i had an incredible weekend. just incredible. two photo shoots. things clicked. and when it clicks?? it feels so good.
when i go into a shoot, i never know fully what to expect. everything is up in the air. the lighting, the location, the people, the kids. i mean, think about it-these key elements are different every time. every time!! it is a huge source of anxiety, but also a challenge that i love.
when i first meet a family, we talk. i tell them what i like to do. what i want out of them. what i want to create and capture. i tell them i am here to capture their family. I’m not here to pose them in uncomfortable positions and create something fake. i want reality. imperfection, even. if your kid biffs it into the ocean and gets all sandy, even better! my technique changes all the time, but currently there seems to be a lot of laughter and teasing going on to get the good expressions i like. i say things like, "okay now talk to each other." not necessarily to photograph them talking to each other, but to photograph the reaction i get when i say that. like this one, taken one second after telling this family "talk to each other."
I believe dad was saying, "What did she just say??" and there were about six strangers staring at us, so I am sure they were a bit uncomfortable being on display-but that is what i got. and i love it. so real!
and here, at my other shoot, i can’t remember what i had just said, or what they had just said, but however it occured, i got this great reaction:
and THAT is totally how i saw that couple. they were so happy together. so funny. their laughter was a staple in their home. you can just tell.
for me, it is all about catching the real them. i want them to be comfortable enough with me that i get to see who they are. follow them around for the hour or two that we are together and really get a sense of what they are like. i take it very seriously. it is an honor. here i am, a stranger, and these people are giving me something that they normally reserve for each other or close friends. i appreciate it so much. because it is the most important element in what i do. getting to the bottom of things. not just skimming the surface. no small talk. tell me how you REALLY are. and i run with it.
i just love people. all types. all kinds. people give me so much. i love to people watch. i love to talk to people. i love learning about people. i love differences in people. i take you for what you are. and i always see the beauty.
and that my friends, is what i get out of what i do.
To view more photos from these sessions, click on the links below.
Amazing … your photos, your scrapbooks and your outlook on life. Thanks for sharing!!!
This is your God-given talent!
You take beautiful, beautiful photos! I love the shot of the family of 4’s feet & legs on the beach (among many others!)
Girl, I wish you lived near me or vice versa. I so want you to take my fam’s pics! Awesome!
Aimee
again and again and again…you photography just blows me away….you rock, girl!
Tara, I have admired your photography for a few years now. I love how you capture your families (subjects just seems to impersonal for what you do). Thanks to you and the folks that you photograph for continuing to share your amazing results with us. Your photos always bring a smile to my face.
your pictures always make me cry…which, I think, tells you what a great job you do…you can so easily capture the heart of a family…and I love that…keep ’em coming Tara…you are doing some great stuff….for all of us!
So awesome how you capture peoples personalities. Awesome.
I’d like to get together for a shoot of my family when we head down to SoCal for a Disney trip. Probably in the Spring. There is just no way that sitting in a studio, prim and proper, under those harsh lights can compare to your photos.
tara, i wish other photographers “got it” the way you do. it is so rare to find this sort of thing….i want these kind of shots of my family (please can you come to BC, Canada?)
the momma in the shots is gorgeous. totally a hip lady. wow!
i love it! i got to talk to ken last night and he loves them too. i was telling him how “them” the pics are. stacy is right. ken has such a hearty fun happy laugh. you can almost hear it in the pics. love, love the pics.
You have such amazing photos to share every time. I think your camera catches a sense of that moment and it brings your pictures to life.
Thank you for sharing these! :-D
Just gorgeous! Your camera has so told their stories!
Wow. I just want to say that those are wonderful photos. Tears welled up in my eyes because you managed to visually capture in one moment what a person is on the inside.. And it was perfect. You have an amazing gift. I hope it will always bring your family and us (weblog readers)joy and beauty. Thank you !
you have an incredible eye – I’d love to learn how your capture such special moments and all about your technique.
What a great talent – glad to see you are dedicated to using it!
not that I can say anything that has not been said before, but the photos are simply amazing. Even if you have never seen these people in your life, you FEEL like you know them through the pictures. Thanks for sharing all that amazing talent!
i am the mom in the family photos and let me just say moved beyond tears is an understatement…what you all know by now is that tara is extremely gifted and has a unique ability to touch us all. What you might not know is that she is super cool, generous, supportive, relaxed and fun. our family had a great time-even my son-who was NOT interested in taking photos at all-witness near the end him yelling “No more photos!”…and look what Tara got out of him. It was a special family day, very fun and I know how lucky we are. Can’t wait till next year( if she can fit us in) :) here’s hoping she’ll write a book someday and share more with us!
Your photo shoots went amazingly well! You got awesome shots! I think that even I could look cook and as if I should be in a magazine if you were taking my picture…. if you’re ever in the DC area give me a holler!
Tara, these shots are so incredible! I love how natural the families look and how you have really captured their personalities! You really inspire me to htink outside the box when it comes to photography and just relax!
Amazing amazing photography!!!!! You are so inspiring!
Tara, AWESOME!! Your photos are just amazing! Looking at them I feel the emotions of the people they are of. Happiness, Joy, Thoughtful, Lust, Love, Frustration… everything. You turn every one of your clients into Models. The real life, real people, beautiful Models. AWESOME. And I love that I can say that I knew you before you were famous. :-) Just don’t forget the little people! :-)
Love Ya!
Mar
This is my first visit to your blog, Tara (found it via Ali Edwards’ blog). I LOVED these pictures, loved, loved, loved them. What talent you have! The mother/daughter pictures actually brought tears to my eyes.
Thanks for inspiring me! You rock!
Your photos are great. You have a lovely way of framing just the right thing. I guess that’s a photographer’s eye. ;) TFS. -t
I want to chime in, too, Tara. You just have a certain way with taking photos that inspires and captures real life moments and people. Not too posed, but a very natural, unique feel.
well, i don’t even know these families and i am in tears. if you ever go on tour, i will scrape pennies for as many months as it takes to pay for some pictures that fabulous of my family. you are an incredible talent.