Chicago Photographer Natalie Starks

Hi, I’m Natalie—

Photographer, mama, and expert chaos-catcher

I’m the owner of Natalie Maria Photography, where I specialize in lifestyle family, newborn, and maternity photography in Chicago. I also run a boutique school portrait business…bringing a modern, personality-driven approach to student photos.

I live in Chicago with my husband and our daughter, and when I’m not behind the camera, you can usually find me planning our next trip, going to concerts, cooking something delicious, or relaxing on the couch watching movies and shows with my family.

The artist behind the lens

Art has always been a huge part of my life. I still remember the joy of elementary school art projects—and that love only grew stronger over the years. I originally set out to study painting in college, but the moment I stepped into a darkroom, everything changed.

With my mom’s vintage Canon AE-1 (the same camera she used to photograph me as a baby), I fell in love with black and white film photography. I went on to earn a BA in Photography from Columbia College Chicago, where I also minored in Art History. A study abroad program in Florence sparked a love of travel that’s stayed with me ever since. So far, I’ve visited 23 countries (and counting)—always with a camera in hand.

From darkroom to diapers (and everything in between)

I’ve been photographing newborns and families since 2010, and I truly can’t imagine doing anything else. My sessions are relaxed, joyful, and totally free of pressure—because I believe the best photos happen when everyone feels comfortable just being themselves. I love getting to know the families I work with and genuinely enjoy chatting throughout our time together—it's not unusual for clients to become friends by the end of a session.

While I no longer shoot film (though I dream of dusting off that AE-1 again someday), I currently photograph digitally using a Canon R6 mirrorless camera. It’s quick, intuitive, and helps me keep up with even the wiggliest of toddlers.