You can read more about the Labenz family on this post, where their home movie was featured. You can also read more about them on this post, from their first photo session with me. This time around, we met up at Huntington Beach on a VERY crowded evening, with intensely bright sun, a boy who just wanted to play in the sand, and a barely walking one year old who couldn’t get enough of the waves.
LOVE mom’s dress. This was before Miss Olivia set her eyes on the sea. You will note: she is dry.
And then they saw the water. This was a rough night at the beach. It was high tide when we got there. The waves were crashing right on shore, and they were fast and violent. Olivia made a bee line for the water. She had absolutely ZERO fear. I also mentioned above, but the beach was packed. It was nearly impossible to get a frame for them without other people in it.
Jack was enamored with the sand crab hunt.
These next three perfectly capture Olivia and her fearlessness!
(We tried to trick her by going away from the water, further towards the boardwalk. She wasn’t going to be tricked. This is her doing her robotic baby walk on the sand. It is hard to walk on the sand man! But she wasn’t going to be stopped.) :) I just love her wet sandy dress and how the sand is sprinkling off.
This was the second or third or fourth wipe out for her. Did she care? Guess. (Normally a shot like this might get trashed, but I had to keep it in.)
Love the colors and light in this next set with Jack Jack.
Distraction with sand castles!
Only worked for two minutes before she was off again. I love her tenacity. I LOVE THIS SHOT.
And this one. This may be my favorite from the afternoon. I love the swish of Anna’s skirt, her gorgeous calves, and the water pooling at their feet.
Okay, another favorite. :) I can feel her arms around that baby, I can feel what it feels like to wrap your arms around your baby when I look at this. I also love Dad and Jack in deep conversation.
In the home movie, there is a frame where they run past us, and Anna does this fist pump in the air that makes us all smile. These were taken just after the fist pump. I love the natural-ness. Is that a word?
Thanks again you guys.
xo
Tara
through your camera life always looks so beautiful. even the wipeouts get caught in a lovely fashion :)
These look great! And it looks like it was a fun day! :)
These are Fabulous!! You worked hard for everyone! Great job!!!
wow, momma looks so much like kate beckinsale. beautiful family.
Wow….you make even a shoot that sounds difficult look so so effortless Tara. You’re so so wonderful at what you do…
Gorgeous shots, the light is wonderful!
I can especially appreciate this post because my husband, 14 month old and I had our very first family shoot this past Sunday (which I was soooo looking forward to, being a photographer and being on the other side of the camera). Like Little Olivia, my daughter had ZERO fear and we ended up DRENCHED! I can’t wait to see what my friend shot, and I laugh every time I think about it all.
You captured their connection and love….as only you can. BEAUTIFUL.
I don’t know you or the people you capture….but I LOVE coming here and reading your stories and seeing your beautiful pics! Thanks so much for sharing your talent!
I remember watching their video and wishing that was my family on the other side. So gorgeous, love all the moments you captured!
I can’t stop staring at mom’s beautiful dress. She is radiant!
The sunset shots are to die for. What a gorgeous family.
what it feels like to have your arms around a baby. swoon, tara. you got it.
LOVE this family!!!!! LOOOOOVE mommas dress!!!!! Such an amazing session… :)
PS. wanted to mention… only YOU could make under a bridge look that fun :) You so rock Tara!
ONE more thing… mom and dads perfecto smiles… SIGN ME UP! Okay… that’s officially all from me… :D
you know that sound you make when you are trying not to cry but it sort of sneaks out anyway? its kind of like a squeak coming from the back of your throat.
well i always make that sound when i look at your blog posts.
i can feel moms arms around that beautiful baby too.
awesome. as always.
these are REAL. i love it.
i love the lighting…the sand…the wet dress! oh tara you are so amazingly talented!
so raw and beautiful! definitely one of my favorite sessions!