2019 Year in a Review

Hey friends! I can’t believe it’s JANUARY 1, 2020! A new year, a new decade, & a fresh start! I love starting each year off by looking back at the previous year, so I’ve highlighted 2019 for you in a blog post! Enjoy a walk down memory lane!

Creative at Heart – Creative at Heart is a 3 day conference for creatives of all experiences. I had seen a lot of my friends who have attended in past years, so this year I decided to invest in my business and attend especially since it was local to NC! There were so many talented, encouraging and inspiring creatives there. Not only did I learn from people like, Katelyn James and Hope Taylor, I also got to meet one of the most genuine, kind hearted, talented photographers, Nancy Ray. Nancy is someone who I’ve looked up to ever since I moved to North Carolina! She is one of the strongest, encouraging, loving, daughter of Christ, and I am so glad to call her a fellow photographer friend. She recently announced that she was closing the doors of her photography business but she will continue teaching and encouraging business owners. It meant a lot to hear her speak about leaving a legacy and meeting her. A moment I will never forget! Here are some photos courtesy of Bethanne Arthur Photography!

Shot at 11 different Wedding venues – Each year, I wonder what venues I will shoot at for the following year! And this past year, I shot at 11 different venues! Which means I got to explore and work at venues I had never worked at before and each wedding is unique! Here is a sneak peek of the Wedding Venues I hope to work with in 2020, check it out! So far, each of my weddings for 2020 are at new venues! Can’t wait!

As many of you have seen and heard, this past November I re-branded and in order to have a flow on the new website, I needed new and a complete set of headshots, photos of my working, editing, etc! Being in business for almost 6 years, I had never done a branding session! Having my photos done was a complete eye opening experience that’s for sure! I got to experience a morning of pampering, and then the anticipation of waiting for edited photos, everything! It was such a wonderful experience! And now, I have a complete set of photos for when I need a headshot or marketing materials! Big shout out to Becca Kate Photography for my session!

Back in August, my friend Ida and I were having coffee talking about business and life and I had a question abut my website for her, she’s a web designer at Hygge Design Co, and by the end of the conversation, she pretty much sold me on a complete re-brand and new website. And honestly, I was happy she did. Because when I started I completely DIY’d my website and thought I had everything where it needed to be, etc. but turns out I was totally wrong and well Ida was able to tell me that in about two minutes! So that day, we decided that by the beginning of November, Madalyn Yates Photography would have a new home, and look where it is now! I am absolutely thrilled that I decided to invest in my business a little more to better serve couples, families, and small businesses!

Traveling the East Coast – If you know me, you know I love to travel! 2019 brought a lot of traveling I feel! One of the best trips was to Nashville, TN! A few friends who are also photographers and I met up for a few days of rest & relaxation but also brainstorming for business! In our downtown we explored all of Nashville! It is such a fun city, I can’t wait to go back! I also drove down to FL with my dear friend, Ida to visit some friends and my Dad! Asheville was also a popular visit for 2019 with a wedding, a photo session and a trip with my Mom to the Biltmore Estate!

Photographing Branding for Small Businesses is something that really speaks to me and is inspiring to me and my business, so this year I began to photograph for a few small businesses in the Greensboro area! Each small business was different which allowed me to hear more about other ways to pursue your dreams, and the heart behind other businesses! I had the pleasure to photograph Suite One Studio; a pottery & design studio here in the area, I photographed, Magnolia Pen & Paper; a stationary & calligraphy business, and of course, Hygge Design Co! I look forward to the small businesses I get to capture in 2020!

I am so thankful for 2019 and so expectant for 2020! Happy New Year, friends!