Meet Natalie Arrue | Photographer

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

Hi Natalie, why did you pursue a creative career?
For as long as I can remember, my hands and eyes have been intertwined. As a little girl, my dream was to become an artist but I didn’t know what kind. I would experiment with all forms of art as time passed such as drawing, painting, writing, ceramics and music. There was always another creative form that would teach me something about myself and the world, that I could not have learned another way. It wasn’t until I was finishing up my middle school years where my teacher assigned a passion project for us to work on for a semester, and that’s when I picked up the camera for the first time. It was a match made in heaven and I have not been able to stop photographing since. Art has a way of communicating what the mouth can’t and having that knowledge, I couldn’t give it up and make it just a hobby. Photography will never get old for me, it’s timeless and it shows a growth inwardly and outwardly as you go. Having a creative career can be difficult and also a risk but sometimes you just have to jump and see what happens. I don’t regret it for a second, and I know I had to keep my promise to the little girl wanting to be an artist.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My family moved to Georgia in 2000 and we were blessed to have our own house. My mom documented so much of our childhood and milestones on her film camera, including small photoshoots with her curtains and fake flowers with me as her little model. I didn’t know that I would later be inspired by her “do-it-yourself’ mentality and create my own artistic photoshoots as well. I started freelance photography at 17 years old where a family friend allowed me to take her engagement pictures. Earning money from photography had never crossed my mind since the town I grew up in didn’t express interest in the education about the arts or that it was even an option as a career. I had no idea what I was doing or how to photograph mechanically on my own but that was part of my process. I became restless not knowing how to become the photographer I wanted to be and started giving up. I did for about a year and then the world shifted.

The pandemic lockdown hit and it sent me into a creative spiral not knowing what to do with my free time and all my thoughts. I picked up my camera again and documented my life during that time. For income I would take jobs for family and couple photoshoots. However, when I started doing documenting in 2020, it became my voice. My photos were a reminder I was tangible and real and this life was passing. The alienation and strong confrontation with where I was mentally, was strong as I translated that into my photos. These photos showed the desolate environment we lived in, while also using self portraits to express that.

I decided to become a photography BFA major and it changed my skill completely. My interests were changing and so was my photography as I chased what I actually wanted to investigate with my work. The idea of the self and storytelling within that topic, intrigued me. So, I began recruiting friends as models to experiment. The more comfortable I became, the more I realized people’s stories needed to be told with the help of the communities I am a part of. I started my own makeshift studios in my house and backyard, showing people who they are and can be.

The main difference from when I started creating, is my mentality of how I viewed life. I felt a calling to work with people and how to help relieve what I can, for others. Storytelling is fundamental in my work and topics such as how interconnected we all are or my Latin identity are favored currently. I have expanded my photography to include strangers and landscapes in Atlanta which have broadened my skills as a creative. Understanding that everyone is living their life for the first time and figuring out how to do that, influences my work and I wish to continue helping my city in any way I can with my art.

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 is a gold mine. Some of the gems I have found are my now my comfort places and would happily take a friend there. That being said, I like to coffee shop hop so we could go to Perc in Virginia Highlands or Opo coffee near Decatur area to start. Some of my favorite food spots near the city are Tuscany at Your Table, Bibi Eatery, Fellows Cafe or on the outskirts, El Salvador Bakery 2 in Lawrenceville. Checking out the Bamboo Forrest is also on the list and is a fun hike to do with friends. Definitely take your camera to get some amazing nature shots of the forest.

The fashion in Atlanta is outrageous and finding places to shop/thrift  at shops like 2nd Street or Value Village are typically where you can find distinctive pieces. Also, depending the day of the week, a day spent on the Atlanta Beltine is typically eventful. The trail is fun to bike ride and great for street photography and variety of foods. As for the the arts,  stopping by the High Museum of Art is a good idea and if you’re lucky they will have one of their jazz nights! If not you could visit the Tara theatre which is a time capsule and cool experience for movie lovers.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family is the only reason I am where I am today, they are my biggest supporters. Both of my parents immigrated here from El Salvador and had four children, each of us so different. Through my parents, I learned what it meant to be a hard worker and what perseverance looks like, as they set an example by building their own bakery here in Georgia. My siblings are my best friends and they all of helped me in my photography journey. Whether it meant driving me to go photograph when I didn’t have a license, being my models, holding my equipment during shoots or recommending me to anyone they know, all their hands are on my camera when I photograph. We grew up as first generation kids and with that came complications only my sisters and brother could understand but living out our dreams is what our parents worked for. We all remind each other to remember where we came from and how far we can go. Each of them inspire me each day to be myself and pursue my creative career.

Instagram: @photogrphic

Other: nataliearrue@gmail.com