Studying fine art photography at the Maryland Institute College of Art taught Madeline Gray how to see – how to visually explore light, color, texture, and concepts. She spent four years printing film in the darkroom which gave her an in-depth knowledge of the photographic process. Then she had the opportunity to work side-by-side with National Geographic photographer Steve McCurry as his studio manager and assistant.
As a photojournalism graduate student at Ohio University, Maddy learned one of her most valuable skills – how to tell stories. She realized that stories of all shapes and sizes can change the way a community thinks. Whether photographing the struggle of one woman as she undergoes a bone marrow transplant or the struggle of dozens of Marines as they perform their 5 a.m. workout in the hull of a navy ship, she thrives on documenting each individual experience as it unfolds. She worked in Burkina Faso in West Africa on a book project about the peaceful coexistence of Christians, Muslims, and animists, using both photography and writing to piece together the complex story.
At The Palm Beach Post and North State Journal, Maddy thrived in fast-paced, metropolitan newsrooms while creating compelling images during daily assignments. Self-generated projects have allowed her to dig deeper, spend time with her subjects, and hone her video skills. Now as a freelance photographer, she draws from her diverse experience – working with dynamic clients, both local and national, to meet their photographic needs and tell their stories. Whether it’s photographing people, products or places, she pushes herself creatively to make images that capture the unique qualities that clients want to share. For Maddy, the best part about photography is the collaboration that comes with each project!
To learn more about Maddy or to see more of her work visit madelinegrayphoto.com.