Local photographer aims to keep connections in focus with studio launch
Having the new, dedicated studio space in town allows Underwood to offer various backdrops and advertise her business with a physical storefront.
Memories by Madison, owned and operated by Madison Underwood, celebrated its new studio space with an official ribbon cutting with the Floyd County Chamber of Commerce in December.
Located at 222 E. Main St., Memories by Madison is a full-service photography studio that documents special events (weddings, surprise proposals, graduations), special moments (family portraits, minis, boudoir, maternity), and special connections (Bar Sessions, Stranger Sessions, Bestie Stranger Sessions).
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Underwood, who is a Christiansburg native that has lived in Floyd County for about five years, started her photography journey in 2015 and decided to professionally pursue it in 2021 after graduating from Radford University with a bachelor’s degree in Media Studies. She and her husband, Luke, also own and operate Nomadic Camper and RV Repair, and Underwood is the in-house photographer at The Springs of Floyd.
Having the new, dedicated studio space in town allows Underwood to offer various backdrops and advertise her business with a physical storefront.
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Stranger Sessions, which largely impacted Underwood’s business in 2024 and 2025, encourage interested parties around Floyd County to share a few details about themselves and what they’re looking for in a partner. Underwood matches them with other applicants for a photoshoot, both parties arrive blindfolded, and their first meeting is captured on camera. Bestie Stranger Sessions work similarly, and Bar Sessions are often stylized and set at BT’s in Radford.
We offer locally sourced, insect and rot resistant hemlock, and lots of other species for just about any project.
We also can provide firewood, kindling, mulch, sawdust, and shavings.
Inside we produce paneling and flooring in various, often rustic local woods.
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Underwood said she was inspired to offer Stranger Sessions after seeing the trend on TikTok years ago. She had “no idea it would blow up like it did.” To date, Underwood has arranged more than 75 Stranger Sessions and some of them have been the beginning of a real relationship.
Sharing Stranger Sessions, “definitely helps posts get more engagement” and go viral, Underwood said, adding that she’s reached 31,000 followers on Facebook. Throughout 2025, Underwood held 357 photography sessions ranging from Stranger Sessions to End-of-Life Sessions to real estate, cars, professional headshots, drone work, and more.
Underwood said she is always looking for participants for Stranger Sessions — particularly men. There is a cost associated with Stranger Sessions (about $70), and participants must travel to the area.
Message Memories by Madison on Facebook to learn more about particular sessions or events, and see examples of Underwood's work, at www.facebook.com/memoriesbymadison.