Welcome to my blog! My name is Natalie Franke and I'm a wedding photojournalist and portrait photographer in the Philly, Baltimore, & DC metro areas!

My blog is a collection of weddings, friends, proms, and toddlers. Everything from my latest photo shoot to what I'm learning as an undergrad at UPenn.

I love my job & feel so blessed to have the opportunity to document the lives of my amazing clients. Take off your coat & stay a while!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Bryanna's Senior Session

For anyone who has misconceptions about the amount of fun that you'll have on a Senior Session - Bryanna is here to prove you wrong. Between meeting a crazy group of seagulls to having a snowball fight, this was one of the most enjoyable sessions that I've had all year. Bryanna is smart, funny, and absolutely beautiful! She is such a natural in front of the camera and made this session one of a kind.


Downtown Annapolis was decorated for the holidays! :) It made for quite a beautiful backdrop.


We decided to explore and found a cute little pier overlooking the water...
Unfortunately, a group of seagulls thought that we were going to feed them and they started to swarm.
It made for some absolutely adorable candid pictures. :)


Bry-10-3ST

And we ended the day with a good old fashioned snowball fight. :) How's that for a senior session!

Saturday, December 12, 2009

101 Goals in 1001 Days - UPDATE!

I remember when I started this list all those months ago!

The Mission:
Complete 101 preset tasks in a period of 1001 days. (Started Febuary 19, 2009)

The Criteria:
Tasks must be specific (ie. no ambiguity in the wording) with a result that is either measurable or clearly defined. Tasks must also be realistic and stretching (ie. represent some amount of work on my part).

Why 1001 Days?
Many people have created lists in the past - frequently simple goals such as New Year's resolutions. The key to beating procrastination is to set a deadline that is realistic. 1001 Days (about 2.75 years) is a better period of time than a year, because it allows you several seasons to complete the tasks, which is better for organizing and timing some tasks such as overseas trips or outdoor activities.

MY START DATE: 2/20/2009
MY END DATE: 11/18/2011

1. Travel to a country outside of the United States.
2. Become comfortably fluent in Spanish.
3. Buy a pair of leather boots. (10/09)
4. Spend a full week with my dad and baby brother.
5. Get published photographically for my portrait work.
6. Attend WPPI in Las Vegas, NV.
7. Get a professional massage
8. Carry my camera everywhere with me for a month.
9. Decide on my college major. (12/09 - Visual Studies)
10. Visit Assateague Island and see the wild horses. (Planned May 2010)
11. Plan a vacation with my best friends in Ocean City. (Planned May 2010)
12. Grow my hair back down past my collarbone. (10/09)
13. Pack a picnic lunch to the beach/park.
14. Photograph a wedding out of state.
15. Shoot in RAW. (2/21)
16. Go on a cruise.
17. Get back into shape/lose 10 pounds.
18. Design my logo and branding. (04/09)
19. Take an actual art class. (09/09 - Digital Design)
20. Ride the metro alone! Ahh!
21. Buy a peacoat. (03/09)
22. Photograph a Senior Prom Party. (05/09)
23. Take my mom out to dinner.
24. Visit New York City again!
25. Keep my nails painted pink for a month.
26. Buy a Fisheye lens.
27. Get dressed up on Halloween. (10/31/09)
28. Get a custom blog!
29. Organize the monster that is my email inbox.
30. Attend a summer concert at Merriweather Post.
31. Design a wedding website. (Expected 01/2010)
32. Photograph a lacrosse tournament. (06/09)
33. Dip my toes in the Pacific Ocean.
34. Buy something from Etsy. (3/1/09)
35. Read a book for fun. (10/09 - Sookie Stackhouse Series)
36. Subscribe to a photography magazine. (08/09 - Photo Pro)
37. Get a new and improved cell phone. (06/09 - Blackberry Storm)
38. Go out to lunch with my friends from high school.
39. Invest in the stock market.
40. Join an interest group.
41. Give up soda for a month.
42. Convince my mom to let me take her pictures.
43. Compile a cookbook with our family recipes.
44. Call my grandparents everyday for a month.
45. Buy a Nikon D700! (11/09 - WOOH!)
46. Keep a 3.8 GPA or above. (Freshman Year 08-09 = 3.97)
47. Pull an all nighter.
48. Get a portrait session done with Huey.
49. Blog every day for 14 days straight. (0/14)
50. Buy an HD video camera. (07/09)
51. Itsy bitsy teeny weeny little polka dot bikini.
52. Go through my closet & donate old clothes.
53. Run 3 miles without getting tired.
54. Write a letter to my senator.
55. Teach someone something new!
55. Discover three ways to reduce my carbon footprint. (0/3)
56. Photograph alongside two of my photography heroes. (Throughout 09)
57. Photograph a wedding at St. Mary's Church in Annapolis, my parish.
58. Visit my old high school.
59. Take a yoga class.
60. Re-read the Twilight series, for the third time.
61. Buy a pair of flip flops other than Reefs.
62. Find a four leaf clover.
63. Treat my boyfriend to a nice restaurant. (10/09 - Fogo de Chao)
64. Get my first credit card and build good credit!
65. Go on a girls' weekend with my best friends.
66. Create my own scrapbook.
67. Purchase a new laptop. (07/09)
68. Add a third buddha statue to my desk collection.
69. Photograph a newborn.
70. Vacation somewhere tropical.
71. Hold my own fabulous contest.
72. Enter a print competition
73. Stay off Facebook for 48 hours.
74. Create a Photobook of all my macro photography. (12/09)
75. Have my work displayed somewhere. (05/09 - Present @ Liu Liu's Salon)
76. Buy a fun umbrella. (Bought 09/09 - Died 10/09)
77. Go to the gun range with my Dad.
78. Ride on a roller coaster.
79. Buy a new camera bag/case to compliment my Shootsac. (11/09)
80. Attend a bridal showcase.
81. Throw someone a surprise birthday party!
82. Wear my cowgirl boots in public. Without being pointed at.
83. Attend another Ravens game.
84. Plan a unique themed fashion shoot (50's, 80's, ect.)
85. Shop (and buy something) at Urban Outfitters. (09/09)
85. Shoot and edit a session in one day. (3/8/09)
86. Photograph a boudoir session.
87. See a Broadway Show.
88. Go from Sole Proprietorship to LLC. (2010)
89. Photograph a fellow photographer. (04/09)
90. Go a whole month without eating out.
91. Sleep in past 10 am.
92. Shop at a consignment store.
93. Write down all of my friends/family members' birthdays.
94. Drive a jet ski.
95. Go sailing in the Chesapeake Bay.
96. Surprise my mom with breakfast in bed.
97. Get my own apartment.
98. Write my grandparents a thank you letter, for everything they do.
99. Do some digging into my family history. Make a family tree.
100. Create a signature photography video.
101. Volunteer for a charity that gives back. (Littlest Heros & Think Pink!)


The Key:
BOLD: Completed.
ITALIC: in progress.

Yours Truly,
Natalie Franke

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Snowflakes & Finals

We experienced our first snow of the season last week and it was beautiful! I wished it would have stayed around a little longer! I just wanted to let everyone know that this week and next week I have my final exams - I will be a little more out of touch than usual but will return to full speed soon! There are so many exciting things planned for 2010, I can't wait to announce them later on! :)

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Caroline & Liz

When I returned home over the Thanksgiving holiday, my sister and I decided to go downtown and have a mini photo shoot. About halfway through, one of her best friends showed up and it turned into one of the most relaxed and completely hilarious sessions that I've ever done. Here is just a glimpse of our quick shoot!


Strutting her stuff on the cat walk. ;)




Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Tara's Senior Session

One of my favorite parts about being a photographer is the fact that I get to meet some of the most amazing people on a daily basis. Last Sunday was no exception - Meet Tara. This high school senior wants to pursue Deaf Studies in college and work with the hearing impaired. She is not only motivated and outgoing, but absolutely beautiful as well! Here are a few pictures from her Senior Session in downtown Annapolis.








Her eyes are absolutely stunning. :)


We stumbled upon this pile of leaves behind an old school building and had fun with them.
So sorry for messing up your perfect pile of leaves! Opportunities like this are few & far between. ;)