photographer

“To be a photographer, if a day goes by without doing something related to photography, something essential to existence has been ignored.” ~ from an ad in American Photo magazine (Jan/Feb 2006)

My dad created a monster.              

A photo monster, that is.

When I look back, it’s hard to believe my dad actually had to convince me to register for a photography class in high school.  But, once I started in Mr. Weesner’s photo class my junior year, I was hooked.  In fact, my first class assignment earned me the “Photo of the Week” honor.  I took a picture of the little blond toddler next door.  I chased her around for a while trying to get her picture.  Every time she noticed the camera pointed at her, though, she’d walk up and touch it.  Made for a lot of blurry images!  To distract her, I handed her another camera.  I ended up snapping a shot of her trying to take a picture of me.  She was so proud of herself!  In the photo, her eyes are so intense…so expressive…so curious.  Yep, children’s photography was for me. 

As my interest in photography grew, my dad helped me develop what I call “a camera’s eye.”  He helped me learn to see things you might not normally notice…for example, reflections in a coffee shop window or in a shiny hubcap.  Since then I’ve traveled all over seeing - and photographing - these little things which I now find so fascinating.  I’ve been known to lay down in dirt taking close-up images of oily rainbows in a puddle or a baby bamboo shoot emerging from dark mud…lots of things that make others ask me, “WHAT on earth are you taking a picture of?!?” 

In my junior year of high school I also joined the yearbook staff, with Mrs. Weesner as the advisor, and spent two years taking many, many pictures at school events.  Most people from my high school days who I see around town today remember me as “the camera girl.”  Funny, that’s what my friends and family think of me today!  My daughters probably think that all moms have a camera for a right hand.

Before my college year in Ireland, my mom and dad gave me a new camera. (I had been using my dad’s old…I mean “classic”…camera until that point.)  That thing never left my side during my travels!  I documented everything from life in a pub to cobblestone walkways to castles older than our country to the most gorgeous landscapes you’ve ever seen.

Luckily, after having my girls years later, I was finally able to transition my “expensive hobby” into a business.  Over the last fourteen years, I’ve gone from taking pictures just for me, to taking pictures for friends and family, to building my own portrait and fine art photography business.

I continue to be awestruck at how much moments in time can come back to life in an instant when I pour over old photos.  And I relish the opportunity to give that same experience to you.

I owe a big thank you to my mom for coming up with my business name (tara’s take…very clever) and for supporting me in all I do as a person, mama, and professional.  To my dad, of course, for the nudge in the right direction.  To my little brother for helping convince me that I really could successfully make the jump into professional photography.  To my hubby for being there every step of the way (and forcing me to finally go digital…which paid for itself in one trip to the Caribbean!).  To my grandparents for their encouragement and helping build my “tool” collection.

I am currently loving life in Marina, CA with my soccer-crazed hubby and our two beautiful, wonderfully imaginative, energetic daughters.

Sláinte,