Conversations with the Inspiring Natalia Mills

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Mills.

Natalia, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
“It’s not what you do, It’s how you do it”, this was the answer that my spirit guide gave the energy healer when I asked: “what am I supposed to be doing?!” It was a broad question, I know, so I shouldn’t have been so surprised at the broad answer, but I was. I was 28 not making the money I wanted to be making and thinking the world was over at 30 if I couldn’t get my life together. While engaged in this quest for answers and this self-inflicted ticking time bomb, I realized I’ve been in this pursuit for a while.

I remember it all starting when I was six years old in Washington, tugging along my toy turtle on a leash. My friends asked me if it were real and by simply not answering the question, I had convinced them that it was. From that point, I decided to see how far I could take them into my imagination. What I was able to create from just a few simple choice words really hit home and blossomed my curiosity. Communication is a powerful tool, but what do I do with this creative power?

In highschool of Willard Missouri, a small country town with little opportunities, I became the artist of my class, always getting my drawings hung on the walls and praised by teachers. Having no photography program, it never occurred to me that it could be a real profession. My fellow artist and friend told me that Graphic Design is how an artist makes a living, so as a sophomore, I took college classes in that field. Never thrilled by this, I decided to look into an art college and found photography. It was as if I found the golden egg I didn’t know was hidden.

I graduated with my Associates in Photography about nine years ago and launched into the world of Professional Photography. Or more accurately, I slowly crawled into it between my other jobs and multiple trips around the world. As I had just opened pandora’s box of traveling, with a part-time job at an airline, and didn’t want to give it up for what my friends were calling careers. I had the skills and knowledge of all my other fellow photographers making a living but I didn’t have the Inspiration to do any type of photography. I aspired to be a Fine Art Photographer.

That brings me back to- 28 world over at 30- age. I was taking any job that paid and pumping out photo after photo, slowly killing my creative and thinking I needed a change. I kept thinking about that line over the next year “it’s not what you do, its how you do it” and realized I wasn’t doing the type of photography I really wanted to be doing. While studying art in Singapore that next year, I finally understood that I had to say no. I had to stop taking photo jobs that I wouldn’t want to show in my portfolio. If I wanted to be creating art then thats exactly what I should be doing and stop waiting for the time or money. The jobs were out there and I needed to position myself for them or even make them. Well, I’m happy to say that I am now 31 and the world has not ended. I’m living the way I want to be living and creating what I want to be creating. Because, at the bottom of it all, I’m truly just aspiring to communicate my vivid imagination and fiery inspiration from life with the world.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
If life didn’t have challenges, would we really be living? Would we grow? Remembering the hardships is key, but not dwelling in some low memory but keeping the knowledge of how you got out. Its how we overcome our obstacles that is worth remembering. Thats the pivotal moments when change happens. I’ve had many of these times and hope to gather them all up in the near future to teach and inspire those willing to learn. My three most meaningful obstacles taught me this:

There is always another way. Do not let money get in your way. If you cannot afford to see the world but its all you long to do then get a part-time job with an airline. If you need art supplies but can’t afford them -assist a big name artist or work at a museum as an art handler, there are always leftovers. If you are in need of services, trade yours for theirs0- really- trade for anything!

Work towards what you want to be doing and do not deviate for money. The money will come by mastering the skills and technique needed for your chosen focus. Sometimes the best thing you can do is to turn down a job that won’t better your portfolio.

Lastly, be kind and be professional because the best advertising is word of mouth

What should we know about Nfamous Photo? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m known for my ability to turn anywhere into a suitable shooting location, pose the un-pose-able and get so inspired that its infectious. I strive and will forever strive for my work to please the imagination and be strikingly unforgettable. I like to focus on faces, the human form and natural things of beauty. The body of work I want to highlight here is best described by the process in which I make it- usually late at night. Being awake in the hours that most are asleep is intriguing to me. I like to start working after loves have been kissed to bed. The world is different and un-watched. The nights colors compliment the dark sky and invoke beauty in their silent vibrance. I draw inspiration from the lights illuminating the dark, my dreams, and the deep corners of my imagination. I’ll photograph portraits with special attention to the direction and quality of light then later. I’ll sift through flora and fauna to match the language of the face. The body of work I have here is a process of building and taking away, a process that keeps me until something changes- until the photograph is saying something new. Sometimes it takes me all night to feel its right yet when the moment comes, I always know indefinitely and it is finished.

Who do you look up to? How have they inspired you?
I’ve been inspired by many women and its always for the same reason. When they are full of life, love and creativity. My mother was the first and most influential. We would stay up all night to watch the sunrise outside laying on the grass cozied up in sleeping bags. Or when she kept me and my brothers out of school because it was too beautiful a day and stole us away for a family hiking trip. The time she assigned me to write a story from the sounds played out in a symphony. These moments among many others with her lit the fire of inspiration for life and creativity in me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nfamousphoto.com
• Email: nfamousphoto@gmail.com
• Instagram: @_Nfamousphoto_

Image Credit:
Natalia Mills

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