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

I specialize in capturing candid moments as they unfold and finding real emotion in each image that I produce.

I love my job & feel so blessed for all of the incredible friendships that I have gained through photography. I'm happy that you've come across my little piece of the universe! Take off your coat & stay a while!

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Canvas Addiction

I love photos on canvas. I really love the way they feel, the way the colors pop, and how they appear on the wall. I guess you could say that I have a canvas addiction. This is a sneak peek of some of the art that I'll be showcasing at a local Annapolis Spa for the entirety of the summer. To say that I am excited about this would be an understatement. =)

That's all for now! I'm so incredibly excited for this! [As in, jumping up and down, finding $20 in your coat pocket, first crush, excited]. And good news for my clients - I'll be releasing a whole list of canvas options and pricing by mid-may! Yay!


All the best,
Natalie Franke

Update: FB Group Reaches 400!

This post isn't about me, it isn't even about my work.. It's all about YOU! The people who have supported me and encouraged me over these past few months as I have continued to grow my love for photography. Today I noticed that my Facebook Group reached 400 members, wow. I remember when my best friend Jenn started the group for me last semester & it has grown so much since then! I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Thank you all so so so much! 


If you want to stay up to date with upcoming events & what's going on in the world of Natalie Franke Photography - Join the group! It's where all the cool people are hanging out these days..

Important: I'm in the planning stages of a "Lunch and Learn" this summer in Annapolis for high school students interested in photography that want to hang out, shoot, and chat! A whole day of fun & photography, yay! It's going to be my way of sharing what I've learned over this past year & help future photographers get a jump on turning their passion into a possible career! Stay tuned for more information & email me if you're interested! I'm keeping the group pretty small and already have a few fabulous young people in queue!

Yours Truly,
Natalie Franke

Monday, April 27, 2009

The DeFiesta Family Shoot

As photographers, we are always behind the camera rather than in front of it. When Armin DeFiesta asked me to photograph his family back in February - I knew that we were going to have an awesome time.. What I didn't know was that this April afternoon would be a boiling 93 degrees! Haha! At least we decided on the beautiful shores of Chesapeake Beach, MD - the breeze kept us cool & the kids had a blast!


Nate & Jordan loved playing with bubbles!

She is too cute!



All I had to say was, "make a silly face" - they knew just what to do!


Haha, one of those priceless moments! I love Jordan's face!


This beach is a photographer hot-spot! We even ran into Shelby and her family!
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Thank you to Armin, Denise, Nate & Jordan for spending the afternoon with me! I had a great time & hope you love the pictures! =)


Yours Truly,
Natalie Franke

Sunday, April 26, 2009

AACS Pre-Prom Party

On Friday night, I photographed a fun group of Annapolis Area Christian School students before their prom! We put a spin on the traditional prom pictures that you would expect and had a blast! Check out a few shots from the evening! 

The girls prepped with makeup before the boys arrived!


Then we headed outside for some untraditional prom pictures!

The guys wanted a fun shot of their own too!
And what would a party be without my favorite jumping shot!
The group came up with a few hilarious shots of their own too.. =)


Such a fun group!


I had such an amazing time at the party! I wish all of you an amazing end to your Junior year - get excited for next year and all of the amazing moments still to come! 

Yours Truly,
Natalie Franke

Monday, April 20, 2009

Three Years Together!

It was 3 years ago that my incredible boyfriend, Huey, and I started our journey together! We met doing crew at the Annapolis Rowing Club and we've been inseparable ever since! If I had to list all the things that I love about him, it would take me months. When we started dating, we couldn't drive - so we would walk to the beach from my house, carry a blanket, and spend hours staring up at the stars. It was through these hours of sharing our joys, fears, and insecurities that I found my soul mate. 

"The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, 
that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds, 
and that's what you've given me. That's what I hope to give to you forever."  
- The Notebook

I love these pictures! Taken just a few weeks ago after a photo shoot, the sun was setting & my friend Krystal offered to take a few pictures of us. It wasn't until I got home that I noticed the cross blurred in the background amidst the colors of the sky.
To celebrate three years together, I had a picture of us from this winter printed on canvas.
The thing I love about this picture is that it was one of those candid moments.
My hair is a mess, we're dressed in sweats - it's just who we are.



I'm really excited to start offering canvas prints like this to my clients as well! =) They have such an incredible quality about them - so true to the original image too! Yay!

Yours Truly,
Natalie Franke

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Beach Bliss Marathon Session Day!

To say that I had fun yesterday at the Beach Bliss Marathon Day would be an understatement! The weather was gorgeous! Sunny and 75 - couldn't get much better than that! I was lucky enough to have a good friend and fabulous photographer, Noah Hayes, join me for the day as well! Here is a small small peek from the day:

Stunning Charlotte!
Silly Cierra
Sweet Joy!

I loved this shot of Noah and the girls! 
Lauren planned a session for her younger sister Kristen's Birthday!
The birthday girl!



I love those shades! 
Cabrera-10 Jenna was the last session of the day and a former client of mine! 
We had so much fun taking her senior pictures!



We often go to great lengths as photographers to get the right shot..
Noah in these pictures is the perfect example! Haha!
& Noah caught me in action as well! =) 
I was so happy to finally be able to wear flip flops!
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Yours Truly,
Natalie Franke

Saturday, April 11, 2009

Clare's Senior Pictures

The weather was forecasted to rain, but with a few clouds in the sky we managed to have one of the best shoots so far this season! Although Clare may look like she was getting pictures for a modeling portfolio (this girl is gorgeous!) we were doing her senior portraits before she graduates in a few weeks! Her mom, Michele, is an incredible photographer from the area who will be launching her website in the near future! I'll be joining Michele this summer as we work with the Maryland United Lacrosse Club during their tournaments! Enjoy!





Rocking these gorgeous heels!

This girl can strike a serious pose like no one I've ever known.


These shots scream "FREEDOM!" - Graduating in a few weeks! Congrats Clare!
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Clare - Best of luck as you enter this new part of your life! You're going to do such incredible things with your talent and amazing personality! Hopefully I'll get a camera in your hands sooner rather than later! ;)

Yours Truly,
Natalie Franke