Lifting Up Stories of Impact
We believe that every one of us has a unique perspective with the potential to create a profound impact. Understory partners with change-makers, trailblazers, adventure-seekers, norm-defiers, and truth-tellers (and everyone in between) to help your stories grow.
About Us
Braiden Maddox
Hey! Braiden Maddox here, the photographer and videographer behind Understory.
I am a true Appalachian, deeply rooted in the landscapes, culture, and untold stories of this region. My journey in photography and videography began over six years ago, while capturing the love and emotions of weddings and elopements. Since then, I've honed my craft and gained the experience and knowledge needed to create meaningful—and impactful—work. My aim is to go beyond visuals: Each photo and film narrates a story, inviting the viewer to share in the journey.
At Understory, we never forget the fact that these stories are yours. Our focus is on authentically documenting what’s already there, living inside you and your experience, just waiting for an opportunity to bloom.
Whatever your story, and whatever its purpose, we’d be privileged to join you in sharing it.
How We Work
Initial Contact
Drop us on a line via phone, email, or social media to get the project rolling!
Consultation
After the initial contact, we schedule a consultation to delve deeper into your project’s requirements and make sure we’re all on the same page. During this meeting, we discuss exciting things like vision, goals, budget, locations, and more.
Pre-Production Planning
Believe it or not, a lot of the work happens well before the shoot even takes place! Leading up to shoot-day, our teams will be in close communication to map out the fine details. This includes scouting locations, coordinating schedules, and creating shot lists or storyboards to ensure that we stay on target.
The Shoot
On the day of the shoot, we arrive ready to go. Our hope is that you’ll arrive ready to have fun! For our clients, the shoot experience is all about having a good time and feeling at ease. We strive to create a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere so that you can genuinely be yourself in front of the camera. While you can expect us to provide some gentle guidance and direction to capture the best angles and expressions, we encourage spontaneity and want your personalities to authentically shine through!
The duration of a shoot varies based on the type of project and each client’s specific needs. For shorter sessions, such as individual portraits or headshots, the shoot may last around 30 minutes to an hour. For more extensive projects, such as events or commercial shoots, the duration can range from a few hours to a full day or even multiple days, depending on the complexity of the assignment and the coverage required.
Post-Production
After the shoot, we carefully curate and edit the footage or images to bring your vision to life in a way that’s cohesive and polished, while (most importantly) staying true to your story.
Final Deliverables
Once post-production is complete, we deliver the final video or images in the agreed-upon format and within the specified timeline. We view all of our clients as equal partners in the project and take your feedback seriously. We’re open to making edits as needed to ensure complete satisfaction.
Launch
Once edits have been made and the final product is in your hands, it’s yours to share with the world!
Our Clients
Ready to tell your story?
Let’s go!