I drove straight from the last session to this one, sucking down an iced tea and tossing trail mix into my mouth the whole way. My drives between each session were so invigorating to me. Big blue sky, windows down, directions on my iPhone, country music on the radio, anticipation.
I walked in to their home to the smell of chocolate cupcakes baking, and took in the curious family at the door greeting me. I was immediately taken back by the eyes of both of these girls, and saw that they were possibly unsure or nervous of what to expect out of me. So I asked if I could see their rooms – and we bonded, MAJORLY, over American Girl dolls and music and hair. It broke the ice and from then on everyone was comfortable with my camera.
Mom worked on the pizza while we started, and then we all came downstairs for lunch and cupcake decorating. We ended with hanging out on their back patio, and turning on the sprinklers in the backyard. The conversation flowed between us so intensely that at times I forgot I was supposed to be there to photograph them – I was so pulled to want to talk, and listen. Mom and Dad moved here from Brazil, and everyone had the most beautiful accents and names and laughs.
They sent me off full – from the pizza, the cupcakes, and their lovely energy.
-Tara
Amazingness. Love dad wearing the tiny apron with Carolina written on it. :)
Oh T, you can just feel the love of th is lovely little Texas family. Love this session.
ohhhhh, goose bumps. You have the best job in the world! So fun!!!
Love love love these happy memories.
details = genius
First thing I noticed, those BEAUTIFUL eyes!!
no wonder you loved these sessions:)
Those last two sister shots are stunning! And the one with the daughters arms around dad’s neck…what a treasure that will be in years to come! Any chance you’re heading to Boise anytime soon? :)
Love your writing and how you interact and capture. Inspired!
My heart always melts when I look at your pictures.
:)
Ohh my, those girls are so gorgeous!
all of these sessions have been so beautiful. so real. so true. and all in my homestate. so jealous.
What a lovely way to spend the day! Xo. I love the hair and the eyelashes and the sweet smiles…
beautiful family. and their eyes!!
These girls are so beautiful:)
Those are GREAT photos – teary eyed looking at the father and daughter one…
love the mother/daughter on the steps. perfection.
dear tara, your blog is a treat to my eyes
this session: G.O.U.R.G.E.O.U.S as always
screams life. love it.
I’ve officially added a Photo Session with Tara Whitney on my Bucket List! I’m a serious hobbyist photog, and I know how difficult it is to have people just relax in front of the camera, especially men! Then, the captivating emotion from each image…it blows me away how EASY PEASY you make this look!!!
tara, this TOTALLY got to me! I think it was the fact I have two girls who are so close and they remind me of them and the fact my girls are OBSESSED with AG Dolls!!! My girls have 21 dolls total and they want MORE, it’s cRAZY!
beautiful, touching gorgeous photos!
melt my heart, real life!
tara pp
omg, that is so funny! While I was looking through the pictures I suddenly wondered if they were Brasilian! How awesome that they are… I lived in Rio for a while as a child. Anyway, adore this session too. This are just my absolute favourite kind. I too feel called to this the most, and adore it when I connect so much with my clients that I forget I’m there to shoot. And luckily I shoot so instinctively anyway it doesn’t even mess with my flow. :D
i love the one of the mom sitting with the daughter leaning in. so beautiful.
i also love that they things hanging….lights, butterflies, lanterns on the bed, etc.
and all those dolls…wow! my daughter just got one for her 6th birthday. i would love to know the story behind all of theirs.
We are from Brazil too and in the first few pictures my daughter said: “They look Brazilian.” I said, no. And then at the end I read that, indeed, they are our fellow countrypeople! :) I found it amazing that my daughter spotted that right off the bat, when I’m usually the one who can identify that. Great pictures, Tara, as usual! :)