Michelle is my buddy.
She says that she is the Canadian Tara. And that I am the American Michelle. Now, I am not TOTALLY convinced because of her love for Third Eye Blind and hockey, but the coca cola IV and cute clothes she requires are certainly making me okay with the comparison. Also her incredibly sexy flaming hot red hair.
I met Michelle a little over a year ago, when she was pregnant for the first time with her son Rowan. She flew down here for a photo shoot. And lied to her husband that the doctor said it was okay and that she had gotten insurance! Naughty Michelle. Thankfully everything was fine and she didn’t go into labor. I had such a great time with them, we hit it off immensely and went out for dinner together after. That is when I basically fell in love with Michelle!
Our relationship was able to go to another level when she came along on the “find yourself” retreat. We spent lots of time every day together, and it was great to be able to really get to know her. She is spunky, funny, and has such a dear dear heart. I love that she dishes it back to me just as fast as I give it to her. She is also just fabulous for my self worth. Hiring me three times in the span of one year!
This time the shoot was about her. About her friends. About feeling good about yourself after having a baby. About celebrating being a girl! The three friends met in Chicago once upon a time and now live in three separate places. Rosie still lives in Chicago and owns and operates an AMAZING boutique, Roslyn. In fact, most of the clothing from the session is from her store. Amy now lives here in southern CA, and works as a psychologist at a men’s maximum security prison. (Clarice Starling!) And Michelle, well, she is a mother, wife, and IT geek working for IBM who lives in Toronto.
When making plans she asked me if there was anywhere I had always wanted to shoot but hadn’t had a client interested. I said without having to think, “A trailer park.” I have driven by this place so many times on my way to a beach session, and have imagined the possibilities. I was glad to have three willing participants. We spent a lot of time together, so this was just one of our stops.
Just so you know who you are looking at (from left to right: Amy, Michelle, Rosie)
Amy is from Kansas-or Kentucky. One of the K states. Showing her roots.
We also made a quick stop to a field of flowers. (All of my amazing yellow flowers are dried up now!) (SOB) The girls were so serene, sexy, and confident. PERFECT mood to go with the location.
We also stopped a few times on our way to the beach.
Letters from my favorite antique store Timeless Treasures in San Francisco. (Thanks Joan! You are amazing!)
And then we wrapped at the beach, because the Chicago girl badly wanted some California sunshine to take home with her.
michelle wrote about our session here and here.
she also shared how she became friends with rosie, and shows images from her amazing boutique in chicago here.
x0
Tara
Wow! These are so fabulous. Love the yellow flower field pics. You are so gifted and inspiring!
Wow!!!! These are phenom! You must be so happy with them. I love how beautiful and confident these ladies look too. They could be models.
Dude. Seriously. Talk about celebrating feminine beauty. I’m in love!
LOVE!! these are AMAZING! and i agree that it is such a fun idea to do a shoot with dear friends! it blows my mind how you bring out the VERY best in people. gorgeous gorgeous!!
woaw. I don’t speak english very well because I’m French but I want to say that your blog is wonderful (“magnifique” in french !) and, every time, your photo inspire me.
Excuse me for my bad english, I hope you will understand !!!
Tara: What can I add? Simply that seeing these women having such a great time makes me smile and feel grateful for friendship. The power and the relaxed, unscious fun of the shoot is so obvious. You really are amazing! oxox, Joan
you are amazing. you capture the most beautiful shots. continuing to inspire me!
Brilliant…gorgeous…amazing…I could on & on (but I won’t)!
You are one talented artist Tara. It’s funny but the “Charlie’s Angels” thought came to my mind right away too! I adore the photo of Rosie with her skirt twirling around her. You knocked this one out of the ballpark!
I guess you’re shooting me and my girlfriends next weekend! I was so excited to see these shots. I hope we can look as glamorous!
Okay…now we have never met, but I have had you on my list of things to before I die. My sisters and I get together annually for a “sisters” weekend. I am usually the one with camera, but it would be nice to hire you one of these years. Trouble is we are in the Midwest, and NY and Massachusetts. Ever get out the the East for any work please let me know!
Hi there! Was directed here by a post on Cathy Z’s facebook. Fantastic work! Amazing.
Totally terrific shoot. I *heart* your work + U R INSPIRING.
love + happy thoughts, Robyn
Absolutely AMAZING photographs!
OMGoodness Tara…this shoot is INCREDIBLE!!!!!
WOW you sure have an incredible eye for the whole picture.
xo,
CD
you rock girl!
p.s you continue to be an inspirtation to me :)
wow, you make trailer parks look gorgeous!! a-m-a-z-i-n-g, tara!! i’m lovin’ all the yellow… makes me feel sunny and happy : )
love michelle
love you
love THESE PHOTOS!!!!
such gorgeous photos, tara. i looooove them! can you tell me where this field of flowers is?
amazing amazing amazing! love every single shot you posted. They are all gorgeous.
That is one clean trailer park!
Tara, this is one of the most beautiful photo shoots I’ve ever seen – wow! I’ve emailed you once or twice about doing a family photo shoot and now I’m more convinced than ever that we should do it! How is your schedule for weekends in late June or early August? (we’d have to drive down from Northern California).
Many thanks! Kathy
Tara, what a fabulous post! Lovely images & love how you write :)
Cheers chick!
E
loving your black & whites here Tara! Your own actions? ;-)