jalayne and i met in mrs. stonebreakers class.
in the ninth grade.
we hated each other. but only at first, and only when we tried really really hard. because as it turned out, we actually really liked each other. a lot. and we were pretty much attached at the hip from 9th-12th grade. we even went to the same college as planned, but it got a little complicated after that with me getting married and knocked up (not in that order) and her finishing college and graduating and traveling and working and studying. even through the complicated bits we did our best to remain connected and it was always amazing when we did make time for the phone call or the visit, how easily we fell back into our worn in friendship.
jalayne is like my barometer. she knew me when. we have history. we have a story. and the best part, we’ve been a part of each others stories for going on almost 20 years.
she was the girl i used to skip through magic mountain with, trailing our boys behind us, sucking on mustard packets.
the girl who babysat my sisters with me, even when neither of us wanted to.
the girl who i snuck around with, but forgot to tell her, and who i got caught without.
the girl who would make her government tests readily available for my prying eyes.
the girl i modeled with and photographed in my parents home.
the girl whose bedroom i knew as well as my own because we shared equal time between the two.
she went through my country/hip hop/metal phase with me.
she helped me through a miscarriage. she taught me about Jyotish. and last october, she asked me to come up north for the weekend to photograph her family. and i did.
we started out with jalayne and her awesome boyfriend justin. justin has lived in san francisco for something like 15 years? works in the castro. apt in the tenderloin. so thats exactly where we hung out. after a quick shopping trip for a new shirt for jalayne, and sushi at blowfish, i put them right to work.
got crazy with the photoshop here, but i dig it!
i have always LOVED jalaynes face. i quickly came to love justin’s as well. i love these next three.
random old tv sighting, tara runs them across the street to work this OUT.
somebody named justin wasnt too KEEN on sitting here. i take no prisoners. he learned quickly. and jalayne, oh jalayne….that look. BEAUTY! CONTENT!
LOVE the body language here.
justin is an amazing carpenter. he isnt just a carpenter. he is an artist. he has PASSION for this. he makes the most amazing furniture and cabinetry. when i saw this plywood wall i had to get him in front of it.
“so guys, what tricks can you do?”
this was at the beginning when they were still warming up. so a little nervous, a little goofy. i LOVE the expressions. photos taken one right after the other.
one of their hang outs. the bar at the grand.
justin rocking the deck shoes. LOVE!
this one might be my favorite. she looks so safe. he looks so strong. they look so content.
how did i luck out to find a PARKED/ABANDONED taxi???
as the sky darkened, we got in the car and headed up to carmel, where her parents own property on a preserve. on our second day together, because she is my best friend, AND ONLY BECAUSE SHE IS MY BEST FRIEND, i agreed to shoot their entire family together. ;) i normally run screaming from the “large family group session”. just not what i like to do! but for the people i love, how can i say no? :)
just before i brought EVERYONE outside though, i wanted to get some of the two of them with their doggies. Django (the lab) and Torch. this is torchie. the most gorgeous little love of a dog ive ever met. torch is their new little boy.
and django, who has been jalaynes best girl for many years, and who is possibly the smartest dog ive ever met. she understands english. im not kidding. like, CONVERSATION.
sweet old girl
and then i brought everyone out
this is her brother bryan and his family, her mom sherri, and her stepdad jerry. we also did some of the parentals in and around their AMAAAAAZING house.
on the third day, we headed into monterey for the shoot with her brother and his wife summer and their two little men. i LOVE the emotion, laughter, color on these!
and i LOVE this one. perfect family shot. not too contrived, everyone doing their thing, momma looking RADIANT.
oh, just one more of the doggies. at the beach. fetching a starfish stuffy out of the waves.
so hows that for a blogging comeback? am i back on your good sides?
Ya , these are killer Tara!!! Your friend and her boyfriend are a beautiful couple…love their style!
LOVE IT!!!!!
These are fracking rad! All of them. Holy coolness!
Love it. The kissing on the taxi car is hot. They will love that forever! You rock. Tami
I love all of these pictures, but that last one is fabulous….i love how both dogs are or at least seem to be holding the star together!! Love it!
Yes, with a vengeance!
Yes!! Thanks for being back! :)
It is great to have you back, but mostly, I’m glad you had a great break with your beautiful family. :)
Are you on my good side….???? UMMM heck yeah… you rocked this trip/session!
They look perfect together! Bravo!
Oh, Tara!!! These are just freaking amazing – you continue to take my breath away!!! Just, wow.
love love love all of these!!
Girl – you are so back on my good side!! I have missed you and your amazing photography. I live in Michigan, my brother lives in Laguna Hills – the next time I go out there for a visit, I would so LOVE to meet you. I can’t afford to have you take our pics, but it would be an honor to meet the mind behind the camera of these shots! :)
SO glad you are back…ok, I am done being mad that you were MIA for so long! Best wishes to you!
Beautiful – you have made quite the come back – in full force. I love your work.
a SWEEEEET comeback post t, LOVE it! your style is still so inspiring and i’m happy to see that you are still at it, love, guts and all. cheers and HUGE hugs, rach
wow tara! i love the taxi shot!!!! and i love the family shot. do you mind me asking how you got the perfect exposure as the sun looked a little tricky? love to hear how you did it! :)
The blogging comeback is good!!!!!!!!
but I still miss hearing your voice………????
I LOVE the pictures of my other daughter (as I call her) she was at my house all the time….Have so many wonderful memories…
Jalayne AND Sherri I MISS YOU…..Good to see you all happy and I see still so beautiful.
Love the family pictures and the shot on the Taxi indescribable!
Great Job Daughter!!
you rocked it
she looks like a professional athlete – love her look
love the one of him smoking
great shots T
you complete me:)
That kiss on the taxicab hood shot is HOT.
I have to say… I have a red tri aussie, who I thought was the most gorgeous dog… but Torch puts my little moosey to shame! Beautiful photos!
It was nice to see Justin ,since I’m his aunt living in AZ. I haven’t seen him for the last twelve years. He has not changed a lot. your pictures are beautiful. Jalayne is beautiful. I’m so happy for their happiness. LINDA