“The details, that’s what the world is made of. Those are the paints.” -Wes Anderson
I read this in an article interviewing Wes Anderson about Moonrise Kingdom. It really hit home for me. If you have seen his films, you know of his attention to detail and the way that he creates a world for the viewers to become totally immersed in. I have thought so many times that I want to style my home/life the way Wes Anderson styles his movies. But today his words made me think more about how I photograph people. Unlike Wes, I don’t style anyone or create the details – the families that I photograph come with them, often unknowingly.
I just pay attention, pull them from the scene in front of me. Details are my FA – VOR – ITE thing to press the shutter for.
I know that, perhaps, no one would enlarge a photo of their daughter’s hair resting on a plastic chair, or a photo of them hazy behind a window screen. My hope is that they see the beauty in those small simple details because I did, and can be a tiny bit surprised about what I paid attention to.
My intention is to show my clients what kind of impact they have on the world around them. To turn what they look like inside out and show them what they ARE.
The details are what can do that, I believe it with all of my heart.
-Tara
PS : This session (and the necessary trip to CA from VA) was a Christmas present from Andrea’s husband. I was flattered and thrilled beyond belief to follow them around for the evening. I was putty in their hands, and they … were paint.
how do you do that every time? make me cry. make my heart want to burst. make me say, you are so right. make me want to scream YES. oh tara you have such a talent and a gift. your words are so dead on, just like your photos. im so thankful i found your blog many moons ago.
all these little details are what make up the life of a family. i love the way you see the world, tara. the portrait of the mom (with her hair in her eye) in the middle of the post is my favorite…i can totally feel her happiness :)
ditto Erin on which photo is her favorite. you captured the family and made me feel as though I knew them personally … and if you can do that, then I’m certain that you captured their essence in an immaculate way. bravo. you inspire me.
I agree with the the comments above mine…every photo you takes has a beautiful meaning and each photo says so much about the love that is present, the people present, the life they share. I absolutely love how you see and where your heart prompts you to photograph. I gush over every family you take and feel like they are my friends by the time I get to the end of your blog post. So beautiful :)
Beautiful family. Love how you captured them. And I agree with Wes wholeheartedly.
your words ring so true, and i’m so glad you shared that quote. (also, *dying* to see his new movie.) i sort of fell into photography through written journalism, because i found i was constantly creating in my head the shot that i wanted to go with my story. i was directing photographers who would go with me to look for the shot i had in mind, because the story was already forming. when i started doing photography, those were the photos i found myself taking … literally forgetting to get the posed smiley faces because i was so intent on chippy nail polish on little toes or the little brother throwing rocks into the stream behind his four sisters, who WERE all posed and smiling. however, i’m having a really hard time finding the audience and support for those photos where i live. and yet i persist and resist changing, because poses are not where i’m comfortable and not what i want to capture. selfish, yes. but uncompromising. you are so often an inspirational voice of daring, but this is the first time i’ve felt compelled to give a braveheart yell of support and full-speed-ahead-ness back to you. thank you.
So beautiful… every detail
Perfect! My favorites are the one of the mom kissing her son and with her hand on her daughters head :) You are SO GOOD at capturing the love within a family and paying attention, that in the process you create a treasure for them. As I get older I realize a lot of times it is the small moments and details that make life really precious and you are a master at capturing them :)
i believe in the details too :)
Hi Tara! I have been meaning to ask you this for some time but when you are photographing a family like this do you spend time messing with your settings on your camera or do you just shoot in AV mode or something? I feel like messing with the settings all the time might been missing a special moment of interaction. I so LOVE what you do and dream about capturing the details the way you do…”seeing” the moment and capturing it are two different things. So many people in my little town just don’t “get” this type of photography and want the POSED shots all the time (BORING) and doesn’t capture who they really are. ANyway, thanks for answering my question..I appreciate it!!
I just LOVE that you relate to Wes Anderson’s work and vision – and I think that’s part of the reason that I am so drawn to your photography.
p.s. Go Andrea’s husband! What a smart dude!
sometimes what you write gives me goosebumps… ok, well a lot of times! “I know that, perhaps, no one would enlarge a photo of their daughter’s hair resting on a plastic chair…” completely smitten with this because i would. these details are gone so quickly and i want to hold on to them forever. keep up the amazing!
SO agree!!!
NICE!! Love your style
oh.my.
you get me every freaking time. i think i sob whenever i read your posts and see the beauty that you have created.shown.FOUND. for your families.clients.FRIENDS.
you make me feel less alone. because i find myself more and more drawn to pulling away from the poseypose shots of my families and more drawn to the way that their boy stands with his feet crissycrossed. or the way that their girly tips her hair into the wind. those are the moments that make me want to carry my camera with me forever. seeing.capturing.FINDING.
thank you for being you.
If they were the paint then this, lady…this was a masterpiece. You captured THEM and what a gift you gave them. Love it.
First off, I flippin’ love that her husband gifted a trip and session with you for Xmas. File that under “Husband of the Year” award.
Second, these are your IDEAL clients. I-D-E-A-L.
Third, I am DYING to see Moonrise. Soon, when my town’s little theater gets it 8 weeks later (but first, it’s Magic Mike time ;) )
I love Balboa.
Can i post a technical question? Is this shoot done using one lens or do you change throughout? What is your go-to?
Im always inspired by you Tara!! Thank you.
Tara-You are such an incredible writer. Your photos are always amazing, but your words are too.
So, I am up too late and totally crying because of these photo’s/ fyi ; )) Love them.
Argh Tara, these photos are wonderful, and they take me right back, that gorgeous coastline and drippy sun! I can’t believe it’s been a whole year since we were in Cali… a whole year!! I too love the details :) Hope you are well xxx
You are ridiculously inspiring!!
what a beautifully worded and captured post……this is, after all, how we should all function when creating memories for families. Capture who they are, not some creation, stylized version of who we or society dictates they should be…..
(and for the record, I would enlarge a photo of a child’s hair on a plastic chair. People would think me odd, but there you go ;) )
Tara,
you sing to my soul. always.
“I know that, perhaps, no one would enlarge a photo of their daughter’s hair resting on a plastic chair, or a photo of them hazy behind a window screen. My hope is that they see the beauty in those small simple details because I did, and can be a tiny bit surprised about what I paid attention to.”
This is exactly how I feel. I am always telling my clients that there are images I shoot for ME; to tell THEIR story.
thank you for being an inspiration. you show me how to be perfectly imperfect.
someday you’ll shoot my family. I just know it.
<3
Very unique way to photograph a family…very candid and different. I loved it! I don’t know the family, but I get an idea of their personality just by looking at the photos. Well done! :)
What lovely memories you’ve given this family. How very thrilled they must be to have their family captured in such a authentic way. You are a such a gift.
Oh, and I keep going back to the sunglass shop photos bc I have been wearing a crap-o-la pair of sunglasses this summer and can’t seem to get out and go shop for new ones. Was just at the beach today, swearing under my breath, as they continued to slip off my nose and face and land in the sand. :)
Every time I see your photo sessions it makes my heart just burst. Every detail and moment is captured. It’s inspiring!
You nailed it…again… your words and your images.
You’re amazing, Tara. I’ve told you that before, maybe not in these words, but just the same, it all was about your photos being amazing.
But this time, it’s not just about the pictures, it’s about how YOU take them, the DETAILS that you see, that most of us wouldn’t if not for you . . . Thanks Tara, You Are Amazing!
I love the details, it’s one of my favorite things about your work :)