Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Martin.
Hi Natasha, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I have always loved to create- painting, collage… but it wasn’t until Instagram came around that I fell in love with photography. In the early days of IG, when everything felt new and experimental, I started posting random styled scenes I’d make with things around me (just shot on my phone), and my passion and curiosity grew from there. Eventually, I invested in my first real camera and things progressed. A lot of trial and error, a lot of YouTube videos, a lot of questioning what the hell I was doing- but I couldn’t put the camera down and I’m glad I listened to the voice inside that told me to keep going.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve had many, and anyone who says they haven’t is lying! 🙂 I struggled with feeling like I needed to justify why I was spending so much time on photography long before I made a dollar. I struggled with getting people to take me seriously when I decided I was all in… but the truth is, you have to keep going, even when you feel doubt. If you know in your heart you want to pursue something, keep going! We all suck in the beginning, that’s how it works. It’s the time and experience and process of it all that makes you better. And I still struggle- with balancing deadlines and my family with being thoughtful and intentional about the work I take on. I think when you’re starting something, the goal is usually around making enough money to sustain it. And that’s an important goal! But once I was able to trust that I could make enough to support myself, my goals shifted a little to doing work that I truly like and care about and resonate with (not just work that pays) because that was why I started this in the first place.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a photographer and my primary work is as a product photographer for a lot of different beauty and skincare brands. I love the beauty world and the challenge of making small items pop and look beautiful, especially in the context of a styled set or props. For my personal work, the work I’m most passionate about, I love to create dream-like fantasy scenes- often with models or friends- to bring a certain story or mood to life. I like using everyday items in unconventional ways that pop or putting things together that you wouldn’t necessarily think to put together- that make-you-look-twice juxtaposition. I think one thing that has always been a signature of mine is color- using lots of it and combining interesting color combos. I often start my projects with a color combo in mind and go from there. Color really is such an inspiration for me and at the core of so much that I create.
How do you think about happiness?
Free time to create makes me happy (especially because it feels like there’s never enough!). Quality time with my family and two little girls make me happy. Going for long runs outside makes me happy. I’m generally happiest when I’m free to think and dream and create and when I spend time with the people I love the most.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: violettinder.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/violettinder
Image Credits:
All images shot and styled by Natasha Martin of Violet Tinder Studios
