Natalie Obradovich's Ode To The Beach Chair
There’s an art to the beach holiday — your sun to sea ratio, long lazy lunches and the perfect shady nap. But, if you’re doing it right, it all starts on your lounger. These nostalgic, aesthetic objects have fascinated photographer Natalie Obradovic for years, catapulting her to fame as a fine art photographer renowned for her beachy scenes.
Born and raised in Manhattan Beach, California, Natalie’s obsession with the seaside started young. But, it wasn’t until after working as a designer for prestigious designers like Kelly Wearstler, Thad Hayes and Neal Beckstedt that she began taking photography more seriously. Although, as she tells us, she has no formal training, just an uncanny eye for coastal living and the effortlessly beautiful moments people make there.
Through a series of photos from loungers across Europe — mainly Italy — we explore the art of the lounger while Natalie tells us more about herself, her work and her favorite beach clubs in the world.
Where we lay still, but our body feels as if it’s
still bobbing in the waves.
The lounger is where we sunbake and sleep.
It’s pinstripes & mesh. The scent of suntan lotion. Salty, terry towels. Sandals, tossed. Wine, chilled. Hot rocks. Cool sea. Chasing the shade of the umbrella as the sun glides across the sky. People watching & eavesdropping.
A place of reprieve and relaxation, the lounger is a both a little luxury and a peek into the lives of holidaymakers. Natalie has found seemingly endless inspiration with these objects — whether they’re stripped or mesh, perfectly placed, tilted or lapped by the waves. And while she’s photographed them all over the world, the lounges in Italy are amongst her favorite.
“As I started to travel more and more, and shoot more and more, I really fell in love with Italy. There’s something about the culture that resonates with me. The food, the history, the tradition, the beauty, the personalities, the silliness of Italy just does it for me. The way that Italians live in the summer is truly inspiring — and I can never get enough.”
What is the feeling you look to capture with your work?
“I wasn’t trained formally in photography in any regard, and I’ve actually never really been around other photographers while shooting, so I had no real influence on my style other than what I’m attracted to, which is travel and the beach. When I shoot I’m typically just with my friends enjoying our day, and I think that’s what comes across in my photos and what people are attracted to, because that’s what it’s all about. It’s more about capturing a moment, feeling or memory that brings you back to a place than anything else. Most of my favorite and best selling photos are from trips with my best friends, and they’re some of my most cherished memories. So, it’s rewarding when that feeling translates to something special for others as well. And yes I realize just how lucky I am that this is my job, it’s pretty wild.”
Do you have a favorite coastline to photograph?
“No question about it - the Amalfi Coast is my favorite.”
The age-old question — rocky or sandy beaches?
“I always prefer a sandy beach, because, feet. But it just depends on the location. Caribbean, obviously sandy. Mediterranean, probably going to go with rocky — and by rocky, I mean swimming ledges with lounge chairs and wine service.”
So what’s your favorite beach in the world?
Anywhere in Capri, Mead’s Bay in Anguilla, Bora Bora, Jose Ignacio, Uruguay, Manhattan Beach, where I grew up.
How about beach club?
Lido del Faro in Capri, Da Adolfo Positano, Coral Casino in Montecito.
If you could spend your entire summer anywhere, where would it be?
“No doubt, Capri! I spent three and a half weeks there last summer — yes I managed to go — and I had to be dragged off the island.”
Can you reveal where you’re headed this summer?
“Ha! As you may guess, I’ll be traveling Europe for the entire summer for the first time, but my home base will be in and out of Capri!”
Be sure to follow Natalie’s European summer over on Instagram.
