Featured In a Local Salon Advertisement!

If you haven't already heard of Liu Liu's Salon in Annapolis, Maryland - Now is the perfect time to check them out! They are having this amazing deal for new clients! The most exciting thing for me was that they decided to use a group portrait that I took last month for the advertisement! =) Yay! The stylists at Liu Liu are simply fantastic and I've been trusting them with my hair for years! You can't beat the fact that the salon is in a historic part of Eastport and is painted like something right out of Key West! Such a fun place to be!

Notice the black & white shot of all the girls!

Be sure to check out their website and stop by to visit if you are looking for something new! Just tell them that I sent you their way! This spring is going to be super busy with photo sessions and weddings - email me as soon as possible to inquire about spring availability! 

Yours Truly, 

Natalie Franke

A Letter From Japan - The Love Project

I was so excited today when I found a letter in my mailbox from Japan. I've been waiting for these little hearts to arrive as part of The Love Project started by Keiko Toyoshima last year! These little hearts have been sent out around the world: from England to Russia to Argentina to the United States & now I have a set of my very own. I plan to use them for more creative images later on, but I wanted to post something today about them!

There were so many cool stamps on the letter!

I hope everyone is being safe on the roads! It's icy!

Yours Truly,

Natalie Franke

Bliss Beach Session - ALMOST Sold Out!

I just wanted to let everyone know that I only have two slots remaining for the Beach Bliss Marathon Session on April 18th! I'm amazed at how fast my day has filled up and will only be taking two more hour long slots. Send me an email (link above on the navigation bar) to reserve your spot before time runs out! I will be offering two types of sessions to fill that space: Half Hour Slots for $60 (max of 3 people) and Hour Slots for $100. The majority of clients have booked entire hours to take advantage of this great deal, resulting in the day filling up even faster than I imagined it would. Every session comes with free copies of the digital images, a password protected ordering gallery, and a photo shoot in the gorgeous city of Chesapeake Beach Maryland.

For all of you who have already booked: We are going to have an AMAZING time! Keep your fingers crossed for beautiful spring weather & I'll be updating the blog with suggestions on what to bring closer to the event! Get ready for an amazing time - I promise to have you laughing in the first ten minutes. =)

A little macro shot from the other day. Looks like we'll be expecting snow tomorrow! Wish me luck driving on the beltway from Annapolis to Towson! It's going to be a nightmare!

Yours Truly,

Natalie Franke

The January Photographer Gathering

When you fill a room with 50 local Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. wedding and portrait photographers -- you get a crazy group of gear gurus, inspirational artists, and a really really fun time! Yesterday I spent the day at one of Armin DeFiesta's monthly get togethers at Julia MacInnis's house. It was so much fun to meet photographers on all ends of the spectrum (from newbies to seniors). There was more food than anyone could have imagined and the event lasted from around 1:00 pm until 6! This was my first photographer meet up and I can't wait to make as many as possible this year! 

Thank you Armin & Julia for putting together this amazing event!

I'm center left in the floral top and peace sign necklace! 

Getting ready for the areal shot. (I love this fisheye lens!)

The sky view of all of us from Julia's incredible second floor!

(*Photo Credit: goes to the incredibly talented Ingrid Kaslik!)

Yours Truly,

Natalie Franke

Woke Up to a Rainbow

This morning when I woke up there was this gorgeous reflection of the sun across all the frost in my yard! I ran outside (in PJ bottoms and my Towson sweatshirt) and snapped a ton of pictures. Winter can tend to lose the gorgeous color that we photographers love... not this morning! A combination of sun, ice, and the natural beauty of a cold morning filled my lens. I really love mornings like this! Happy Friday everyone!

There is a photography meet-up tomorrow with more than 40 other local photographers! I'm SO thrilled to be going! I'm bringing a yummy fruit salad & can't wait to go to Whole Foods later! =) Have a great weekend everyone. If you don't have plans tomorrow stop by the Polar Bear Plunge and support the Special Olympics of Maryland! My sister will be plunging with so many other Marylanders! It's going to be a blast!

Have a great weekend!

Yours Truly,

Natalie Franke

Upcoming Changes

I hope all of you noticed (and loved) the mini make-over to the Natalie Franke Photography Blog! I wanted to make the page more user friendly and hope that all of you enjoy it. Be sure to follow the links on the navigation bar to either Join my Facebook Group or Follow Me on Twitter if you have accounts with either of those social networking sites! 

Just an update for all of you! If you are thinking about booking a session for this summer or fall, schedule by April 1st to lock in the small $50 for digital image files. After April 1st, prices will increase to $75 for copies of the digital images in order for me to begin moving toward the main stream industry of photographers. *Please note: The majority of portrait photographers do not share the digital image files with their clients, but I have always found it to be one of the best parts about the photography experience. Especially in this electronic age, who doesn't want the opportunity to use your professionally taken pictures on your webpage, Facebook, or to print on your own? So book early to lock in the super low rates... After April 1st they will be increasing slightly.

Thanks so much everyone! 

Yours Truly,

Natalie Franke

A New Day for the World

Today was the first full day with President Obama as the leader of our amazing country! I think yesterday made us all a little prouder to be Americans! Regardless of who we all voted for and supported during this election, I believe that this inauguration deserves to be celebrated! I thought his speech was empowering and brought a few tears to my eyes.

"Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America." - Obama

Here is my clenched fist, ready to fight and persevere. Because we should all have a little hope that everything is going to get better! =) 

Yours Truly,

Natalie Franke

Something to Make You Laugh!

So I had a fabulous meet up today with Armin DeFiesta - this guy rocks! I really loved getting a chance to talk with him & gain any advice I could! He is what someone may consider "THE" networking man of the DelMarVa area for photographers and he is speaking at a monthly meeting next Saturday! Be sure to check out his page!

Just for laughs I've included this little combo shot I took tonight of my sister and our dog! They are such a goofy pair!

Finally Feeling Better!

Sorry for being so invisible online recently.. I've been really sick these past few days and I'm finally getting back to normal! First of all, I wanted to thank Jaime Windon (The Blond Photographer) for meeting me last week in D.C. - She is one of those people that you immediately love once you meet them. She's upbeat, fun, and not to mention an incredible photographer! I'm hoping to be able to second for her in some upcoming weddings this spring!

That's all for now! I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Yours Truly,

Natalie Franke

The Ladies of Liu Liu

Liu Liu's Salon and Spa in Annapolis has always been one of the premier locations for hair, nails and massage in the area. When Laura, the owner and my neighbor, asked me to take a staff picture of the girls - I was more than thrilled! Everyone looked gorgeous in matching black tops and jeans and joked constantly throughout the entire picture. They are such a fun and passionate group of women, it's just great to see them all together! 

I had such a great time with these girls! Check out their fabulous website where you can book your appointment online! 

Yours Truly, 

Natalie Franke

I'm Really Loving Portrait Sessions at the Beach

Yesterday I was able to photograph a good friend of mine who is a vocal performance major at Catholic University! Not only is she gorgeous, but she has a voice that is truly inspiring. Despite the fact that it was a bone chilling 35 degrees, she laughed and smiled her way through a gorgeous sunset over looking the Chesapeake Bay! Here are a few pictures from the photo shoot & I have more to post tomorrow of her friend Cheray that joined us as well!

Yours Truly,

Natalie Franke

Goodbye Rain.. for now!

I got my new D300 yesterday in the mail! While the batteries were charging I ran outside and snapped a few pictures of the rain with my new macro lens! I can see that this is the beginning of a new era for me! I'm going to head outside soon and start getting a feel for my new camera, until then - here are two shots from yesterday's horrible weather!

Yours Truly,

Natalie Franke

Upcoming Events!

Here is the official list of the events planned so far for Natalie Franke Photography this spring. More will be posted as it becomes available!

Valentine's Day Deals: Any couples who book a session between the dates of February 7th and the 15th will receive their digital images for free! Slots are filling up, so please email me as soon as possible!

Beach Bliss Marathon Session: Scheduled for April 18, 2009 all day! I will be offering two types of sessions: Half Hour Slots for $60 (max of 3 people) and Hour Slots for $100. Every session comes with free copies of the digital images, a password protected ordering gallery, and a photo shoot in the gorgeous city of Chesapeake Beach Maryland. See you at the beach!

Email me to reserve your spot now: nataliefranke@mac.com 

Sweet Caroline

My sister is a high school Junior and has been asking me to take her out for portraits.. When the temperatures went into the high 40's yesterday, I decided to take advantage of the gorgeous sunset and we hit the beach! Despite the cold, these pictures turned out looking like something from mid July! As we always do, we had a great time & I got to practice a little more of my sunset photography. This is known to photographers as the "wonder hours" when the sun falls to a certain angle in the sky and everything turns so beautifully golden! Here are some shots from yesterday - Beach Bliss Marathon Session information is in the works! <3 

This picture is exactly like my sister.. always laughing uncontrollably. She's a funny person!

As I always do, we shot a jumping picture.. It turned out to be one of my favorites!

Before we left, I grabbed this last shot of the tidal pools with the setting sun in the background!

Thank you all for your support! Can't wait to start shooting more sessions for 2009! I should be getting my new camera by the end of the week so check back for a first glimpse of it!

Yours Truly,

Natalie Franke

Valentine's Day Deal!

Hey Everyone,

Just wanted to check in today to remind everyone that Valentine's Day is just a month away and before we know it this cold weather will subside.. If you plan on booking a session for you and your significant other for the Valentine's Day week or weekend please let me know as soon as possible! I want to make sure that every couple has the opportunity to celebrate their session in the most special way possible! Anyone who books a couple's session for a date between February 7th and the 15th will receive their digital images for free ($50 value). It's my little gift to all of you who are in love and want pictures to capture the beauty of your relationship!

I Took the Jump!

In preparation for the Portrait Season coming up in the Spring - I finally took the jump and purchased the Nikon D300 Camera Body and a new Sigma 105mm Macro Lens! I'm so excited to get these babies in the mail late next week! It's been a dream come true this year - starting up a business, watching it grow.. working so hard and learning more than I ever imagined possible! I can't wait to see what 2009 will hold! With an even better camera and stronger equipment.. It's going to be a blast!

I will be releasing more information on the Beach Bliss Marathon Session possibly tomorrow or Saturday as I have received a few emails from people interested already! I'm thinking late April or May for the shoot, but I'll keep you all posted! (Above is a picture of me from a New Years Eve Party last night). A few of my resolutions include: being healthier, drinking more water, getting in shape, and taking a few pictures every day!

Happy New Year! I hope 2009 brings you happiness, success, and good health.

Yours Truly

Natalie Franke