Natalie Maria Photography

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United States
Chicago, IL
Natalie Maria Photography

Natalie Maria Photography offers lifestyle family and newborn photography in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Hi, I'm Natalie!

I'm a Chicago-based photographer that specializes in family, child, and newborn photography. I primarily use natural light and I do most of my sessions either outdoors or at clients' homes. I strive to capture genuine poses and expressions, and I'm a firm believer that all you need for perfect newborn photos is a baby and some natural light. Authenticity, emotion, and art are all motivators in my

work and have become the basis for my style. I am passionate about creating art through photography by capturing real moments, and I love that I get to preserve memories in time for the families I photograph.

06/16/2025

A few sweet moments from my Motherhood Mini Sessions at Family Picnic in April.

It was such a fun day—14 beautiful mamas soaking up snuggles with their babies. These sessions were all about freezing those little in-between moments: the giggles, the cuddles, the way your kiddo looks at you like you're their whole world (because you are).

Thanks to everyone who came out and made it such a special day! 💕

04/01/2025

Celebrate Mother’s Day with a Motherhood Mini Session on May 3rd! Click the link below for details and booking…

https://nataliemariaphoto.com/motherhood-minis

10/04/2024

In addition to my photography business I have worked part time for another photography business for quite a while...most recently, just 2 days a week.

In 2021 I did a Mastermind with Elena S Blair, and since then my business has really taken off (THANK YOU Elena). Elena told me back then that I didn't need the other job and I should quit and focus on my own business...she had more faith in me then I had in myself at the time. But I kept the other job because I felt like I wasn't ready...I needed the extra income...and the thought of being 100% self employed was scary!

Over the last couple of years as my business started to grow more and more, I realized I might be able make it work, but I hung onto it as a safety net...just in case. When we found out I was pregnant I figured I should definitely keep it...again, just in case.

Every year I have the most amazing families that come back to me for their annual photo session. And I'm constantly getting new families that do the same. I don't know how I got so lucky, but all of these people are just the best. Every year when I see my returning families, we are genuinely excited to see each other and catch up. I love that I have such a good rapport with all of them. It's a part of my job that I really love...connecting with these wonderful families.

All that to say...as of last week...I AM NOW 100% SELF EMPLOYED!! I no longer work for anyone else...just myself. And I'm not even scared (ok, maybe a tiny bit scared...but in the best way)! I'm super excited for this next chapter in my career and business, and so grateful to be able to do this.

I've worked hard at my business over the last few years, but could not have done this without all of the incredible families and schools I work with. You all are the best...thank you so much for trusting me to capture your precious memories.

01/30/2023

Love this shot from my fine art mini session event I held in November.

I love that these photos capture so much personality…and I feel like you can really see these kids different personalities in this image.

No distractions in the background…just pure personality portraits.

01/09/2023

I don't really do New Year's resolutions.

Personally, I have things I want to work on and be better about, but that's pretty much ongoing...it's not just because a new year has started.

Health-wise I will do a reset...getting back to healthy habits after letting some go a little bit in December. I'm a very healthy eater and I like exercise, both are a big part of my life...I don't need a resolution for those things, but a reset when the new year starts is always a good thing.

Business-wise, I set goals at the beginning of the year.

One of my goals for this year is to blog more consistently.

I said the same last year and made it to July before I got too busy and stopped. Ha. But not this year!

On that note, my first blog post of the year is up! I talk about why I think newborn sessions should be done at home rather than a studio. There are so many reasons in my opinion.

Click here to read the blog… https://www.nataliemariaphoto.com/blog/why-your-newborn-photo-session-should-be-done-at-home-instead-of-a-studio

01/03/2023

First post of 2023! Starting off with some photos I love from a special session that I did in the fall.

This is my friend/step cousin and her beautiful family. We knew each other as young kids but didn’t have any contact for many many years…until about 2 years ago when we reconnected. We’ve been in touch ever since and I’m so grateful to know her again.

As a kid I remember playing at her house and I thought her bedroom was SO cool because she had a tiny closet with a sink in it. Like a door that you open and there’s just a sink, and maybe there was a mirror? And other sink stuff, soap, toothbrush, etc. For some reason I thought it was the coolest and I wanted a room with a sink closet so bad. 😂

I always remembered that sink closet and have literally brought it up in random conversations before…the things that make big impressions on us as kids can be really funny sometimes.

12/09/2022

This was a really special session. This guy is one of my oldest friends. We started hanging out when I was about 15. Him and his family were visiting from TX recently, and I was so excited to do this session with them.

We had a super close group of friends as teenagers. We all spent lots of time together…listening to punk rock, going to punk rock shows, hanging out late night at Denny’s, sitting on front porches for hours, playing cards, and definitely getting into some trouble.

We are all still friends and even have a group chat. Most of the group are in different parts of the country now, but I’m so grateful that we are still connected and that these special friendships have lasted so long.

It was so cool photographing my friend and his beautiful family…I remember dyeing this guy’s hair blue and putting his mohawk up with glue back in the day. And here we are almost 25 years later doing family photos. 😂 Life is crazy!

11/28/2022

Thinking about outdoor family photos but worried it’s too cold out? Well…it kind of is (for me anyway). But that’s ok!

The Garfield Park Conservatory is an amazing spot for photo sessions when it’s cold outside. I love this place in the winter! It feels like a warm tropical rainforest. So much fun for photos!

I have ONE opening on Sunday Dec 11th at 1pm if anyone wants to sneak in a last minute session before the holidays. Otherwise I won’t be booking family sessions until the end of January.

Book here: www.calendly.com/nataliemariaphoto/2022-schedule

10/28/2022

I’m selling my travel prints in person tonight at an event benefitting March Fourth. It’s a non profit organization that is working to federally ban assault weapons.

I just decided to turn this into an online sale as well!

Buy a travel print (or 2 or 3) and I will be donating 20% to March Fourth.

I will be doing this through the weekend.

These make great gifts! The holidays are so close. Or maybe you want a print to frame for yourself. Either way, buy a print and support March Fourth.

https://studio.shootproof.com/v3/322822/gallery/15788544

09/30/2022

Booking for my Fine Art Mini Sessions is open!

Authentic, boutique photography that captures the true personality of your child....and the results are genuine, timeless portraits.

This event is on November 5th, just in time for the holidays…these photos make amazing gifts, and they also look great on holiday cards!

Click the link below for more info and booking…

www.nataliemariaphoto.com/fine-Art-mini-sessions

09/26/2022

Booking for my Fine Art Mini Sessions opens today for my mailing list! Check your email after 9:30am!

Didn’t get on my mailing list in time? Booking links will be released here on Friday.

09/25/2022

Booking for my Fine Art Mini Sessions on Nov 5th will be open to my mailing list tomorrow! Are you on my list?

Go to the link below to sign up…you will receive an email tomorrow with a link to book!

www.nataliemariaphoto.com/mailing-list

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