We ask our members to share a few thoughts: to introduce themselves to fellow members, and those who are interested in our community.
In this installment, we interview Natalie Carstens of Natalie Carstens Photographer.
Tell us about your business:
I’m a sentimental family photographer. My specialty is preserving family memories during pregnancy, birth, and the early weeks with a newborn. I also offer family photoshoots throughout baby’s first year and beyond. It’s such an honour to photograph returning families and see their children grow up. I love to photograph connection and emotions and there is often a beautiful intimacy in the images I make.
What 5 words would you choose to describe your business?
personal – professional – intimate – nostalgic – storytelling
What are your most popular products or services?
Family photoshoots and newborn photoshoots recording life at home during baby’s first few weeks are the most frequently booked sessions.
Many clients choose a digital-only collection, however, it’s easy to fall in love with the albums I offer when you see them in person. My ‘Classic’ collection is a favourite for families. My ‘Fine Art’ collection is a favourite for newborn photoshoots or for a combination of maternity and newborn. Albums beautifully record a moment in time that will be enjoyed and loved for generations.
What do you like best about owning a business?
Doing something I love with my whole heart brings me a lot of joy and fulfilment. Going to meet a family for a photoshoot is a true highlight! Sharing client galleries and delivering the final product(s) are always wonderful moments, knowing that these photos will be cherished for a long time. I love hearing from clients who tell me they still have their photos on display in their home years later and how much they mean to them; it makes me very happy.
Now I’m a mother, I also really appreciate the flexibility my business gives me to work around the needs of my family too.
What or who inspired you to start your business?
I was a member of a photography forum where both professionals and amateurs shared their work. Artful photographs of pregnancy and peaceful photographs of newborns caught my attention and I began to dream if it was possible I could do that too. This kind of photography was unknown in The Netherlands at the time. I photographed a friend’s pregnancy with borrowed studio lights and that set the wheels in motion for me to become a professional photographer.
What makes your products/services special?
Time is fleeting. Babies are only little for a short time. Children grow up. To preserve a slice of life with a photoshoot is invaluable. We photograph what we care about and isn’t it wonderful to pause on a photograph and remember a person, a moment, or to see the similarities and changes in our children as they grow. Photographs help keep our memories alive. Carving out the time to be together for a photoshoot is special too. Relaxing and simply enjoying spending quality time together as a family creates the best kind of photos as memories.
What is your biggest fear?
Leaving my children without a mother.
What motivates you on a daily basis?
Being alive. My family. Happy clients. I don’t take for granted how precious and fragile life is. I live to document it.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced?
Being a motherless mother to young children when a new wave of grief and loss engulfed me.
What advice would you give women who are starting a business?
Find a community of supportive business owners that are happy to share their knowledge and experiences. Mastermind and accountability groups are great to join too. Make connections and grow your network. Tell everyone about your products and services. More people than you realise are silently following what you’re doing and are ready to buy or recommend you when the time is right; keep showing up!
What is your favourite business book?
I love Atomic Habits by James Clear. Another couple of good ones are Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert and Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller. The Austin Kleon trilogy (Steal like an artist, Show your work! & Keep Going) is a great collection too.
What are your top tips for networking?
Networking is a chance to make new connections. Be interested in others and ask questions. Always follow up with those you meet. Also, understand that networking can happen anywhere – not necessarily at a ‘networking event’.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
Work and life blend together. I plan and prioritise how I spend my available time and energy. I’ve also come to realise that rest is a productive use of time. We are always ‘on’ and ‘connected’, rest is important for me too.
What do you care most about, as a business owner?
The trust a client places in me to preserve their memories.
What are your future plans?
A recent photo book project reminded me how much I love design work so I’m exploring the possibilities to do more of that!
Are you running any offers or promotions that you would like us to mention?
Booking is open for photoshoots in September and October (my favourite time of year for family photoshoots outdoors!) If you would like to preserve your family’s memories, I would love to hear from you!
Even if you’re not quite ready to book a photoshoot, let’s stay connected. Sign up here to receive occasional emails where I share photo stories, honest reflections on life, photoshoot updates and model calls 🙂
You can find me on Instagram too!
Thank you, Natalie!
For more information about Natalie Carstens visit Natalie Carstens Photographer.
We ask our members to share a few thoughts: to introduce themselves to fellow members, and those who are interested in our community.
In this installment, we interview Natalie Carstens of Natalie Carstens Photographer.
Tell us about your business:
I’m a sentimental family photographer. My specialty is preserving family memories during pregnancy, birth, and the early weeks with a newborn. I also offer family photoshoots throughout baby’s first year and beyond. It’s such an honour to photograph returning families and see their children grow up. I love to photograph connection and emotions and there is often a beautiful intimacy in the images I make.
What 5 words would you choose to describe your business?
personal – professional – intimate – nostalgic – storytelling
What are your most popular products or services?
Family photoshoots and newborn photoshoots recording life at home during baby’s first few weeks are the most frequently booked sessions.
Many clients choose a digital-only collection, however, it’s easy to fall in love with the albums I offer when you see them in person. My ‘Classic’ collection is a favourite for families. My ‘Fine Art’ collection is a favourite for newborn photoshoots or for a combination of maternity and newborn. Albums beautifully record a moment in time that will be enjoyed and loved for generations.
What do you like best about owning a business?
Doing something I love with my whole heart brings me a lot of joy and fulfilment. Going to meet a family for a photoshoot is a true highlight! Sharing client galleries and delivering the final product(s) are always wonderful moments, knowing that these photos will be cherished for a long time. I love hearing from clients who tell me they still have their photos on display in their home years later and how much they mean to them; it makes me very happy.
Now I’m a mother, I also really appreciate the flexibility my business gives me to work around the needs of my family too.
What or who inspired you to start your business?
I was a member of a photography forum where both professionals and amateurs shared their work. Artful photographs of pregnancy and peaceful photographs of newborns caught my attention and I began to dream if it was possible I could do that too. This kind of photography was unknown in The Netherlands at the time. I photographed a friend’s pregnancy with borrowed studio lights and that set the wheels in motion for me to become a professional photographer.
What makes your products/services special?
Time is fleeting. Babies are only little for a short time. Children grow up. To preserve a slice of life with a photoshoot is invaluable. We photograph what we care about and isn’t it wonderful to pause on a photograph and remember a person, a moment, or to see the similarities and changes in our children as they grow. Photographs help keep our memories alive. Carving out the time to be together for a photoshoot is special too. Relaxing and simply enjoying spending quality time together as a family creates the best kind of photos as memories.
What is your biggest fear?
Leaving my children without a mother.
What motivates you on a daily basis?
Being alive. My family. Happy clients. I don’t take for granted how precious and fragile life is. I live to document it.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced?
Being a motherless mother to young children when a new wave of grief and loss engulfed me.
What advice would you give women who are starting a business?
Find a community of supportive business owners that are happy to share their knowledge and experiences. Mastermind and accountability groups are great to join too. Make connections and grow your network. Tell everyone about your products and services. More people than you realise are silently following what you’re doing and are ready to buy or recommend you when the time is right; keep showing up!
What is your favourite business book?
I love Atomic Habits by James Clear. Another couple of good ones are Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert and Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller. The Austin Kleon trilogy (Steal like an artist, Show your work! & Keep Going) is a great collection too.
What are your top tips for networking?
Networking is a chance to make new connections. Be interested in others and ask questions. Always follow up with those you meet. Also, understand that networking can happen anywhere – not necessarily at a ‘networking event’.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
Work and life blend together. I plan and prioritise how I spend my available time and energy. I’ve also come to realise that rest is a productive use of time. We are always ‘on’ and ‘connected’, rest is important for me too.
What do you care most about, as a business owner?
The trust a client places in me to preserve their memories.
What are your future plans?
A recent photo book project reminded me how much I love design work so I’m exploring the possibilities to do more of that!
Are you running any offers or promotions that you would like us to mention?
Booking is open for photoshoots in September and October (my favourite time of year for family photoshoots outdoors!) If you would like to preserve your family’s memories, I would love to hear from you!
Even if you’re not quite ready to book a photoshoot, let’s stay connected. Sign up here to receive occasional emails where I share photo stories, honest reflections on life, photoshoot updates and model calls 🙂
You can find me on Instagram too!
Thank you, Natalie!
For more information about Natalie Carstens visit Natalie Carstens Photographer.
