How Michel and I got connected to this family is a little like six degrees of separation.
Emily (the brown haired daughter) was at her cousin Maren’s house a few months ago. I have photographed Maren and her children. I have gone to Thailand with Maren. Maren happened to show Emily her slideshow. Emily freaked out because she is also friends with Alexis, and has been to Alexis’ home and seen the photos I have taken of her family. When Emily asked who did them, Alexis said something like, “Oh, my friend Tara!” (great job on the referral there Lex!) ;) So it wasn’t until Maren’s house, while looking at my blog that she put two and two together. Alexis’ friend was ME.
And then she emailed me with a plan. And she was so excited and sweet and adorable that I fell in love with her immediately. She wanted to gather her siblings plus their children, use a special song from her childhood, and create a surprise movie for their parents. Her parents used to put this song to their home movies as children!
Michel and I were so in.
At the last minute, her parents found out and crashed the party. I normally don’t like to shoot large family groups like this because it becomes a different type of animal session than the ones I enjoy. But the moment I met up with all of them I knew it was going to be okay. Better than okay. It was going to be amazing.
Watch for yourself. :)
They are just as beautiful on the inside as what you see on the surface. Stunning people, through and through. A family of six that has grown over the years with grandchildren. It is kind of special to see a family similar to my own…just many years down the road. I can only hope our connection will be as close and real as the Camerons.
Music: Secret of Life by James Taylor
(if you are new to my blog and have not seen the other home movies we have filmed, please take a look here and here!)
xo
Tara.. you and Michel make an amazing team.. this is awesome. cant wait to see more of your photos from this session
Moving. Fun. Timeless. WOW!
Awesome job Tara and Michel! I LOVE these movies. Such a beautiful family – wow!
Well….that’s my big brother and his family…James Taylor has been such a big part of our life as a family and you captured the West Coast Camerons wonderfully! My wife and I live on the other coast, New Hampshire coast..sure do miss those guys….thanks for sharing!
aaahhhh….that was so nice. i am in love with the videos tara. genius! i need to find a partner to create some genius with…..
seriously? dude.
sad that i can’t think of how to express my emotion right now.
other than…genius. pure genius.
Why am I crying??!!! That was so sweet! I can only pray that one day my family will have the opportunity to make such a priceless video!!
Absolutely beautiful! I can’t wait to one day have you capture my family as we are. I look forward to that day!
ah-aaaahhhhhhh!!!! stunning. love.
Are the parents the man in the glasses and the gal in the pink shirt? No way! I kept trying to find the parents, they look incredible and just like one of their kids. The whole family is gorgeous and what a beautiful video and images, as always.
totally frieking incredible.
Love the video!!! Looking forward to your pix of them. Iconic california family. And by the way…I have advertised you more than, Oh, that’s my friend Tara. :)
Ahhhh. That was beautiful. Gorgeous family. Beautiful song. Love it! Way to go Michel and Tara. :)
I forgot to say my favorite part: I love when the little girl is hugging her brother and they have balloons and then she drops the balloon and it goes through her legs. Classic. Loved that. And the little boy with the seagulls. Wonderful job, Michel and T.
Absolutely love it! I keep praying that my family and I can do this when I turn 40…. Oh just a couple more years.
as always, i’m in love. thank you ~again~ for the inspiration. james taylor tugs at my heart strings, and so do you. beautiful job you two. keep on keepin’ on. this is what it’s all about!
Cant wait to see the stills
This was beautiful. Thanks so much for letting us share. I had never heard that song before and it completely resonates… I’m in tears, of course, but happy ones.
oh my goodness. exquisite. tears in eyes. i just adore, adore, adore what you and michel do together. magic and love.
Everytime I see one of these videos, it just melts my heart! How beautiful that you can capture a family being themselves. This will be cherished always…
I love this. you and michael are amazing. these always give me chilly bumps. this one was no exception.
smiles
ria
This is so beautiful, fun, happy, and playful and it makes me cry even though I don’t know them! Great art does that, I guess.
this video is just simply happy, just happy!
I cry everytime I come to your site! Every. Time. So beautiful!
wow…now that is the classic California family. They are gorgeous! Love the shot of dad and the two sons. great job.
Song choice is amazing too. I had the pleasure of meeting James Taylor and photographing him here in Asheville back in October. Really, really great guy
http://www.kristihedbergphotography.com/blog/2008/10/20/sweet-baby-james-asheville-event-photographer/
Oh Tara! This is amazing! You have such a gift for capturing the emotion and love of a family!! I was moved by the video and in tears by the end! I can’t wait to have you film and shoot our family again!
Tara- You moved me with no words!
wow! fantastic! You’ve really given that family something priceless!
Tara – As I type this thru teary eyes…..Amazing! Absolutely amazing! You & Michel are amazing! I’m am at a loss for words – other than – you rock! :)
tears, tears, tears….this was just perfect beyond words.
Wow, I must have missed this when you posted it – it’s obvious you do great work. But what hits me as amazing is that you and Michael connected – what an extroidinary combination. You are constantly “raising” your own bar! :))))
Holy Moly… INCREDIBLE!!! What an amazing family, and you have captured them beautifuly. This is AMAZING!!!
these are brilliant. your movies are brilliant. i have goosebumps.
Truly beautiful, you’ve so captured their love for each other. You and Michael are a wonderful team.
this video brought a smile :) what a beautiful family!