Dublin graduate Madison Phillipson found her dream career as a photographer by chance when she was looking for something to get her out of the house during the pandemic. Now, she’s photographing full time and loves capturing precious memories and making people feel good about themselves.
Phillipson graduated from Dublin High School in 2017 and moved to Waco for a year to start college, but when the pandemic hit she decided not to continue school. She moved back to Dublin and began working at Peacock’s restaurant.
Soon after, Phillipson found herself staying at home to care for two young children. She was looking for a creative outlet that would get her out of the house and working again, and landed on photography.
“I just picked up a camera, and then I was like, hey, actually, this is kind of fun,” she said. “It got me out socializing.”
Phillipson started a business, MadStyle Photography, which has since become her full-time job. Her main focus is styled portraits. She enjoys western fashion, and does styled shoots for boutiques and small businesses. She also does family photos and weddings.
In the future, she hopes to grow the western fashion and boutique side of the business. “I definitely want to work with businesses,” she said.
Phillipson’s favorite part about the job is giving people a confidence boost. “[I love] making people feel good about themselves and see how good they can look,” she said. “And then the memories — especially with family portraits, I love seeing how much people cherish it. So that’s always fun.”
Phillipson currently lives in Dublin with her two children, Sawyer 2.5, and Mazelynn, 1.
“I just bought a house in Dublin, so I live right across the street from my grandparents, and right down the road from Mom,” she said. “I’m sixth generation, I believe, in Dublin, and then raising my kids in Dublin too.”
Phillipson loves spending time with her kids. “They’re full personalities,” she said. “I can take them to Granny Clark’s and everybody just enjoys their company because they’re always just smiling at everybody.”
She tries to find activities that get the whole family outside together. “My son loves horses and tractors, so we’re trying to get out, especially in the summertime, and go to rodeos and all that good stuff,” she said.
Phillipson is happy to live near her mother, Kristi Watkins,andhergrandparents David and Debbie Charles, Jamie and Sherrie Jewell. The late Floyd Clayton Ratliff and Patty Ratliff lived in Dublin as well. Throughout her adult life, Phillipson has found inspiration in her faith. “I had a car wreck in 2018 that pushed my relationship with [Jesus,]” she said. “That’s when I really got to know Him, and He just worked on me.”
When she moved back to Dublin, she got baptised and now attends the Double N Cowboy Church in Dublin.
Phillipson’s advice to Dublin graduates is to put themselves out there and try things. “Get out there and do it, because you can’t learn from things you don’t do,”she said. “And then definitely lean on Jesus through all of it when you’re struggling, because it’s a hard world, especially now. Just push through and make it work — there’s always a way to make it work.” — Where Are They Now chronicles what Dublin graduates have done since high school. If you have any suggestions for other grads, email publisher@dublincitizen. com.