Natalie Maria Photography has a new home base: Amsterdam, The Netherlands. After 15 years photographing families across Chicago, my husband, our toddler, and I sold/gave away/got rid of most of our things, packed 6 suitcases, shipped over a crate of stuff we couldn’t part with, and moved here this past spring — and I couldn't be more excited to bring my lens to this beautiful corner of the world.
Read MoreI like to photograph newborns before they are 14 days old. This is because they grow SO FAST. In the first 14 days they are brand new…scrunchy, sleepy, and easily pose-able. Although I don’t really “pose” babies, I actually like them unposed and in natural positions. My newborn photo shoots are baby-led, meaning the baby is the boss basically.
Read MoreLooking for the best locations for winter family photos in Amsterdam? From Vondelpark to Amsterdamse Bos, Amsterdam photographer Natalie Maria shares her favorite spots.
Read MoreWhat is the best time of year for a family photo session? I guess that’s up to you and what you are looking for in your photos and what you want them for. Do you want a session inside your home? That can be done anytime of year. Do you want greens and flowers in the background? A summer photo shoot might be best for that. Maybe some nice fall foliage? Do you want holiday photos? Is this a birthday milestone session?
Read MoreEdinburgh is such a beautiful, interesting city, with so much history…I didn’t mind spending our three days just walking around. The gothic style architecture and cobblestone streets in Old Town are stunning, and the little winding streets we found ourselves on revealed hidden shops, pubs, and restaurants. The Royal Mile, a bustling street that links the iconic Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, is lined with quaint shops, cute restaurants, and street performers.
Read MoreA photo session with Natalie Maria Photography is relaxed, fun, and real. Learn what to expect before, during, and after your maternity, newborn, or family session.
Read MoreWe spent about 6 days in London. The first time I was there was only for 2 days and I didn’t do a ton except for a few really touristy things. So I had a bunch of things I wanted to do. Museums, Camden Town, Abbey Road, Portobello Market…and some touristy things to see for my husband because he had never been.
Read MoreThinking about booking a fall family photo session? Imagining the pretty leaves changing color and beautiful soft golden hour light? But it’s only April…you want a session in October. Might as well wait a few months to book, right? WRONG! Summer and fall are both very busy times for photographers. Specifically August-December, with September, October, and November being the busiest for me personally. It’s best to book your session as early as you can.
Read MoreYou’ve scheduled the date for your family photo session, and have an amazing photographer booked (if you’re in Chicago, hopefully it’s me!). Now what? How do you prepare for your photo shoot? Here are some things to consider and ways to prepare…
Read MorePersonally, I think it’s important to document your family and your life through family photo sessions as often as you can. You could do it every couple of years, but then you’re missing out on all the big changes your little ones go through. Ideally I think once a year is great.
Read MoreIn September of 2022 my husband and I traveled to Iceland, England, Scotland, and Ireland. Iceland was our first stop. I had been wanting to visit Iceland for YEARS…it looked so beautiful and I had heard great things. It absolutely lived up to the hype…the Land Of Fire And Ice, as it’s known, was pretty amazing.
Read More
