Energetic, sunshine-y, and colorful. Mom is Rachel Thurston, photographer and all around amazing lady. We followed each other online for years before meeting for lunch last Spring. We talked about dreams and problems over spicy ramen, and had the meaty kind of conversation that leaves you inspired and exhausted from how much it makes your brain work. Not long after we met, Rachel and her husband Grant decided that they were selling (almost) everything they owned, taking a huge chance, and moving their lives to Hawaii.
I wanted to be able to give Rachel a full picture of what their lives looked like in this house, so that she would have something to look back on that included her. We decided: early morning routine, cuddles, playtime, and dutch pancakes should do the trick. We shoved a ton of moving paraphernalia into a closet. The oven set off the smoke alarm. It took thirty minutes to establish trust with her daughter, who didn’t feel comfortable leaving her bedroom after I arrived. I talked to her between a crack in the door, we showed each other our painted fingernails in the gap between the door and the floor, asked about Disneyland, made funny noises, but nothing would get her to come out until I finally just went in and sat on her bed. Kids who make me work harder typically end up being the most satisfying for me to photograph. It feels so victorious once you know you finally “got them”.
Anyways, this is all so very normal and exactly what I want to be doing. So, thank you Rachel, Grant, and little ones.
They are, in real life, just the way these photos portray them.
LOVE these so much!!
you somehow know what a family’s memories will look like ten years from now, and give them to that family in pictures. i love the thurstons—and i can’t stop staring at the one through the big glass doors where nova is laying on the hammock and rachel is leaning over, but you count see her head. brilliant.
will you come to ny and photograph us? you can stay with me. pretty please.
These are luminous.
I love these, Tara; what an awesome way to remember this house and this life before jumping onto the next.
I also agree about the kids that take awhile to warm up. Those always end up being the ones that stick with me long after the session.
These memories you’ve captured are just absolutely PRICELESS. What a perfect family session!
wow wow wow, these are amazing amazing. You are so talented at capturing families in such a natural & beautiful way.
holy shit, so good… such an awesome way to preserve their memories in this home. and i seriously believe that rachel cannot take a bad photo!
you.are.an.inspiration.
Your photos are seriously my favorite, and something to aspire to. This is SUCH an adorable and delicious little family. Also, totally jealous that they’re moving to Hawaii!
These are stunning! The way photographs should be, real. I wish I lived on your coast.
I can’t stop looking at these. I love them so much. Feeling so lucky to call you a friend. We should set a date once a year to eat that spicy noodle soup and solve the worlds problems. Thank you times a billion for creating these memories for us. They are everything I had hoped for and more. xxoo
You are seriously the best at capturing the every day. I’ll be damned if I’m not gonna have you capture us this next year. xx
LOVE LOVE LOVE
Super cute!
You are awesome…I just love the way your photo’s of families feel. Beautiful!
always beautiful. and inspiring. both of your works. love following along. thank you for sharing.
Wow, I love this!!! They will cherish these moments forever.
lovely images.
you have been such a long time inspiration. this session makes me smile, cry, envy their life….so beautiful. Their life is beautiful and so are you. Your heart is here.
Divine as always!!