This mama caught our eye with her exquisite Instagram aesthetic and her idyllic coastal lifestyle. Her photos exude charm and enchantment, prompting us to delve deeper into the world of Natahlia Crabtree. With Mother's Day upon us, what better moment to find our more about her, her three wonderful children and their life by the ocean? Join us as we explore the essence of motherhood with Natahlia, discovering what she cherishes most about this journey.
I interviewed Nathalia for our latest 'At Home' series and it was so nice to get to know more about Nathalia, her background and how she came to be where she is today.
Nathalia wears our new Heirloom piece the Pearl dress in her series of photos below.
Tell us a bit about you? Where are you from? Who’s in your family?
I’m originally from Sweden where I grew up in the countryside, surrounded by endless green fields. I moved to Australia fourteen years ago now and I have lived here my whole adult life, I LOVE the beautiful coast landscapes surrounding our farm and the warmth!
There’s five of us (six including our new puppy!). It’s my farmer husband Brett, our two girls Philippa and Olivia and our little boy Leo. It’s total chaos all day every day but it’s just the best.
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Can you tell us more about your background and how you came to where you are today?
I am a journalist by profession and worked and interned in magazines as well as for newspapers back in Sweden from a really early age. After I finished high school I studied fashion history and economics at university before taking my bachelor in communications at Bergh’s school of communications in Stockholm. That’s how I got to Australia as a big part of the studies were based in Perth! I met my husband one day when he walked into a shop I was working in and the rest as they say is history. I feel so lucky our paths met and after a year we moved down to his family farm.
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How do you think Motherhood has changed you? Good or bad.
It really has changed me so very much. For the better for sure! I’m more confident now, I don’t have time for drama and I value kindness even more than before. I used to feel like I needed to be remembered for my achievements but now I just want to be remembered as someone who was kind, a good mother and friend and who followed her passions. Even when she was really tired haha.
You obviously have an amazing eye for photography,what led you to pick up the camera?
Thank you so much! Means a lot. I started taking photos when I had my eldest, Pippa. I have always loved being creative (mostly in writing) but it wasn’t until I found photography that I really found my calling. It fills me with so much joy capturing precious moments or beautiful clothing. A while after I started my page I started working with wonderful brands and it grew from there! It has been so great for me to have a creative outlet here on the farm, I need it to feel like I’ve got something just for me outside of farm and mom life. Photography has also given me such a huge appreciation for all things beautiful, be it nature or the way people look at those they love. I notice it more now, all those little things that I think would look wonderful in a photo. And even when I don’t pick up my camera to capture it I love it that extra little bit anyway and it really makes me so happy.
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What does motherhood mean to you personally, and how has it influenced your perspective on life and your sense of purpose?
It means everything. It’s also given me a lot of perspective, the things I used to worry about seem so small now. Becoming a mother has given me lots of energy too to keep chasing all my dreams so that my kids can see their mom living their her best life. With them and also outside of mom life.
To start with I felt like it ripped me wide open too. Becoming a mother filled me with so many emotions. A mix between an incredible love for my children and a fear that I wasn’t enough. I still worry about it but it gives me a purpose now somehow too. Striving to always do better while remembering that I already I know my children have a mom who loves them immensely and try her very best to give them a childhood filled with joy. They really are my world!
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Motherhood often requires sacrifices. How have you managed to maintain your identity and pursue your passions while fulfilling your role as a mother?
I have made it a priority to keep doing my photography and work with brands I adore. It has helped me SO much! I think I would fall deep into despair if I didn’t have something just for me. Farm life can be very busy and my husband is incredibly busy so parenting falls largely onto me as a stay at home mom 24/7. So having something that I can dream about, plan and create makes me a better person. I sacrifice a lot that I would like to do but I am given so much joy with my photography that it makes up for it. To keep working with the beautiful people behind my favourite brands has been a lifesaver. I feel so lucky that I can combine it with mom life and not give that creative part of myself up!
Nathalia and her family via her Instagram
What are some challenges you have faced in motherhood?
Sleep deprivation! It is soo hard! I have not slept a full night without a million wake ups for over six and a half years. It is the worst and I think you need to give yourself a lot of grace when navigating it. Some days I have to remind myself that I’m actually not sad and just really bloody tired. A walk and coffee with a friends always helps me when I feel flat and tired. Also chocolate.
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What inspires you?
Nature! And beautiful prints and fabrics, I love thinking where this or that dress would look good to shoot. Sounds simple perhaps but it is so fun for me.
"Never feel like you are not enough because you are. Motherhood is a wild ride"
If you could offer new mamas one piece of advice it would be...?
Never feel like you are not enough because you are. Motherhood is a wild ride and some days feel very long but if you look at those moments that were difficult in your day I bet you had more moments that were beautiful. And if not tomorrow is another day. In the grand scheme of things a bad day is just that, a bad day. You are still a wonderful mom and your kids will remember your love always.
What are the most essential things to you as a parent?
Love. Truely is the most important thing. To tell my kids how special they are and how proud I am to be their mom brings us all together. Laughter too! Cures a bad mood and makes every day fun, even the long ones.
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What does self-care look like for you? How do you look after yourself?
I have just recently started doing swims in the ocean every day. It has made an ENORMOUS difference to my days! I feel so much calmer, more energised and less exhausted. It’s bloody cold some days but I love pushing through it and feel that salty water on my face. If you live close to the ocean I could not recommend it more!
What are four things you can’t live without?
Excluding things life friends, family and the ocean are the four things I can live without.
- My matcha tea with almond milk, I love that little moment of calm in my day!
- Chocolate. Need I say more.
- Bike shorts. I literally wear them every day, with dresses or for walks.
- The TV. For half an hour of quiet time when Leo sleeps and the kids watch a show. I need that little break or I will get 100% overstimulated haha.
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What do you want your kids to learn about the world?
That it’s beautiful. It’s big and it’s so exciting. My kids have so much to explore and I cannot wait for them to grow up and experience it all. Life is not always easy and there is so much hardships in the world too but I hope they will find happiness wherever they go.
