence this program will help you reach your dreams and trust in yourself you have what it takes.
Here’s everything you gain
when you enroll in Thrive:
OVER $18,000 OF VALUE INSIDE
$7000 Value
Thrive System™ Training Videos - Instant & Lifetime Access
The 7 steps to building your thriving business with tested and proven strategies. Stream at your own pace and re-watch whenever you want.
$4800 Value
1 Year of Twice-Per Month Live Mentoring Calls with Maddie Mae
12 months (24 calls) with Maddie and fellow thrive members for personal feedback, hands-on attention, tailored answers for your business
$1200 Value
Q&A + Personalized Support from Maddie in the THRIVE Community
Get direct support and answers to your questions between the mentoring calls, with 24/7 access to the dedicated community, for 1 full year
$4000 Value
4 Personalized Reviews/Audits of Your Choice
Get 4 personalized reviews (i.e. your home page, pricing, inquiry response etc.) on any of the twice-monthly live mentoring calls or in the community
$1000 Value
Done-For-You Templates, Scripts, Tools, & Resource Library
Save time & accelerate your success with customizable templates, scripts, calculators, content ideas, initial emails, follow-ups, pricing guide & more
$495 Value
Digital & Printable THRIVE™ Workbook
Your 150+ page complete roadmap to success—with visual examples and exercises that put your plans into action
$295 Value
90-Day Fast-Track & Customized Success Plans
Your adhd-friendly plan that will guide you through the program with weekly walk-through videos and emails to fast-track you to more, higher-priced bookings in 90 days or less
$95 Value
Free Bonus Course: How to Leave No Trace
A donation will be made to the Leave No Trace organization on your behalf to grant you access to this non-profit course
$3000 Value
6-Month *FREE* Extension of Mentoring Calls & Community for Graduates
Graduate within 12 months and unlock 6 more months of live mentoring calls, Q&A support + extra perks (the graduate badge, listing, referrals, and more)
30-Day Zero Risk Guarantee - No Questions Asked
If you watch all the video trainings within 30 days and if you’re not happy for any reason, just email me and I’ll give you every penny back.
12 monthly payments of
$340
or
one payment of
$3400
Here’s everything you gain
when you enroll in Thrive:
OVER $18,000 OF VALUE INSIDE
$7000 Value
$4800 Value
$1200 Value
$4000 Value
$1000 Value
$495 Value
$295 Value
$95 Value
$3000 Value
12 monthly payments of
$340
or
one payment of
$3400
And don’t just take my word for it
Emilee, Oregon
vanessa, Colorado
TRACI, Washington
Shannon, California
MARK, South carolina
HILLARY, Canada
aIMEE, ARIZONA
Jessica, North Carolina
MALACHI, COLORADO
Just “a few more” #THRIVEWINS
from THRIVE program members










Whether you’re new to photography or have been in the industry for a decade
Thrive will meet you where you are at—and give you the knowledge and actionable steps you need to grow
If you…
THRIVE will...
are brand new and don’t have a photography business yet or don’t know where to start
have been in business for a while but still struggle to get bookings
want to travel and book unique destination weddings & elopements
don’t want to travel or solely do hiking or adventure elopements
have only done big, traditional weddings but want to book more elopements or smaller events
have been getting ghosted or experiencing a lull in inquiries
feel “blah” about your brand and don’t align with the client’s you’re attracting
Whether you’re new to photography or have been in the industry for a decade
Thrive will meet you where you are at—and give you the knowledge and actionable steps you need to grow
If you…
THRIVE will...
are brand new and don’t have a photography business yet or don’t know where to start
have been in business for a while but still struggle to get bookings
want to travel and book unique destination weddings & elopements
don’t want to travel or solely do hiking or adventure elopements
have only done big, traditional weddings but want to book more elopements or smaller events
have been
getting ghosted or experiencing a lull in inquiries
feel “blah” about your brand and don’t align with the client’s you’re attracting
Still have a burning question or two?
Ask away. I’ve got you covered.
You can also message me directly below.
Need more information to make your decision?
Send your question directly to me here
and I’ll personally reply with an audio
or video message just for you!
xx Maddie Mae
Worried You Don’t Have What it Takes? Guess what?
You are already enough
You are a good enough photographer—there’s nothing wrong with your work
You don’t need to have a huge following or win photography awards to turn your photography into a successful career
You have useful knowledge and irreplicable value to offer to the couples that work with you
All you need is someone to help you discover and communicate your uniqueness so you can build a brand that deeply, meaningfully connects with the couples you want to work with
So even though the struggles of running your own photography business might feel like they are getting in your way right now…
You are meant for so much more
No matter how resilient you are, you have struggled enough, and you don’t have to be stuck in survival mode anymore.
It’s time for you to thrive and this course will show you how





























































