Creator Spotlight: Natalie Lennard

Natalie’s only been on Vocal since July—and, already she’s made her mark as a standout creator. A mother and award-winning photographer based in the UK, Natalie’s stories focus on the subject of birth. Her written and visual art invites readers to investigate topics around pregnancy, ones that are easily shied away from. Natalie’s work is raw, powerful, and impactful—and we got to speak with Natalie to get to know her a little bit better. Here’s what she had to say.

On her biggest passion:

I have been a fine-art photographer for 13 years, creating fine-art and fashion work. But, in the past couple years, I’ve turned part of my attention to the subject of birth. I have been creating staged-birth images and videos, in a project entitled Birth Undisturbed. I have recently started writing articles on Vocal to amplify the stories I’ve done so far, but also to share content about birth and parenting in a more direct, new way.

I started out as a self-portraitist in 2006. I’ve been a photographer for all of my career, but gone through phases of change during it. But I’ve always loved bold, impactful staged imagery. I’ve also always loved writing, which is why I’ve enjoyed getting started on Vocal.

On what Birth Undisturbed is all about:

I was motivated by many things—a desire to put birth into staged art, in a way I haven’t seen before; to address important issues through storytelling; and to create raw and powerful images, that were different from the conventional beauty I’d always portrayed. I’m blown away that my pictures and writing have even inspired people’s own birth choices.

I want to be something I have not quite seen before. I take lots of leaves of inspiration out of visual artists I admire, but I want to fuse it with inspiration from the strong voices in the birth world, and circles that explore forgotten histories and forbidden truths.

On some of the challenges she’s faced:

It’s challenging starting anything, and getting a name out there as a photographer. It’s taken me a decade to build a reputation and livelihood, selling fine art. But, the world is changing so rapidly that even people who’ve been in the game for a long time need to keep changing to keep up. Social media, for example, is not even what it was six months ago.

The birth project is, in itself, a form of a new start that I’m only just getting to grips with—understanding how to put it out there, where I can go with it, how I can make money to finish it, and so on.

On the message she wants to share with others:

I often feel overwhelmed with everything I want to say about the importance of natural physiology in pregnancy and birth. I want people to question everything about the system’s current way of managing pregnancy and birth, and demand it follow their terms—not the other way around. To look into home birth, water birth, or how they might make their hospital birth environment more suited to their needs.

I really want to continue making projects like Birth Undisturbed, where there is an essence of radicalism that questions the system, and the version of truth we’re told about the present and the past.

On storytelling and her advice for young creators:

I like to see something created, finished, and released. I think any artist does. To create a new chapter of my Birth Undisturbed series, is a real catharsis. In the same way, writing a new article on Vocal gives me that mini release. I’m excited about being able to cover lots of smaller nuances that my art series cannot, or has not; and for these articles to be highly shareable by the internet community.

I’d give the advice I’d give a younger version of myself: Stop waiting for the world to come asking for you. You need to go knocking on its door, persistently, without taking offense, without feeling entitled. Yes, be confident. But there is no “fair,” and people who are probably less talented than you, but who do more, will go further. So, keep up—and keep creative!

The last part is a good reminder—sometimes, we’re better off saying nothing to our kids when we’re angry or disappointed. In my five years of parenting, it’s not so much raising my voice that I feel guilty about. It’s anything I regret saying.

First thing that comes to mind:

What is one thing you couldn’t live without? Tea

Go-to late night snack? A large raw tomato

All-time favorite movie? Bugsy Malone

What are you currently binge-watching? Handmaid’s Tale. I think Elizabeth Moss’s twitching face has been ingrained on my soul by now.

If you could go anywhere for vacation, where would you go? Zakopane, Poland

If you could speak a new language, what would it be and why? Polish (for an easier time in Zakopane)

Favorite local bar, coffee shop, or restaurant?Small Batch Coffee

Best thing to do in your city on a rainy day? In Brighton, UK—try the seaside amusements!

Favorite story you’ve read on Vocal? I found the points in this one quite interesting. In my adulthood, I find myself basically disagreeing with all the frugal values I was brought up with.

You can check out Natalie’s latest story below, and make sure you keep up with her on Instagram!