Orange County photographer | Tara Whitney – Orange County's Leading Photographer. Family, Pregnancy, Maternity, infant, Newborn, Baby, engagement photography in Orange County, Los Angeles, San Diego

Marin, CA : Beautiful and lively and referred to me by this beautiful momma’s twin sister. If she looks familiar, it is because she is! I felt right at home in the big family chaos, and wanted to hang out in their amazing and impeccable “tree house” for a month. Would that be okay guys? :)

The weather barely cooperated and it was very dark (aside from a few moments towards the end). But the first grainy set of images that I took in their almost dark bedroom, lit only by lamps and minuscule amounts of window light, are my favorites.

The set of three where Aimee and Peter are canoodling made me cry and my glasses fogged up while shooting. They were the last three shots we took.

So much love here, not to mention a PLETHORA of good genes.

xo

Tara

Met the Skinner family while in San Francisco at Chrissy Field. Fell in love, head over heels, for all of them. Like, really. Like, really really.

I have met many children in my life, and I can tell you – this little lady here? She is probably going to be in charge of the whole entire world someday. Her spirit just overflowed – sparkled! Even at the tender age of two, you just wanted to be around her. She had me from hello. Not to leave the boys in the dust – they were wonderful – and sweet – and kind – and gentle hearted – and funny. But she absolutely captivated me. I could photograph her every single day. I wish I could!

This next shot is the something new that happened to me. As I was photographing her on the picnic table, I saw something new  – something I haven’t paid attention to before. I saw the photo before I pressed the shutter, before it went into focus. And I gasped. My heart swelled. My throat closed up, tears were imminent. That happens sometimes, and it happened over and over with them. I felt like I saw what was in between us – what was really her. This out of focus, dreamy, water-color like photo energized me and excited me. I wanted to do it again. I wanted to play with this new idea right away.

And so, when I saw my next chance, I took it. And my heart sang once again. They looked painted into the scene! They looked magic. I am still not sure what it is about these ethereal out of focus photos that gets me right in the gut – but it is for the simple fact that they do – that I am taking notice. I have stumbled on something new that just clicked, and I am so grateful for it.

And then the sun set in a beautiful demonstration of pinks and purples, and it was time to say goodbye.

xo

Tara

P.S. Isn’t Mom just absolutely radiant in every photo? Pure love.