Natalie Mechell
University of Texas at Austin

The Fine Art Of Fashion

Currently
Senior in the Studio Art program.

Education
"The courses aren't that technical, so at one point I interned with a professional photographer to learn more about lighting. There's not a lot of hands-on, how-to-do-it; you have to go at that individually and ask the professors a specific question or ask for information on a specific technique."

On The Job
"I work part-time for two studios--Mary Beth Greenwood Photography, doing comp cards
for actors, actresses, and models, and Innovative Photography, shooting weddings and bridal portraits."

Goals
"I've always wanted to be a fashion photographer--I have a fashion marketing degree from the Art Institute in Dallas--but lately I'm trying to get more than just the basic fashion look by adding elements of fine art photography. The goal is still fashion, but I'm not sure how fine art will come into it. Maybe a combination we haven't seen before."

What's Next
"To one coast or the other, L.A. or New York, to pursue fashion photography."

Equipment
Hasselblad for weddings, Canon EOS system for models' comp cards.

In Print.
One of her photos is featured in Tapestry of Dreams, just published by the International Library of Photography.

Influences
"I admire other work, but I don't want to be influenced by it. I've seen people studying so much that they lose what they're doing.

Natalie Mechell was recommended to us by Mary Beth Greenwood, photographer and instructor of interns at the University of Texas at Austin.

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