Natalie’s passion for photography began at 12 when she won a camera, visiting a photo expo in New York City with her family. Her interest was sparked and photography was her hobby all through her teen years. Then, it was all about taking snapshots. As an adult, photography grew from a hobby into her passion. Now, it’s about creating images.
Natalie likes to photograph a wide variety of subjects from portraits and events to landscapes and nature, even abstracts. Wherever she travels, her camera always accompanies her, to not only document and create mementos of the places she visits but also to capture the soul, the essence, of the place and time. She doesn’t always have to travel far away to find subjects to photograph, as many great images and opportunities are captured nearby.
Natalie believes it is important not just to use the camera to take snapshots of places where she has been or of things she has seen. Using her camera as an important tool, Natalie captures those decisive moments: the play of light and shadow, the contrast of colors in a landscape, a bee visiting a flower, animals snuggling up together. She does not take pictures simply to record what she saw. Rather, she creates images and moods, which arise as she concentrates on the subject at hand. She believes that the aim of Photography is not to simply take a picture, but to make people feel that they are actually there experiencing that moment or place in time. . Looking at Natalie’s work, you’re there -- standing in the middle of the landscape, smelling the flowers, reaching out to pet the animals.
Natalie’s professional work includes photographing portraits, weddings and events, and architecture. She held a photography internship at the Oakland Zoo. She completed Golden Gate School of Photography’s Fundamentals of Professional Photography and the Rocky Mountain School of Photography’s Summer Intensive Program in Professional Photography. She continues to travel, study and refine her skills and techniques.
Natalie lives in Pleasant Hill, CA, where she finds plenty of opportunities to create images and update her web page, www.natasphotos.com.