The imperfect moments make perfect photos.
I'll totally be there for the "big" moments,
but when you look back, they're all big moments:
hanging out with grandparents
planting or harvesting your garden
saying goodbye to a pet
first day of school
dressing up in costumes
eloping in the woods
preparing a meal
bedtime routine with kiddos
playing music with friends
hanging by the bonfire
snuggling your cats
game night
walking through the city...
...you decide & I'll capture it.
A high-quality, high-vibe,
documentary photo experience isn't just for your wedding day.
(high-five.)
Hey, I'm Natalie.
I'm a lifestyle photographer based in Minneapolis, MN who loves telling stories and taking creative portraits.
we'll be a great match if:
-you want a laid back photographer who makes you feel comfortable being you
-you trust that I know how to get the best images in any situation and are okay with letting me do my thing
-you appreciate all kinds of images: details, poses, movement, and everything in between
-you love the photos you see here
Story Session: saying goodbye to a pet
Saying goodbye to a pet is really hard.
There is so much beauty and emotion in these moments and tiny details. It's the kind of story that candid imagery can only tell.
"We contacted Natalie to arrange for family portraits at home when we learned that our beloved Golden Retriever only had a few weeks left with us. Natalie captured the personalities of our children AND our dog in a very moving, beautiful way. The images are individually stunning, but all put together they represent who we are. I'm so grateful that we reached out to Natalie for these portraits; we truly treasure the photos."
-Kelsey Q.
What does a Story Session feel like to look at 10 years later?
"It has been a tradition for our family to go to the Great Minnesota Get-together since my daughter was 5 days old. So it only felt natural to have our session there.
What I didn't know was how 10 years later, this session would become priceless.
Having a documentary [story] session is different from a family portrait session in that it was so unique to our family experience. It felt truly authentic.
It tells our story without the pressure of performing for a camera. When we relax and let go, real magic happens.
Natalie is a true artist and this gift to us is irreplaceable."
-Lisa Q
Voted best family photographer in Minneapolis
"Anyone who has a chance to make Natalie a part of the special moments in their life is very lucky."
Beyond being an extremely talented and professional photographer, Natalie is a personable, kind, fun, and all-around wonderful person! Aside from having her there for a practical reason, we were just glad to have her be a part of our wedding day this October. Her enthusiasm extended throughout the day, and we felt both supported in her insights and free to be ourselves. Looking at the photos, which are downright stunning, by the way, everything appears just as we experienced it: full of joy, wonder, beauty, and happiness. Anyone who has a chance to make Natalie a part of the special moments in their life is very lucky. xxx
-Molly B
Natalie is the best if you want inspired, arty photos taken by a down-to-earth, creative and lovely person. She'll make you (and your children) feel comfortable and you will love your photos! I highly recommend Natalie.
-Norah R.
"I can't imagine ever hiring anyone else!"
Natalie is amazing to work with and we absolutely love the family pictures she has captured for us the last three years. The sessions are easy, fun and casual, but capture special moments.
-Gloria D.
"Her calm attitude and professional approach really put two camera-shy people at ease."
Natalie's work is incredible, and she is incredible to work with. I was very particular when it came to picking out a photographer, and I fell in love with Natalie's work right away. She was so fun to work with during our wedding and was great at getting the whole wedding party to relax and laugh and be silly. Her candid shots are some of my favorites of the day. She got amazing and unique shots of everyone, and made our wedding day look even more beautiful that we remembered it. Our venue even had some tricky lighting, with candles and fireplaces and old antique fixtures, and Natalie rose to the challenge and got some absolutely breathtaking shots. I can't stop looking at them!
-Rachel H.
"It would be an understatement to say that we are BEYOND HAPPY."
"I'm so impressed with her work, and I highly recommend her!"
I literally can’t say enough about Natalie! She is probably the most epic photographer I have ever encountered! She photographed our woodys whimsical wedding and our at home engagement photos. We were so thrilled with our photos and even just the honor of meeting Natalie herself! She is so special, she captured things just the way I had envisioned and more! She is just so freaking GREAT! HIRE HER!!!!
-Lauren C.
I don't particularly like getting my photo taken and was not excited about having to be the focal point of our wedding photography. But Natalie made us feel so comfortable and made it a completely fun and relaxing experience. Her professionalism, timeliness and sweet personality made her the perfect choice for us. Let's not forget, the pictures are absolutely stunning works of art. She captured our story and the happiness of the day just as I will always remember it.
-Sara P
"She is just so freaking GREAT! HIRE HER!!"
"I'd very highly recommend her."
We have had Natalie for just over SEVEN years, typically twice a year family photos. There has never been a session that I would not rate with the highest stars/feedback possible. Her talents are beyond belief and her ability to capture true moments with kids is incredible. I can promise an easy going session with beyond 100% satisfaction with your images. True lifestyle and love how she mixes in a few poses or customizes to your needs/wishes. Enjoy!
-Laura R.
photos for love or just because
Weddings are lovely, but I invite you to think of other reasons why a professional photo session with the one you love is totally worth it.
Maybe a walk with your dogs, breakfast at home in your favorite sweats, catching a concert in the park...you get it.
photos for creative business owners and brands
As a photographer, I believe that the best way to connect with your audience is with a strong visual story that compliments your brand.
Check out these creative headshots and branding sessions.
story session gallery
IF you love truly candid images, movement, emotion, and how all of it tells a story...it's for you.
Check out these examples of some of my favorite visual stories.
Is a Story Session right for you?
More than 1,000 sessions later, I've learned something important: it's the story that shines an extraordinary light on what you might think are ordinary moments.
I've tested out a lot of styles, and much like the hero in a classic tale, I've found myself back home again.
Home, for me, means noticing small, quiet things. They are the all-important details—objects, expressions, or movements—that give depth, or truth, to the moments I capture.
That's when I've created my very best work: when there's truth—something real—at the core of it. Very little fussing and instructing and making-perfect, but instead a lot of watching, listening, and just being there.
This is why all Story Sessions are centered around a thing you like to do and include a beautiful book so you can remember every detail of the story I'm trying to tell.
Your story.
'I took a chance and hired Natalie after searching online for a photographer in the Mpls area.
We couldn’t have been happier with Natalie. She was very easy to work with, accommodating to what we requested, met us at a place we had set up earlier, and communicated well by email and text beforehand and afterwards.
Our 4-year-old grandson normally will not look at the camera or smile naturally, but somehow she accomplished both with him for the cutest photos we now have of him.
At times she suggested that the grandchildren jump up in the air or dance in between poses, making it fun for them. The resulting candid shots are great and it gave the kids some relief from being bored in staged poses.
She edited the photos that we requested certain changes to, and got them back to us just a few days later. It was a pleasure working with her. Our family will now have these keepsakes forever."
-Kathy U.
Frustrated that all of your digital photos are slowly dying on your phone or a hard drive somewhere?
But it's so much work to have them printed.
or
I don't know the first thing about designing a book.
or
There are SO many, how do I choose?
What would it feel like to have a collection of gorgeous, curated moments to look back on?
IN PRINT.
Entire days in your life, beautifully documented, that you can just pluck off the shelf...
Like a great book or film, revisiting a moment in your life years down the road is pretty awesome.
Maybe that person or pet has transitioned on, or your kiddos are now taller than you...
You're swept back in time: emotions, details, and all the rest.
That's what a great photography session does. Makes you feel all the things AND makes it easy to enjoy years down the road.
follow along on instagram
don't miss the next round of minis: Get on the List >>>
