Hannah is in her first year of college, living in Portland, out on her own for the first time. Her Mom, Natalie (pictured with her here) hired me to photograph her. After getting to know Hannah during our session, I really feel that Natalie couldn’t have picked a more perfect time to have her daughter photographed. Your first independent years are so thrilling, so full of exploration and learning. It was entirely different than if she had done this for her high school senior photos. We captured her at the beginning of her new life, rather than at the end of an old one.
Hannah was unsure of the process and admittedly very shy. I understand that feeling, and so my main goal was to put her at ease and help her to feel confident in her beauty. When we met I was struck by her quiet, strong presence. I was drawn to her instantly, and would have wanted to photograph her had I seen her walking by me on the street, so I felt very lucky that she was before me so willingly.
I loved how quiet and careful she was in front of the camera. I felt honored to watch her move across the field, completely unaware of how stunning and special that she is. Natalie wiped away quiet tears as she watched us. I was often on the verge of tears myself, and I can’t quite put my finger on why. This was just one of those sessions where something special happens. I left feeling that the person I photographed gave me more than I could ever possibly give them.
Tara
I got teary reading your beautiful words, Tara. She is lovely, simply lovely.
I love every picture. They are radiant and so telling. What a special moment in time to capture….the mom in me gets overwhelmed with emotion looking forward to the day where my little girls will be stepping out of the nest. What a blessing these photos will always be for them :)
These are lovely:) I also teared up upon reading your words at the end. How can you be a mother and not tear up, right? Thank you for sharing this with us.
Wow, you can tell by these pictures why you were so moved with her…these are just gorgeous photos of such a gorgeous girl. It’s almost as if you can see her soul through these photos…LOVE!!
these are so moving – the chalkboard and the over the shoulder!! oh, my. she is so beautiful . . . she will look back and see it, she will. you did that, girl. gorgeous.
These images are absolutely amazing. The light is beautiful. I wish I could capture light the way you do. And your words do justice to the images as well. Stunning
so much heart of yours shown through the photos and the writing. and i love so much that her mama thought of this time of her life to capture. so wishing i had those photos of me and my mama ;o)
absolutely beautiful
how beautiful.. how wonderful.. and how do you do that? let your kid go away to college in another state? I am dreading this.. and I have 4 years to go before I get to that place.. sigh
LOVE the “you only live once” quote and in your amazing writing! That is such a great picture… wish I had an ounce of your talent lovey.
It is great to see the affection at this age between mother and daughter. Tough sometimes for teens to continue to express this depth of emotion for their mothers.
Oh my gosh , these have blown me away tara ! Before I got to your comment at the end I could feel her shyness , see her beauty and see her as a young woman on the verge of blossoming in this world.Wonderful set Tara, one of your best in I think :-)
Absolutely breathtaking! You absolutely amaze me!