Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Peters.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
I started photography as a hobby when I was 15 years old. My mom sparked my interest. She loved taking pictures of family and capturing special moments to remember for a lifetime. I soon started taking senior photos and second shot my first wedding. I was hooked. Over the years, I continued to find moments to capture and stories to portray. Weddings have become my favorite to photograph as I get to capture and tell someone’s love story. Not only that, I get to meet the most wonderful people and be a small part of their life for a day. One of my favorite things is getting to know people and helping those in need. To get where I am today took several years of hard work. In college, I worked at a local deli for a therapist for my internship and took photos on the side. I was working towards my degree in the mental health field, and photography was my passion and hobby. After graduating with my bachelor’s in psychology, I worked as a behavioral therapist for kids with autism and then as a case manager. During COVID, I was let go from my Case Manager job due to budget cuts. I was distraught. My wonderful husband, my biggest supporter, told me this was my chance to do photography full-time. I had been too afraid to leap into the past; it was the biggest blessing in disguise. This past wedding season was my busiest and sweetest season yet. I am already filling up weddings for 2024 and excited for the next wedding season! If you need any photography services, I’d love to chat!
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
It has been a challenging road. Building up a business takes a lot of hard work. My biggest struggle was juggling a full-time job while marketing and building a clientele and website. After many long hours of second shooting for other photographers, styled shoots, and marketing for myself, I just had the busiest wedding season in 2023. I am so excited for what 2024 brings.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
First and foremost, right now, I am a stay-at-home mom. We have an almost one-year-old son! He is why I work so hard to ensure I can also provide for my family, but in a way that I can stay home with him during the weekdays while my husband works. I am mostly known for weddings and specialize in weddings and families. I have had quite a few families or brides/grooms reach out to me because of my background working with people with special needs. I am most proud of how I handle situations. I’ve had a few instances where I get to the wedding, and as soon as I arrive at the venue, I am walking into a hurricane of things going wrong. The coordinator doesn’t show up; the wedding cake has yet to be delivered, a bridal party person is no longer coming due to family differences, etc. I am quick to help in any way I can; I have helped light candles, get brides ready, pin on boutonnieres, you name it. My job is to photograph the special day, but if something is getting stalled and I can’t take pictures, I am more than happy to jump in and help where help is needed.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you, and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share?
Life can change very quickly. This one is a tough question to answer. Many losses and joys are associated with that time of my life; amid the chaos of COVID-19, I met my wonderful husband, my best friend. He was my highlight of 2020, my highlight of the pandemic. We got married after the second lockdown. He is truly my biggest supporter and has helped me make it possible to start Natalie Peters Photography.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nataliepetersphoto.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliejane.photo/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NataliePetersPhoto/
Image Credits
Maggie Pool Photography, Baoyang.photos, Volentive Creative
