Meet Natalie Howe of NatalieHCreative Photography in Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Howe.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Natalie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My journey as a photographer began as a ten years old kid with my parents’ old film camera, the same one they used to take pictures of me as a baby! For my very first photoshoot, I hung a floral pillowcase from the corner of my desk and placed my borrowed school violin on an old pencil box in front of this makeshift backdrop, set a dried flower next to it and CLICK CLICK CLICK-my very first photoshoot! That picture is still on display at my parents’ house. I remember how amazed my mom was when she saw the pictures. She made me feel so proud of the work I had done! This sense of pride was my first glimpse into what would fuel my journey from being a kid taking pictures of an old violin on a pencil box to the photographer I am today. I only recently began introducing myself as a photographer, it’s still so weird to say! I’ve had this dream since I was a kid and now I can officially say that I am living it! This road has been long and difficult and to be honest I never thought I’d be where I am.

Since becoming a photographer requires you to have the right equipment, and said equipment doesn’t come cheap, I took pictures with whatever camera I could find! My first upgrade was a free point and shoot camera my dad used reward points at work to get me (thanks Dad!). From there I saved up babysitting money to buy a camera that could also record video, which was a huge deal to my middle school self! I used this camera slowly through the beginning of my high school years when I really found a passion for photography. I tried all sorts-nature, still life, portraits, animals. I even borrowed a mentor’s camera and was able to shadow at a couple of weddings! I loved what I was doing and the people around me seemed to love my pictures as much as I did. When I was a senior in high school my parents saved up enough money to surprise me with my very first DSLR for Christmas! They had no idea what a blessing that camera would be.

Every chance I got I dressed my friends up and took them around town for photoshoots. This was where my hobby grew into a passion. Even in memory, I can still feel how passionate I was about these projects! I soon began getting hired to do prom and senior sessions and during college had to drive across the valley to photograph different jobs. This was what I wanted to do with my life and I knew it! But the further I got into college the more “realistic” I felt I needed to be, so I put photography on hold and pursued a career in teaching.

During my college years, I met my wonderful husband and we started a family! I loved the life we had created together and I even got to put my almost forgotten photography skills to use on our adorable baby boy! But as the years went on my camera started collecting more and more dust. I was itching for any reason to use my camera but balancing a family with a career left very little time for photography. I missed the good old days of dressing up my friends and being creative. It seemed like creative photography was just a fun memory and would always stay behind me. But one morning at our neighborhood park I got to chatting with another mom and I discovered that she used to model. I immediately told her about my photography past and offered to collaborate. A few weeks later, we worked on our first project and my passion was relit! I could slowly feel this old part of myself waking up and within minutes I was directing her like we were pros shooting for a top designer! Several collaborations later we both had revamped portfolios and my sights were set on making a name for myself in the photography industry.

After having my second child, I left my teaching career to stay home with my boys. Being able to watch them grow has been the biggest blessing of my life! I’m so grateful for the time I get to spend with them. By leaving my teaching career not only was I able to spend more time with my children, I was also able to put more energy into my photography. I began networking like crazy, offering to shadow for local magazines, photographing fashion events for free, offering test shoots for modeling agencies. I involved myself in everything I could find. A little over a year later I am now the official photographer for Natori’s Club Modeling and Talent Agency, official photographer for Fashion Connection (FCIAZ), on the media team for Phoenix Fashion Week, and own my own business offering all types of photography specializing in model portfolio work. I am so blessed to be where I am today. This is exactly where I want to be and I am truly living a dream!

Has it been a smooth road?
Getting to this point in my career hasn’t been easy. There have been several challenges but the biggest has been self-doubt. Although I loved taking pictures and was proud of the results I got, it took me nine years to feel confident. I wish I could turn back time and tell myself to go for it! During college I compared myself to other photographers my age and told myself I’d never be good enough; that the years I spent studying to be a teacher had put me so far behind the game that I’d never be able to catch up. Becoming a teacher was a huge blessing and I’ll never regret the decision to follow that path, but I wish I would have believed in myself enough to keep taking pictures while I taught. I almost lost sight of my dream because I didn’t believe in myself enough to think it could come true.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the NatalieHCreative Photography story. Tell us more about the business.
I do all sorts of photography-models, families, engagements, weddings, high school seniors, and events, but I specialize in helping models and aspiring models build their portfolios. I love giving aspiring models the opportunity to build their portfolios and I have so much fun getting really creative with current models to heighten their existing portfolios.

What I’m most proud of is my ability to make all my models feel comfortable. About half of my clients are near the beginning of their modeling career and are trying to move from getting pretty pictures in their backyard to having higher quality images that could get them noticed. A lot of these models are very nervous and need a lot of directing. I offer positive feedback and am able to tactfully redirect them if the images aren’t turning out as expected. Within just a few minutes these models have loosened up and are taking pictures like old pros!

One thing that sets me apart is the fact that I let my models, both beginners, and professionals, have a voice. Often in the modeling industry models are told what to wear, what to do, where to stand, how to walk, and the list goes on. If my clients have an idea to try we try it! If they want to shoot at a specific location we go! If I’m listening to their ideas and giving value to their opinions it helps them feel confident.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in luck, but I do believe in being blessed. In my personal life, I feel very blessed to have what I do. I am blessed to be married to my best friend and I am blessed to have my sweet boys. In regards to what role luck has played in my business, I don’t believe it played a role at all. I have worked hard to be where I’m at today and I don’t believe I’ve had any sort of “lucky break”. I knew what I wanted and I worked hard to get it.

Pricing:

• Private Session – $200 (10-15 edited images)
• Private Session – $250 (16-20 edited images)
• Driving Travel Fee – $25 per hour (free if drive time is less than one hour)
• Out of State Travel Fee – Client covers price of flight and lodging

Contact Info:

• Email: nataliehcreative@gmail.com
• Instagram: @nataliehcreative

Image Credit:
Natori’s Club Modeling and Talent Agency, Veronica Everheart of Exclusive Model Management, Jules Simpson of Ford RBA, Megan Crenshaw, Kirsten Perez, Kari Durrant, Josie Lopez

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