Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Natalie Estess. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Natalie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

Since the beginning of my photography journey, I’ve been very blessed with the gift to see people and show them a version of themselves they may not be seeing in everyday life, reflecting back to them the power and impact they have in life. I’ve never viewed my sessions as just a photoshoot because there is so much intuition and emotion involved in creating art — connecting with the individual on a soul level and drawing out the qualities about them that deserve to shine!

It’s easy to get sucked into whats trending in the industry or what the algorithm wants to see, which feels a lot like quick, easily digestible content. For some reason that kind of work has never resonated with me, because the work feels more like consuming instead of creating.

I feel like my commitment to highlight whats beneath the surface and draw out the intricacies of someone’s personality and individuality has served me incredibly well as a photographer. It ensures that each piece of work I create is completely unique from the others, and that I do that person justice by showing how rare of an individual they are, which is incredibly empowering for both of us.

Natalie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Photography has ALWAYS been my passion since I first picked up a camera. I am originally from Boise, Idaho and started out doing photography by modeling for a few years, but I felt the most alive when I photographed my own creative shoots. I have always loved creative directing as it makes me feel so complete seeing a vision come to life, unique and special each time. When I graduated college in 2020, I had this strong gut feeling to keep doing photography, because it brought me the most joy every single time I would shoot!

When I moved to Washington DC all the way from Idaho in 2020 during the pandemic, I had no connections and no idea how I would be able to follow my dreams. I moved through various roles and jobs, eventually mustering up the bravery to reach out to wedding photographers in the DC area to assist them on site to gain experience. That decision created a chain reaction, where doors started to open up for me to meet so many people in the DC weddings industry. Meanwhile, I started making my own friendships and connections that turned into a blossoming portrait photography portfolio.

Over the past 3 years, I became a full time wedding planner with a catering company, working at tons of different wedding venues in the DMV area while simultaneously shooting on the weekends. My portfolio started really growing and I started working with brands, couples and influencers. What had once felt so foreign to me had become a steady home and foundation to grow, building a strong network of connections and developing my artistic career along the way. It was not the easiest journey, but it was 100% worth it to trust myself and my ability to learn through the challenges of growing as a creative business owner.

Wedding planning has given me so many experiences that have informed me as an artist, understanding how to best serve clients with logistical solutions and excellent attention to detail. Being connected to the weddings industry in DC has given my life so much vibrancy and inspiration that I take with me into my photography work. Understanding that photography should be meaningful continues to be my focus and motivation.

I’m glad that even when things felt impossible, I persevered and pushed myself outside of my comfort zone. I believe we all have something that lights us up inside and when you find it, don’t let it go! I would never be where I am today if I didn’t push past my fears of rejection, failure and loneliness. Sometimes you have to take that big leap to really see what you’re made of.

Now I am focused on providing that next level of service and connection to my clients, making sure that they feel completely comfortable and taken care of throughout our time working together. I love collaborating on creative projects with brands, helping them elevate their visual imagery and style, and giving individuals and businesses the ability to tell their unique story. I am excited for what my creative future holds as I see myself traveling and expanding my business to deliver empowerment to even more people!

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

I believe that a photoshoot is really just practice for the things we are maybe scared to show, because a lot of us have the fear of being seen! I know I’ve struggled with that in the past, afraid to show my vulnerability and not allowing myself to be seen in my messiness and chaos, rejecting myself in the process. I wholeheartedly believe that if there is something you want to embody in a photograph, it’s also something you want to embody in life and you’re just not sure how to get there yet.

I’ve found that the most rewarding aspect of being a photographer is how I can create a safe place for people to be themselves. To assist someone in revealing who they truly are and remind them that they are worthy as they are. There is so much media out there telling us to be more than who we are and my mission is always to help people embody their power instead of trying to create a fabricated image.

Is there something you think non-creatives will strugge to understand about your journey as a creative?

There are going to be people that just don’t get you, and thats ok. I think for a while I was scared to show my depth and vulnerability online because I was afraid of being misunderstood, so I would hide behind clever captions or more generic messaging because it felt safer. I am still working on empowering myself to show up authentically and not hide who I am to accommodate others, but over time, I’ve learned that I am the most effective at connecting with people when I share my real self.

It’s okay if your art makes a big statement or even makes people a little uncomfortable. Not everything should be packaged the same, and I think the best way to find your authenticity as an artist is to share all sides of yourself, and not place judgement on how you are showing up that day. Its good to remind yourself that you are human and when you are honest, it gives other people the permission to be real as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.natalieestess.com
• Instagram: @natalieestessphotography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natalieestessphotography/
• Linkedin: Natalie Estess

Image Credits
All images and creative direction created by Natalie Estess