cherie and i have met before. her family was one of my first clients when i began my business. it felt like meeting up with old friends when we found each other in the parking lot at the huntington beach pier the morning of their session, i was so genuinely glad to see them all again. we had both run a bit late i remember, them because the dress she had packed for her daughter didnt fit anymore-so an emergency dash to target was necessary. and me, due to traffic.
we started out right away by crossing the street, gaining access to the orange wall of the construction zone. this was one of my favorite local spots for almost two years. sadly, the construction is now complete, and my orange wall is no longer there. i wish i had somehow been able to salvage a section. i will really miss it.
this is when the children noticed the donut shop on the corner. as we had just started, most might think to offer it as a reward for a job well done. however, i had ulterior motives. something about getting on their good sides….so off we tromped to buy donuts! (cherie posted about this image here.)
the sugar high helped amp everyone up – i try to create high energy as much as i can – love high energy families on shoots! we zipped around downtown huntington beach, showing them all of my favorite little spots.
this is when i heard from cherie about the much coveted “RED DOOR PICTURE”. she mentioned how she had always loved the red barn door shots, and were we anywhere near it? and would it be possible to go there? and she would just be so so happy if she could have one too. cherie is adorable. cherie is kind. cherie is selfless. whatever cherie asks, i will give. (it did help that i knew exactly where it was and exactly how many minutes it would take us to get there-3) we found the little alley where the red door lives and attempted the shot. however, the littlest person in the family was.not.on.the.same.wavelength.as.mommy. i do not torture children, except for my own, so we decided to come back.
we did this instead.
and if i were her, i would hang these up somewhere BIG, floor to ceiling. i love how they make me feel.
after a little walk and some momma love, baby was ready for his moment with the red door. after some begging and pleading from mom and hysterical goofiness from dad, WE GOT HER THE RED DOOR SHOT! (take note of big sister telling baby whats what.) also take note of the hotness. how HOT does momma look in this shot?! hot like a full time model thats how hot.
some more favorites from around town, and after a quick outfit change in the car. to the beach we go!
this was cherie’s idea. how clever is that?! I LOVED IT and was grateful for a fresh take on my heart in the sand shot.
these are my favorite pictures to take. up close, cropped super insanely. blur, freckles, eyelashes, laugh lines. completely focused ON. THE. LOVE.
oh and by the way, even with three little ones and one on the way, (congrats you guys!) THEY STILL GOT IT BABY!
for more cherie:
to see how she displayed her photos, go here.
xo
tara
As Always, great photos…….but what I really like is to show how they displayed their pictures! I loved what they did….I love your photo wall also, not sure I have enough room for that, but you don’t need as much room with the way Cherie did it. Nice Job, Everyone!! :)
LOVE the walking shots that it took to get the red door shot.
Tara – you are magical, and one day you are going to use that magic to capture my family :o) (that’s more of a beg and plead than an order) big *sigh* …one day
you are the woo-man. seriously. i look at these & i just see happy. love. family. in the best senses of all those words. you’re pretty incredible sista ;)
~S
I am in love with these shots. And I want four (like the last four posted here) of me and my man. Bad.
you out do yourself every time. great stuff.
Love these! Love how she has them displayed in the house, too. thank you so much for sharing…
Jen
Aaaaahhhh! You are so freaking good! I love these!
Okay, so this must be the best, and the coolest blog post I have seen to date. SO WONDERFUL….WOW…..
HOLY.FREAKIN.STUNNING. WOW!!
super duper in LOVE with these. because you can feel just that. love just oozes out of the frame. you shared a lot of photos, yet I find myself wanting more!
These are fantastic! Each time I see one of your family shoots, I think “No, I want THAT exact one for my family!” Awesome as always!
These are all fantastic. I especially like the progressive ones with the yellow background and the orange pylon. Beautiful.
i ADORE cherie and her work!! these are so fun. so neat to see people you “know” in shoots. you totally rocked this one tara. wow. love them lots. cherie, if you read this, we miss you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xo
Now THAT’S a blog post.
Shame on you for spoiling us. Now we’re going to need lots more from where ever this came from. ;)
These pictures are amazing Tara. They just make me smile! You work is so flawless and filled with so much love! :)
Tara these images are SOOOOOO awesome. I am SOOOOO coming to see you one of these days (yes all the way from Paris). What a fabulous selection of images but boy are they going to have a super time choosing! Wow-wee! Beautiful!
Hi Tara! I come here often, I don’t know if I ever dropped you a line, but I had to this time… Girl, you rock!!! I absolutely love your work!
Too bad I’m so far away… If I’m ever in California with my family, you are so hired!!!
Fabi,
from Brazil
Oh my goodness Tara! You have out done yourself with these! I always love your work but these took my breath away.
Nobody does up close and personal in the love department better than you!
This could be one of my ALL TIME favourite sessions of yours. I could gush about every single one of these photos, but that would be a very long post, so I’ll spare you the torture and just say once again that these are super duper wicked awesome.
amazing work – this session made my heart happy. i love your work!
oh my gosh…one of my fav sessions from you lady ;)
i am a total ameteur photographer and want to be just like you when i grow up. i’m curious what software you use. like in the sand drawing. how did you get the colors so vintage/awesome. thanks for your time. i get it if you are super busy and can’t get back. love your pics.
Cherie looks like a teenager! Serious your beautiful couple needs to do toothpaste commercials. What beautiful teeth! Is that weird to say? (Just got a crown last week, I have teeth on the brain)
Thank you for sharing how Cherie displayed the pictures! Very cool!
tara, i don’t think i could possibly tell you i love you enough!!! :) i’m seriously the happiest momma on the planet every time i look at these photos. i hope you are still snapping when i’m 60!! one more time…i love you!
what a cute family! i love the one with the sand drawings.
Gorgeous work Tara! What an authentic, fun, amazing session. I remember seeing a few of these pics on Cherie’s blog a while back and I instantly recognized the Tara-esque style. These images truly capture this awesome family- I count myself lucky enough to know Cherie. I also loved the way you linked to how Cherie displayed her pics.
Amazing, kick arse work, Tara!! Ever consider coming to good old Madison, WI? They have the BEST Farmer’s Market in the Midwest if that is enough temptation for you. ;)
These are fabulous. You have a absolutely beautiful talent. I don’t know Cherie personally, but are cyber friends. :) and through her I found your blog at least a year ago. I love your work. You are amazing. Thanks for sharing all these wonderful photos with us.
Have I mentioned how you inspire me? Have I? I think I have. Love the way your are blogging lately. It’s giving me SO many ideas and so much instruction. Thank you. Bless you.
cherie is such a hottie
love the captures, as always
xo
oh my could these be any cuter?
wow you guys fave session ever? thats awesome! THANKS! :)
cherie-you know i love you too girl!
tara, i have just found your site! and I am in love! you have absolutely inspired me!!!! i want to be like you when i grow up…..seriously you rock sister! i love love your images and the way you have an art and talent for capturing them! amazing, speechless, full of emotion, this session i will be honest brought some tears of joy to me and I don’t even know these people. love it. thank you so much for sharing. i hope i can continue to work hard and begin a different path in my photography. i look forward when i can call you and set up my own session to capture how I feel about my little family! amazing…keep being a killer photographer and mom!! thanks again woman!
wow. you always amaze me, but man…you capture life like none other!
LOVE!
R
I’m not sure why (and I know how crazy this sounds), but I was totally almost near tears while viewing these images. They are perfect. Love them. OH.MY.GOSH.
oh pleeeaasssee come to Australia and shoot me and my family!
Beautiful work!
Tara….these are simply fabulous! Love how you captured Cherie and her family.
you!!! stop!!! your killing me!
they are all stunning Tara:0
xo
tara, just love your perspective – your images feel so intimate and natural and are so beautiful. Gorgeous family session – can feel the fun – makes ya wish you were there to be part of it. :)
Wow, love the photos!! You always rock, but for some reason these photos really resonated with me, I mean it’s not even my family and they brought tears to my eyes, I can only imagine what it meant for your clients. Way to go Tara! By the way, so glad you’re back…
i so much love these…
you are just *insanely* good.
i am a long term lurker but never leave a comment. sorry ; )
had to comment today … these are the most perfect family photos! i love that you posted so many from the session and showed how cherie displayed them. I am just staring, gaping, open mouthed at my screen. in awe how you captured the love and fun in the family. thank you so much for sharing. LOVE them all!
and i know someone else asked but when are you coming to Australia???
why are you soooo awesome?!
This is a great family session. Love all of the images- ALL of them.
Check you out with yo RAD self!! I found you on Twitter and am glad that I did,,, your work is freakin awesome!! Great Job girl!!
Lyndzee of EP*
these are amazing. i love them. what a perfect series of images to have as a family!
gosh…wonder if you’ll notice how many times I look at these over the days to come. Such a beautiful family captured in a beautiful way by beautiful YOU! xoxo
amazing
You are simply magic, Tara. MAGIC