An Intro to Me: Where Empathy Meets Action in Digital Spaces

People often ask me how photography, content creation, and event moderation all fit together. On the surface, they might seem like completely different worlds. But there's a thread that runs through everything I create: the belief that our digital spaces should reflect our highest values, not our worst impulses.

Whether I'm behind a camera capturing someone's authentic moment, crafting social media content that sparks meaningful dialogue, or moderating a panel discussion about mental health advocacy, I'm always asking the same question: How can this help people feel less alone?

I started making content online during a time when I was struggling with my own mental health. Social media felt like a performance where everyone was competing to seem the most successful, the most put-together, the most effortlessly perfect. But I was drowning in that performance, and I suspect I'm not the only one.

So I started posting differently. I shared the messy middle of creative projects. I talked about therapy and medication and the days when getting dressed felt like a victory. I made posts about the books that changed my perspective and the conversations that challenged my assumptions.

The response was immediate and overwhelming. My DMs filled with messages from people saying "I thought I was the only one who felt this way" or "Thank you for making me feel less broken." 

That's when I realized: vulnerability isn't oversharing - it's creating permission for others to be human too.

That realization shaped everything that came next. My photography sessions became less about getting the "perfect" shot and more about capturing authentic moments that reflect who people really are. My event moderation work focused on creating spaces where difficult conversations could happen with kindness and nuance. My content strategy centered on building genuine community rather than chasing viral moments.

I've had the privilege of moderating panels with nonprofit leaders, actors, and global organizers - conversations about everything from digital civility to allyship in activism. I've photographed everything from intimate portraits to large-scale community events. I've written content for mission-driven brands who are trying to change the world, one authentic post at a time.

One project I'm particularly proud of is the Random Chats: Empathy Expo, a 2-day virtual event I organized, produced, and moderated entirely on my own. The concept was simple: bring together diverse voices for conversations about kindness, creativity, and community involvement.

Over that weekend, I had the honor of facilitating discussions with incredible humans, including people I look up to immensely. Watching strangers in the chat connect over shared experiences, seeing people exchange resources and support - that's what empathy-driven content can do. It creates ripple effects far beyond what we can measure in likes and shares.

I'm motivated by the conversations that happen after the event ends, the DMs that come months later saying "this helped me through a hard time," and the clients who tell me their photos helped them see themselves differently. My work isn't about building a personal brand - it's about using whatever platform I have to make digital spaces a little more human.

In a world where algorithms reward outrage and controversy, I'm committed to creating content that rewards empathy and authentic connection. In spaces where marginalized voices are often silenced, I want to use my privilege to amplify stories that need to be heard. In communities where mental health is still stigmatized, I want to normalize conversations about therapy, medication, and the ongoing work of healing.

This blog will be a place where I share more of my behind-the-scenes thoughts - the lessons I'm learning about running a creative business with values, the books and podcasts that are shaping my perspective, and the projects I'm excited about (some of which are still in development and might make an appearance here first).

I'll use my Substack to dive deeper into topics that matter to me: digital wellness, the intersection of creativity and activism, and how we can use our online presence to build the kind of world we want to live in.

Here's what I hope for this space: that it becomes a place where we can have the kinds of conversations that social media doesn't always allow for. The nuanced ones. The ones that require more than 280 characters or a quick scroll past.

If you're someone who believes that creativity can be a force for good, that our online spaces should reflect our values, and that building genuine community is more important than building a massive following - then this conversation is for you.

I'm not here to have all the answers. I'm here to ask better questions, share what I'm learning, and hopefully create a little corner of the internet where empathy wins over ego, and connection trumps competition.

So, hello. I'm Madeline.

I create content that honors the complexity of being human in digital spaces. I moderate conversations that matter. I take photos that capture people as they really are. And I believe that our creativity can be our greatest tool for building a more empathetic world.

Thank you for being here. Thank you for being part of this conversation. 

And thank you for choosing empathy, even when it's harder than indifference.

Let's create something meaningful together.