natalie photo

ANNOUNCING MR. & MR.

2009-10-27T23:37:00.007-05:00

Yeah!!! Congrats to Jack and Tony on their union surrounded by close friends and family. Was great. I met Jack a few years ago... another Starbucks customer. He recommended his friend, Jared, who has his own company, Little Green Cube, to do my new website... yes, the one that linked you to this page. Then I got to meet Tony at their house-warming party. Then Jack and Tony moved to Washington (the state). And I wondered if I'd ever see them again.

And the next thing you know, he is calling me to photograph their wedding. How awesome is that!?!?!?! Now I have 4 connections in the Seattle area... looks like no hotel costs for me when I travel there, right? It was a pleasure for me to capture the special moments for them. I wish them all the happiness.

The funny thing (not ha ha funny) to me about the opposition to gay marriage is not about the differences between 'straight' and 'gay' people but rather, how people miss our similarities... how alike and not different we are... gay people want the same thing straight people want... someone to love and grow old with, build the American dream complete with the white-picketed fence and dog in the yard (1.5 children optional).

I fail to understand why that is so hard to grasp... as well as how religious and morality have been turned into something about legality when first and foremost, GAYness is all about biology.

But I digress, there's no way I couldn't include some images of this wonderful couple in love...

Me and the details; I love them... especially through the eye of my Lensbaby Original....

Does this look like a happy Grandma or what?

VENTI COFFEE SARAH

2009-09-18T18:20:00.005-05:00

TK AND SARAH
Ya know what's fun... when ol' friends call you to say that they are getting married. And that you are the only person they could possibly even consider to photograph it for them. How awesome is that?

I've known Sarah for as long as I've been doing photography... because I've also been working at Starbucks for as long as I've been doing photography and she was one of my customers. She was teaching dance at Joel Hall across the street from my Starbucks in Andersonville. Venti coffee. Venti coffee. Venti coffee. Yep, that was her drink, venti coffee.

Then she moved to another part of the city and we hadn't spoken in a while. Next thing you know, I'm meeting her at another Starbucks so we can discuss her wedding plans. I could hardly wait to meet this guy that had captured her heart. And I was looking forward to meeting her family and friends that would help me know her better.

At the reception as I met people, they asked me how it was I was there. I said I was friends with Sarah. And I in turn would ask them. All of TK's friends said they same thing... what a really really awesome guy he was... kind and sincere AND crazy about Sarah. His sister said that the first time he met Sarah, she "knew" because of how TK looked at her.

Isn't that cool? I love hearing those stories. I mean usually, brides gush pretty easily when they are talking about their grooms. And grooms show some emotion but usually, try to be pretty stoic about it.

But this is when I like to start asking questions about his bride, how they met, how he's feeling, how beautiful does she look today. AND then, he can't help himself... he's going to 'gush' even if it's for just a moment... that look on his face says what words cannot express that is just for her.

That's just one of my favorite things about photographing weddings... that soft spot in his heart that he holds for his bride. Gets me every time and to tell you the truth, I think it's a good thing to be gotten by.

So to TK and Sarah, I wish them "Happily Ever After!" It really meant a lot to me to be there. THANKS!!!

LEAPFISH Search Engine

2009-09-11T10:44:00.005-05:00

CHEERS!!! I'm celebrating. Check it out: www.leapfish.com. It's great... it's like a mega search engine b/c it will search Google, Yahoo and MSN all at the same time. AND it's really fast too. For example, YouTube videos load faster here that on YouTube. Go figure.

Well, the point is, I've jumped into this digital world with more than just my photography. It's tough on the internet, getting up the list to where people can find you in a search. I've decided to put myself on top of a new search engine that I'm counting on taking me to new heights to reach all those awesome brides and grooms.

I'm just one click away now when a bride and groom search for chicago wedding photographers. It's really a leap of faith and I'm trusting that it is God-sent... that I'll soon be connecting with awesome brides and grooms that want a great photographer who will capture the special moments as they happen on their special day.

Of course, Leapfish is great for other searches too so check it out and see how it works for you!

AUTISM SOCIETY OF AMERICA - SCHAUMBURG CHAPTER

2009-09-03T17:36:00.003-05:00

I blogged before about when I had the opportunity to shoot these wonderful kids. The chapter has put together a video and is promoting the sale of their 2010 calendar. Check it out at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dIKuP47Sr0

Please help. Buy the calendar. www.autismillinois.com

HOORAY FOR ANGIE AND KHALID

2009-08-25T11:37:00.008-05:00

Wow! You know those brides that look like movie stars... And... she even had an old Hollywood-style dress too... that was Angie. Gorgeous! You know, awesome couples like Angie and Khalid make my "job" so easy. They were really great and it was fun to photograph their special day.
I met Angie only a few months ago and it wasn't to shoot her wedding. We met through Bulldog Bootcamp... a military-style group workout at Grant Park at 6 a.m. M-F. Actually, I am only a "sometimes bootcamper" but it is an awesome workout. Everyone is very supportive and our instructor is pretty low-key compared to what one could be like. Angie, on the other hand, is faithful in her attendance. While she's in the front of the line on all the exercises and drills, I bring up the rear and am usually lagging far behind.

I'll be posting some photos for bootcamp in the next couple weeks. Stay tuned.

CONGRATS TO MISSY AND JON!!!

2009-07-24T15:21:00.013-05:00

Sending a shout out to Missy and Jon of congratulations on your wedding at the W Hotel Lakeshore surrounded by friends and family. And to top off the night, viewing the Navy Pier fireworks from the top of the W... awesome. You two are great and wishing you all the happiness.

Weddings Weddings Weddings

2009-06-16T14:10:00.010-05:00

Full season ahead and fun fun fun every wedding.

Sometimes when people find out you're a wedding photographer, they ask, "do you really like doing that?" First, I usually think what makes you dislike weddings? Bitter about love?

But then I think, I have a chance to impact their thinking on this with my response. My response usually goes something like this... "Of course. How can I not? It's a party every weekend, right? But... it's really great to be part of such a happy occasion for people. How I experience their wedding day is how they will remember it. I take that role very seriously."

They usually don't quite know what to say and respond something like... I never really thought of it like that. And I feel good about what I do and I want it to be a great day for the bride and groom. And this past Friday was definitely a great day that I feel good about.

Congrats to Lindsey and Josh!!! It was fun - just look at the photo with their bridal party. And Lindsey and Josh's pug, Autumn, was their ring bearer. It was his first birthday. What a cutie pie!

MOTHER'S DAY - WALK TO EMPOWER

2009-05-13T06:01:00.012-05:00

Were you there? Did you see the 30,000 people who had come out to walk in support of one common cause? Pretty amazing site. Survivors, friends and family, those walking to remember a loved one. Inspirational! Had to share a few of the images I'd captured but you can see more at http://www.networkofstrength.org/ and http://profile.to/nataliephoto/. Really, I am so glad I could be there. It was a privilege.

HAPPY HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE MOMS OUT THERE!!! WE LOVE YOU! WE LOVE YOU! WE LOVE YOU!

Also, CONGRATS to Michelle (and Brian), the pregnant lady a few entries down from this one, who last week had a beautiful healthy little girl, Isabella!!!

Lil Pampered Bridal Show

2009-04-29T19:31:00.013-05:00

This past Sunday, I got to participate in an intimate "Pampered Bride" gathering (www.pamperedbridechicago.com) with some other folks. It took place at the Loft of Lake (www.loftonlake.com) which would make a great venue for so many occasions.

All brides got complimentary hair and make-up (from Robyn Joy from Blooming Brides, Maryam Bokhari of Inspirational Beauty and Wendy Woodside as well as others). There was complimentary food and beverage from Taste America (www.tasteamerica.net). And there were even more freebies from the publication Wedding Guide Chicago (weddingguidechicago.com) of which the new one about to come out will feature... one of my brides and grooms from fall 2008. Be sure to look for it.

Brides could also check out fine stationary and great design with Lambert Letterpress (www.lambertletterpress.com) and Erickson Design (www.ericksondesign.com) respectively. Any rental needs? Classic Party Rental was on the scene. There was even a photo booth set-up that can be rented for receptions from www.Shutterbooth.com.

So glad I got to be a part of it... just had to share about the people I got meet and the services they provide to the industry.

MOTHER'S DAY - WALK TO EMPOWER

2009-04-29T18:04:00.006-05:00

Mother's Day is next Sunday and like so many Mother's Day in the past and in so many cities across the United States, the Network of Strength (formerly the YMe Foundation) will be hosting it's WALK TO EMPOWER.

Do you want to be a part of it? Last year I helped to photograph the event, in the rain and mud, with thousands and thousands of others, celebrating mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters. Well, guess what? I'm doing it again this year but I hoping without the rain and mud.

Would you like to participate in the walk? OR VOLUNTEER? I'm working to get a team of volunteers together who are available to do whatever is needed to make the day a success. Is that you? Please consider it. It's an inspirational day that shows the strength of the human spirit and the power of community.

Little Daniel Mendez

2009-04-28T22:58:00.004-05:00

I wanted to post a follow-up with the link information about the local feature on CBS 2 Chicago about Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep. In case you missed it, you can watch it at http://cbs2chicago.com/local and please check out the organization at www.nilmdts.org. Over 10,000 professional photography volunteers around the country provide bereavement photography for families going through this difficult time. As another volunteer said, it's not like our being there will change anything that is happening, but those photos will change the future for that family.

TUESDAY, APRIL 28 - 10 PM - CBS CHANNEL 2

2009-04-27T23:39:00.003-05:00

On Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 10 p.m. on CBS Channel 2, an organization that I volunteer for will be featured: NOW I LAY ME DOWN TO SLEEP. They spoke with a family that I photographed last year this time about their son, Daniel. And they spoke with me about why I volunteer.

NILMDTS provides bereavement photography for families. When I learned about the organization, I thought how could I not do this. You can learn about the organization at www.nilmdts.org.

In case you miss it, be sure to check it out at http://cbs2chicago.com/.

Pregnant Shoot

2009-04-09T23:23:00.008-05:00

Yep... it was bound to happen sooner or later... one of my brides eventually having a baby... Seems to be the next logical step for married couples, right? I mean, if they already have a condo and a few pets, right?

Michelle is due in about 4 weeks and I spent a little time with her earlier this week to snap a few images with her big belly from here to Timbuktu.

Not having children myself (just nieces and nephews), I have often wondered about the bond between a mother and child. How you bring a life into this world?! How you can love something so much! Your drive to protect it! Your desire to nurture it and see it grown!

Though, like I said, I am not a mother, but I am my mother's child. There has never been a day in my life, not one moment, when I ever doubted the profound love my mother felt for me. When I remember her, I am not filled with sadness but incredible gratitude that she was mine. It is because of her, because of a mother's love... that I can only begin to imagine that that is the closest thing to what God's love is like for us. I just feel like the luckiest daughter ever because of my 'Mama.'

I know that Brian and Michelle's baby is going to be one lucky little kiddo and they can hardly wait for his/her arrival. Yep, they don't know what sex the baby is; it's going to be a surprise. Somethings are still best the old-fashioned way, right?

Old-fashioned or not, one thing is always true: there is nothing else like the bond between a mother and child! Michelle looks great and happy and ready!!! I wish Brian and she a healthy and happy baby. And I can't wait to see him/her and take his/her photo too.

CONGRATS!!!

AUTISM - Schaumburg Group

2009-03-31T13:49:00.010-05:00

Well, it' s not my usual Saturday morning but it was great to spend it with all these awesome kids and their families. A good friend of mine from way back when, has two special need children. The group wants to do a calendar as a fundraiser so she called me for the photography. We planned two weekends - the first one would be more portrait-like shots with the children and their families and the second would be at the fun gym-like place Pump It Up.

I had a photography friend with me on the first Saturday. He was great with the kids, talking to them, warming them up to the camera and catching them w/ bright eyes and big smiles on their face. Thank you David Cardenas. Great working with you!

It's amazing (in a disturbing way) how many children (and their families) are impacted by autism - all of varying degrees. Thankfully, our perception of these children has changed from detached and unemotional. Now we see them as children are: loving and responsive, curious and animated. Though, it is indeed such a challenge for families. I'm just so glad that I could spend this time getting to know them and learning about their struggles.

Check out some of these great kids. And once the calendar is published, I'll be sure to post again with the information on how you can purchase your own calendar to help support this organization.

2009

2009-01-13T21:55:00.009-06:00

Here we go again... another year of love and hope and happiness!!!
I've been really busy working on marketing items.

For example, I am now listed on www.mywedding.com.
I'm about to be listed on www.rainbowweddingnetwork.com.
Updated my website, www.nataliephoto.net. Please check it out.
Have also made my website editable so I can maintain it myself.

I actually have album offerings now AND have just ordered sample albums from the 2 companies that I'll be using. Both are very non-traditional.
First is www.la-viealbums.com. Artistic. They do amazing work. Each album is a work of art.
Second is www.couturebooks.com. Elegant. Very contemporary. Yet timeless at the same time.

I mean who really wants a wedding album that screams "I'm a typical boring poorly designed wedding album that my children will laugh at when they look at it in years to come." I'm just not interested in offering that to my brides and grooms. Instead, when their children look at their album, I want a response with something like, "OMG, this is so cool. Look how good you guys looked. Wow, this looks like it was really awesome."

Am waiting for my new business cards to arrive, an embosser and stamp of my logo. Have made many trips to many art and paper stores, talked to printers, spent hours and hours making the files, editing, and all the FINE-TUNING to make sure everything is just right... I can hardly wait to pick up my new promotional materials from the printer later this week.

So these are just a few of the things that I've been up to over the last number of weeks. And there are still many things that I want to set up in addition to these. But if I want to describe what I've been up to and where I am now, I guess the best way to describe it is...
RAMPED UP FOR 2009!!!
There you go. That's it. Ready and raring and RAMPED UP!!!
Yes indeed.

So anything else for 2009?

BRING IT!!!

2008! OH WHAT A YEAR!!!

2008-12-14T14:45:00.008-06:00

Well, busy busy busy. That'd be a good way to describe 2008. But a good kind of busy... so many weddings, so many couples in love. I already have a new years resolution... around this blog - BLOG MORE. More information, more photos, more news. B/c I can only imagine that 2009 is going to be that much greater than 2008. Look for more new images on my website, www.nataliephoto.net. New offerings, new albums. And anything else I can come up with. Stay tuned!

MICHELLE AND BRIAN

2008-09-23T17:10:00.006-05:00

Michelle and Brian. Pine Garth Inn, Union Pier, Michigan. WOW!!! What a weekend. It was awesome. Michelle looked beautiful and she couldn't stop smiling the whole day. I've never seen a calmer bride. And Brian, he couldn't hold back his happiness when he saw his bride walking down the aisle. Family. Friends. Everybody had such a great time celebrating with this bride and groom. On a hillside. Right on the water. The sun setting. YEP!!! It was awesome!!!

It was through the bride's brother, Stephen that the bride and I connected. He's been my hair stylist as well as my friend for many years. BTW, Thank You, Stephen!

So what happens to you when you're the brother and a hair stylist??? Well, we lost count of how many heads of hair Stephen but it started with his mother followed by his 5 (yes, 5) sisters, and a couple of friends on the side... including me. He barely had time to get ready himself before he walked Michelle down the aisle.

Wishing Michelle and Brian all the best and HAPPILY EVER AFTER!!!

Also, can't wait for the babies to start arriving... I do family portraiture too!!!

Summer 08

2008-07-29T09:35:00.004-05:00

Wow, I can't believe that it's almost August already. Where has the summer gone. I know that I have spent practically every weekend celebrating, partying with couples in love. Yeah, sounds like a hard life as a wedding photographer, doesn't it? I initially thought my blog would only be wedding photos but there are always other things that catch your eye that aren't always the bride and groom and they just say something to you, you know. So here is one of those, the candles people light for their prayer intentions...

OMG - The Big 40

2008-06-09T16:18:00.003-05:00

Yes, May was my birthday month and this year I turned 40. YIPPEE!!! Age of reckoning??? Perhaps. Just when you start to really get comfortable in your own skin... things start to hurt a little here and there. Thankfully, the aches are few and the gray hairs even fewer. But the good times are far better and more often.

What a wonderful birthday it was. My 2 big sisters, Jane and Lulu, came in from Baton Rouge to help me celebrate. With over 30 of my friends, we feasted on jambalaya, Mississippi mud pie, and mint juleps. Everyone earned their Mardi Gras beads while good ol' jazz played all night long. It was a great time. Everyone had loads of fun.

40? I figure I'm just beginning to enter my prime. And starting it off with my sisters and friends made it oh so special.

Debby and Carl

2008-04-20T21:32:00.004-05:00

Congrats to Debby and Carl!!!

Not your traditional wedding day and that's just fine with me... the small and intimate setting of Maxim's on E. Goethe. A brief ceremony followed by cocktails and dinner with family and friends on this special occasion. Friendly crowd, having a good time, celebrating Deby and Carl tying the knot. So glad I could capture the special moments for them.

Wishing them 'happily ever after!'

Brigid and Dan

2008-04-20T21:20:00.004-05:00

It was a good day to get married and that's just what Brigid and Dan did. We didn't let the cool weather stop us. The ceremony took place at St. Michael's - such a great church - it certainly has a long aisle for the bride. But I swear, those bridemaids made it a quick trip. Then cocktails and dinner at The Union League - awesome venue. Ornate and high ceiling. Artwork everywhere. Great service and food. And to top it off to get everyone boogie-ing... the Ralph Wilder Orchestra. It was a long day but gosh, it was a fun one too. Congrats to Brigid and Dan!!!

2008 Weddings

2008-02-11T11:33:00.000-06:00

Yes, weddings already and the calls keep coming. Looking towards another great year of couples in love, happiness and celebration. It's a 'tough' job, but you know the saying... being around all the love and joy, people celebrating. Really, though, it is a pleasure to do what I do. And I feel a big responsibility too - I mean after all, these people are going to remember their wedding day through my eyes, how I saw it. I take that responsibility very seriously. But when you're with the special couple, their family and friends, you can't help but be happy and celebrate with them.

San Diego Vacation

2008-01-24T11:12:00.000-06:00

It's always good to be able to get away from Chicago in January and February. I was able to steal a few days in San Diego. It was sunny but still chilly and to top it off, I caught my friends' cold. It had me cut my vacation short but not before I got to spend a few days taking in the sites like Balboa Park, Old Town, and USS Midway. I can't believe how much there is to do and see there. It just means that the next time I'm there I'll need a lot of time to do it all. You can check out all my vacation photos at www.pictage.com and search "san diego vacation".

Holiday Season

2008-01-06T01:07:00.003-06:00

Now that all the hoopla of the holiday season is over and we are settling in to focus on this new year, I just had to post a photo of one of my sister's family. I got to spend Christmas in Louisiana with my two sisters and their families and that was great. I love spending time with my 15-year-old niece and 10-year-old nephew... I mean, otherwise, when would I have ever watched "Transformers" or "Finding Nemo" for the 10th time or the third season of "Spongebob Squarepants" if it weren't for them. Can you believe that I had never heard of "High School Musical?"

I did get to eat lots of gumbo which is always a good thing. And on Monday, January 7, LSU will be playing Ohio for the college football national championship... GEAUX TIGERS!!! That's how we spell 'down there.'

And I'm looking forward to a fantastic 2008 beyond what will be just good... It's going to ge GREAT... for you, for me... We're going to make it AWESOME!!!... a year worth remembering...

Ready? Let's get busy!!!

Sean Wiggins and Lone Goat

2007-11-18T21:59:00.001-06:00

Whew! A weekend without a wedding. What is that?

Something else drew me out on Friday night... Sean Wiggins and her band Lone Goat at the Dragonfly Mandarin on W. Randolph. And they rocked it all night long.

Taking some shots just for fun, Sean, friends and the action.

She is something to talk about, that's for sure. You've got to hear!!! Strong and defined. Passionate and gifted.

Check it out: http://www.seanwiggins.com/. A real talent you want to know.