the paints

“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.