Contact
  • HOME
  • / MEDIA /
  • Award-Winning Photographer’s Pursuit of Art Against All Odds, “Throughout the years, I was told, there is no money on art.”

Stories

March 13, 2023

SHARE:

Her passion for art started at an early age, and she fell in love with photography when she got her first camera in elementary school. However, like many artists, she was told that there was no money in art and decided to pursue a different career path.

She went back to photography when she purchased her first digital camera in 2003. As a mother with a young baby, she started Cubrix Photography during the recession in 2008 and posted on Craigslist with her son as a sample portfolio.

Today, she specializes photographing in newborns, marriage proposals, weddings, and Bar Mitzvahs – “pretty much the milestones of their life” as she says. Madeline’s unique perspective on storytelling in photography and her empathy for others makes her work truly stand out.

In this interview, Madeline shares her most memorable moments as a photographer, how her Filipino heritage shapes her work and her personal and professional goals as an evolving artist.

PURSUING ART DESPITE ADVERSITIES

I was born & raised in Pangasinan, Philippines. Art has been a huge part of me growing up. My loving mother thought I had a great left hand when it came to art and sent me to art class at the early age of 7. Since then, I can see art everywhere through my eyes. I developed an interest in photography when I was in elementary years, my first camera was Kodak Ultralite (Film). 

Throughout the years, I was told, there is no money on art. So, I have set aside my passion and pursued a different career path. By 2003, I purchased my first digital camera. Photographing became my hobby again, I would capture the beauty of nature, my favorite being sunsets.

I started Cubrix Photography when the recession began in January 2008. My first child was only 1-month-old back then when I started taking his photos with little to no props. With no incoming income from my previous web development firm, I have to rapidly think, my camera was my only valued asset I have left which makes money. I immediately started posting on Craigslist LA/SF/IE/OC – on a daily basis with my son as a sample portfolio. That’s how I first started to get my first batch of clients.

My children – Dylan and Kyla

By 2nd quarter of 2009, I drove to San Francisco once a month to sustain my daughter’s baby formula & diaper supply for Dylan & Kyla. There was a season, I had barely any bookings and I was forced to sell some of my photography equipment so we can go to Costco to buy our necessities. By the year 2009, I was nominated and rank the top 5 out of 32 portrait photographers in Los Angeles. LA City Voter. The awards continue 2011 (3/57), 2012 (1/61), 2013 (1/45) & 2014 (2/29)

Expertise picked Cubrix Photography as one of the top 23 out of 1,336 newborn photographers serving Los Angeles (2017 & 2018)

As of today, my business runs based on “referrals/word of mouth”, I average 10-14 sessions per week including newborns, baby milestones, family, headshots, marriage proposals & special events. I still travel to San Francisco yearly, expanded to Great Neck, NY for the past 3 years, and travel 2x a year. I am currently I’m on my 4th batch in the newborn + children Photography workshop in Manila Philippines this July 2023.

INCORPORATING STORYTELLING INTO PHOTOGRAPHY

I was once taught by my first mentor, Alex Hernandez from Lifetouch, “Paint with light”. You may have some astonishing pictures that are technically perfect; however, there are two more elements that make a strong image even much stronger. The images should evoke strong emotional feelings in the viewer’s psyche.

Calasiao, Pangasinan

CAPTURING MORE THAN JUST PICTURES: THE MOST MEANINGFUL MOMENTS AS A PHOTOGRAPHER

So many, I feel each session, event, or newborn workshop I photograph was all memorable for me. But there were few who really stood out the most. As a portrait photographer, I trained myself to be emotionless despite what was happening during the time of the documentary.

I had this newborn session many years ago, while I was doing my craft, out of the blue, the mom started crying. Her husband passed away recently.  I had no words to say and kept doing my job. I keep telling her baby was so beautiful – her dad will be so proud of her someday. 

Yearly, I teach newborn workshops in the Philippines. While I was telling my students the profits were donated to a charity that makes special shoes for claw feet babies. It was hard for me to finish my speech – I was so emotional as I taught them the importance of giving back whenever your life is very comfortable.

On a lighter note, for this one-year-old boy’s milestone, every time I sing, he gives me a bad look. When I stop singing, he will stop the grin. I don’t have a talent for singing at all!

The little boy giving me his bad look

At events – Photographing 25 Billionaires during a private meeting event  – one of the guests was Bill Gates. I was so nervous I didn’t even say hi and shake his hands!

STAYING INSPIRED AND CONTINUING TO GROW AS A PHOTOGRAPHER

Surround Yourself with Success: Physically surround yourself with successful photographers. Go to photo conferences, and meet-ups, join a mastermind, and go to photography events and photo walks. If these don’t exist in your area, start them.

Booking signing with Anne Geddes, world-renowned baby photographer for 35 years.
Belly Baby and Beyond: A Collaborative Conference

HOW MY FILIPINO HERITAGE SHAPES MY WORK AROUND THE WORLD

Filipinos have extremely strong cultural empathy. I would like to think that we would never have been able to succeed across such a varied portfolio of countries (across six continents) without embodying this very strong Filipino value.

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL ROADMAP AS AN EVOLVING ARTIST

Personally, to stay healthy and be able to photograph my children’s newborns. To be able to get grants and build 20 libraries per year for our children’s charity – JollyBox Philippines. 

Jollybox Philippines

Professionally, to be the first South/North East Asian Nikon USA Female Ambassador. To achieve a Master’s in WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International ), currently at the associate level. To continue to teach newborns workshops in the Philippines on a yearly basis. 

ADVICE FOR ASPIRING PHOTOGRAPHERS

An artist will always be an artist, in spite of everything. Pursue it, no matter what. No Matter what, you are emphasizing that you are definitely going to do it, even if there are obstacles or difficulties.

CONNECT WITH MADELINE

Whether you’re a fellow photographer or simply an admirer of stunning visual imagery, connecting with Madeline through social media and exploring her photography portfolios is a great way to stay up-to-date on her latest creations and gain inspiration for your own creative pursuits.

Babies and Family Photography

Event Photography

Marriage Proposals & Weddings Photography

Newborns Photography

Lifestyle, Birth, Fresh48 Photography

Maternity Photography

Creative Fashion

Photojournalism / B&W Photography

Related Articles

Image Source: Chris Pizzello/ Invision /AP file

Stories

Awkwafina Knows Best About How She Is Still More Financially Great Living On $500 A Month

Even though the Crazy Rich Asians actress’ wealth is likely in the millions, she believes that a mere $500 per month is sufficient to cover her expenses.

The 32-year-old actress recently told Harper’s Bazaar that her money philosophy goes back to when she was building her Awkwafina musical and comedy persona, which she used as an outlet for her creativity while she worked a day job in book publicity.

Her grandmother brought her up in a one-bedroom apartment in Queens, New York. Because her family’s restaurant went out of business and they were forced to sell their home, she has developed a greater appreciation for monetary gain than any other aspect of her life.  

Awkwafina remembers that funds were tight at home and that she would stay up late with her grandma, who worried about paying the bills.

She also claims that despite being in a better financial position to support her family and herself, she still maintains a just-the-basics mentality. The actress has been known to buy clothes at Target and not spend much money on anything. She set out with the simple objective of covering her living expenses. 

She explains to Harper’s Bazaar, “I went into this mode off, if I can make $500 a month, that’s all I need.” 

Awkwafina’s motivation and success are attributed mainly to her refreshingly optimistic view of financial considerations. She has kept herself busy acting in the years since, including launching her comedy series on Comedy Central and becoming the first Asian-American actress to win the Golden Globe for best actress for her lead role in the 2019 drama “The Farewell.”

  • 2 min read
Image Source: Photograph by Ken Richardson Boston Magazine

Stories

Chef Tracy Chang Gives Back To The Community Through The Language Of Food

Restaurateur Tracy Chang started the nonprofit Off Their Plate and Project Restore Us through the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. 

The owner of the Japanese tapas restaurant,  PAGU, started Off Their Plate as a way to feed healthcare workers, and Project Restore Us sends nutritious and culturally appropriate grocery boxes to families living in food deserts. Both groups work to support local kitchens run by women and BIPOC and volunteers.

As a chef, Tracy also finds herself more in tune with customers than ever before. As someone who grew up lactose intolerant, she sources ingredients responsibly and remains mindful of the way guests feel after they leave her restaurant. This is also part of her restaurant’s ethos.

Her grandmother has also influenced Tracy’s cooking. Although her grandmother didn’t speak English, she spoke the language of food really well, said Tracy, and that was something that always resonated with her.

For Tracy, her personal experience has definitely come into play — trained in Spain but worked at a Japanese restaurant, and she grew up with a lot of Japanese and Taiwanese food, “The menu at PAGU is autobiographical and about my experience learning very specific dishes and techniques from people like my grandmother, my mentor and some of the chefs I’ve worked with.” she told TimeOut.

  • 2 min read
Image Source: CNN

Stories

Young Tech Startup Founders In Asia Make Mental Health Support Accessible To Break Stigma

Breaking down societal stigma and creating a new mental healthcare system for the Asia-Pacific area are two of Theodoric Chew’s objectives, founder of the digital mental health app, Intellect.

Founded in 2019, the mobile app frequently monitors users’ moods, delivers rescue sessions and exercises, and lets them chat with therapists in real-time. 

The 26-year-old explained that mental health is just as important as physical health, “You and I face things like stress, burnout, sleep issues, and relationship struggle as well.” he told CNN, “ That’s where actually a lot of us should start working on our mental wellbeing.”

Since early 2020, the startup serves over 3 million Asia-Pacific users in 15 languages. According to CNN Business, the Singapore-based mobile app has raised $20 million in its Series A funding, the largest amount raised by a mental health start-up in Asia.

Early this year, Singapore and Jakarta-based digital mental healthcare start-up, Ami, has raised at least $3 million from a number of investors, including Meta, the owner of Facebook. The firm was founded by Justin Kim, a Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia alum with Beknazar Abdikamalov.

Both digital mental health companies are targeting employers in their business models, where companies can subscribe to provide staff unlimited, private access to their services.

According to the WHO, depression and anxiety disorders cost the global economy $1 trillion a year in lost productivity. In March, it was reported that anxiety and sadness surged 25% worldwide in the first year of the pandemic.

  • 2 min read
Image Source: Shoutout LA

Uncategorized

Loose Leaf Boba Company Blends Third-wave Coffee And Tea With Cultural Inclusion

Loose Leaf Boba Company is not only well-known for its expert “bobaristas.” but also for its diverse cultural representation including Burmese, Thai, Filipino, and Hispanic. “Going out for boba” was a childhood tradition that assisted the company’s mission of unifying people by normalizing cultural differences.

The brand constantly values cultural inclusivity and also empowers BIPOC, AAPI, women, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Loose Leaf Boba Company’s sharp vision of “Building a Better Boba Company” comes to life every time a customer experiences a foreign favorite, for which they make beverages for customers to try global favorites. This means making tasty beverages like Vietnamese Egg Coffee or Mexican-inspired Guava Atole.

Founded in 2012 by husband and wife duo Thomas and Jasmine Liu in West Covina, the viral third-wave shop has locations across the United States, including Connecticut, California, and Massachusetts.  This bubble tea tycoon has big plans to grow large retail sites in metro Dallas, TX, Northampton, MA, and Hadley, MA.

  • 1 min read