Natalia Engelhardt was born and raised in Moscow, Russia. She came to the United States to attend Mount Holyoke College on a full scholarship where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Comparative Literature and Philosophy. She is currently based in New York City.

Her work has been exhibited in museums and galleries, including The Griffin Museum of Photography, Katonah Museum of Art and The Center for Fine Art Photography; as well as in shows curated by Jennifer Blessing (The Guggenheim), Carol McCusker (MoPA San Diego) and Joerg Colberg (Conscientious). She has received numerous honors and awards, including the Prix de la Photographie, Paris (Px3) 2009; Art of Photography Show 2008; International Photography Awards 2008 and 2009. Through the nomination of Joerg Colberg, she was the recipient of the 2010 Arthur Griffin Legacy Award.