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  • LIFE INSPIRED – ONE SHUTTER CLICK AT A TIME!

    Welcome to my blog! I am so glad you are here and hope you enjoy browsing. This is where you will find all of my most recent work, client sneak peeks, contests, personal work, and more!

    To view product galleries, investment information, about me, session information, and more simply go to the "MORE INFO" button on the top menu.

{ JARED – CLASS OF 2011 } SEQUIM WA SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHER

Jared is my first 2011 senior guy! I was excited for this shoot because he chose the coolest location.  He and his dad met me bright and early at the junkyard for our shoot.  I think I could have honestly shot there all day and not run out of things to shoot or locations. I just love all of the texture and colors and rust!  Jared is a drummer, so we of course had to do some drum shots!  I love that he brought the whole set up along and set it up with the junk yard as his back drop.  A perfect example of making your senior pics unique to you!  Jared (and Lonnie, since I know you wanted to be there and are excited to see the results) here is you sneak peek!

For photographers, I shot all of these with a range of lenses…some 24mm 1.4 L, some 70-200 2.8 L, some 50mm 1.4
I used OCF for almost all just because it was quite overcast and I wanted them to have just that little pop and good lighting contrast!


The Shore - August 11, 2010 - 7:36 am

Perfect location. Perfect lighting. Perfect processing. And your model is super handsome too.

genelle - August 6, 2010 - 10:21 am

I LOVE these pictures, I love your guys ideas for this shoot! They turned out amazing!!

Robyn Bacchus - August 4, 2010 - 10:14 am

Wow these pictures are amazing! My little brother is so handsome. I wish you were around when I was a senior.

Michelle - August 4, 2010 - 7:55 am

Amazing pictures! You have captured the true Jared… Thanks for bringing his smile out in some of the shots! Love them!!!

Dawnya Textor - August 3, 2010 - 9:27 pm

Wow! Amazing photos!

Rebecca - August 3, 2010 - 9:20 pm

Love the junkyard location! These are awesome!

Lonnie - August 3, 2010 - 8:39 pm

Thank you Tara! I love them, these photos are so AWESOME!!!

Carmen Wiker - August 3, 2010 - 7:11 pm

LOVE THE LOCATION!! Love the tires and the stop sign shop!

Kelly - August 3, 2010 - 7:03 pm

Tara, Tara, Tara – you never cease to amaze me!

Alisha Judd - August 3, 2010 - 6:18 pm

I love the location. Perfect for a guy!

Stefanie - August 3, 2010 - 6:12 pm

What a fab location and great model! ;) . Love these!!!

angela - August 3, 2010 - 6:06 pm

Completely amazing and inspiring Tara!

Janet Masterson - August 3, 2010 - 6:01 pm

Amazing Session! Congrats to you AND to your senior. Always love seeing your work.

{ HANNAH + JAKE – JULY 30, 2010 } SEQUIM WA WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

I seriously have the best couples EVER! Why? Because when the crazy photographer suggests the dirty dark barn loft as the perfect location, they say “Ok!”. Then climb right up the ladder and do anything I tell them to. C’mon, how many brides will climb a  ladder in a wedding dress?! Hannah you rocked it!  I just had a blast with Hannah and Jake yesterday.  They had a fabulous location and barn for us to shoot in, as well as a great group of family and friends that make things all the more fun.  Their son Zach is just the cutest little tow-head blonde ever, and he of course kept things interesting for us!   Hannah had told me I was going to love the location, and she was certainly right!   The backyard had a wooded path that we perfect for an intimate first look, and I just loved the wood piles (can you tell?).  Thank you Hannah and Jake for letting me share in your special day!  Congratulations!


Carmen Wiker - August 2, 2010 - 2:37 pm

Gorgeous Photos, as always, Tara. Was this the wedding with the crazy guy that kept getting in the way? Didn’t ruin your groove, not one little bit. Your blog is BEAUTIFUL!

angela - August 2, 2010 - 2:22 am

Amazing as always Tara!

{ Louisiana Workshops – July 2010 }

I promise I didn’t really drop off the face of the earth! I was just sweating to death in the deep south heat!:)  I had an amazing time with the girls that attended my Louisiana workshop.  It was a group that really worked well together and enjoyed each other. It made for such a great learning and creatively inspiring atmosphere, and I loved it.   Although it is nice to get back to the south and be somewhere that I don’t get laughed at for saying “ya’ll” or “ain’t” (yes those are words where I come from, haha), it did make me appreciate how spoiled I am with my beautiful summer washington weather of 70 degrees and sunny!  These girls were troopers in the heat, as were our models. I can’t thank them enough for suffering through it for us!  I went through a few bottles of 85 spf by the end of the week and am still getting my voice back.

It was so neat to see each person come out of their shell each day and try something new!  I am so blessed to have met them all and am better for it!  Thank you girls for being so welcoming and inspiring!  It was such a fun adventure!

Our workshop location and meeting spot was the Michabelle Inn, in Hammond.  I can’t say enough about how amazing they are. They really went all out for us to make everybody comfortable.  The suite they put me in was just stunning, and so comfy.

Robin, our host, knows me so well.  She picked out locations that she knew I would go crazy for.  All sorts of grunge, texture, and color!  It of course wouldn’t be a shoot with me if I didn’t ask one of the models to do something like getting in the slimy water because I have a sudden vision.  But hey I got in with her (I won’t make my  model do something that I won’t….unlike the rest of the ladies who enjoyed watching me get muddy. haha)

I just can’t wait for what the rest of the workshops this year have in store and the people I am going to meet!  It is going to be FABULOUS!

So here is about half of the images. I am kind of working backwards through my cards/files.  So figured I would at least get these up and not be a lazy blogger!


Tracy Heard - August 10, 2010 - 7:11 am

Will you be doing any workshops in the Tennessee area or close by?

KAREN ROMERO - August 7, 2010 - 3:57 am

Thanks Tara for an awe inspiring 2 and a half days…still trying to process all that I learned and put it to use. The time spent with you and all of the amazing girls and models will never be forgotten! Thanks for letting me “grill” you with my constant barrage of questions…and lastly, thanks for caring if we succeed! Love ya girl!

Danielle Stutes - August 1, 2010 - 9:11 pm

Tara, you rocked this workshop!! I learned so much from you and I came back home so totally inspired! There are not enough words to say how I feel about the workshop you put on! Thanks so much for taking your time to teach others. You truly have a gift!

Mindy Rathe - July 30, 2010 - 5:26 pm

Awesome Tara! We are so blessed to of had you for a mentor. I can’t say thank you ENOUGH! I think you should come back NEXT summer…maybe before/after the HOTTEST part though. xoxo

{ Chapter + Lori – July 15, 2010 } Sequim WA Wedding Photographer

Although their wedding ceremony is today, Chapter and Lori had a bridal/wedding photoshoot last night.  It was fabulous to have so much time to be creative and not be rushed by a wedding day schedule.  Lori is just the epotime of classic elegance.  She put everything together so PERFECTLY.  I am so obsessed with anything yellow recently, that I of course just LOVED all the lemons and pops of yellow!  Chapter knew just how to get Lori to relax and laugh, I loved how they would look at each other so adoringly!

We started out at their wedding location and I snagged some detail shots as well as a beautiful “first look” (oh and the most adorable wedding attendants ever).  Then we went out to Purple Haze Lavender Farm.  The backlighting was just to die for.  Perfect light + Stunning couple = Magic.  We finished the evening out on the bluffs for some more dramatic images and romatic moments!

Congratulations Chapter and Lori! You make a stunning couple, and I just know your wedding day today has been magical for you!

Tracy - August 18, 2010 - 12:19 pm

These are just gorgeous!

Lori - July 21, 2010 - 2:36 pm

Thank you Tara! You’re a talented and amazing person. We had so much fun.
We can’t thank you enough for a great experience and beautiful photographs.

audrey - July 19, 2010 - 8:38 pm

i’m a new fan of yours. i thought i’d introduce myself instead of just lurking and “creeping” (as my fifteen year old would say it) around on your blog without your knowledge. :) i’m audrey – an aspiring photographer, and you are one of my new inspirations. beautiful work!

Sasha - July 17, 2010 - 9:31 am

beautiful photography!!!! i love all of your pictures.

{ KELSEY CLASS OF 2011 } Port Angeles WA Senior Photographer

I had a blast with Kelsey last night.  She is just so bubbly and cute.  Always smiling.   Kelsey is actually a Woodinville High Senior, but wanted her photos at their family cabin on Lake Crescent, since it is special to her.  She brought along her dog Miley, and her Dad and sister to join her for some images as well!  I just love all the textures and variety out by the lake..so many places to shoot!  Sunset was of course, perfect, as it has been lately!

Kelsey claims that her Dad’s jokes are lame….but she sure laughs hard enough at them;).  I just love these.  Any time I would even suggest that her Dad crack a joke to get her smiling, she would start laughing before he even said anything. 

Little girl, big truck!  She wanted some shots to show off her pretty 4×4 Diesel.  Her back license plate says “This is NOT my boyfriends truck”.  I think it fits her perfectly!:)

And finally, some with Miley.  She is just too cute for words.  I think her personality fits Kelsey’s very well.  They are both so energetic and fun!

I love sunset out on the lake…the soft light, the shadows and colors.

Kevin Hill - July 15, 2010 - 8:32 am

Hey! How did Miley get in there and not me?!? Dumb dog is always stealing all my photo ops! How am I gonna get my modeling career off the ground at this rate? :)

Tonya Marie - July 15, 2010 - 8:22 am

What great expressions you captured! She looks so natural and comfortable in front of the camera. Great work!

Jen Stafford - July 14, 2010 - 1:46 pm

Tara, your work is gorgeous. This is such a fun senior session. BEAUTIFUL!!

Catie Stephens - July 14, 2010 - 12:23 pm

Beautiful as usual. You always seem to be able to capture their true spirit!

Rebecca - July 14, 2010 - 11:21 am

Tara, every time you post a senior session I’m even more bummed that I didn’t get senior pictures done. LOVE LOVE LOVE them!

{ Lenny + Kelsey – July 10, 2010 } Sequim WA Wedding Photographer

I know I say this all the time, but I always have the hardest time narrowing down sneak peak images from weddings.  This one is no exception!  The day was just beautiful in every way.  The location amazing, the couple amazing, each and every connection and moment just so special.  I of course have to do a slideshow, because there are just so many:).

Lenny and Kelsey are such a great couple.  They really complete each other and have such an amazing energy and chemistry when they are together.  I remember taking Kelsey down for her first glimpse moment with Lenny, and just before she walked down the path, her whole body just relaxed…so much so that it was noticeable to her bridesmaids standing on the hill above watching, and Lenny was the same..as soon as he turned and saw her face, He just lit up.  They are both with the fire department, so we of course had to get the boots and truck in lots of their shots!  Ever since Kelsey told me about their plan to bring the truck up there I have had ideas swimming in my head of all the shots I wanted to do with it.

The ceremony was perfect…..I don’t think it would have been a Lenny and Kelsey wedding without some shenanigans during the serious parts of the ceremony. HAHA  I do believe at one point Kelsey took Lenny to be her wife.  Of course no wedding is complete without the moments like that, that make it so unique!:)

Reception was  fabulous …sun, pool, food, dancing, LOTS of toasts, some cake smearing, sunscreen galore (it was a hot one!), a fabulous vintage firetruck, and an amazing end to the night with everybody lighting off wish lanterns!

Thank you Lenny and Kelsey for choosing me to capture your amazing day!  I had a blast, and wish you all the best!

Kelsey Horst - July 30, 2010 - 10:11 pm

What a wonderful day and what fabulous pictures! We can not express how happy we are. Thank you! Tara you are Amazing!

Tracie (Horne) Brodhun - July 14, 2010 - 12:26 am

Wow! Breathtaking pics of these two special peeps coming together as one … We love you, Kels & Lenny!

Coeann Church - July 12, 2010 - 9:07 pm

Once again Tara, you captured a most fabulous wedding. Great pictures for such a special couple. They will cherish them forever. Thank you for allowing us to enjoy them.

Mike DeRousie - July 12, 2010 - 8:41 pm

Absolutely Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!

Stephenie - July 12, 2010 - 7:43 pm

How fortunate for Kelsey and Lennie to have found such a talented photographer! A lifetime of memories captured – awesome job Tara.

Jennifer - July 12, 2010 - 4:00 pm

These are beautiful pictures! It is amazing to see the love between these two captured in everyone one of these photos!! They are amazing people and these breathtaking pictures will last them a lifetime! <3 Great job!!

Catie Stephens - July 12, 2010 - 2:38 pm

STUNNING!. Tara you are so talented!

Stefanie - July 12, 2010 - 2:11 pm

That looks like one awesome wedding! You rocked it like always girl!

Marlene Church - July 12, 2010 - 2:08 pm

Oh my goodness Tara! I don’t even know what to say…
I am crying my eyes out all over again!
Amazing, amazing, amazing!!! :)
Love those two so much. You really captured their personality in these photos!

heather - July 12, 2010 - 12:56 pm

Tara, these are amazing. It looks like they are a super fun couple. I’m sure they will love these!

genelle - July 12, 2010 - 12:55 pm

I love these pictures, looks like a beautiful wedding!!

Lorraine Nesensohn - July 12, 2010 - 12:46 pm

Just wonderful pics!

{ Sequim Workshop 2010 }

I can’t believe how long it has taken me to get this posted.  I still haven’t edited half the images from the workshop here in Sequim, but figured I should post at least some!:)  I had a group of ladies fly into town for a few days for a hands on workshop.  We had lots of fun…even though I was horribly sick and had almost no voice they put up with me sounding like a dying frog, and on top of that it just seemed to be one of those “everything that could go wrong did go wrong” kind of weeks.  But it all worked out in the end.  A few images from our shoots while they were here!

Poly - July 15, 2010 - 4:05 pm

If you ever come to MN I’ll definetely do the workshop!

kara - July 11, 2010 - 4:01 pm

These are so great! I am going to try and sign up for your kansas city workshop hopefully soon!

Mindy - July 8, 2010 - 2:33 pm

Can’t wait until you come to New Orleans!!! YEAAAA!! It’s right around the corner.

{ The Price Family } Sequim WA Family Photographer

A little sneak peek for the Price family!  We had a lovely evening on the beach in Sequim last night.  I just love our summer weather and lighting:).  I also LOVED the way Amanda coordinated everybodys outfits…..so summery and fun. 

Cody just cracked me up…he reminds me so much of Wyatt with his constant energy.  He is non-stop entertainment.  He is missing two of his front teeth..and when I asked him about it…He informed me that he wanted money…so he pulled them out.  Then his parents informed me that he actually wrote the Tooth Fairy a letter requesting 5.00 for them and that the Tooth Fairy wrote him back informing him that because of his greed, he was only getting 4.00. LOL  I love it!  

As soon as I asked mommy and daddy to kiss, Cody instantly threw his hands over his face with a loud “eeeewwwww” before I even suggested the idea. Mason and Kylie of course quickly followed.

So “boy”  dirty and “stinky” according to little sister Kylie……
I just love the way she is looking at him in this picture…I guess she wasn’t as impressed as I was with his headstand in the sand. haha

Kylie has such a beautiful, soulful little face!  Such honest expressions from her every time.  She is very much about doing everything herself, and let me know how she liked things when I took her picture:).  All three kids have striking blue eyes that just sparkle in the soft light that we had.  Big brother Mason is definitely a bit calmer than Cody, but has such a helpful sweet spirit, and is GREAT at making Kylie and Cody laugh.   I really enjoyed working with him.

Alisha Judd - July 6, 2010 - 9:18 am

I am going to miss this great family. I love the pictures you took. Absolutely perfect for the family they are. Great Job Tara!

Carmen Wiker - July 3, 2010 - 1:05 pm

LOVE these PEEPS! That picture of Cody on his head – SOOOOOO CODY!

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