I have to admit that as I begin to write this I have tears rolling down my cheeks. The Labenz family has been dear to my heart from the moment we met two and a half years ago. You can visit this link to read their story and see the images I took for them the first time. And please click the link, because their family film will be all the more meaningful if you do. You see, their second son JLB was lost to an umbilical cord accident before his birth, and was stillborn. Almost a year after his passing, Anna hired me to photograph their family as they began to start over.
I have kept tabs on their family over the last two years via email and Facebook, and was elated to hear when they welcomed a third child into the world.
As I watched this particular film, I couldn’t help thinking about JLB. He was there too, in the hugs and the kisses and the smiles. I imagine him sitting up on a puffy little cotton candy cloud, his little baby soul shining down on all of us, so happy to see his family so happy.
They just shine.
The LaBenz Family Film from Michel Sandy on Vimeo.
As ever, feel free to watch the film here, but it is always so much better in its glory in HD. Click the link below the movie to view in HD.
Film: Michel Sandy
Images: Tara Whitney
Music: A Beautiful World by Tim Myers
Anna, Mike, Jack, JLB, and Olivia….I adore you all!
xo
Tara
This has probably been asked before, but I’d love to know who chooses the music. Do the families choose something? I tend to think it’s you or Michel (or collaboration?) since the songs for the home movies so far have had similar feels. I’m just curious, the music just amazes me how perfectly it fits each time. I’ve been working on a video for some friends for over a month and still can’t find that elusive perfect tune! I wish I had that gift! Just wanted to say I love these, and always feel happy when I see a new one come up on Reader :)
Thank you Lisa….it is a collaboration of all of us really. Thank you for your compliments. :)
Twice the clients have requested a certain song. Other times we have asked for a list of music that is meaningful to them. I also just really love music and have a lot of it in my iTunes Library so Michel and I will spend time on iChat going through songs until we find the exactly right one.
Every single time I watch one of these, I cry. Someday…. someday….
You are a wonder Tara!!! Oh and Michel rocks too!!
tears and joy. just lovely.
Tara, long time blog stalker, first time commenter (at least I think this is my first comment). I just want to say thank you for always bringing a smile to my face. Your images are just perfect, Michel’s movies are brilliant, and one day, yes, one day, I will have one for my family. Anyway, keep it up :)
perfect ….always perfect… what a treasure for the family.
I LOVE your photography and have enjoyed the collaboration of the videos. This video was especially meaningful. My sister lost her son to an umbilical cord accident almost 8 years ago. It is awesome to see this family surviving!!
A while back I was inspired by you to look into NILMDTS. I joined almost two years ago. I had a session today for a baby that died because of a cord issue also. He wasn’t as far along, at only 27 weeks, but reading their story and watching the video gives me hope that the family I photographed today will also have a happy ending. Everyone deserves such a happy ending. Everyone.
Thanks so much for sharing your heart through your work. You continue to inspire me.
A.Mazing. You kill me every time but these folks take the cake. Your photo stills are pure magic and I’m always left aching for more, more, more.
your photos, as well as these movies, never fail to bring a tear to my eye or a smile to my face. you are amazing (that light! and that very first b+w still photo in the film? be still my heart) and i swear one day if i’m blessed with a family of my own you will take our photos. gorgeous, tara…just gorgeous.
This is such a wonderful idea! The way you deal with your clients is amazing! How do you get such great pictures out of them? I’m beginning a little business and the way you work is my ideal way of doing things! Ps My aunt, uncle and cousins got pictures taken by you in Austin a couple of months ago and I love the one picture i saw! PSS my cousins loved the way you did things as well!
i love it
Seeing Mama raise up her arm and do the victory “pump” was awesome. Anna, your family is just gorgeous and exudes joy! How lucky you are to have yourselves captured by Tara. The video is beautiful!
incredibly beautiful…..
Beautiful – you take us through a full spectrum of emotions from tears to laughter and everything in between – what a gorgeous family
Simply amazing. Beautiful family. Well done!
Oh my…that was just the best few minutes of my day! What a great team and a great family. Thanks for sharing. :)
I cannot watch one of your videos without tears forming in the corners of my eyes. Beautiful Tara. I can see their heart, your heart, Michel’s heart.
xo
Another beautiful video, Tara! You and Michael are so talented at what you do. Again I have tears forming as I watch a family that I don’t know. You two have captured their love and spirits so well! Thanks for sharing. I love starting the day watching one of these!
I remember their first session like it was just yesterday..can’t believe it’s been two and a half years. WOW…what an amazing session and family film colaboration you and michel have put together..AMAZING! They do shine. A beautiful family filled with such warmth and love. I am so happy for them!
Another fabulous video of a wonderful family. What special memories you guys are capturing together! I too dream one day to visit you Tara …
This is just so sweet and tender. I LOVE it! My heart breaks for them over the pain they have had to go through. What a wonderful gift you and Michel have given them.
Also, I know someone asked who picks the music but I was wondering how or where you find such cool music?
Oh. My. Gawd. I practically have tears in my eyes.
My daughter and I just watched this and we loved it. What a beautiful family.
This is truly enchanting. Thank you again for sharing both you and Michel’s creations. It is without a doubt another family treasure.
Absolutely beautiful!
Love it Michel & Tara!
Fabulous as always!
Gorgeous and beautiful. I always love when you post one of your Michel Sandy collaboration videos. And is it just me, or does anyone else burst a little smile every time they catch a glimpse of Tara in these videos? I love seeing you in action Tara… it’s so fun!!
So I’m thinking I may have to relocate. Why you ask? Just so you can work your magic on our family, I LOVE your photos, the movies, your compassion, all of you!
You are an amazing, gifted, woman and I always feel so very honored, and lucky to view your images.
Best,
Lisa
yep…that was one that brought tears….there have been a couple you all have done that have done that…the story makes you heartsick and just so so thankful…i’m glad they are healing and JLB is not forgotten.
When I see a new fam video posted, I clear the room, get a cup of tea and watch it in silence. Except for the soundtrack. Oh, the glorious soundtrack! Love what you do for these families…give them a piece of themselves to continue to hold on to in the tough times. Thanks, as always, for sharing!
These are always amazing – such a sweet treasure for families! Beautiful work!
There are a few photographs I have etched into my memory because they told a story so deep and true. Tara – I remember a photograph you took of this couple – they are standing in front of a colorful wall; she’s looking at the camera and he’s looking at her. That shot kills me because the love is undeniable and you captured it beautifully. I was so excited to see this beautiful piece of art!
oh tara. oh michel. oh labenz family. oh, oh, oh. =) thanks for this.
I couldn’t watch the video at first through my tears.
OK Tara…we are all on to you now. This is definitely NOT work for you……what a fabulous evening at the beach with new dear friends. You are an amazing gift to all who are lucky enough to know of you :)
beautiful teamwork as usual!
When you are an old lady you will sit on that beach and see all the memories you made for so many, many people. It will be your movie.
Tara, as always that was awesome. Your videos are always so inspiring.
Lovely!
awe. truly. so much love. tears here too. amazing. so much beauty. inspired. you shine.
I have made my own “home music videos” for a few years now and always thought I got emotional because it was my children and my work (amateur though it may be) … but I have discovered, through “home movies that rock” that I get just as emotional by witnessing other families too – thanks for sharing these beautiful masterpieces … I believe they really do touch lives!
amazing! they must be thrilled with the photos and video.
so. incredibly. beautiful.
beautiful.
goodness…I’m speechless. What a beautiful way that family has been “captured”. I too could see JLB looking down from the clouds….
Tara Whitney you are my favourite!