a healthy lifestyle

Balancing a healthy lifestyle with a career, family, a social life and, of course, personal time, is challenging! I lead a fast-paced life, so I've found that to be especially true, even more so when I'm on the go on location. Riding my horse has always been my happy place and a way for me to unwind and get exercise in that I enjoy.

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burt's bees | plant-based protein shakes

Many years ago, I discovered Burt’s Bees and their products have become a part of my daily routine. I am addicted to their lip balm - I simply cannot live without it! - and I always have a few tubes of their Lip Shine in Pucker on hand. Their Hand Salve helps renew my skin when I return from long stints of travel and busy days on location, too. The smell is intoxicating!

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our state | december cover

The Holidays are almost here already and this month’s December issue of Our State Magazine includes Stacey’s image as the cover! Not only did Stacey get the chance to shoot these beautiful and unique vintage ornaments but she also had the opportunity to photograph some pretty delicious coconut cake as well!

For an interesting tale about the Ornament King of Gastonia and to get a wonderful recipe for Coconut Cake, grab the December Issue of Our State Magazine!

Cheers!
Natalie

canadian living | modern homesteading

Do you ever have that feeling that you will like someone before even meeting them?  When I got the assignment to shoot Lola Augustine Brown and her modern homesteading family in rural Nova Scotia for Canadian Living, I just knew we’d be kindred spirits!  A Brit moves to small town Nova Scotia with her new husband to start a simpler life.  There are clucking chickens, sweet children, beautiful knitted goods, homemade preserves and two very interesting adults. Lola is a very talented writer and can throw together an al fresco meal in a flash.

I really admire what they are doing.  I know some days are not easy but there is something wonderful living close to the land and having so much space for your kids to romp around in.

I have to admit I was having so much fun at this shoot that it was hard to tear myself away.  But alas, I had to drive back to my parent’s house in Antigonish.  I left with a jar of Lola’s homemade rosehip crab apple jelly and it was an au revoir not goodbye because I have an intuition that we’ll meet again. . .

canadian living | paint the town fred

It is such a privilege to see inside the lives of the people I get to photograph.  The August issue of Canadian Living (get your copy now!) features one of our favorites – a day in the life of Fred Connors in his beloved city of Halifax, Nova Scotia.  Fred is a mover and a shaker – an inspiring whirlwind of style & activism, great food and a model for how to give back to your community.  We followed him and his partner Joel Flewelling on a typical day of dog walking, volunteering, gardening, feeding chickens, working at the salon and more.  This first installment is about the house Fred & Joel took from abandoned to urban chic.  I hope you enjoy a peek at the Canadian Living article and then some photos of their house in the north end of Halifax!

our state | christmas at the biltmore II

The Biltmore Estate is beautiful any time of year but they certainly do put on a grand show at Christmastime!  Here are a few more of my favorites from the shoot.  The only behind the scenes photo I took was the one of Maria & LeeAnn waiting on me outside by the lights . . .

our state | christmas at the biltmore I

Excited to have another cover of Our State magazine & a 20 page story on the Biltmore at Christmas!  Maria and I loved every minute of photographing at the Biltmore during the holidays – the trees and the lights were magnificent!  Thank you to LeeAnn Donnelly, the senior public relations manager, who hosted us for our Biltmore shoot!  Check back this week for more images from this shoot and a feature on an amazing collector of Spode china.

for the love of | cousins

After seeing the pear orchard near Fenwick, Ontario I was longing to do a little shoot there amongst the striking red leaves and greenish yellow pears.  My cousin Sylvia volunteered to be my model and she even had a retro red bike.  We had lots of fun running around the orchard – I even forgot to ask permission but no one seemed to mind.  .  . I have been encouraging Sylvia to do some modeling – she is so naturally beautiful, don’t you think?

more canada | firsts after 40 | bagpipes

We were thrilled to shoot another story for the “Firsts after Forty” feature in MORE Canada’s October issue.  Anne McKenzie dreamed of playing the bagpipes while on a memorable trip to Scotland and now she is pursuing her dream.  Check out the magazine for more of her inspiring story!  See the story below plus a few other favorites from the shoot.  Also, I was a featured contributor this month – thanks to Melanie Litchfield of Whitebox Weddings for the lovely portrait that has been published over and over!

more canada | firsts after 40 | cycling

This summer I had the amazing opporunity to shoot the Firsts After Forty grand prize winner in beautiful New Brunswick, Canada for MORE Canada magazine!  Julie Hébert lost her leg as a young woman but when her husband Simon suggested she try cycling she was game to try.  Julie won MORE’s contest and is now inspiring all women to pursue their dreams at any age no matter what obstacles they face.  My assistand Maria and I fell in love with Julie’s sweet and vivacious spirt and the beauty that surrounds her on the coast of New Brunswick.  A big thank you to our fantastic make up artist Sarah-Jane Britton and we look forward to working with her again!

My vizsla Simon came along for the ride to the Maritimes so we thought it was funny to take a photo of the two Simons . . .