surfer fam’ • pacific beach • san diego photographer

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when jaime contacted me and told me that both her husband and herself surf and live in pacific beach i was all over it. i feel very at home in the surf community, and was excited to be able to capture it, with a family spin. her son is also undiagnosed, like my daughter mckenna, and i was excited to be able to meet and photograph him for her. i know first hand how impossible it can be to get good photos of our special kids.

we started at their house and then headed to their local beach spot (so lucky to only be about five minutes from home), carrying their surf boards with us.

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i could photograph families like this every single dang day. LOVE that they wanted pics on the beach – not just because everyone takes pics at the beach – but because it means something to them. its their place. it has made me realize that i want to focus on creating more authentic family sessions, finding the perfect place or activity for each client i work with.

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this one was taken after the session was declared OVER by the kids and the light. but when i turned around to say something to jaime, all i saw was a really cool shot. so i pushed it, and took it even though it was basically dark.

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happy weekend.

xo

tara

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53 Comments

  1. These are absolutely beautiful! I love the sequence of the little guy standing up on the board and his sister in the background – too cute. They really are amazing photos…you are just a genius :-)

  2. Loving these, my favorite is the first photo, I wish I lived closer to the ocean, and that I could have your eye for photos, you have such a lovely spirt – I think this may be my first comment but I’ve been following your work a little while now through your website. Much love :)

  3. You’re right. The last shot. Graininess and all. One of the everyday moments that they will cherish for years to come. I can just FEEL the twilight and “heading home for the day” in it. LOVE these!

  4. I really love the last shot. It has that “Endless Summer” quality to it! Oh man, now that I wrote that title I can totally remember sitting in the back of the theater senior year with Aaron Lucas watching that movie…memories just come out of nowhere sometimes…. Anywhoo, again, I love your shots and I love your revelation about shooting in a location special to the family!

  5. It is you who inspired me to get a DSLR 4 years ago and it is your work that continues to inspire me. If I can take photos that capture just a smidgen of what you do, I will be happy. What a beautiful shoot that you can tell captures who they are. You’re sessions always seem totally authentic and that is the gift that you clearly have and hope that it can somehow be “learned”.

  6. I have to agree, you are a truly gifted and amazing photographer. Your sessions always show the love and connectedness of the families, and that is something that can be incredibly difficult to get. Thank you for your art, for inspiring me, and for inspiring so many out there.

  7. Sometimes I think, like she needs one more compliment… I’ll just do my usual peruse. But sometimes I think I need to confess my daily visit to your blog… your amazing blog. And thanks for the response to my email the other day. It was really helpful.

  8. Tara, you are simply amazing! You did such a wonderful job with our family, I have ALL of the photos hanging up, I loved each and every one!! I wish I could borrow your eyes for a while, you have a wonderful gift! Looking forward to having you photograph us again!! maybe skateboarding next time! Angie is skating ramps now!

  9. I visit all the time but never comment but that shot of the little boy coming towards the camera, a little flare, gunky hands…it’s so wonderful and real. The thing about your blog is that it isn’t just your photography…you really shine through. You’ve become a person in our house…”Tara said”…”You should see what Tara did”…hmm…now that I write that it seems a little spooky…just good natured inspiration. Thanks for sharing so much of yourself!

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