Every week I write a column called BE YOU for one of the local papers (The Times of Acadiana) – Each week someone different answers the questionnaire – the paper often has to edit them,  so here are all the answers, unedited (the whole truth) This week:

Natalie Kingston

Natalie is a cinematographer and a good soul. She is one of those people who oozes passion and beauty whatever she does, and she is always doing something. I tried to think of a way to describe her and I could only come up with “Natalie Shines” – and she does. From the inside. From a place that makes those around her feel good. Her quiet passion is contagious, I hope her way of finding beauty in everything is too. Find out more about her and her work at NatalieKingston.com
What was your first job?
Cashier at Bi-Lo Supermarket

Describe a typical day in your life.
Every day is different, so I don’t really have a typical day. I try to start each day with a workout and meditation. After that happens, I could be shooting, meeting with someone, editing, or working on a personal project.

What advice would you give the younger you?
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Everything that happens is a part of the journey of life.

What event in your life most shaped who you are now?
My parents’ decision to purchase a home video camera. I was 10 and quickly became infatuated with this piece of equipment, and started making my own “movies”. From that point on, I saw the world differently than I had before.

What values do you live by?
Honesty – to myself and others.
Trying to be present at all times.
Finding the beauty in everything and everyone.

What do you most appreciate?
Beautiful art in all forms.
Sincerity.
Uniqueness.

What is your favorite journey?
Spending time in Rockport, Maine, enhancing my craft of cinematography and developing my unique artistic style.

Where is your favorite place to be alone?
My bathtub with bubbles, candles and a glass of wine.

What living figure most inspires you?
My sister, Emily.

What was the best advice you were ever given?
“It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it”. – My mom

What book would you tell everyone to read?
I don’t think I have one of those. I tend to read things that are extremely specific to my interests. I’m not sure everyone would enjoy Painting with Light.

What is the best thing about where you live?
The sense of community and friendly people.

How do you “let the good times roll” ?
Live music and a couple of cocktails.

What did u want to be when you grew up?
A movie director. (I didn’t know what a cinematographer was).

What is your motto?
Anything is possible. ANYTHING.

How would you like to be remembered?
A free spirit with a loving soul and an inspiring cinematographer.

What do you say to yourself when you doubt yourself?
“You’ve made it this far, you can’t stop now. Only good happens when you go with your gut”.

What three things are vital to BEing YOU?
A camera, my sense of smell and silliness.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
Oh wow.

What is your favorite word?
Loose

What do you collect?
Stickers, rocks and September issues of Vogue.

What food could you live on for a month?
Pepperoni pizza

What would you change about yourself?
Being forgetful.

What literary, movie or cartoon character do you most identify with?
Pippi Longstocking

Describe yourself in five words.
Nice, silly, passionate, diligent and creative.

What is your idea of happiness?
Taking in the present moment and having no worries.

What is your favorite movie?
Growing up (and now), I always liked The Return to Oz.

What music defines who you are?
Jazz

What do you most regret?
I keep erasing what I just wrote for this question because I think, “Well, if that hadn’t happened, this wouldn’t have happened, and so on, and I wouldn’t be where I am today”. So I guess that means I don’t regret anything.

What question do you wish I’d asked?
What was your favorite childhood toy?

What would the answer be?
My Fisher Price microscope.