Hannah is in her first year of college, living in Portland, out on her own for the first time. Her Mom, Natalie (pictured with her here) hired me to photograph her. After getting to know Hannah during our session, I really feel that Natalie couldn’t have picked a more perfect time to have her daughter photographed. Your first independent years are so thrilling, so full of exploration and learning. It was entirely different than if she had done this for her high school senior photos. We captured her at the beginning of her new life, rather than at the end of an old one.
Hannah was unsure of the process and admittedly very shy. I understand that feeling, and so my main goal was to put her at ease and help her to feel confident in her beauty. When we met I was struck by her quiet, strong presence. I was drawn to her instantly, and would have wanted to photograph her had I seen her walking by me on the street, so I felt very lucky that she was before me so willingly.
I loved how quiet and careful she was in front of the camera. I felt honored to watch her move across the field, completely unaware of how stunning and special that she is. Natalie wiped away quiet tears as she watched us. I was often on the verge of tears myself, and I can’t quite put my finger on why. This was just one of those sessions where something special happens. I left feeling that the person I photographed gave me more than I could ever possibly give them.
Tara
Tara, your work is consistently moving. I anxiously look for your blog posts and savor each photo. I think I can speak for the Hannah and her mom when I say that you gave them an unbelievable gift as well.
P.S. What an amazing blanket they’re sitting on! Did you bring that? I am in desperate need of some unique and quality pieces that I can bring to my shoots like that.
She’s gorgeous. So much expression in the eyes!
she is indeed a beautiful girl and i think the laura above me used a most perfect word for your work: “moving” (even better: consistently moving). thank you for loving so openly.
Beautiful images (adore the backlighting!) and words Tara, as a mom it brings a lump to my throat as well…time moves forward, life changes, “children get older…I’m getting older too” (aww, when Stevie sings that line it always tugs at my heart).
I am so drawn to these images….to the feel, her face. I can totally see her quiet beauty and shyness (which is stunning as well). She will treasure these one day looking back. great work.
Laura, thank you for your wonderful words! That is my blanket, and it is very much a treasured item. It is my favorite thing that I brought home from Thailand, found in the markets for only 5 american dollars.
Something special did happen… these images are perfection. I see this session and I am filled with hope for her… her future and the changes she will make in this world. Well done, Tara. And congrats to Natalie for raising such a special girl.
tara, next time you go to thailand, take me with you. i need a blanket like that! ;)
Holy. God. That light – I just want to eat it up! Stunning captures of a girl on the brink of womanhood. <3
oh tara, your work is so beautiful. after looking at the images you captured, i feel like i know hannah. you’re amazing. truly amazing!
your words are so genuine and beautiful. and your images are inspiring. thank you so much for sharing your talent. this has to be one of my favorite posts. ever.
your photos never cease to amaze me! I love your work, Tara. :)
amazing. beautiful. your words and the photos. even before i read what you wrote, i could see your words coming from these photos. you captured it.
Amazing. Amazing. Wow. Can I book you now for when Aidan is 18?
perfection :)
Dude. These are spectacular.
I absolutely love the shots of her lying in the field. It just seems like such a magical location
you have a wonderful job Tara. Seeing people in ways many of us don’t
LOVE love love the photo of them sitting on the blanket. Great session :)
love these moments….love these photos…what a beautiful girl!
exquisite
These are love wrapped in sunshine. Still can’t get over the chalk board picture.
These are fantastic!!
I could see everything in the images that you wrote about – and I saw it before I read your words. You just caught it all. I even felt tears pricking by the time I reached the bottom pictures. Really, really beautiful ♥
what a great thought for a session. smart mama there. these are beautiful and she’ll be sooooo happy to have these down the road.
Teary again. I can feel the intensity of the shoot through the photos. As always, you rocked it.
such beauty! her quite strength is the first thing that came to me! bravo, again, tara whitney!
So incredibly lovely…
Fantastic shoot, such quiet beauty. Thank you for sharing.
Mom was crying because you caught the little girl who “once was” AND the young woman she “has become.” And you did it all in the same photo shoot. You did a great job.
Gorgeous shots! Love the sun setting behind. So soft. :)
Love, love, love the pic of the two of them on the quilt! And…would really love to have mom’s blouse!!!!
Perfect images of a beautiful young woman! I feel like her mom was BRILLIANT to do this. Must remember to do something like this when Ellie and Will are newly in college!
These images are amazing. I only wish they where of me. Love them. You rock.
these feel so honest. beautiful photos.
Tara, I rarely comment, even though I thoroughly enjoy checking your blog on a regular basis. These photos are just splendid. Thank you.
*tears in my eyes*
Hannah is so beautiful…you did an excellent job capturing the qualities you describe about her in your pictures. Her mother could not have picked a better gift. Good luck to Hannah on this new and exciting journey!
I said it on twitter, but I really love these. I hope I think to photograph all of my children in this stage of life. It IS such a unique time in their lives and feels so much more meaningful than a “senior session” does. Oh and I love that I’m not the only one with a hole in ONE of my Toms. Ha!
She looks like Alice in Wonderland to me !!! Great job !!!
Tara you truly inspire me every day. Thank you so much for being so wonderful, honest, genuine and sharing your love of the world with your adoring fans. Moving, kissed by sunshine and tentative the photos of Hannah couldn’t be any more honest. Thank you!
She’s absolutely beautiful and so is her mom!
She does have a special look about her, I see it too.
What a cool shoot tara!! I love it! your words + the photos
really are what make your photos even more special!
tara
beautiful.
So very lovely Tara.
I love these photos, Tara. My own daughter is getting ready to start her third year of college this fall, and I totally get what you’re saying about the first year of college being a really special time. I love that you have a few photos with her mom in them, because she is at a time in her life when mom is still kinda there, but not all the time. Also, I love, love, love “You only live once.” Perfection!
tears started to well up in my eyes as soon as a started looking at these photos. I can’t place either exactly why. Something really special here….
Wow, she is a beautiful young woman. If I was her mom, I’d be thrilled with your photos. Perfect.
beauty captured – you’ve done it again Tara!
Wow. I fast forward about 15 years and see my own daughter… makes me teary. What a precious gift. Sincere, heartfelt photos. Beautiful.