MEET OUR TEAM

Hi I’m Natalie.

I am the Founder and Editor in Chief of The Reel Magazine. I first began the company back in May of 2019. The whole concept of The Reel was actually very impromptu. And the company has completely changed forms and will hopefully continue to take shape as the years go on.

I had an idea that I hoped would be a good “summer project” for me to work on to stay busy. I wanted to embark on a small photo journalism project centered around interviewing and photographing NYC makeup artists. I had just moved to New York within the year, and was instantly immersed with the incredible art culture that was encompassed in city. I was meeting a ton of really unique people and found a new meaning to the word creative. I was young. I mean, I still am young. I’m only 21. But at the time I felt a lot younger than I feel now. I had a lot to learn about the city, and a lot to learn about art.

I spent much of my time that year creating with other artists, working in studio classes, using new equipment, developing film, visiting museums. It was adventurous and nerve-racking and exciting, and beautiful, and everything you could imagine a young artist wanted out of moving to a big city. More than being a student, I was so eager to find a creative position that would hire me. I wanted to be an Art Director, or an Editor of something. I wasn’t really sure where or what that would look like at the time, but I knew I was tired of doing freelance design jobs. I went on a few different job interviews, and didn’t hear back, but I stayed hopeful. I knew I was talented, and a good interviewer, but knew it was a lot harder than it seemed like on Sex And The City to break through the Editorial Industry. But again, remained hopeful. I think being hopeful is key to my, and anybodies success. I always believed in myself. My dream was to one day be the editor of Vogue. I guess that is still a cool goal to have, so I think I’ll keep it on my bucket list anyway.

After a few months of searching, I eventually landed a very cool job with a professional Magazine Photographer, who became a major mentor for me, and would eventually lead me to starting The Reel Magazine, Mark Mann. Working with Mark, as a young and eager college student was one of the best opportunities I could have ever had. Through Mark, I began assisting shoots with clients like Michael Kors, Peter Dinklage, Francis Ford Coppola, French Montana, to name a few. I worked, assisting production for super high caliber shoots for companies like Condé Nast, GQ, Esquire, Deadline, etc. I mean, Mark wasn’t only my boss, but I really idolized the guy. I also idolized the people he worked with. I was around many top Creative Directors, and Editors throughout my time