hey! i’m so glad you found me!

I’m Nat. Mum of three, photographer, weekend sport sideline regular, and proud owner of five slightly unhinged backyard chickens (shoutout to Seaweed, Egglet, Chicky, Bubba, and Tikka).

I’m a Northern Beaches photographer (OG Cromer gal), certified snack-fetcher, last-minute lunchbox packer, and ferry-er of kids between sports fields. I met my husband in high school, and these days we spend most weekends squeezing in beach swims and trying to work on the house if the time and weather allow it.

A woman with blonde hair, wearing a brown and white patterned outfit, holding a DSLR camera while walking on the beach and smiling.
A family of five enjoying time together on a beach during sunset, with a rocky cliff in the background. The father carries a young boy on his shoulders, while a woman holds a little girl, and an older boy stands in front of her.

When I’m not photographing families, you’ll usually find me editing (I weirdly love it), cooking, or sneaking a bushwalk into the weekend sport schedule. I’m also a total sucker for a good book, a tasty meal, and an afternoon spent dreaming up shoot ideas.

I’ve never met a dancefloor I didn’t like, and I will absolutely try to figure out if we have any mutual friends within five minutes of meeting you.

I’m a bit of a workaholic, a bit of a chatterbox, and absolutely the person who wants to know what you’re watching and what you’re having for dinner.

photography isn’t just my job

…it’s genuinely one of my favourite things to do. I love the whole process: planning, shooting, editing (yep, even the part everyone else avoids). I show up to every session with my whole heart, because I know how much these photos will matter to you one day.

And if I’m honest, I think that’s what draws me to this work again and again. I know how quickly life fills up with all the noise. School drop-offs, crumbs in the car, sports uniforms (or is it regular uniforms today?!?!), groceries, lost socks, repeat. But somewhere in there are the tiny, beautiful moments you don’t want to forget. The way your baby curls into you. The hand that still instinctively reaches for yours. The way everyone cracks up when your kid says something completely unhinged.

That’s the stuff I love to photograph.

A woman and a young child lying on a patterned blanket, smiling and looking at each other, enjoying a joyful moment together.
A woman holding a young child in her arms outdoors during daytime, with trees and a cloudy sky in the background.

Whether it’s a newborn session in your home, a maternity shoot at the beach, or running wild with the kids in a park somewhere, my approach is relaxed, real, and all about connection. No stiff poses, no fake smiles. Just your crew being their perfectly imperfect selves while I tag along and capture the magic.

Because one day, when things feel a little quieter, I want you to have something real to look back on. Something that makes you smile and go, “Yep, that was us!”

Nat is, and will forever be our family photographer! I cannot fault her talent, enthusiasm and the no pressure environment she creates even with my three crazy kids. The photos are ones my family will treasure forever!

— LAUREN R.

Natalie Alder, of Natalie Alder Creative, holding her daughter in a hug, both facing each other, against a plain white wall.

my family is at the heart of everything I do

Natalie and her three children sitting on the beach at sunset, playing and smiling together.

These little weirdos are my “why,” and my greatest reminder to slow down and soak in the magic of everyday moments.

It’s not about capturing a perfect version of your family. It’s about the version that’s real, and full of love, and wonderfully yours.

Curious about how it feels to have your story documented? Let’s chat.

get to know me

Fun fact edition

A woman with shoulder-length wavy hair looking down and smiling, wearing a denim jacket. She has a tattoo of the word 'NAC' on her inner left forearm and is gently holding her left arm with her right hand, showing a ring on her finger.

Forever obsession:
I’ve loved fantasy books since I was in my early teens.

Party trick:
I speak Spanish (better when I’ve had a few cervezas. I lived in Argentina in my 20s.)

Most overused habit:
I overuse emojis 🤣😅🥰😆😘

Secret side project:
I have a half-started novel that sits in my notes which I add to occasionally. I doubt it will ever see the light of day.

Commitment Level:
I loved my new logo so much that I got it tattooed to my wrist.

Food you won’t touch:
There is no food that I won’t eat. I don’t love rockmelon... but I’ll eat it.

Guilty pleasure:
I really love editing. I think it reminds me of my WOW days, IYKYK 😉

If I wasn’t a photographer I’d be a…
Probably a performer (in another life!). I grew up loving to sing, dance and entertain - anything that involved a stage, really. Just don’t hand me a microphone for public speaking or I’ll pass out. Thanks.

You don’t need the perfect outfits or kids who sit still. All you need is you, showing up as you are. I’ll take care of the rest.