A sweet start |Charlotte family photographer
I’ve known Natali since before she was married. Together we coached 8-11 year old girls in Girls on the Run (a fantastic program you definitely want to check out if you have girls in that age range) before she headed out to college and then shortly after got in engaged to the man of her dreams. I had the wonderful honor of photographing the day she was married.
Just this week we were talking about how much just four years ago feels like it happened last month. My girls were so small and they adored being with Natali. She is always so attentive and interested in them; it would be very difficult for them not to love her like a sweet, older sister.
Photographing her again…this time as a mom and wife was amazing. Her kind, affectionate, and attentive ways have easily translated over to little Eleanor and Matt. She is the sweet mom that I knew she would be. She and Matt are the perfect pair in their quiet and loyal commitment to each other and the family they are building. They are off to a sweet start together.
Their days are focused around each other even though Matt is often scooting out the door, with kisses and reluctant goodbyes, to go to class or to the library to study for medical school.
Not only is Natali a fairly new mom she also has started Apartment 18, a clothing shop that caters to women who want to have great style, be comfortable, and not worry about a plunging neckline or a too short skirt.
I asked Natali about three ways she manages to keep things simple. Even her ideas are simple!
Three ways to simplify your life
1. I try to unplug myself as much as possible (I deleted my Facebook years ago) so that I can focus more on what my family is doing rather than what other families are doing.
2. I don’t over schedule my time. I keep my schedule really flexible and open so that I never feel overwhelmed, and so that I can be available for unexpected service.3. I declutter and clean. As much as I don’t want my schedule overwhelmed, I don’t want my home overwhelmed. I make sure to keep a clean home (but not so clean that it stresses me out ;)) and I make a point to declutter often.
Last week I deleted Facebook off of my phone. I haven’t deleted it completely from my life, like Natali has, but just having it out of easy reach and access has made a huge difference. If you’re thinking that you can’t function without Facebook, here’s a little insider’s tip about Natali: She’s built her entire business on Instagram! She has thousands of followers and has done really smart things over there. You can find her at @apartmenteighteen
What Natali said about her session (charlotte family photographer):
I finally saw the slideshow and cried through the whole thing!! It has been an exceptionally hard summer but all I could think about when watching it was how grateful I am for my cute family. I have been meaning to text you. I cried the whole time I was going through the pictures. I cannot thank you enough! I love love love love the ones of Eleanor and Matt and the ones of just Matt and I! I didn’t realize how much these would mean to me. Thank you times a million! -Natali
Have you simplified your life in some way? I’d love to hear your tip (or one or three or more) for living simply in the comments!
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Davina Fear is a Charlotte family photographer and a Familyness Adventurer. She believes in bed time chats and bike rides down mountains and in families who see that real life doesn’t have to be polished up to be beautiful.
She blogs at davinafear.com, and creates photo documentaries for families who have days where everyday is simple, even in its complex managing of multiple people, as well as for families who feel like they’re living in constant chaos. If you’re like the Wilde Family, and don’t want to miss this moment…the real one…that’s happening right now, you’ll want to make your session happen. Get in touch by writing to davina@davinafear.com
By day, I photograph families. By night, I build forts the size of elephants with my family. I live in a yellow house. I believe real life is the best getaway ever.
8 Comments
Great tips and STUNNING photography! Davina, you continue to encourage and inspire. I have been so blessed by you!
Thank you so much, Amy! I’m so grateful for people like you who encourage me! Sending you so much love and gratitude!
hi!
i just wanted to tell you how amazingly beautiful and sensitive i find your pictures. i just adore your style – you have the gift to tell a whole wonderful story with each of your images!
lots of admiration from spain, europe,
anita 🙂
Anita from Spain! You’ve made my day with your beautiful note. It’s been my goal to accomplish all of those things in my images and that you’re seeing them and that these photos have resonated with you means so much to me. Thank you! I’m wishing you the happiest of days today!
The mirror picture!! Perfection.
Thank you, Tonya! I love this little ritual that happens with the two of them. I think it’s especially wonderful that Natali keeps Eleanor so close by, that Eleanor wants to do whatever her beautiful mom does, and that it really is about the relationships we build that matter in the midst of the everyday things…the purpose of the task is to strengthen the relationship! Always! 🙂
Oh, Davina, these photographs are grace caught on film (so to speak), they are just beautiful. Lucky is the family who get their life documented by you!
Thank you so much, Johanne! That’s such a beautiful way to describe my photos. You are so kind!