the courage to just be
last, but definitely not least, we'd like to introduce you to our fourth and final judge of the scholarship contest -- tara whitney, a fabulous child and family portrait photographer in orange county, california.
one thing we so love about tara is that she's not afraid to just be -- in what she does, what she says, how she shoots and the photographs she shows. and that is a quality we so admire, both personally and professionally.
we would describe tara's style as free-spirited, colorful, honest and fun, with a documentary flare.
here's what tara shared with us...
what inspires you in photography?
The connections between people. Light. Laughter. Kissing. Authenticity. What I call: "Pretty Ugly". The amazing world that surrounds us.
who is your all-time favorite photographer and what draws you to their work?
I can never answer "favorite" questions. My mind changes all the time, and I can't narrow it down.
we talk about the roller coaster ride in this photography journey, aka funks. is there anything you do to get through the more challenging times?
I tend to be overly dramatic in my own head - so at first, I will wail and moan to myself about how I must be a big stupid fake and it's no wonder, because I suck. But only for myself to hear. And only for moments. Do not try this at home. After the storm blows through, and I calm down, I realize that when i am feeling in a funk it is usually because I have overdone it in some part of my life. I take a step back, get some rest, take a break, shift my focus. When the pressure is off, and I have taken some time to clear my head, I can usually come back to it. If not, I just take some more time.
your photography is so you! did you know how unique your work was from the very beginning?
I remember the first time I told a successful working photographer (many, many moons ago) that I didn't want to be a studio photographer, and that I wanted to use natural light on location. That I wanted to go into children's rooms and play with them. That I wanted to go out and do things with families and capture them in natural environments...I was told no one would ever want that. I was told that was for commercial work, nobody did it that way for portraits. And I let their arrogance and confidence sway me. I believed it for awhile. I wasn't sure enough in myself to go out and do what I wanted, so I didn't. I didn't go out and get it like I should have. Eventually, success did come to me. In a much more organic way - via my blog and completely on accident. Which, I guess, is much more par for the course for this laid back girl.
I hate to say that my work is unique, since everything has really been done before. But I like to think that I show a new face to "the family photo shoot".
any advice you would like to share with those just starting out in this business?
You are special simply because you are unique. If you try to be someone else, you lose that. Just be you.
Don't plagiarize.
Take images that make your heart sing, and never apologize for it.
would you mind sharing a few of your photographs with us?
Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 11:24PM
Reader Comments (6)
thank you :)
I enjoyed reading this interview. I love the part about being in a funk. I so agree that it happens when I get overwhelmed! Tara hit the nail on the head. She is an inspiration. Thank you for sharing.
love me some tara. she is truly an inspiration and a "rebel" in the world of family portraits. i love how she captures truth...that is the genius of her work. her honesty.
great post!
this. lady. rocks! wow!
great interview!
these are gorgeous! i love your style!
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