I met Dana in the first minute of walking into a room I was very nervous to be in. I was in that room as a guest of Cheryl Muhr’s workshop. I remember standing outside for a bit, revving myself up. Then taking a deep breath, walking in, and the first person I came into contact with was Dana. Lucky for me, because she just exudes warmth and smiles. She ushered me into the back to give me lunch, and immediately set me at ease. I fell for her immediately, and have kept in touch with her since.
When she emailed telling me about her California road trip, asking if I would photograph her family, I was literally over the moon with happiness. We met at their campsite, which was abloom with yellow daisies, and then headed to the beach. The light was spectacular. I am pretty sure that I smiled the entire time. Her family is full of energy, spunk, and laughter. Her husband just “gets it”. Together they are just the kind of people I like to be around.
They made my job so easy it should be illegal to call it a job.
To read about Dana’s thoughts on our time together, you can go here.
But only if you promise not to take her too seriously about The Beatles.
xo
Tara
I saw these on Dana’s blog. Sorry Tara, she is right about the Beatle thing. :) AMAZING images. I can so feel the love. Someday I’ll be calling you…
The footprints, emotions, and lighting are magical. Love what you capture in your photography!
wow ..ok, next year we WILL go to CA and do a session with you! and wow that light is spectacular!
Tara, I don’t often comment on your blog, but I read every entry. I just had to comment today because the last few posts have found me literally STARING at the screen. Pausing at each image for several minutes. Taking it all in. I can’t think of any other photographer whose photos have this effect on me. These are truly a piece of art, and you are so talented. Thank you for sharing these with us.
Wow… love the daisys, they are daisys right ? And the footprints are beautiful too! Great photos of a sweet little family :)
now, this is a family i know and love and this is THEM. you got ’em, as you always do. now which beatle might you be, miss t? come on . . . .
YOu sure do meet some AMAZING people!
what an adorable family!
that little girls’ toothless grin is PERFECT!
tara
Great session!!!! It does not look like a job, it looks like you have a lot of fun!!!!!!
every time i visit your blog, i’m blown away by the honesty of emotion and love that pours out of your images.
Tara, these are just beautiful. I am always in awe of your work, it amazes me. Just so you know I want you to photograph my family one day. We live in Norfolk, Va but I told my husband that one day you will photograph us. We will save up and take a vacation to California. I have never been, but my husband has and he wants us to go. Having Tara Whitney photograph my family is one of my goals in life. ;0) Thank you for sharing your work. I hope to one day be at least as half as inspiring as you are.
i ADORE dana + i adooooore these + i don’t think i could make up a better combination than you + her if i tried. fabulous story you captured here my dear… fabuuuulous :)
~S
I think this is your best shoot ever. It really does look effortless! The picture of the two kids and their footprints made me catch my breath.
awww, gorgeousness all around. i’m esp loving all the footprint shots!
What a fun family!!
You are a ROCKSTAR Tara Whitney, you know that, right? These are AWESOME!
I was wondering if you mind if I post your blog as one of my favorite blogs to look at? I love your style so much.
she looks like SHE had the best time with you.
what a happy lady.
i love these pics!
dana is one LUCKY girl! terrific as always tara. you blow me away!
I am always amazed at how breathtaking your photos are. You have such a talent. I’m a bit jealous. :)
Man Tara how do you do it. Each photo is filled with such emotion and feeling. I love it! They just ooze with it. I have said it before but I still want to be like you when I grow up, problem is I already am…I got a lot of work to do. Thank you for sharing your talent. These are and those before them are seriously amazing. Loving you lots!!
love. every last one of these. and all of the others too. and dana. and her family. and you.
Absolutely stunning! I stare in awe and beauty. You have been given a beautiful wonderful gift to connect with people in such an amazing way.
Made me teary! So simply WONDERFUL and priceless!!!!!!
I welled up with tears a bit as soon as I saw the one with her son’s eye’s closed. Seeing her blog then I see that sure got to her too, as I would have guessed! Amazing, amazing pictures I sured loved her description of her time with you. :)
this has to be one of my favorite sessions you’ve ever done. i love everything about it.
wow.
oh!!!!! this session is just ADORABLE…
dana is one my good ciber-friends and you captured her and her family just as i imagine she is, but that doesn’t surprise me, you rock every session, you are in fact what we (all family photographers) want to be when we grow up…
beautiful session of a beautiful family
I LOVE these Tara! So real and heart warming! I love your sun flare shots!!! How do you do that???!!! If you have have a FAQ sessions I would love reading that!!! Love these pictures! So cool that you had a family plan their vacation so that YOU could shoot their family pictures! AWESOME!
These are divine :) I met Dana at this same workshop. She is delightful, and you captured her perfectly! Having you photography my family, is on my “bucket list” :)
damn lovely!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these pictures!! Looking at your blog always makes me happy : )
I love everything you ever post, Tara, but these ones gave me goosebumps. Oh who am I kidding…they ALL do! This family is so lovely. I absolutely love the mama with her gorgeous smile and beautiful energy. What a beautiful lady. They love each other and it shows. I love the ones in the yellow flowers. Thank you as always, for sharing your heart.
So amazing, I just love looking at your pictures… they inspire me!!! The footprints are super fun :)
Amazing, Tara!! The images are out of this world wonderful. I loved reading what you and Dana both wrote and I couldn’t agree more with her about the Beatles comment : ) You ROCK!!!
I read Dana’s thoughts and I’m glad she was able to put into words (beautiful words!) the exact same feeling we had. Your work is indeed magnificent! My family is also very grateful for the wonderful photographs you’ve taken of us together. We’ll treasure them forever.
oh these pictures are just SO AWESOME. i love love love that last one with the dad. AWESOME.
oh my…. the black/white silihuette with all four of them is…I just love it, LOL
These are so full of joy! What a great family, they look like they have a great time together.
there are shoots that you dont want to end, this looks like one of those shoots. lovely.
How’d you do that? Such an amazing captures. My heart warmed just by seeing your pictures. Lot of loves in there.
My favorite: the son close up in black-white.
gorgeous :) what a beautiful session
Thank you everyone for the kind comments :) We are over the moon with our lovely collection of images from our lovely friend, Tarawhitney(her name is all one word in our house).
I love the little girl on daddy’s shoulders. You can just feel all of the fun. Great photos! loved them all :)
Where do I even begin? I’ve been taking peeks at these for a couple days now. I am just overwhelmed and inspired by the beauty and love in these. Dana, your family is beautiful . . . the love is contagious. Tara, the images are breathtaking. So very special. Thanks for sharing.
Lookin’ good Dana! Love them :) Bet you married Bob for his ballet skills, eh? (and yes, I’m Canadian)
These images are yummy. I love a little icing at 8:00 in the morning.
Oh Dana….you look GORGEOUS…..and you have a beautiful family! Perfect family fun photos Tara!
Loving the B&W sprinkled in this shoot. Esp. the family ones.
love it!! and love dana! :)) your amazing..
I love seeing you take pictures at State Park (calafia beach). We live right above the beach off Calafia and I get so happy to see it in your photo’s. One of these days we are going to hire you to do a photo shoot there:-)…I love your stuff.
Christine