patricia contacted me about doing a generational photo of the women in her family while they were in san diego on vacation. they are all from mexico city, but only her mother and grandmother still live there. they were going to be all together, so perfect time for a shoot!
i was totally excited about it because its a huge break from the norm for me. i decline large family groups all the time because its not my thing-but this type of shoot is exactly my thing. so we put our thinking caps on. our original idea was a couch on the beach–but we couldnt get that figured out. but i did borrow a bench from a friend and used that for a few.
i really cherish that we as women are lucky enough to have such a special connection with each other. it is something that is very important in my life. the connection between mother and daughter or friends is like a little bit of magic. being there with them and being able to get to know them for just a small amount of time, i saw what in incredible connection they have. not only are they all GORGEOUS with perfect skin and beautiful eyes, they have the best personalties. and i think they got a kick out of my poor attempts at spanglish.
i got the best response ever from patricia and her family-i have to include it here. it is so touching. im keeping it forever.
“Finally, they both make it to the slideshow. Mariana puts mom on speakerphone and I call my dad, so we are all having a conf call while looking at the slideshow.
Slideshow starts. oohs and aaahs all over. Suddenly silence from Mom, and then, tears. Really, she was crying. She was so excited and loved them sooooo much. Some comments were like: look at you! I love that one! I want that one in a 12×24. Your grandma is going to love that one, we need 5 copies of that one. . . You know, the typical initial comments.
But then, we paused it and went over each one.
And it was great to discover the details that make them awesome, the fact that you captured us the way we are. The Tara Magic. The smiles from Mom and Grandma. Mom looking at the camera (thank you, thank you, thank you!!!) Mom and grandma hugging and smiling (this one had ME in tears, and no, they weren’t pregnancy hormone related tears). Our hands!! What an awesome photo! The symbolic tree, us smiling and just hanging out even though we (ok, they) were freezing. . .
My dad was simply amazed and regretted having a meeting that day. Even though he is a man of few words, he couldn’t stop saying “look at your grandmother, she’s laughing, that’s unheard of! Look at your mom, she looks stunning. Look at you! And your brother, is that a smile? We had all forgotten he could do that.”
I think I love them all.”
tara here again. my favorite is the one i already posted. but i will also show some of patricia’s favorites.
and remember-we are all beautiful in our own ways. each and every one of us.
yes,the Tara magic these definitely have it! What a beautiful bunch of women! I think the only thing that could make it even more perfect is if that baby is also a girl. Tara your work is absolutely amazing keep em coming!
Tara, what you do is simply amazing….now I’m in tears too. Your art is truly an inspiration, thank you for sharing it.
Tara~
I met you a few years back, my hubby works with your dad T. Not sure you even remember, but it was some dinner award thing for T and we chatted shortly about photography: I had a baby and was preoccupied as he was upstairs waiting for me so he could eat:)
but, I really thought you were cool and fun and smart, I have since learned how TALENTED you are… WOW! I love your family, and hear tidbits from T,
anyway,
I found this site and was so moved by this shoot I HAD to post. These ladies have a treasure, the relationships you captured are timeless and intimate. I am so happy for your huge success.
Would love to get together sometime and talk.
my site is nancyelizabeth.com
you can see my boy is now 6! they grow so fast!! and I have a girl that is 4 now as well, anyway, sorry this is so long, just HAD to comment on this because this post it has left quite an impression. Amazing Job! and it’s nice to “see” you again :) I am going to put you in my favs and check you out now! ps I am a scrapbooker too, LOVEit!
Again, Tara, fantastic capture!
Nancy (Mark’s wife)
wow! that’s all i can think of to say! you did awesome, tara!
Know what? Your work is artistic genius.
Yes we are tara, yes we are.
They said it…it is ‘Tara Magic’. Great Job as always Tara!!!
AWW SOME!
Tara girl, you are a true artist! Over and over again you and your work amaze me! These ladies are beautiful, the pictures of Anna on the beach, WOW, your son, Drew, and on and on and on and on!
I am speechless……just stunning. Gives me chills Tara :)
They are all amazing Tara, but OMG the one with their hands!
Wow….what a touching message sent to you about the photos! I’m always in awe of your photography!!! Someday I will have Miss Tara take pics of my family…love the hands shot, so precious!
Wow, Tara, these are totally jammin pics. I think you must have really captured them…I feel like I’ve just been given a glimpse into their family. they are totally beautiful! And as always, LOVE your composition and color pop!
please say you’ve reconsidered the marriage proposal?
because i love you.
truly
madly.
deeply.
and you so aren’t gonna approve this one for the blog are you?
i have decided you aren’t a photographer.
you’re a soulgrapher.
beautiful.
Awesome photos!! I love multi generational (is that a real word?) photos! the one of the hands is so cool and I love the one on the beach, but I think my favorite is the one of everybody up against the wall in soft focus with sharper focus on the youngest girl. You totally rocked this shoot!! Wow!
this is just awesome
totally awesome!
omg! no wonder they were all ga-ga over these! they are beautiful! i don’t know these people and the hands shot brought tears to MY eyes! wonderful, like always!
these are so beautiful! great work. and i love the response… that’s what it’s all about!
mmmmm the hands ALWAYS tell a story. they are all so beautiful tara.
This is beautiful Tara! Photos and words!!! Ah, may I ask you something…I remember looking at your blog once, few months ago and am I crazy or you used to have a profile page/about page where you talked about your lenses and camera and I also remember you mentioning Jinky’s work! I’m sure it was here not elsewhere….am I nuts or such page no longer exists? ;-)
Hi Tara,
these are incredible, you have captured their connection not only as family, but as women. What a treasure for them, keep doing your thing, because you are SO inspirational!
k.
OMG this is just breathtaking!!!! I so want to do this with my grandmother (if she gets out of the hospital), my mom and my kids!
WOW…I’m still in tears!!!!
If that peir could talk.. I wonder what it would say. It must smile everytime you bring it a new family.
These are great! As always.. that magic shines through!
WOW Tara! That one with the hands… wonderful!
yep, beauty. I bet it was a blast to step outside of the ‘norm’ family shoots for this. awesome.
Oh, this is such an incredible post. I love what you wrote, and what she wrote to you about the phonecall. Just amazing. Beautiful family, beautiful photographs!
Awesome post and as always, incredible photos! Wow.
Robin :-)
Very cool! What a blessing you were to them. :) You gave them something they will cherish forever. Photography is so cool!
Oh the hands!! What an amazing picture :) Not surprised they were all in tears; your pics always capture emotion so beautifully.
your work is an inspiration to any photographer who aims to tell a story with their composition. I am sure you heat this a lot, but lately I have been visiting your blog just to inspire my day. The way you work with light and composition is excelent!
thank you for sharing your immense talent.
ana
amazing…..your pictures never cease to amaze me!
Beautiful!!
Tara.. I love this post.. not only are the images wonderful.. but you have inspired me to ( once the weather breaks ) get some photos of me with my mom and daughter. and some of my mom with all my kids… My grandmother passed many years ago now.. so its with a heavy heart I cannont include her.. but I think my kids down the road will love having some like that.. thanks for the inspiration.. You continue to inspire me daily.. in more ways than you know
You are so awesome and to remember how windy and chilly this day was! Love the little girl in the hat! Beautiful…breathtaking and just pulls at my heartstrings! xoxo
The one of all their hands together is amazing. Just beautiful.
What a gorgeous family of women! You must have had a great time doing this shoot.
I don’t even know these women and I am in tears! I must have forgotten my meds!!! The photos as usual are gorgeous. I love, love, love the hands…truly amazing. I am going to do that with my family…what a cool idea. I just love how you capture people…you are so gifted. Can’t wait for the new site…how much longer must we wait? Thanks for showing the photos. I miss seeing photos from you shoot. Seems like you use to post more of them. You are my inspiration! Susan
Wow-I love them all too!
wow….
that’s all I can say…
wow!
you are so good at capturing people’s lives & feelings…
i’m always in awe.
simply beautiful!
R
yes, we are all beautiful! i was listening to our theme song in the car this morning and it made me so happy! hee…
love you and your magic way with photography xx
you simply amaze me!!!! these shots brought tears to my eyes, as well….and I don’t even know these ladies! what an incredible gift you have, to be able to photograph people from a special place in your heart.I am humbled…you make magic! PB
Beatufiul woman, you are such a talent Tara. I’m raising my glass to you(raspberry martini of course)
Lisa
wonderful….
what amazing images!!! I adore them. nice work.
Beautiful…I love the shot of the hands.
speechless, teary eyed, you are amazing woman!! LOVE the hands one!
beautiful…the letter…the comments…& of course the pictures…just beautiful…
I LOVE the photo of everyone’s hands. The hands tell so much about each women and the phase of life they are in. Wonderful work!
I don’t think I’ve ever posted before. I love to scrapbook but since I’ve been exposed to your photography I have realized that your photos have made me cry on several occasions. I rarely have cried over a scrapbook page (except for journaling that is touching). You have inspired me to take more meaningful and heartful photos. I feel a bit lost though because the world of photography is mostly unknown to me. But I am learning bit by bit! Thank you for sharing your heart through your photography.