Welcome to Mad Hearts: the blog! Here you'll find my latest sessions, photography and business tips and tutorials, as well as a peak of my life behind the lens. Enjoy your visit!
I had my share of beach sessions this summer and I didn’t mind one bit! I wish we had this location option year round, but since we don’t, I don’t mind taking advantage while the weather is still nice enough to enjoy it! And since we’re in the dead of winter right now in Jersey, this comes as a reminder of the warm and golden light that awaits at the end of the tunnel! I’ve photographed the M family several times over the years and each time it gets better and better – I love these guys to pieces! It was a joy to photograph them yet again and share in their excitement for their new baby boy! A few favorites from our time in Sandy Hook…
I know I’m a little late to the party, but a few days after the craziness of the holiday season is exactly what I needed to get me back on track. Happy New Year friends! Hope you’re 2015 is off to a positive start! I’m hoping that this new year is a little easier for me on the personal front than last. Let’s revisit my 2014 goals to see how well I fared in keeping my resolutions.
• Take more personal pictures: I’m sad to say I didn’t do as good with this resolution as I hoped, so it’s back on the list again for this year.
• OCF (Off-Camera Flash): I actually feel proud to say that I stuck with this goal in 2014 and even though I’m not an OCF expert, I’m much more comfortable with it and having been incorporating it into my events and session work. I love the flexibility it’s given me to shoot in all sorts of environments and conditions.
• Add traditional portraiture to my portfolio: I played around with a more “fine art” approach to my sessions last year and I was very pleased with the results! I didn’t delve into it as much as I’d hope, but I plan to continue exploring this approach in the new year as well.
• Rebrand my business: I did this early on in the year and I’m still pleased with the look and feel of my new brand. It feels more like “me” than any of the other makeovers and I will be sticking with this for a while.
I can comfortably say that I accomplished 3 out of my 4 business goals for last year – not bad at all! That’s why year after year, I love doing this exercise. Now onto the goals for the new year!
Oh…hello there! This holiday season has been crazy busy – working on fulfilling client orders around the clock, so I haven’t popped into the blog in a while. However, it’s my favorite time of the month – The Creativity Project circle, so I had to drop in! This month’s theme is family. These pictures are a little dusty from being in the archives for so long. They are not technically perfect in the slightest, but this was probably the last time I brought my camera to Christmas. When I first started getting into photography, my camera went everywhere with me! As business increased, I took less and less personal photos. To the point, where I had to dig this far back to get Christmas photos of my family! Even though, we are in generally good spirits this holiday season, there’s no denying there’s been a general shift in priorities. After losing two very special people in my life to cancer this year (my dad Jorge and my best friend Stephanie), making time for family/ friends is at the very top of my Christmas wish list this year. So even though I’m swamped with work, I’ve been squeezing time for social gatherings with my loved ones whenever possible! Hence typing this post this morning because I was out enjoying margaritas with Kleber’s family last night! :) Because if there’s anything this year has taught me is that family is the most important! Both the family we were given and the one we have chosen. And documenting those moments is equally as important because it’s these photos and memories that are carrying me through the hard times. So I’m making a promise to myself to bring my camera to Christmas this year, even if I have to just throw it on auto and shoot in JPEG (Gasp! I know! LOL). If I don’t have time to check in again before the holidays, have a wonderful time with your loved ones this season!
Missing you – Jorge & Stephanie – more than words can say.
Dan Beeler -My condolences to you and your family.
This is search a heart felt post. Thank you for sharing.
Happy Holidays
December 12, 2014 - 10:01 am
Stephanie -I am wishing you a Merry Christmas with your family and friends this season . It’s such a blessing to look back at these photos and reflect on the ones that might not here today but with you always in heart and spirit . I totally agree with throwing your camera on auto just to get the memories … big hugs … thanks for sharing
December 12, 2014 - 11:08 am
Pam D-Wrapping you in hugs as you face the empty chair at the table during this holiday season. It is hard to build a new normal, but with the beautiful smiles and hearts that I see in your photo, I think you will be able to find the joy. Blessings to you and your entire family…
all my prayers for your healing, beloved. i lost my father to cancer almost 2 years ago. the process is an especially difficult one when it’s someone so close. i’m glad you have such beautiful images to reflect on, filled with smiles and love to overwhelm your senses. may the holidays reflect that love back on to you.
December 13, 2014 - 9:13 pm
Tracy P. -You captured such beautiful moments–I know it is hard to imagine that your father and friend are gone so fast. Good for you being intentional to savor the new moments, even if they are bittersweet.
December 15, 2014 - 9:47 am
Erica-My heart seriously goes out for you Maddy. My condolences again. Such beautiful photos to remember these two by.
December 22, 2014 - 1:19 pm
Charlotte -This Christmas definitely rings in my memory. Love my family!
January 2, 2015 - 7:56 am
Amy-I love these photos! You know, I’m a firm believer that there’s a hint of perfection in the seemingly imperfect.
I thought of you a lot this holiday season; I hope it was happy, even if tinged with blue. And I pray 2015 affords more smiles than tears. Happy New Year, my friend. xo
February 9, 2015 - 9:53 pm
Life with Kaishon-I love your beautiful family. God gave them to you. You honor and cherish them through thick and thin. This post was perfect. I pray for your heart to heal as you have lost someone so very, very important to you.
Katherine Vargas - This are so cute Maddy.
Maddy {Mad Hearts Photography} - Thanks for always stopping by Katherine! xoxo
Life with Kaishon - Beautiful family. Congratulations to them on their new baby.