We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Natalie Zeta. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Natalie below.
Natalie, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
I suppose I grew up being the only one in the room that looked like me. I’m a white-passing bi-racial woman, raised by my black father and white mother. Even in my family, there wasn’t a true figure that I felt encompassed and represented my physical being. I dealt with racial biases and ignorance on my mothers side and didn’t have much access to my father’s side of the family. I didn’t quite look like my father-he was much darker than me with tighter curls. Comparatively, my mother was fairer than I, with straight hair and hazel eyes. To say I’ve felt the weight of identity issues would be an understatement, but I believe recognizing these discrepancies at such a young age allowed me to address it early in my adulthood.
Luckily, the community I grew up in was an extremely diverse and accepting one. In my hometown of Fort Worth, Texas, it was vibrant with people of all backgrounds filling the community. There, everybody looks different and no one questions it. I was the “highest yellow” you’d come across in that community– in my experience, at least. I also developed an alternative style during this time. I mention this to say that my blackness was never questioned and always accepted. My style, though playfully criticized, was just an extension of me. Never a reason to be ignored or left out. Identity wasn’t something I’d ever had to defend until I reached Northwest Arkansas.
Northwest Arkansas, as most transplants would say, is a culture shock. I was surrounded by a predominantly white community in Bentonville. Being white-passing, you’d think I’d feel more identifiable in this community but that couldn’t be further from the truth. I felt more noticeably out of place than I’d ever had. Not a soul looked like me, and few acknowledged me. This is when I found myself truly having to learn to adapt: if I couldn’t relate physically, I could at least utilize the diverse aspects of my identity to appeal to others. I am an extremely observational person with tact for reading a room as well as a light enough personality to float around a room.
Reflecting, I truly believe grounding myself in my roots is what held me steadfast in pushing towards success and happiness. I think it’s crucial for people to recognize that identity comes from within. Knowing how to recognize and utilize your personal strengths is a crucial trait to incorporate into day-to-day life. In turn, it provides confidence to take up space, no matter where you are.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I never saw myself heading towards a career in photography. It whispered in my ear and I humbly accepted the calling. I’ve always been one to feel things in their entirety and intellectualize the intricacies of what makes someone who they are. Alongside being a visual learner, I suppose it only made sense I used images to show my perspectives. I’ve been told that my photos can be very moody, bold, nostalgic, and emotional. I believe this is because when I step into a shoot, I am looking to tell a story. To create a feeling that captures my subject’s true energy and encapsulates all attitudes meant to be associated. My visuals are to tell.
Originally, I began shooting anything and everything, but gained traction with my self-portraits. The raw approach I took to sharing myself with others was exciting to me and enticing to others. I immediately fell in love with the process of image creation… the rest is history. I continued taking whatever gigs I could take, making sure to proudly show my face and personality in every room I walked into. Networking, being genuine and personable, and showing humility with each subject I work with progresses me forward still. I don’t limit myself to only portraiture. I especially enjoy product and event photography all the same, and continue to learn about my practice every day.
As for future plans, I am looking forward to focusing in on fashion and editorial work. Ever since I began this journey, I promised myself I’d be able to artistically soar with the eagles, and I still intend on making that my reality. Professionally, I hope to become even more involved with my community and sharing my perspective with whoever is willing to listen. Personally, I hope to allow myself to create without the mental restraint of perfectionism.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I often see people associating equipment, pricing, social media, etc. with the factors that will set you apart in this field, and I couldn’t disagree more. To a degree, yes, all of those things are important in the grand scheme of things, but there are a few other important qualities needed to set yourself apart. Knowing your equipment, showcasing the kind of work you want to create, and networking are all important factors.
Knowing your equipment and how to use it to it’s full potential is far more important than having the best equipment on the market. What’s the point of buying the most expensive, highest resolution camera body if you can’t utilize all of it’s features? The best camera is truly the one you have. Technique, editing style, and lighting affect overall outcome far more than the hardware. There are professional iPhone photographers out there that make a living off their phone’s camera. Yes, buy what suits your experience level and production needs, but it’s not the end of the world if you can’t use the most extravagant setup.
Showcasing the work you want to build your reputation on is important for creating an audience that hires you for what you want to do. I don’t specialize in family photos, so you wouldn’t see family photos in my portfolio. Adversely, I want to do colorful, bold, edgy portraiture, so that is what I focus on sharing with my audience. This allows me to attract clients that align with my creative vision, which enables me to 1. create my best work, and 2. keep the process enjoyable for all parties involved. Taking this point further, become firm in your editing style. Having a consistent editing style makes your work synonymous with your brand. Typically, my photos have high-contrast, lifted blacks, and vibrant colors. Someone who is looking for bright and airy photography would know to look elsewhere since I don’t advertise my work as such.
Lastly, if you’re looking for photography to become your full-time business, networking is arguably the most important skill to develop. Early on, taking on photoshoots for exposure and portfolio building is crucial. It helps show folks what you can do, gets your name out to the public, and puts you in rooms with people you might not meet otherwise.
Collaborating with other creatives with similar skill-levels allows for you to learn with someone equally as passionate as you are, and is an amazing way to make friends in your field. Lots of the work I did in my first year of business was through collaboration or offering my services for free. The experience you get from these opportunities is one thing, and getting your foot in the door is the other. A large amount of my clients now are people I met from events I worked, businesses I originally offered free services to, and folks recommending me through word of mouth. The other half of networking is being genuine and personable. I often see people confuse being professional with abandoning your true self in pursuit of funds. Personally, I am always my true self with my clients and the people I collaborate with. Being kind and making people safe is something that’ll have your clients coming back to you.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Currently, I’m dealing with a crippling case of perfectionism. I tend to get so lost in consuming inspirational content that I forget creating for fun and for practice is something worth my time. When this happens, it seems I overcomplicate every idea to the point of the idea seeming unachievable and overwhelming. Cheers to pushing past the mental limitations and social pressures we impose upon ourselves.
Contact Info:
- Website: nataliezeta.art
- Instagram: shotbyzeta
Image Credits
Natalie Zeta
