Drew hired me just before their move. She wanted me to come over and capture them in their first home before everything changed. We had a rocky start, having to reschedule several times due to heat, face scrapes, and pink eye. Time was marching on, closer and closer to their move date we crept. We started joking that the shoot was cursed and the day that it finally worked out, she warned me to be careful on my way over because neither of us would be surprised if I suddenly got a flat tire. Thankfully, I didn’t.
The spot in the house that she really wanted us to focus on was her bedroom. Momma and baby spend a lot of time together during the day, snuggling between laptop editing sessions and Madagascar. So that is where we started.
Little B, as they affectionately call him, was not in the best mood. He had either missed a nap, or hadn’t had a long enough nap…lets just say that he was not keen on the notion of a photo shoot. (But honestly, what toddler is?) You would never know by looking at these that he was an unwilling subject. I did everything I could to keep a smile on his face. If babies aren’t happy, give them what they want, I say! (I will make a fantastic grandma.) Peekaboo was the one of the first tricks I pulled from my hat.
Snuggles were also top on his list of things he wanted to do.
A quick stop in his room…
And another in the kitchen to get a drink and a little snack…
and then we were off on a little walk around their neighborhood.
Mommy + Daddy + B = 3
Another thing Drew wanted to try to incorporate was their white Ikea couch. She had an amazing maternity session (her own) where she used the couch, so she (and I) both thought it would be cool to use with B no longer in utero. And although most of the session went something like this….
“Come here, B…please cutie?….just for a second….lets go see what Mom has! Don’t you want to go jump on the couch?” etc
He was just enough of a trooper to do just enough of what we asked, so we could get the good stuff like this.
I also shared a few of the images from Drew and Chuck’s session a few weeks back, if you care to link over for a few more.
Thanks again you two, I loved every minute.
xo
Tara
ALL these are gorgeous but my faves are the shadow one (AWESOME) and the crib one with toes and fingers (EVEN MORE AWESOME!)
You Rock Tara!
Tara these images are awesome and doesn’t look like an unhappy baby to me. You worked your magic again! My fave are the baby’s feet sticking out of the crib and dad’s black feet on the last one. The images are fabulous they must be THRILLED!!
Love the peeky of his fingers and toes…makes me want another just to see that again!
totally gorgeous!
The light in their home was just amazing – I love these images, what an adorable little family.
Darling session! I couldn’t even begin to tell you which I like best, because I like them all best.
hhhhmmmmmm this neighborhood looks VERY familiar…like maybe i lived there for ten years. :) and spent most of my tuesday evenings with my kids at that farmers market. the pictures are so great and make me kinda miss california a bit. so pretty!
Thankfully photo sessions don’t include the soundtrack of mom, dad & photographer cajoling. ;) Or then again… maybe that would be awesome. ;)
Fabulous photos Tara! ((As always))
I love, love, love the shadow pic and the side shot of the crib. What a beautiful family.
I love the peek-a-boo and snuggle pictures. What an adorable family!
Love all of the cool colors & feel in their house. The shadow photo: gorgeous!
Wow – they are a gorgeous family!!! Amazing session!
these are wonderful.. really fun
. . . do you ever get tired of being called B R I L L I A N T !
That peekaboo blanket shot had better be framed and on their wall! :) And hey, I know where those outside shots were – many a night spent there!
tara. beautiful! the pictures feel so fresh and bright. great job!
Well… I knew I wanted that couch before… but this just kinda seals the deal!
These are perfect. You can tell they feel so at ease and so beautiful. Your gifts are endless.
Beautiful, absolutely beautiful…I FEEL the love between this family.
We love you, Tara! Thanks for capturing such special memories for us! You are amazing!
these images are beyond breathtaking…clean, vibrant, alive. you have done it again, lady friend. and drew, what a beautiful and lovingly connected family you make! so inspiring and joyful.
Love. love. love. These are “forever” pictures.
WOW… I’m already a big fan of your work, but I think this is my favorite set of your pics EVER. Love every single one. Absolutely perfect. I think I would like to be you when I grow up =)
tara – awesome! so bright and fresh and airy.
love them all.
Dear Tara Whitney….you are simply amazing! These pictures are glorious. Please let me know when you are accepting applications to mentor. :)
Hey! You were in Brea! My hometown sister! I miss that place. Good times! Great shots!
OMG Tara, you’ve surpassed yourself! I adore that one of the peekaboo under the sheets, but they are all amazing. Thank you!!
You outdid yourself, Tara. I love the peek-a-boo shot. Sweet family.
what an amazingly gorgeous session tara!
Awesome photographs can’t wait for you to come to Toronto!
These are all amazing! I really love the one in the kitchen!
love the shadow photo. also, the one with his legs wrapped around her – family sexy.
What a beautiful baby–family–you really know how to capture beauty. I love the toes sticking out of the crib.
Wow, those are great! Dad looks so natural, relaxed and happy.
I just wanted to take a minute to let you know that i think you are brilliant. truly brilliant.
hugs-k
AMAZING again!!!!
you continue to inspire me, thank you :)
k
The crib shot. Is. Awesome.
That one where all three have their heads together and the baby is looking at the camera slyly with thumb in mouth…is one of my all-time favorites you’ve taken so far. Such a neat picture and such a look you caught on that little face. I love it!
The peekaboo shot is my favorite. Such a cute family!!
What a fabulous session!!! I love dads dirty feet on the last image :)
You are so awesome love all of these. So wish I lived in So Cal so you could take mine
The peek-a-boo and snuggle images are super scrumptious!! Honestly, it’s hard to select a fave because they are simply stupendous. Having fun with alliteration today. :)
Tara, these may just be my all time favs from you! They are simply remarkable! I sooo wish you were traveling to Indy sometime soon!
You amaze me, amaze.
oh gosh I LOVE the kitchen one! the ball, the dogs bum, and the little one’s typical reaction to his parents relationship all captured. perfect!!!
i am just in awe of you time and time again.
these are so amazing!
wow!
love them all.
i love how dirty dad’s feet are in the last photo–shows how hard he was working.
beautiful shots! you’d never know he was’nt in a photoshoot mood! You said peek-a-boo was the first in your bag of tricks. Question for you, Tara…what else is in that bag of tricks?? My bag is feeling empty lately…I think all of us photographers sometimes need some fresh ideas to keep a shoot fun for those toddlers! I would love to hear some of your ideas for keeping shoots FUN :)
hope you enjoy your summer, and it is one to remember :)
thanks!
Kendra
I love these girlfriend…you rocked it
O.k…that settles it, I am going to start saving right now to fly out to Cali, take a little Disney Vacation and hire you to capture my family! It may be 2 years before we get there…but I am determined ;)
I just saw some of these from Drew’s site. Very cool. It certainly makes me want to move to California! and soon! All you ladies simply sparkle!!