The Nitty Gritty - with Natalie Zee

I started following Nat back in her Healthy Natty days and am proud to now call her a friend. Her photography is stunning and you should keep an eye out for her brilliant behind-the-scenes tutorials.

Tell us a little about yourself .

I’m Nat! I call myself a food photographer/creative as I love ALL things food, but photography is my main passion and what most of my days are spent doing. I live in outer Melbourne with my hubby (the least creative person ever) and two cats. When I’m not photographing food I am cooking it for friends as I love nothing more than having people over. I also love to keep fit, travel to the country, paint and I LOVE all things design.

How did you get started?

I was unwell when I was younger and learned, after a friend gave me a book on nutrition, how to change how I felt with what I ate (food didn’t cure me, it just helped me cope with daily symptoms). As I recovered I wanted to share my ‘Healthy Not Hard’ recipes via a blog I used to have called Lemon Butter. I took TERRIBLE photos, but slowly the photography became my passion and after about 2 years dabbling, I worked up the confidence to leave my career in supply chain and here I am!

What equipment do you shoot with?

I have a Canon 5D MKIII, Canon 24-70mm f/2.8 and Canon 100mm Macro f/2.8 lens – I never know how to properly write the name! Naomi, correct me? Haha.. (Plus my trusty Manfrotto tripod and I shoot tethered to my desktop computer or laptop if I am out).

Do you prefer studio work or location shoots?

Studio because I am free to be totally creative and control everything as I want it controlled - I believe the results are more exciting! But I love location for the challenge and the people.

Describe your style.

I actually try really hard not to have a style (I know, insane?). I pride myself on being able to adapt to whatever the client needs… so having sharp, well styled images properly edited images is all I do consistently. If I was shooting for myself all the time, though, I love simple styling and lots of negative space.

Who do you admire?

Gosh so many people – Donna Hay for her mag and her story, Emma Knowles is the Queen of recipe dev and styling, and I love William Meppem’s photography (and Chris Court, and Ben Dearnley, and Brent Parker Jones.. I could keep going). Plus around 500 Instagram accounts, which I can name all if you like…. Away from food, I admire anyone with the balls to do what they love no matter what.

What's your dream food shoot?

Anything for Gourmet Traveller or Country Style mags..

What's your "can't live without" prop?

Old, tarnished cutlery is probably the most used. Plus my boards, 90% of which I’ve made myself.

Sweet or Savoury?

Savoury.

Chocolate or Vanilla?

… cheese?

Four favourite instagram accounts?

It is some form of cruelty to make me list four as I have so many, but I’ll go with 4 that I admire that I don’t talk about ALL the time so you already know about them… - @silvia_salvialimone - @evegwilson - @kararosenland - @thecrazybull (not the prettiest account, but Miguel’s passion for food, excitement for life and warmth with people is everything I admire).