You’d be hard-pressed to find a more genuinely-encouraging person than this woman right here. Natalie Franke Hayes, a founder of the Rising Tide Society, photographer, speaker, writer, dear friend to so many, she’s the sort of person who gives and gives. And just when you think she’s had her greatest moment yet, she outdoes herself in both kindness and generosity.

So imagine how flabbergasted I was when she called me about brand portraits! See, Nat and her brilliant designer, Jen Olmstead, were reformulating her brand entirely. She was pivoting from wedding photography to a web presence more heavily focused on education, speaking, and community. And as a result, they wanted a complete overhaul of her brand-related photos; head shots, lifestyle portraits, anniversary photos, styled flat lays, the works.

And then when she told me that she AND Jen had both independently come to the conclusion that I was the only one for the job, I was floored! And THEN when she said “Ok, so I love all your work but… I especially love your film work- would you be willing to shoot it all on film?” It was the world’s biggest vote of confidence ever, and one of the factors that contributed to this decision over the winter :).

I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this won’t be the last time I get to do something like this! I LOVE how these turned out, and seeing these photographs pop up in Natalie’s various social media platforms as well as gracing her website just makes me SO HAPPY!

Nat, thank you again so very, very much for asking me to take these for you. It was such an absolute pleasure to spend the day with you, and the evening with you, Huey, Hunter and sweet Sophie. I miss you, girl!

Concept: Natalie Franke & Jen Olmstead
Styling: Caitlin Kruse