June 8, 2022
This floral-inspired editorial shoot inspired me to get creative and bring out a different side of myself. While I absolutely adore shooting weddings and engagement sessions, it is always an incredible feeling to get into a studio and play with outfits and props.
High-End Newburyport Editorial Session
While planning this shoot I knew I wanted to use The Newburyport Studio. This gorgeous space in the heart of downtown Newburyport is full of character and bathed in sunlight. Everything was thoughtfully planned and designed to highlight the local Maine fresh florals from Fresh Pickins.
Floral-Inspired Editorial Shoot
This shoot was created to make you feel luxurious and sophisticated when viewing the images. Our three beautiful models wore modern, fashion-forward outfits including a white flowy dress with a 50s flair, high-waisted shorts with a cap sleeve crop top, and lots of 90s styles jeans. I especially loved playing around with the lofty floppy hat.
The outfits were designed to blend into the background while highlighting the flowers and subtle gorgeous details of their outfits. Getting all three women together in similar white crop tops and jeans created a feeling of women’s empowerment and beauty. This floral-inspired editorial shoot was the perfect mix of high-end fashion and playfulness.
Looking for more of my work? Check out the Natalya DeSena Print Shop and some of my recent weddings.
Photographer: Natalya DeSena
Florist: Fresh Pickins
Studio: The Newburyport Studio
Makeup: Makeup By Sarah Lord
Hair: Styles By Chelsea
Modeling Agency: Maggie Inc.
Model: Mel De Los Santos
Model: Arlyss Gabriel
Model: Emma Sullivan
March 6, 2022
Last October I took a trip to Nosara, Costa Rica to photograph an all women’s yoga and wellness retreat. Kat Cynewski and Stefanie Adler held the retreat at Bodhi Tree Yoga Resort, which I highly recommend if anyone is interested in a beautiful retreat/spa experience in the jungle of Nosara. Stefanie is a fertility and hormone coach and Kat is a business and wellness coach, yoga instructor, and podcaster. This retreat was one of the best retreats I’ve ever been on and I left feeling honored to document such an amazing experience.
Bodhi Tree is the ideal escape for every yogi, surfer and wellness enthusiast. It’s a short 10 minute walk to Baker’s Beach and a 15 minute walk to the center of town. They offer world-class facilities, which are immersed in a lush jungle setting. Take advantage of all Bodhi Tree has to offer including: two beautiful salt-water pools, modern Balinese rooms, spa, a variety of eateries, daily yoga and fitness classes. We enjoyed seeing howler monkeys and iguanas, listening to the gentle trickle of the streams, and being serenaded by the symphony of the surrounding jungle.
Kat and Stefanie held this retreat to empower women on multiple levels and to provide tools to live an authentic and purpose driven life. I love going on all women retreats because they crack me wide open. Day to day life can get busy and sometimes we fill our days with things to do in order to avoid our own feelings. Retreats allow me to get reacquainted with my inner child, take a look at the busyness of my own life, and connect with other powerful and vulnerable women. In Kat’s words, “Often we have layers of clay in the form of emotional responses, fear, guilt, shame, hurt and heartbreak built up like walls to protect us. These walls we think are keeping us safe but they are really covering our vibrancy and gold.” I highly recommend connecting with both Kat and Stefanie whether through one of their retreats, through their coaching programs, or simply signing up for their newsletters, you won’t regret it. Take a look at this amazing experience below.
P.S. I’m excited to join Kat and her mastermind group for another retreat in Tulum Mexico this June.
If you’re looking for a retreat photographer, please reach out! I would love to work together. Email: NatalyaDeSenaPhoto@gmail.com
January 14, 2021
My friends over at Fresh Pickins make organic whole-body products, which are hand made, cultivated and foraged in Maine. The ocean, forest, mountains, and farming have shaped their lifestyle and inspired everything they do. The sweet basil salve is the BEST hand moisturizer I’ve ever used and their honey is to die for! They also offer a subscription to floral arrangements throughout the summer months. Check out more images from our fun product photography shoot below!
October 7, 2020
My fiancé used to be a Chef and I’m a wedding photographer. Our original wedding was on Ram Island Farm in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, but because of COVID our plans changed.
Since we couldn’t celebrate with friends and family this year, we decided to throw an intimate garden party under twinkle lights with a handful of close friends. The inspiration for the dinner came from our wedding inspiration and from the love of our gardens. My fiancé used to work for Eventide Oyster Co. and Big Tree Catering, so naturally we’re obsessed with hosting. I love the idea of outdoor dinners, especially those nestled under a tunnel of twinkle lights. It’s something I’ve always dreamed of creating.
Yellow Twist Floral Design spent time manipulating standard roses to give the appearance of a garden rose. The muted blush tone paired with a vibrant and creamy yellow allowed for either tone to serve as the neutral. Roses, cosmos, and protea in soft shades of mauve and yellow provided a lush centerpiece down the table.
This entire dinner party was a celebration of late summer and a reminder that even in COVID you can have elevated intimate gatherings and a reason to dress up!
Photography: Natalya DeSena Photography
Florals: Yellow Twist Floral Design
Rentals: One Stop Party Shop
Let’s be honest, there are many unknowns out there, which has raised the amount of anxiety that we all feel. I’m going to provide links to helpful articles about planning your wedding during COVID-19, people to follow to reduce stress and limit your amount of anxiety, and free workout resources.
Let’s get started…
MENTAL HEALTH: Follow the facts, but don’t let the facts control your mental health!
We all need to stay informed, but there is a huge difference between watching the news all day vs. checking it once or twice a day. I also want to say that sitting on the couch all day watching TV since you’re working from home, or you’re out of work, is totally adding to your stress. In these coming weeks I think it’s going to be important to create daily schedules. Schedules help with anxiety and the feelings of uncertainty.
To all of my brides – I know you are all feeling a little uneasy, but we haven’t reached a time where you should panic. However, I think it’s important to be informed. Please checkout the resources below with regards to the wedding industry and when to start thinking of pushing your wedding to a later month. As of today, cancelling your wedding altogether isn’t necessary and neither is pushing it to 2021.
RESOURCES: WEDDING INDUSTRY NEWS:
- My friend Keri at Always Yours Events wrote a very well thought out blog post about planning your wedding during COVID-19. Find her blog post HERE
- Harpers Bazaar recently came out with an article that talks about the next few months and what to consider when planning your wedding. Find that article HERE
EMOTIONAL: HEALTH We all need to stay healthy, virtually connected, and positive. I know this is easier said than done, but during this time it’s going to be important to prioritize your mental, emotional, and physical health.
Over the years I’ve dealt with some grief and loss and I learned to lean on spirituality and yoga. These things helped my anxiety levels and I bet they’ll help yours too. Don’t worry, you don’t have to sit around a circle with a bunch of random women and cry on their shoulders, although I’ve done this plenty of times thanks to the yoga community.
RESOURCES:
1. Gabrielle Bernstein- NYC PR Boss Babe Turned Life Coach, Author and Public Speaker (She’s Badass).
Instead of following all the news sources, or random accounts on Instagram that don’t add any value, try to fill up your feed with some positivity. Following people like Gabrielle Bernstein.
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabbybernstein/
- Website: https://gabbybernstein.com/
2. Deepak Chopra – Mediation Guru and Spiritual Guide
If you’re having a hard time emotionally and mentally Deepak brings it back to basics. He has meditations on Spotify, his Instagram and his website. I used his meditations on Spotify because they’re short and sweet.
- Meditations on Spotify — Here
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deepakchopra/
3. Tony Robbins – Motivational Speaker and Business Leader
- Website: https://www.tonyrobbins.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyrobbins/
Not everything needs to be serious all the time so on top of listing my favorite spiritual leaders I’m also listing my favorite accounts on Instagram that provide the maximum amount of laughs. See below:
FUNNY INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS:
- Daquan – https://www.instagram.com/daquan/
- My Therapist Says – https://www.instagram.com/mytherapistsays/
- Moistbuddha- https://www.instagram.com/moistbuddha/
- Girl with No Job – https://www.instagram.com/girlwithnojob/
- Bestvines – https://www.instagram.com/bestvines/
- Trashcan Paul https://www.instagram.com/trashcanpaul/
PHYSICAL HEALTH: Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.
If you can get outside and go on a remote hike or walk you should, as long as your social distancing. However, if you live in an apartment or dense city, there are many ways to stay active even if you’re stuck quarantining yourself at home.
AT HOME WORKOUTS:
- CorePower Yoga – Free Classes HERE
- Tone it Up – The girls over at Tone it up always offer great at home workouts and amazing recipes. It’s your one stop shop for health and fitness. Check out their website HERE
- Yoga with Adriene, check out her YouTube channel
- Barre Fitness – http://www.barrefitness.com/video-library
- P90 – This is definitely a more aggressive workout plan and I’ve done it with my family before, but it’s a great challenge!
HIKES IN MAINE:
- Nature walk in Phippsburg Dropped Pin Location: HERE
- Hiking Trail (or snowshoeing/back country trail) on the backside of Mount Pleasant. Dropped Pin Location: HERE
- Presumpscott River Preserve – HERE
- If you want to be adventurous, consider taking a day trip to The White Mountains! Look various trails up through All Trails
