Inspired, A Very Special Project | Tara Whitney

One word that comes to mind when I think of Tara Whitney is Pioneer. (Yes Genius is a close second.) She is in my opinion one of the most honest, amazing, REAL photographers when it comes to Children and Family portraiture. Her imagination is apparent in each image. She has the most unique and beautiful compositions and the emotion she captures is so authentic and amazing. I wasn’t surprised at all when a good half of the people I have interviewed for this project named her as their first photographer crush. When she agreed to allow me to interview her I was absolutely BESIDES myself. I still pretty much am actually lol!!

You can find Tara’s Website HERE, her Blog HERE and her Facebook Page HERE. You can also find her on Tumblr and Twitter. And her instagram is under tarawhitney.

Hi Tara!!

You Can find an image of Tara as well as her Philosophy HERE.

Lets get to know you! How would you describe yourself in three sentences?

I am first and foremost a woman who is constantly thinking about her life, and experimenting with what is the best way to live it. I am crazy in love with my husband and four children, music, thrift shopping, and going somewhere I have never been before. We live as close as we can to the beach in southern California, and spend a lot of our days together.

What sparked your passion for Photography?

I wanted to be in charge of the camera for as long as I can remember. Once when my oldest daughter was a toddler, a stranger came up to me and said, “You have got to have someone photograph the way you look at her. There is so much love in your face!” I think that woman inspired me to do what I am doing today. It goes without saying that my children and my life inspire the hell out of me.

Whats in your camera bag?

An original Canon 5d, 24-70L 2.8, 50L 1.2

What Camera/Equipment did you start out with?

Film Canon Rebel

If you could only use one lens an entire session which one would you choose and why?

I basically DO use one lens – the 24-70L 2.8

What advice would go give to someone just beginning in photography and hoping to have a business of their own?

Think hard about what makes you unique and what you love – then go forward and do that. Stay away from the rat race that is constantly trying to top yourself or someone else. Keep it simple and meaningful. Be good to people when they deserve it, stand up for yourself when they don’t.

What was your first official Photographer crush if you had one?

Stacey Kane. She showed me that you could do what you wanted and be successful.

What kind of photos do you like to take for just yourself when not working with clients?

I take a lot of photos of my home and yard. Of my family on our little adventures. I love signs and funny found things. I chase light, I take a lot of photos of light and shadows.

If you could photograph absolutely anyone who would it be dead or alive?

I’m not sure about this one.

Describe your style in 3 words.

Authentic, quirky, emotional

Most embarrassing moment on a session would be?

I called a Dad by the wrong name for about thirty minutes before his daughter asked me, “Who is that?” Melt into the floor moment.

Any challenges you have had to overcome to be where you are today?

I should hope so. I am 35 years old, a life lived this long without challenges would be a very boring one.

Favorite time of day to shoot is?

Two. Right when the light starts to shift in the evening, about two hours before the sun sets. And dusk.

If you had to stop taking photos right now, what would you do instead?

Wilt and die.
Or, possibly, write.

Have you attended college or had any formal education in Photography?

I attended one year of college but didn’t do very well – I am mostly self taught aside from a beginner photography course I took with my film Rebel.

What do you do to get your clients to relax with you?

This is the question I get asked the most, but I have no formula to offer. It is a hard one to answer since I don’t watch myself – I am just in the moment. I think what I do is to be completely myself, so that gives my clients the room to do the same. I make fun of myself, and them, we talk, I ask them about their stories. I see them.

What are your photography related goals for 2012?

Get my new website and blog(s) up and running! Travel as much as I can.

How do you push yourself to keep growing and learning? Any Big Aha! Moments?

Like I said before, I am constantly thinking about my life and a big part of it is my business. Spending time thinking about how I can streamline, maintain, or grow is a daily part of my routine. I struggle with anxiety and have had to do a lot of work to get past it so that I can travel for sessions and push myself to do what I am scared of.

Biggest Photography related insecurity?

They won’t like me. I won’t be able to get them to let their guard down. They will think my files are crap.

Digital or Prints?

Both, but almost 90% digital.

How do you set yourself apart from other local photographers?

This isn’t on my radar at all – I don’t set out to be different. That isn’t my purpose. My purpose is just to be me, so that the right people, the people who get me, will find me.

What do you think your next photography related investment will be?

My website and the Canon Mark III

If you had to recommend ONE thing that a photographer needs in their camera bag what would that be?

Extra batteries.

Favorite Color:

Coral or yellow

Favorite Season:

spring

Biggest Guilty Pleasure:

Eating while watching TV in bed.

Pet Peeve:

I have so many, but here’s one : when the person in front of me in the carpool lane is driving the same speed as the rest of traffic. Carpool lane is the FASTEST lane, k?

Favorite Pandora Station:

Don’t use it.

Studio or On location:

On location, anywhere.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A mom, actress, or author

One thing no one knows about you is:

If I told you then everyone would know.

Pc or Mac:

Mac

Lightroom Or Photoshop:

Photoshop

Film or Digital:

clients : digital
Personal : film

Props or No Props:

No props for the props’ sake. Keep it realistic, keep it meaningful.

If you could travel anywhere it would be:

Australia with my best friend.

Glass Half Empty or Half Full:

The glass has some water in it. (Neither)

Favorite photo ever taken:

Too hard to choose.

Raw or Jpeg:

Jpg

Favorite Music to Edit to:

My favorite of the day, it changes a lot.

Favorite Quote:

“I always wonder why birds choose to stay in the same place when they can fly anywhere on the earth, then I ask myself the same question.” – Harun Yahya

Most valued material possession:

Changes based on my most recent thrift/garage sale/flea market score.

Processing Style:

As natural as possible.

Coffee or Tea:

Icea tea, coffee sometimes and every Sunday morning.

If you could photograph a Celebrity who would it be?

Someone that I find to be absolutely stunning and would love to photograph in her home/life candidly is Drew Barrymore. There are so many more to list, though!

What kind of Camera bag do you rock?

When I travel I have an ONA camera bag insert that I can plop into any purse or bag. I also love Ketti Handbags and Epiphanie bags.