meet your photographer

Maddie Draffan ~ Creator of Ritual Intimates

Your self-celebration advocate and the camera wielder behind Ritual Intimates. When I'm not makin' magic in my studio you'll find me in the woods, at a concert, playing video games, cooking, and hanging out with the people I love. I graduated from the University of Akron in 2017, and went completely freelance in 2019. Since then my studio, Ritual Intimates, was created in 2020. I have been photographing for over 10 years, and have been inspired by art since I was very young. My beginning in photograhy started yeeeears back with conceptual portraits, and so many adventures - like exploring countless abandoned places, being in and photographing nature, and taking on all sorts of creative photo projects & collaborations. This led me to those feelings where my heart felt like it was singing; I was making weird, moody, dreamy, intimate art and I LOVED it there - and that continued to evolve over time. My inspiration for intimate imagery is rooted in love and also in defiance - challenging and questioning beauty standards, challenging how we are perceived and expected to act, and the forever urge to say f*ck off to toxic ideals that harm us. I'm deeply inspired by light, nature, films, music, and movement - and I am forever inspired by everyone who steps in front of my camera. We harness power and expression through our lived experience, and it's my goal to help show that to you - that you belong in art.

Ritual Intimates was created to hold space for self expression, body acceptance, and creating art through intimate imagery by simply existing as our most authentic selves. The the most important thing my photo journey has shown me is the priceless value of being documented, and how divine, powerful, and deserving of love we are - simply because we exist. You will always have a place in my studio.

Publications & Works

~ Sweet & Inked Magazine (2019)

~ Xpressions Magazine (2019)

~ Boudoir Culture Magazine (2020)

~ "Feeling and Healing - The Art of 2020" (New Milk Studios, 2020)

~ Today's Bride (2021)

~ Sour Magazine (2021)

~ WILLS Magazine (2023)

~ Rebellious Ink Magazine (2024)

~ InkD Calendar (coming 2025)