We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Natalie Yarborough a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Natalie, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
This year I have transitioned my business model to boutique, which means I am a full service photographer. I hold my clients hands from start to finish. I help with wardrobe, location, hair & make up and artwork design for their home. I create a one of a kind experience and my clients invest in heirloom quality artwork and albums. I started this change in my business after I had my third son. When I tried to compare baby pictures of all three boys, many of my older children photos were lost. I had professional pictures taken but was only given digital files and I never got them printed! 15 years later, computers crashed, new cellphones and images not backed up those memoires were lost. I decided then this digital generation needed to change! I need to serve my clients in a different way to preserve and protect their memories! Now, my clients have a family like experience with me as their photographer and have tangible items that can be passed down from generation to generation. My clients are much happier I take the stress away and fully serve them like family!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a 42 year old wife, small business owner, mom of three amazing boys who I homeschool! I have had many careers. I am a registered orthopedic surgery nurse, art teacher, artist and full time photographer. I have always been creative and loved to be crafty! I got into photography about 10 years ago and it was my husband who really help me grow in this business with teaching me how to use my camera and gear and always upgrading my equipment! I own a gift shop and studio in Pelahatchie, MS. We offer sourdough bread made by my 11 year old son, we offer handmade gifts and also do photography. My store is called Downright Southern LLC and my photography business is Natalie Yarborough Photography. I specialize in high school seniors, newborns, family, wedding and boudoir photography. The biggest challenge I seem to face is educating my clients on wanting more than just the digital files! I encourage them to invest in the prints, framed artwork and albums to preserve these memories and decrease the chance of losing these images forever. This past year my store was nominated as a Top 5 business in Rankin County and I was also featured in Senior Muse Magazine which I am super proud of! The main thing I want my clients to know is that I treat you like family! I make this experience the best it can be. I create a unique photo session experience and offer heirloom quality pieces that they can enjoy everyday and pass down for generations!
What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?
I was working as a full time nurse and started painting gifts and taking photos of friends and family on the side to cover Christmas costs. The more I did it, the more people would call and order from me. Then I met my husband and I had just bought a camera, he purchased me a better lens and started teaching me how to use it. The more I practiced the better I got. It was when we decided to homeschool our children I started really trying to push this business. Then, 2 years ago my husband made my dreams a reality by purchasing a storefront for my artwork and photography!
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I love capturing special moments in life. Anything from proposals, weddings to the birth of a brand new baby, these memories are too special to forget! I make it my mission to work hard for my clients to preserve the special moments and create unforgettable artwork and albums!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://natalieyarboroughphotography.com
- Instagram: natalieyarboroughphotography
- Facebook: natalieyarboroughphoto
- Other: downrightsouthernllc – Tiktok
Image Credits
Photos all by Natalie Yarborough Photography