Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Robert.
Natalia, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I was born in Argentina and immigrated to the U.S. with my family when I was 6. I spent most of childhood in Pittsburgh, PA before heading to Virginia for college, where I got an architecture degree. Lots of family turmoil around the same time as my graduation eventually led me to seek out a fresh start in California, and I’ve been here now for 15 years! My professional years started in architecture, but after about 4 years I got an offer to teach Spanish in India for a semester. I jumped on the opportunity, but when I returned the economy had collapsed and architecture jobs were nowhere to be found.
I landed at a graphic arts job that seemed like it had potential but ended up being a terrible match for me. After 3 years of misery at that job, I decided to launch off on my own in photography. Photography had been a special part of my life since I was about 16, and through all my studies and work, I maintained a love of working in the darkroom and documenting the world around me. Also, entrepreneurship was in my destiny from very early on. From selling handmade bracelets when I was around 9 to working the cash register at my parents’ shop when I was 10, I knew that whatever field I ended up in would eventually lead me to be self-employed.
So in 2012, with architecture still struggling to recover and the competition for it being fierce, I decided it was time. I quit my job and launched Full Circle Images, which would eventually just be Natalia Robert Photography. Launching a business in such a saturated market has been a struggle, and it’s tested my patience for sure! In the beginning, I offered my services for almost any type of photography – weddings, headshots, products… you name it! Eventually, I realized that I shined brightest when I was photographing spaces (which should have been an obvious, right?!). Once I rebranded in 2017 to focus solely on architecture and interiors, everything started finally falling into place.
I’m now proud to have a client list full of designers that I genuinely like and admire, and I’ve carved out a spot for myself in a little-known niche that perfectly blends all my past experiences. Now, I’m exploring ways to expand my business beyond photoshoots so that I can help other solo entrepreneurs navigate those scary early years. More on this will be launched within the next year!
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I create photos that tell the story of a built space. This means that I work with interior designers, architects, and builders to show off their beautiful projects. Often, this means trying to capture the intangible qualities that space has – how it plays with light, the layering of textures, the welcoming feeling you get as you enter the room…
My goal is always to tell the story, not just document. My hope is always that people get transported to a different place instantly while looking at my photos, and that a designer feels their design fully represented. What I wish people knew about what I do is the amount of time and energy that can go into a single shoot.
Often, people confuse what I do with real estate photography and think that it’s a quick and automated process. That couldn’t be farther from the truth! While I work with mostly small businesses, there’s plenty of time and effort that goes into the planning, styling, shooting, and editing of each photo. It really is an art form.
Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
I absolutely love the San Diego art scene! I really want to see it thrive and grow. I feel like artists often struggle with balancing the art of creation with the business side of things.
In today’s art world, there’s a massive amount of information and visuals being thrust in our faces every day. It’s definitely more difficult to stand out amongst all the visual noise online, and so I feel that it’s made it tougher for artists to avoid the business of art-making. Sadly, I feel this is why many artists never reach the point of supporting themselves solely through their art.
I would love to see more presentations and resources for artists who also need to create a business to support themselves. Everything from separating expenses to marketing to tax prep, it all plays into being able to support yourself as an artist!
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
People can see my photos, learn more about me, and contact me through my website. I’m also quite active on Instagram and post on there almost daily!
Finally, if anyone out there is a solo entrepreneur and wants to be first in line for my upcoming launch, they can sign up at www.meetmeatthegrove.com. The Grove will be a hub of resources and information for modern solo entrepreneurs, and I’ll essentially be sharing everything I’ve learned to date in hopes of saving others some precious time.
To support me, please share any of the above links with anyone in your network that you think may be interested!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nataliarobert.com
- Phone: 858-245-2121
- Email: hello@nataliarobert.com
- Instagram: @nataliarobertphoto
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/nataliarobertphoto
- Other: www.meetmeatthegrove.com
Image Credit:
Kai Post, Natalia Robert Photography
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