This is one of my favorite images EVER. E.V.E.R. Even now, after having had the privelege of looking at it for over a month, I still get a lump in my throat. It is that perfect. You might not know, but my family had the extreme pleasure of being photographed by the lovely, phenomenally talented Miss Tara Whitney while we were in California in April. For me, this was a luxury. We were buying for our family a gift of the greatest magnitude. Photographers, like musicians have influences and she is to family photography what The Beatles are to pop music. Being a shy, unassuming sort of gal, she will adamantly deny this and shake her head telling me that I am out of my mind. The Beatles, Dana? Seriously? But, you will have to trust me as I know what I’m talking about
A couple of years ago, I first approached Bob with the idea of going to California to have her capture us…when I lose more weight I would say. One day when I am feeling better about the way that I look, we will spend the money. Then, this fall, I looked at my family one night and I said–we’re doing this. Screw being thin or younger looking or having fancier clothes. Now is the time. Do you know why? Because we here in Pughville have never been happier or more content or more connected as a family and those are the things that truly translate into a beautiful image. Those are the things that I want to remember.
I know that custom photography is a luxury and is not inexpensive. I also know that many people choose photographers based on their budget(and I know that to some degree, budget must be considered). Today I am writing this post to try and explain to you how different it is to book a photographer whose work makes your heart sing. Put aside your budget–the way you did when you booked that luxury holiday or bought those expensive shoes you knew you shouldn’t but made you feel so fabulous that you couldn’t resist. This is a luxury that will bring you joy for so many years that, in the end, you will realize it was priceless. Your research should be more about reviewing portfolios and reading people’s blogs than it should be about looking at pricelists. When you make this leap, I think you will shock yourself with the results. I am kicking myself…wishing I had done it more when my kids were smaller. Even though my children are two of the most photographed children on the planet. I wish I had let another artist capture them through their lens…and, more importantly, capture my family’s love and laughter and life in a way that brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye. I will never let another year pass. E.V.E.R.
I had a tough time narrowing down the images I wanted to share with you all. There were so many that made my heart sing. This is what I came up with:
That last image screams ‘Tara Whitney took this picture’…
If you hire someone whose work makes your heart sing you will even love pictures of yourselfThe best pictures of me in FOREVER. Of course, there aren’t many pictures of me from the last few years. Because of this, I was so scared that I would look at the images and be shocked at how old I was, but all I saw was happiness
We were so lucky that night was–by a mile–the most glorious night of our entire trip. Our campground was all in bloom with these gorgeous yellow flowers. And, we had spent the day relaxing on the beach doing nothing but playing together.
These last few images of me and my kids will be blown up into a large wall display. I will post images once I am done. These images of me and my Bob just fill me with happiness.
And, this kite image, will be printed large and put upstairs…I have two spots in mind for it. I’ll photograph it when I actually hang themTara is designing a book for me as well. I can’t wait to see it. It was super important to me to have her put the images together the way she sees them as it is her work.
Thank you, Tara, for this lovely gift. You simply have no idea. These images were a gift on so many levels–on a professional level, it was a wonderful thing to get a sense for being a client and on a personal level, I am left with a collection of images that illustrate our love oh so well. Thank you for sharing your gift with us!
Happy Monday Everyone!
~Dana
by Dana
dana, you have a gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous family and tara did such a beautiful job with capturing all this LOVE! i adore every single image… (even though i know you’ve got more… i wanna see them ALLLLL!!!!)
xoxoxoxo
WOW. Just WOW. These are absolutely beautiful, Dana. I too adore Tara’s work. And, what a beautiful investment of stunning images that you will have to treasure always. Thank you for sharing and yes, these images most definitely make a heart sing.
LOVE them all! How could I not? Tara behind the camera and you crazy lovlies in front of it? Oh someday it will be my turn!
Beautiful! How could you chose they are all so lovely!
Thank you all
Nichole, I assure you I didn’t choose 
I bought the digital files, a coffee table book with each and every image, and have plans to scatter them throughout my home. This is only 1/4 of the images. It is truly a beautiful collection.
gorgeous photos, gorgeous family
xoox
My face melted in my left hand, and the lump in my throat was heavy. You guys are SO beautiful and look SO happy. I’m over the moon for you and your new treasure. Tara- Paul McCartney fo sho. However, we all know that you NEED real love to capture real love. You’re the perfect family/photog combo
You took the words right out of my mouth in regards to this investment, and I too, can’t wait to shout it from the rooftops!
Beyond amazing Pugh’s. Beyooooooond…
Dana, these are so beautiful. WOW.
Dana, these are absolutely stunning (not that there is any surprise from this rockstar of our industry). I have been making excuses for a long time as well (the biggest just my being in front of the camera)…I will need to get over it…cuz I would love these too;) Love your freckles!
gorgeous. nothing else to say.
oh. be still my heart!!!! Dana – these are priceless. jewels beyond compare. I love the LOVE Tara captured. And I especially love that YOU love them!! we women have a terrible tendency to see wrinkles instead of smile lines – and that’s so SO wrong. enjoy these treasures and all the memories they will forever invoke…
UNBELIEVABLE! seriously cannot stop staring at every last detail of these spectacular images of you and your beauties, dana. bravo to you for putting yourself out there and bravo to tara for working that magic of hers yet again. SO happy for you!
First of all Dana, you, and your family are really beautiful the emotions of love and joy and connection are so present, so right out there to be seen and enjoyed!
Tara is one of my favorite photographers and it must have been an extremely fantastic experience for all of you to abandon yourselves to her incredible talent.
YOur blog post is so right on, custom photography taken by someone whose work inspires you is truly priceless, never ever a regret to be had.
Jane
Dana. What you wrote is so very poignant. You have a beautiful heart and a beautiful family and Tara certainly captured it all perfectly. These images are of great moments, she (as usual) did a phenomenal job.
Oh I love these! Dana your family is beautiful and fun…….Miss Tara, amazing….your style inspires me. This style of shooting truly shows the love of a family and I feel that with every photograph!
Dana! you aLL look SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!
Dana, gorgeous!!! Lucky you. And good for you for choosing a photographer based on her style and not on your budget. Tara is definitely Beatles material. No doubt. Can’t wait to see the images on your walls!
dana, you lucky woman!! these are PRICELESS. enough said.
oh my word… incredibly beautiful, touching, fun and uplifting!! You have a beautiful family, Dana!
Oh Dana, I love you and your family. You said it all, you \’look\’ it all, Tara is wonderful and this post made me very happy! Thank you so much for the share.
my heart is going to pop….and these aren’t even mine. i am in love with each and every image. oh how i’d love to have tara photograph my family. someday….SOMEDAY for sure. i can’t wait to see the pics of them on your wall and THE BOOK. make sure you show us the book. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE…………
So totally lovely! Every shot says a thousand words, what a treasure!
Wow! Amazing!!!
Love them all.
Dana these are all so gorgeous. Totally jealous!!!
What a gift you have given yourself…you will cherish these for a lifetime!
Lookin’ good kiddo! Love the twinkle in your eyes & the love captured
WOW!! all i can say about these. how lucky of a girl are you?? she is amazing at what she does and you and your family SHINE!
Wow…to wake up to all these lovely comments. What a treat
Thank you everyone! All of you who long to have a session with her–do it darn it! Do it now!! Time is short and life is unpredictable. What are you waiting for?
Dana,
I adore you, and I fell in love with your family.
Thank you so much for the words you wrote above. I can hardly read them without tearing up.
You were all a joy to work with and photograph. It was easy.
Thanks everyone for the love and support!!!
xoxoxoxo
I actually had to pause a moment to pick my jaw up off the floor before I was able to start typing. These images make me want to cry they are so exceptionally beautiful. Dana, you are a phenomenal woman with a gorgeous family and I am SO jealous that you had Tara as the amazing artist to capture this wonderful time in your lives. THANK YOU for sharing these lovely images with us!!!
Those images are fantastic! We have not made the investment in custom photography since my oldest was just barely 1. We are making the commitment to it this fall, as way too much time has passed. Thank you for the reminder to just to it!
Beautiful beyond words…I am so happy for you, what an incredible gift to yourself and your family.
Tara – You just keep getting better and better. Beatles, without question!
xo
what an incredible gift you have given to your family by seeking out Tara’s genius! I am just in love with your family and I’ve never even met y’all.
Thanks so much for sharing!
love it! a treasure of images for a lifetime. you should do it again in five years!
Wow! These are amazing pictures! You are right, these special family photos are worth the investment! The joy & happiness you guys share in these photos are absolutley something to so proud of
I remember TW sneak peek of your family and just that one silly photo of a family I didn’t even know filled me with so much happiness. Your joy is inspiring and uplifting. Someday I will get our family out to the West Coast for a TW photo session. It’s on my must-do-list!
Oh this is the stuff!! You did such a wonderful job of articulating what it feels like as a photographer to have your own family pictures done. And thank you so much for sharing your experience with Tara with us. I just can’t even imagine!!
your family photos are absolutely lovely – so full of life and love! i am always waiting to be thinner and more beautiful and tend to put off family photos; you’ve inspired me to save for my own tara session (have been coveting her photos for years…!)
Dana these are beautiful and you all look so happy…so stunning. Tara captured your family’s love so well. Pure love, joy and peace in every photo.
p.s. – Dana, you have such a beautiful smile.
gorgeous…((and)) might i ask where you got your necklace?
Chills! What a beautiful family you have Dana, I LOVE how they are so true and real. Truly priceless and what a gift.
These pictures made me tear up. That’s how good Tara is. Even though I don’t know you, you all look wonderful! Priceless images!!
i wish i lived closer that we could visit tara as well! the are fabulous and i agree with everything you wrote about her!
i think you’re beautiful! i love the images tara captured for your family and i love that you said “forget it” and went with it! i did the very same thing about having my portraits taken by tara! now i’m done putting requirements on it and am focused on my saving to make it happen.
seeing images like these only reaffirm my desire. thank you for sharing your beautiful family and tara’s beautiful work!
Dana….what a beautiful family you have…..the LOVE just oozes out in every image (and you are absolutely stunning) Thanks for sharing this collection.
I love what you wrote. I love how tara captured your family. I LOVE these images, you are beautiful and your family is gorgeous. So glad for you that you went and did this
Thank you all for your beautiful words
Aren’t we the luckiest? Don’t I always say that?
I got my necklace off of Etsy a long time ago. Here is a link to the shop:
http://www.heartdesignjewelry.etsy.com
She has nothing in it right now, but I suppose you could email her
beautiful pictures! How wonderful to be captured by the amazing Tara. And really, your words are equally beautiful.
Dana, I was looking at your photos on Tara’s blog and thought you looked so good and so happy. It’s funny to me to come here and read what you said… because I have had the same thoughts- lose weight, etc. I just need to book a session before my kiddos get too big!! Thanks for the push. Your family is precious! Julie
Love the family pictures! Found your website when searching for, camping on the beach in Ca…. Funny how the internet works! Would you please tell me where you camped? It looks wonderful.
wow. so well said! I saw your post on Tara’s blog, but really love the ones you posted here. You all look so happy. These look so much like they should be on the cover of some happy-feel-good magazine. They are really, really lovely, as is your family (and you)!