Photographer Natalie J Watts received her first camera for Christmas when she was just 7 years old. Over two decades later, having graduated from university with a degree in photography, she now shoots both weddings and fashion. If you were to entrust her with the task of capturing your wedding day, she would not only bring a wealth of talent and experience with her, but also an incredible passion for what she does.
'I love weddings for the reason that two lives are being transformed into one and I am trusted with capturing a couple's story. My appreciation of wedding photography is very different to that of fashion photography – it's much more personal and I feel very honoured to be part of something that means so much, not only to the couple themselves but to generations to come. Even when we are all long gone, the images will live on and reflect the emotion of that day.'
'When it comes to weddings, it’s important to me that I create unique imagery for each couple that reflects them as people and really captures their personalities. I dedicate lots of time, energy and creativity to each of the weddings I photograph.'
Natalie is based in London, but travels all over the world for weddings and other photoshoots. Her passport is up-to-date so wherever you need her to jet off to, she'll be there!
'Photography has always been a huge part of my life. I took a LOT of photos growing up. I was always the one with the camera and my friends would often comment on how many photos I took, but it seemed natural for me to be doing so. Granted, at that age I mostly used photography as a means for documenting life, as I did when I was 18 and my son, Danny, was born.'
'I never wanted to be a stereotypical 'teenage mum'. I knew I could give both my son and myself a better life, so as soon as Danny was old enough I returned to education. In 2007 I graduated with a BA (Hons) degree in Photography and secured a job running the stills studio at ASOS. I was later headhunted by Figleaves where I worked for a year and a half before taking the leap to full-time freelance.'
'I had shot a few weddings for friends over the years, but it wasn't until I worked with a lovely couple in 2011 that I realised how much this genre of photography means to people. I received a HUGE bouquet of flowers (two vases-full!) and I sat and cried. Now my business is 50/50 fashion and weddings (always tipping more towards weddings, yay!) and I really love the balance!'
'I find inspiration all around me in everyday life, and am constantly taking photographs, be it on my ‘real’ camera or my iPhone. I am hugely inspired by light. This is important to the way I photograph each wedding individually. Cloudy, sunny, rainy… whatever the weather I work with it to capture the story of the day.'
'My job is to provide beautiful, emotive images that my couples will cherish forever, captured in the most unobtrusive and natural way. My photography style is documentary & relaxed. I find this style lets me photograph people looking much more natural. As with most of my creative work, I mainly use natural and available light and most of my couples comment on how I felt more like a guest than a photographer! I capture the day as it unfolds, making sure I photograph a good mix of documentary style shots to capture the atmosphere and emotion of the day, and also some more quirky shots, combining my background of fashion photography and the narrative of each couples wedding to help create their ‘story’.'
Natalie provides couple shoots at a cost of £250, while a full-day wedding is £1600. To mark the launch of her new website she is currently offering a 15% discount on 2014 wedding photography bookings (finalised by 31.12.2013). Everyone who books will also be entered into a competition to win an engagement photoshoot (T&Cs apply). As if that's not enough, Natalie is offering an early-bird deal of £100 off 2015 weddings. What are you waiting for?! Drop her an email now at [email protected].
To see further examples of Natalie's incredible work be sure to take a look at www.nataliejweddings.com and scroll through some of her previous features in the Love My Dress archives here. You can also keep up-to-date via facebook, twitter and instagram.
Much Love,
Franky
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Annabel View all Annabel's articles
Founder of Love My Dress. Passionate Podcaster and Editor. Annabel lives in rural North Yorkshire with her husband and business partner Philip, their two daughters and menagerie of furry hounds. She loves photography, meditation, walking, being outdoors and star gazing. She is fierce when it comes to championing talent within the wedding industry and when she's not working on Love My Dress, she supports her husband Philip in the running of the family's sustainable flower farm and floral design business, Moonwind Flowers. In 2013, she became a published author.
