Check Out Natasha Cowden’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Cowden.

Hi Natasha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Thank you! It’s so great to be here and part of such an amazing group of wedding venders serving the Denver area! I’ve been a wedding photographer for 18 years now but it all started Christmas morning of 2004, I opened a gift from my brother – a Canon Rebel G (35mm film camera). Little did either of us know how meaningful and life-changing that gift would be. I began playing with film, photographing still life and people. I began developing an eye for beauty and I loved finding art in the ordinary.

Eventually people started noticing the way I captured the world and began asking me to take their portraits, I photographed my first wedding around 2007 and have been growing as a wedding, portrait and landscape photographer ever since.

For many years my business grew through word of mouth and I photographed weddings on the side as I pursued other interests. I spent a few years traveling the world, photographing beautiful cultures like Ethiopia, Kenya, South Korea and West Africa, I also visited all 50 states before I turned 30 which gave me a vast appreciation for the natural beauty of our world. I focused on landscape photography during that time, seeking to honestly showcase the beauty that IS. Life, this world, nature, and the humans who live here are all beautiful and my desire to authentically capture that began to grow.

In 2023 I finally took the leap away from the typical 9-5 to pursue my dream of photography full time. I am so grateful for the experience, the community who encouraged me to take the leap and every couple I’ve gotten to serve.

My philosophy as a photographer, that energizes everything I do is that all life is beautiful and my art seeks to capture the beauty that IS. I don’t over edit, I don’t follow color-trends, I seek to honestly and authentically capture the landscape, the couple, the details, the laughter, the tears, all exactly as it is – because it all is beautiful and worth remembering forever.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Comparison is so demoralizing and I’ve found myself doubting my ability to thrive in what feels like an over-saturated market. It took me years to finally commit to diving in to my business and believing that my work would stand out enough to draw in the couples I want to work with. It’s scary to step out, to be vulnerable with your art (especially because art is an expression of yourself) and I’ve felt that often. BUT I can say it’s so worth it! I’ve learned that it’s ok to not be everyones go-to photographer but the people who DO love your work will be your biggest fans and will give you the encouragement to keep going.

I’ve experienced a lot fear before I left everything else to be a photographer full time. I think that was the hardest part of my journey – actually believing I could do it. But having made the transition, I can say that it is beyond better than I ever imagined.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a wedding and elopement photographer for couples who love adventure and elegance. Couples who want to have fun, feel truly themselves and have their story told with epically beautiful backdrops will vibe with me. With 17 years working on my craft, I’m able to bring all my expertise to my clients to make sure their experience is flawless and stress-free. I believe that no bride should feel alone or overwhelmed by the planning process which I why I’m available to my clients from day one to help plan, prep, think through ideas, craft timelines and protect their vision when other voices try to pressure them into choices that are not their own. I want every bride to feel empowered to create the wedding experience she wants and I’ll be her support to make it happen.

Being an avid outdoor enthusiast and adventurer, I’m able to provide location ideas and experiences that are unique to each couple and truly offer them something that honors who they are together. From coffee dates, to mountain hikes, to off roading first-looks to island hopping at sunset. I’ll think out of the box so my clients don’t just go to a photoshoot, but feel like they’re on the most epic date ever. I’ve found when couples are able to just have fun together, the photos look more authentic and capture the true essence of each person and their love together.

Couples I work with often share how they appreciated the sense of calm I added to their wedding day (which so. often can get stressful), I’ve jumped in to sew broken buttons on a bride’s wedding dress, I’ve helped finish bridesmaid’s hair when the timeline is extended, My coat has been a steppingstone for a bride through the mud. I know how to think and plan for the different things that can happen in a day and offer solutions, timeline adjustments and alternatives so that the couple can still get the best experience possible when the unexpected happens.

When a session or wedding day is done, I provide same day sneak peeks and often full gallery turn around within 2-3 weeks – so that couples can instantly start sharing the amazing news of their new adventure together.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice to anyone new into photography and wanting to pursue their dream is first, surround yourself with people who believe in you and can encourage you in the journey. There will be moments of disillusion and failure, but those are incredible growing opportunities if you take the. Having others to ask questions and learn from is a HUGE gift. Second, just do it! Put yourself out there! No one knows you’re a photographer (or whatever you’re wanting to do) unless you tell them -so get after it! You got this! Third, don’t think you have to be everyone’s photographer, you’ll actually get more business and enjoy your craft is you find your unique niche – then the people who’re looking for exactly what you have to offer can find you. Fourth, network, be a friend to as many others as possible and be generous as you go. The more you give freely to others, the kinder you are, the more you’ll stand out as someone others really want to work with. And finally, don’t let your doubt stop you from taking the step you’ll never regret.

Pricing:

• Engagement sessions start at $800
• Wedding Packages start at $3800

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nasfocus.com
• Instagram: @NASFocus
• Facebook: @NASFocus

Image Credits
all photos taken by me @NASFocus