Meet Natalie Nunn | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalie Nunn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalie, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
“I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.” – Pablo Picasso

I have always loved this quote. In fact I have it framed in my living room not only as a reminder to myself, but now for my own kids too.

I think a lot of us put off trying something new because we know we will not be very good at it at first. Being a beginner is scary! Especially if you have any sort of social media presence, no one wants to show up looking mediocre, or worse, kinda terrible. But there is so much value in being a beginner and trying something new! Life would be pretty one note if we all just stuck to the things we were naturally good at.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It’s taken quite a few years to really hone in on my personal photography style. When I was first starting out I was honestly just trying to recreate the types of images I was seeing on Pinterest. Lots of posing and props, and trying out different filters. I cringe a bit to think of some of my work from those early days when I was trying it all and figuring it out. My goal initially was always to make Instagram worthy pretty photos.

Then as I started having my own kids I began to realize that the types of photos that really spoke to me, that I personally really cherished, weren’t those beautiful IG worthy shots. They weren’t the ones where we were all dressed up, smiling and looking at the camera. They were the ones I was taking at home on ordinary days. Where the house was a bit messy and no one was really even aware of the camera. Just a true snapshot of what life felt like in that moment.

I love to look back on those types of photos! There are so many details to cherish. Like how my daughter had terrible home-cut bangs (they didn’t seem so bad at the time lol) and loved dressing herself in crazy layered outfits, or that couch my Oma gave us when we bought our first house (the kids ended up jumping on it so much that the springs all broke). Even just seeing the type of clutter we had in our home at that time generates so many memories. These were all things that were sparked from being a true observer. You just can’t get that from a photo where you’re all dressed up and looking straight at the camera.

From there I slowly became turned off by complicated posing, specially bought outfits, and props. It started to feel rather fake to me. I didn’t want to replicate the same type of photos with clients every single time. I wanted to really connect and find the unique beauty of every family and individual that I worked with.

I stopped using props in my newborn sessions. I now wanted my newborn sessions to really show what those new days with a newborn looked like! I wanted families to look back at these photos and marvel at how fragile their babies looked, and how new and awkward they felt holding them. Instead of tightly swaddling babies in my own neutral blankets, I wanted babies to be wearing clothes that their parents had carefully picked out for them before they were born. I wanted to pack as many memory generators into these photos as possible.

For my family sessions, instead of just solely working in pretty meadows or fields, I began to gush about the value and beauty of doing them in clients own homes or spaces. Sure, doing them at home may be objectively less pretty than a wildflower meadow, but being at home is so much more sentimental and meaningful.

Fast forward to the last few years where I’ve been so inspired by documentary style photographers like Allie Clarke and Tracy Jade. It’s really changed how I approach my sessions with clients. Now I am aim to capture people in a more authentic way, whether it be at home or outdoors. I strive to show people how beautiful their lives are right now, just as they are.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love living in Kitchener. It can feel like living in a mini Toronto in one area, and then a 15 minute drive later you’re hiking through huge forests. The best of both worlds!

Some of my favourite spots to visit:

The downtown KPL- they have a cafe, huge art installations and even a movie theatre

The Museum- a perfect way to spend a few hours with kids

The Children’s Art Factory- truly a magical place! Technically in Guelph but worth the 20 minute drive

Things to Do:

A hands-on of workshop with Mindful Makers- I personally loved learning how to weave a basket from willow branches

Go for a hike- Huron Natural Area and the Snyder Flats are huge and beautiful

Thrifting- Thrift on Kent and MCC Thrift are favourites

Where to Eat:

The Guananquita, Jane Bond, The Crushed Almond, The Princess Cafe

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I always think fondly of those first few clients I had when I was just starting out. The ones who took a chance and hired a self taught, totally green photographer to capture their family or their business. At this point in my career, I can probably trace nearly all of my current clients back to those first few ones, just through word of mouth. Truly, I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

Website: https://natalienunnphotography.com

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Image Credits
Natalie Nunn Photography