Ep 203: Taking photography from hobby to side hustle and beyond with special guest Natalie Finney

We love it when we discover a photographer who started snapping as a hobby – but is then able to turn that interest into something more. Photographer Natalie Finney has done just that and we chat to her about her journey and passion for portraiture.

Over the past two years, Natalie has focused on growing her business, slowly and steadily. She has amassed a varying portfolio of work, from weddings and corporate events, to commercial and fine-art/conceptual photography, however she is always drawn back to family portraiture, preferring to take a candid, documentary-styled approach.

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Show Notes

Shout out to Michael Brewer:

#showusyourpics
From Michael: Listening to this podcast has made a huge difference in my photography and my life. The photo on the left was taken when I first started listening, almost three years ago. The photo on the right is part of a recent portrait project where I have been focusing on posing and the micro-expressions Gina talks about. Shooting portraits has helped me overcome the shyness and awkwardness I feel as an introvert and has given me a tool to connect with people. Thank you!

 

Image by Michael Brewer

 

Michael Brewer

From Miroslava Balas:
#showusyourpics
Here are pictures before and after Gina. I got my DSLR in January 2016, and decided I want to learn photography.

After a month I have found Gina and Valerie’s podcast and started absorbing
Here is what I learned so far. (Details in comments). Gina and Valerie I can not thank you enough for being there.

Above by Miroslava Balas

One of my first pictures. I was so disappointed I switched to manual and never returned back.

Above by Miroslava Balas
Above by Miroslava Balas 

My latest candid picture and first (conscious) attempt at documentary style.

 

Taking photography from hobby to side hustle and beyond with special guest Natalie Finney

Above: Natalie Finney

Natalie’s fascination with photography began at a young age. She vividly recalls her mother’s careful assembly of photo albums, documenting her family each year. She would spend hours poring over these as a child, reliving the magic of each moment captured. She began to experiment with photography on and off through her teenage years, taking a media class in high school and learning the basics of film photography. Later, landscapes and travel photography would capture her interest, and returning from a five month long travel adventure inspired Natalie to purchase her first “serious” camera, a DSLR.

But it wasn’t until the birth of her children that Natalie discovered a passion for portraiture. The tiny details and ever changing features of these little people were all too fleeting, and she immersed herself in capturing cherished moments with her young son and daughter. Content with creating precious images for her little family, it wasn’t long after that friends began asking her to photograph their own.

As word of mouth spread, requests for photo shoots became a regular occurrence and what had begun as a gratifying hobby was fast becoming regular commissions. It was at this stage she decided to launch her own business, Natalie Finney Photography.

Over the past two years, Natalie has focused on learning wherever she can and growing her business, slowly and steadily. She has amassed a varying portfolio of work, from weddings and corporate events, to commercial and fine-art/conceptual photography, however she is always drawn back to family portraiture, preferring to take a candid, documentary-styled approach. She sees her role as that of the quiet observer, particularly when it comes to photographing children and their families. In her own words, her fascination for this photographic genre stems from “a desire to capture the quiet connections that families share, as well as the sweet, uncanny and authentic moments that come so naturally to children in all their uninhibited spontaneity.”

Website: www.nataliefinney.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliefinney_photography/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NatalieFinneyPhotography/

All images below by Natalie Finney

Image by Natalie Finney

 

Image by Natalie Finney

 

Image by Natalie Finney

 

Image by Natalie Finney

 

Image by Natalie Finney

How to direct and pose like a pro

About Gina

About Gina

Gina Milicia is one of the most widely known and respected photographers in Australia. She is the master of capturing that ‘magical moment’... READ MORE

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