I will notice what makes you special.

family_0001family_0002family_0003family_0004family_0005family_0006family_0007family_0008family_0009family_0010family_0011family_0012family_0013family_0014family_0016family_0015family_0017family_0018family_0019family_0020






 
COUPLES0023COUPLES0002COUPLES0025COUPLES0008COUPLES0003COUPLES0026COUPLES0006COUPLES0005COUPLES0004COUPLES0009COUPLES0010COUPLES0011COUPLES0012COUPLES0015COUPLES0016COUPLES0019COUPLES0017COUPLES0021COUPLES0022COUPLES0001






 
MATERNITY0001MATERNITY0002MATERNITY0009MATERNITY0003MATERNITY0004MATERNITY0005MATERNITY0006MATERNITY0007MATERNITY0008MATERNITY0010MATERNITY0011belly009MATERNITY0013MATERNITY0012MATERNITY0015MATERNITY0016MATERNITY0017MATERNITY0020MATERNITY0021MATERNITY0022






 
BABY0001BABY0004BABY0009BABY0019DOUBLETHECUTE0013BABY0007BABY0023BABY0006BABY0005BABY0008BABY0010BABY0002ElCr_new0086BABY0003BABY0020DOUBLETHECUTE0001BABY0024BABY0025BABY0027BABY0028






 
at home0001at home0002at home0003at home0004at home0006at home0005at home0007at home0008at home0009at home0010at home0011at home0012at home0013at home0014at home0015at home0016at home0017at home0018at home0019at home0020






 
kids web0001kids web0002kids web0003kids web0004kids web0005kids web0006kids web0007kids web0008kids web0009kids web0010kids web0011kids web0012kids web0014kids web0013kids web0015kids web0016kids web0017kids web0018kids web0019kids web0020






 
 

I am driven to document whatever surprises or delights me.

I have a strong urge to be outside just after the sun sets. I learned this craft on a film camera. I am constantly overcome by light.

For some reason I can’t stop taking pictures of bougainvillea. I’d like to float in the ocean every day. My four children move me.

Everything somehow becomes more real after I take a picture.

INBETWEENS0001INBETWEENS0002INBETWEENS0003INBETWEENS0004INBETWEENS0005INBETWEENS0007INBETWEENS0008INBETWEENS0009INBETWEENS0010INBETWEENS0011INBETWEENS0012INBETWEENS0013INBETWEENS0014INBETWEENS0015INBETWEENS0016INBETWEENS0017INBETWEENS0018





In Betweens

The second in between noticing a moment and focusing my camera. I find myself drawn to making images this way, when the moment is right. “What we see depends mainly on what we look for.” ― John Lubbock

tarawhitney_yamw1tarawhitney_yamw2tarawhitney_yamw3tarawhitney_yamw4tarawhitney_yamw5tarawhitney_yamw6tarawhitney_yamw7tarawhitney_yamw8tarawhitney_yamw9tarawhitney_yamw10tarawhitney_yamw11tarawhitney_yamw12tarawhitney_yamw13tarawhitney_yamw14tarawhitney_yamw15tarawhitney_yamw16tarawhitney_yamw17tarawhitney_yamw18tarawhitney_yamw19tarawhitney_yamw20tarawhitney_yamw21tarawhitney_yamw22tarawhitney_yamw23tarawhitney_yamw24tarawhitney_yamw25tarawhitney_yamw26tarawhitney_yamw27tarawhitney_yamw28tarawhitney_yamw29tarawhitney_yamw32tarawhitney_yamw30tarawhitney_yamw33tarawhitney_yamw34tarawhitney_yamw35tarawhitney_yamw36tarawhitney_yamw37tarawhitney_yamw38tarawhitney_yamw39tarawhitney_yamw40tarawhitney_yamw41tarawhitney_yamw42tarawhitney_yamw43tarawhitney_yamw44tarawhitney_yamw45tarawhitney_yamw46tarawhitney_yamw47tarawhitney_yamw48tarawhitney_yamw49tarawhitney_yamw50tarawhitney_yamw51tarawhitney_yamw52





You Are My Wild

A weekly portrait project that brings together 14 photographers to document how they see their children. It is updated once a week on Tuesdays. These are my submissions. 
You may view the entire collection at www.youaremywild.com.

FILM0001FILM0002FILM0003FILM0004FILM0005FILM0006FILM0007FILM0008FILM0009FILM0010FILM0011FILM0013FILM0014FILM0015FILM0016FILM0017FILM0018FILM0019FILM0020FILM0021FILM0022FILM0023FILM0024FILM0025FILM0026FILM0027FILM0029FILM0030FILM0031FILM0032FILM0033FILM0034FILM0035FILM0036FILM0038




Film

In 2011 I made the decision to use film for my personal work and family photos. Most of the time I use a vintage Nikon One Shot or a modern Canon EOS3.

Here are the frames that make my heart skip a beat.


 

About

I was born and raised in Southern California, where I learned to love water, music, and tacos.

Picking up a camera in my early 20s and never putting it
down again has been one of the most important things I’ve done in my life.

I live in Orange County as close to the beach as I can afford with my husband – raising four humans, and an abundance of houseplants.

I strive to photograph the people who hire me in an honest,
artful way.

XO

 

Pricing

NEW SESSION OPTIONS:

Pricing

Session fee | $ 325

“Travel within most of SoCal included.”

My sessions are all on location and last about 90 minutes. I prefer to start in my clients’ home and often go to another location that the family has fun or has a special connection to. It is really important to plan some type of activity, and I can help you with that if you need it. I aim to photograph people as naturally and easily as possible. The focus isn’t on getting traditional portraits, it is on your love, your connections, how you interact, how you play, how you look at each other.

All of my clients purchase digital files from their session. Digital files offer incredible ease and value. When you purchase the files, you can print and share and enlarge as much as you want, whenever you are ready. You also have them on file as keepsakes, and can use them online with photo credit. Your files will be sent to you via download link within thirty days from your session.
Digital Files $995

Coffee Table Book $400

A $250 deposit is required to book your session.

That deposit will be used after your session, as credit towards your order.

Because families are my life, (yours AND mine), I book a limited number of shoots each month. I am typically booked 3-4 months in advance.

 

Your Session Includes

  • A one to two hour shoot either at your home or at a location of our choosing.
  • Approximately 50-75 images shown in your personal gallery.
  • A password protected online gallery posted within 30 days of your session, left up for personal viewing up to 30 days.
**Session fees do NOT include digital files.

 

What to expect

I like to start off my sessions in a group huddle, having a small chat about what to expect and what I would like to see out of you. I try to get the kids ‘on my side’ from the beginning, and let them know that even though this is a photo shoot, we will have fun.

I won’t ever need you to tell the kids to say cheese, or look at the camera. I go at their pace and take extra time if needed. Because I have four unique children of my own, and have been doing this for almost ten years, I am experienced with all types of children and families. For you to completely relax, I need to take over a bit, and if I need help I will ask for it. Sometimes it is best for me to go off away from the rest of the group with little ones. They feel less pressure and I can get them to relax. So don’t be surprised or alarmed if I take someone aside. I might also ask you to do something that you think is totally “out there”. Just go with me. Follow me along for the ride. No matter what, whether the shot turns out good or bad, it will be an experience.

I am here to sincerely capture your connections and love for each other, so the more you interact and pretend I am not there the better. I want you to treat me like I am an old friend who just happens to have a camera with her.

 

Travel

I am available for travel in the US, and plan several trips a year. To make a trip to your city, I need at least four clients booked.

For up to date info, check out the travel menu link on my blog.

Travel sessions are $1500 and include my travel fee, the session, and digital files.

 

 

Maternity & Newborn COMBO

MATERNITY & NEWBORN | $ 1275

Two mini sessions with me, lasting up to an hour each

(One during your last trimester, one when your newborn is under 2 wks of age)
  • 20-30 images shown per session
  • Digital files from each session

NOTE FROM TARA: If you are scheduling a newborn session, please contact me before your baby is born. The best time to photograph a newborn is in the first two weeks.

Contact

Let’s chat! Please fill out the contact form below and
I’ll get back to you, lickity split.

Based in Orange County, serving Southern California & beyond.