Meet Natalia Perez | Fine Art Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Natalia Perez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Natalia, we’d love to hear what makes you happy.
It might seem like a simple answer, but what makes me the happiest is doing the things I enjoy. Whether that be exploring a new nature trail and bringing my camera to take photos, or working on my hobbies of music production and songwriting, doing what I love and not putting any pressure or expectations on myself brings me so much joy.

Photography is something that I find very rewarding, not only because it serves as a vehicle for sharing my thoughts and ideas with others, but also because I enjoy the processes that come along with it. As someone who primarily works with film, I have been very passionate about learning as much as possible about the different aspects of this area of photography. From exploring different film stocks to researching film development to buying equipment so I can develop, scan, and edit my own photos, I have been able to get enough of a grasp on these processes to carry them out myself. This is something that has simultaneously provided me with more creative freedom and greater fulfillment within my own work.

As I previously mentioned, I also have a passion for writing and producing music. This is something that I have been doing for several years now, and for me, it is close to, if not on the same level as, photography. As someone whose main outlet for expression is the arts, music was something I gravitated to a lot growing up. Today, it is something that I enjoy creating, and, similar to my photography, it is something that I hope to continue to refine and get better at.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The artistic medium I focus on and use the most today is photography, but I did not always know that it was what I wanted to pursue professionally. I grew up being drawn to the arts, and whether it was through writing music or performing in my schools’ theatre productions, I was constantly looking for different ways to express myself. I was gifted my first camera when I was in middle school, and while I used it here and there, it wasn’t something that I immediately fell in love with.

After graduating from high school, I knew that I wanted to attend a university with a focus on the arts, and so I chose to apply to, and subsequently attend, the Savannah College of Art and Design, also known as SCAD. I decided to study at the Savannah campus and majored in architecture. My junior year, I was fortunate enough to have been selected to study abroad at the university’s Lacoste, France campus, and it was during this time that I picked up a disposable film camera to document my time there. Once I came back home, I rushed to get the photos developed, and ever since seeing them and what I could do with the medium, I have been passionate about photography.

In 2023, I chose to return to SCAD, this time to the Atlanta campus, and during my two years there, I learned so much about an art form that I have truly fallen in love with. My path was not a linear one, but the things I learned along the way only helped me become a better artist and, most importantly, person. And for that I am thankful.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Atlanta has so much to offer that it’s hard to narrow it down to just a few places! But if I had to pick a few to show my best friend that would give them an overall sense of the city, we would definitely have to start by visiting a handful of local museums and galleries, such as the High Museum and Jackson Fine Art. Next, we would take a walk on the Beltline and see what new restaurants and shops have opened, while also stopping to take photos. For dinner, I would take them to either Gu’s Kitchen or Gio’s Chicken. Lastly, a visit to Atlanta wouldn’t be complete without going to a Braves game!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to thank everyone who has supported and encouraged me on my creative journey. Whether it be my parents, friends, or my professors from SCAD, to name a few, I could not have done it without your help. Thank you!

Website: https://www.nataliaperezphoto.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nataliashootsfilm

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliaperezphoto

Image Credits
Personal Photo: Khushi Patel
All other photos: Natalia Perez