We were lucky to catch up with Natosha McCrary recently and have shared our conversation below.
Natosha, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Growing up as a military child we traveled often. I enjoyed taking pictures of each new adventure. It was not until I became an adult that I found my purpose through photography. I was a domestic violence survivor that decided to focus on rebuilding inside and out. I joined a gym and participated in a challenge. One of the rewards for completing the challenge was a photoshoot. I saw the pictures of myself and couldn’t believe it. For the first time, I saw myself in a whole new light and I loved what I saw for the first time in a long time. From that moment I decided I wanted to make women feel the way I felt through photography. That was the moment I found purpose. I am passionate about helping individuals feel confident, empowered, and beautiful. It’s my way to celebrate and showcase the unique beauty of each person. The driving force behind my purpose is connecting with people on a deeper level and helping them see themselves in a new light.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a portrait/boudoir photographer that has a passion for pole photography. I have recently opened my home studio.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I want to contribute to promoting body positivity and self-acceptance. I have a desire to challenge conventional beauty standards and help my clients embrace their bodies. It is important to find your purpose and stand firm on the reason you are pursuing your passion. My pole photographer is a personal journey of exploring movement by showcasing dance and strength while celebrating the body. My photography often involves a combination of empathy, creativity, technical skill, and a commitment to supporting and empowering individuals. It’s about creating a safe and respectful space where clients can showcase and embrace their uniqueness.
I still feel like I’m early in my career. I network as often as I can so I can get the opportunity to work with other photographers. I study them and their process. I follow photographers in a variety of genres to gain as much knowledge as possible. Photography is an ever-evolving field. Continuously improve your technical skills and stay updated with the latest trends, tools, and techniques. This commitment to growth can contribute to a sense of purpose as you strive to master your craft.
Consider documenting your own journey as a photographer. This could include capturing behind-the-scenes moments, personal reflections, and insights gained along the way. It can serve as a record of your growth and contribute to your sense of purpose.
Share your work with peers, mentors, or online communities. Constructive feedback can help you refine your skills and gain insights into what’s working and what could be improved.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I am open to collaborating with anyone. You never know what you can gain from working with someone. Just reach out to me on Instagram @amour_desoul_photo
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @amour_desoul-photo
- Facebook: Amour De Soul Photography
Image Credits
Jamercina Thomas
