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?
LOVE the photos of Justin and Jalayne – such spirit and life in all of them.
Tara! I love your blog. Your photos are alllllll eye candy!
Love the taxi shot & the dogs in the water with their toy!
WOW!! These are beautiful! It makes me sad that you were in Monterey and Carmel! I went to school in Monterey and got married on the beach in Carmel. Man, I miss those days. : )
These shots are soooooo gorgeous…
What beautiful souls! What love! What a gorgeous family!
And puppehs, don’t get me started on the puppehs ;)
Welcome back to your blogoverse, Queen Tara!
:)
Beauty has returned to my life….thank you for coming back!
Tara’s back with an amazing post! Love these. And that crazy photoshop on #2 is workin’ just fine. Just fine indeed!
Wow-ee! I complain about how long weddings can go, but three days back to back? And you never once lost your mojo! The light, THOSE TREES, and that killer taxi cab shot. Verrrrrry nice.
is your bff’s residence a big one? she’s gonna need some awfully big rooms with big walls to hang every one of these pictures up!! i swear. you make me speechless.
Jalayne looks as gorgeous as she did in high school. I was ALWAYS envious of 1) her beautiful face and 2) your friendship…sorry but it was something between two girls that I always wanted and never had. She looks so happy, it almost brings tears to my eyes! Bryan’s oldest looks just like a “lil’ Bryan”! They are such a great family. Oh, I love her mom’s little yarn shelf in the background…I want that! What more can I say, thanks for sharing such lovely pictures of THE LOVELY JALAYNE! Please send her a great big hello from me!
u rock.
seriously.
:o)
you were missed but i understand wanting to hole up with your babies… when you do officially “come back” we’ll all still be here! :)
Oh, I just love these! I just feel creative after looking at your pictures!
First of all, I love the teeth. Both of them have fabulous teeth! Second, the doggies and the starfish, oh my…
yes yes and yes double time!! love your photos…someday in my dreams i’ll take pictures like you!
Amazingly beautiful pictures. Welcome back. =)
Friendships like that are such a gift. Knowing someone so long they are really just like a part of your family. Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures.
What a way to come back in style! We missed you- good to see you back on the blog block.
Tara,
Lovely story with photos to match! I think I love the stories almost as much as I love the photos. Thank you for sharing your life with us.
Have a great day.
Donnelly
you’re forgiven about the mia thing. you know we can’t stay mad at you. :)
love these shots, they are one lucky couple and one lucky family!!! I love the teeth, too. your close ups are amazing. thank you for the inspiration and go be a stay at home mom, don’t worry about us blog stalkers.
Tara, I love all your photos. But I have to say that when you photograph someone you love, your work just shines!! I love taking pictures of people I love too. You are inspirational.
yeppers! You’re on the good side…awesome photos!
I always love your photos…..but I especially love the ones of these dogs…..our dogs are our “kids”, (YES, I know the difference between “people kids” and “dog kids.”!) We live in the Bay area, I know San Fran is one of your favorite spots, one fine day you’ll take our pictures…..I just know it! :)
oh how i love these! perfection- all of them. you’re a master, tara whitney.
How could we not LOVE you with that post!?!?!? AMAZING shots as always. So inspiring! Welcome Back! ;)
woo hoo!! Welcome back-I LOVE them!! I promise, you were never on my bad side :) Just missed…
Tara, have been a blog stalker for a long time..coming out of hiding to tell you that you have definitely redeemed yourself (LOL!)..for me especially with these gorgeous puppy photos…all the best to you
YAH…her triumphant return!
Awe, Tara…you got massive amounts of talent in that pointer finger and eye of yours…massive.
I ADORE that last shot of the dogs swimming in together.
Keep em comin!!
wow. the taxi photo is ROCKIN’. i think you’re forgiven tara….just don’t let it happen again, ya hear? LOL.
absolutely! :)
lovely, beautiful, wonderful shots, as always.
you are SO talented.
Wow Tara! Welcome back! :)
What amazing pictures!
Love love love them all!
Wow! Simply stunning work! I love every single picture!
~Abigail
oh sweetie, you never left MY good side! i’m so glad you’re back, see your photos makes me feel all happy inside. i missed you!
yes…thank you vedddy much!!!!
You are so far on my good side now! What a comeback. I wish we had a wall with painted elephants on it around here. I think that was my favorite.
i never comment but i had to on this post.
i’ve always loved your talent but i can really see the love in these photos!
i had to pick my jaw up off the floor when i saw the taxi cab shot.
i love how you talk about those you love too.
you’re just lovely :)
fabulous comeback! and what a beautiful collection of images and stories!
What a comeback – amazing pictures! Just beautiful…and I love your whole before story….made me remember my best friend in high school!
Wow…!! STUNNING photos!
took my breath away!
what a comeback
welcome back Tara!
Just love what you do !!!!
these are incredible Tara… incredible. I LOVE how real and open you are. Such a rarity. Can I be you when I grow up?
Welcome back Tara!! That was awesome. I feel ya on the stay at home momma part. This is my biggest struggle. I feel guilty far more than I feel great. Great Work:)
WOWSERS!!!
just adore the blogging! thanks for all the color, light, and emotion. sending you happiness and positive vibes since you do that for your blog peekers.
You are the absolute best.
VERY, VERY BEST.
I just am so happy to see each and everything you do.
Finally! I loved them all, but the dogs and the starfish is my favorite. I’m probably the only one who picked that one, but for some reason it just is. I think I just like seeing teamwork at it’s best!
YOU ARE SO TALENTED! Nothing like roaring back with a vengance…
AWESOME!!! as usual!!!