Interview with a Mom*tog – Tara Whitney

I am beyond excited for today’s interview!  Why?  Because it’s with my favorite all time family photography Tara Whitney!  

Besides being one of the best family photographers in the country, Tara is also a mom to 4 kids!  4!  And she happened to name one after me  So, that makes her even cooler!

I love Tara’s relaxed style of photography.  Besides being colorful and beautiful, what I love about her photographs is that they are so real and honest and I walk away feeling like I know her subjects.  I think her photographs are so genuine and true, because she’s very genuine and true.  And while I don’t know Tara personally (yet) we are Twitter friends.  Which pretty much means we’re BFF in real life and we just haven’t met yet  She speaks her mind and doesn’t hold back.  She’s funny, witty, creative and sarcastic and I love how I can see all of those qualities in her photographs.

I’ve always wanted a session with Tara and I am one lucky lady because when we get back from Hawaii she’s taking our family pictures!  I really wanted a shoot in our house and neighborhood before we move.  Just us being us.  And I couldn’t think of a better photographer to do it.

Not in Southern California, but want a a family session with Tara?  Guess what?  She travels!  Just contact her for more info!

THANK YOU, Tara for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer these questions!  You totally rock!  Now onto the interview!

How many kids do you have and what are their ages?

I have four kids aged 13, 11, 9, 6

 

How long have you been in business and how did you get started?

I have been in business for about four or five years now…My job kind of fell into my lap. I was posting images on my blog, and started getting inquiries from strangers asking if I could photograph their family. I went for it and its snowballed into what it is today.

 

You are busy with 4 kids!!!  How do you run such a successful business and be a great mom?  Do you have super powers?

Um, I wish. The first superpower i would acquire is the i-dont-need-any-stinking-sleep power. A close second would be can-get-here-to-there-by-twinkling-her-nose power.

 

What is a typical day like for you?

I wake up and get the kids off to school, then work for a few hours. I might go out to lunch with my husband (he works from home a few days a week), or run errands during this time as well. Once the kids get home, its snack time, homework time, hang out time, dinner time, and my favorite: bed time. My sessions usually take place while they are in school, or in the early evenings during the summer when the sun stays out to play.

 

What’s in your camera bag?

Canon 5d, 24-70l, 50L 1.2, 85 1.8

 

If you could pick one lens and one lens only, which would it be?

The 24-70L. Its a workhorse.

 

Where do you get your inspiration?

I really gain a lot of my inspiration from the families that I shoot. From each person I shoot. I also love to flip through magazines, watch movies, listen to music, and I try to pay attention to the little details of life that I want to record forever. 

 

I love how your images are so real.  How do you get your subjects to relax and let that realness come out?

This is nearly impossible for me to answer because I do not know what I do. I think I am just good at making people feel at ease in front of me, and then of course, my camera.

Do your kids get sick of having a camera in their face all of the time? Sometimes. But since I am generally not in their face about it they are pretty easy on me.

 

What is your favorite image you’ve taken of your kids recently?

A shot of Drew, my 11yo. Made me see how big he was getting.

 

Do you have any tips or secrets to share for all of the Mom*togs (nonpro photogs)?

Shoot what makes you feel giddy inside, no matter what anyone else says. Don’t try to emulate anyone else, just be YOU.

 

If you weren’t a photographer what would you be?

Bored.

If you could have any photographer photograph your family who would it be?

On the advice of my lawyer, I plead the 5th. Just kidding-but I can’t say that! I love and know of too many! 

If you could photograph one person who would it be?

I can’t think of just one person. There isn’t anyone in the front of my brain. I could say a celebrity, but really do I care about that? I could say my grandma, who has been gone since I was in fourth grade. Yes, her.

Where do you see yourself and your business in 5 years?

In five years I hope my business and I are both happy and healthy, and thriving.

Favorites

 

Place to shop for kids clothes: Naartje, thrift shops, Surf outlets, Boden

Place to shop for your clothes: Old Navy, thrift shops, surf outlets, alight.com, alloy.com

Blog to stalk: dooce.com

Vacation spot: anywhere 

Activity to do with the kids on a random weekday: go to the pool, ride bikes, play video games, head to the beach

Food to cook: Tacos

Thing about your job: Making people feel beautiful