I first spotted Maddy—member of the Navy Spirit Team—across the room at Commissioning 101 in February 2025.
Through a crowd, I pointed at her and said, “YOU need photos with me.”
She simply nodded yes, like it was already decided. Just like that, I had my very first Class of 2026 booking.
Maddy has a presence that is impossible to miss. She truly glows. But as we planned her Naval Academy senior portrait session and spent time together, I learned that what makes her remarkable runs so much deeper.
She is intelligent, free-spirited, energetic, and incredibly thoughtful. Every detail of her USNA session felt purposeful—especially her wish to honor her grandfather, a Naval Officer who is laid to rest in the Columbarium.
Maddy had preselected the submarines for her photos, but what mattered most to this future Naval Officer was incorporating her grandfather’s legacy. With construction underway, we weren’t sure whether the Columbarium would be accessible. Still, we made the trek, carrying hope along with his ring. Thankfully, she got her wish: photos with both his ring and his stone.
It was an honor to document a chapter that held so much meaning—not only Maddy’s time as a Midshipman at the United States Naval Academy, but also the family legacy that helped shape her path forward.
The submarine community is gaining a true leader in Maddy. I’m grateful I got to know her, celebrate who she is, and preserve the beginning of what I know will be a long and successful Naval career.
Congratulations, Maddy. The future is bright—and you are more than ready for it. 💜
Searching for a Naval Academy photographer in Annapolis? I love documenting USNA Midshipmen and their families as they celebrate this meaningful milestone.
