Today’s Member Share Monday comes from a photographer in California.  Tara tells us a little about herself and her photography below!  Be sure to check out more of Tara’s work on her website and blog and like her on Facebook!  Thanks for sharing Tara!

How long have you been in business?  Well technically, since 1999 but I’ve had a camera in my hand since I was in elementary school! I used to make my friend pose for me during recess! haha!!

What percentage of your business is seniors?  About 50% of my business is exclusively seniors and I also photograph families, kids, and weddings.

What do you think makes the perfect senior session?  I definitely think it’s a mix of lots of variables, but having fun and being yourself is priority #1. If you have an amazing location, great clothes, beautiful light AND have fun being yourself, you can’t go wrong!

What do you love most about photographing seniors?  I love making each senior feel good about themselves and letting them feel like supermodels even if only for a few hours. I think girls (and guys) are way to hard on themselves and I love to show them just how beautiful they are.

What would you say is your biggest challenge in your business?  My biggest challenge is juggling my family life along with my business. Photography has always been a huge passion of mine and I tend to be a bit of a workaholic.

Describe your photography style?  My photography style is a mix of all sorts. I think fashionable, fun, and colorful would describe it best.

What motivates or inspires you in your photography?  That’s a hard one- I think just about everything can be inspiring in one way or another. Sometimes I’ll see an amazing video and take elements from that. A scene in a film will make me think of a session I’d like to do, pictures in fashion magazines, my kids, I could go on and on….

20 Questions

Where are you from /where do you live?  I am originally from Seattle but relocated to Los Angeles after art school. I now live outside of Los Angeles in Santa Clarita, California.

Married?  Yes. I married my high school sweetheart and we just celebrated our 15 year anniversary.

Kids?  Yes, two awesomely crazy little girls! Did I mention they’re awesome already?

What are their ages?  6 & 8

Nikon or Canon?  Canon (but used to be Nikon, I”m a convert).

What kind of camera bag do you carry?  I LOVE my Kelly Moore bag for portrait shoots and when I have a bunch of gear that I need on me all day, I couldn’t do it without my Boda bag.

Favorite music to edit to?  The Twilight soundtracks are amazing and I like to mix in a little Adele, Lily Allen, and Lana Del Rey.

Favorite Photoshop Action?  I am an action junkie and I’m really trying to not be. I have so many favorites but I’d definitely have to say the Totally Rad Actions, Florabella Action set, and Nostalgia sets from The Shoppe are among my tops that I couldn’t live without.

A photographer that inspires you?  I really love following and learning from fashion photographers. I think Lara Jade is crazy talented and Melissa Rodwell is amazing as well.

Favorite Food?  Nachos (and not the fancy kind- the carnival, movie theater, cheap kind with extra jalapenos please)

Favorite Place to Shop?  Forever 21 and MAC

Favorite drink at Starbucks?  Grande skinny vanilla latte kids temp, please (It’s a mouth full but I used to work there back in Seattle so I learned just the way I like it)

Favorite Guilty Pleasure?  Do I dare say it? Pretty LIttle Liars!! But if some creeper was after me, I’d be telling my parents EVERYTHING pronto!! Enough with A already!

Favorite memory when you were a senior?  My super cool HomeEc teacher used to let me skip class and go to the darkroom to print my pictures instead. How cool is that? By the way, thank you Mrs. G- looks like it paid off!!

Favorite Quote or Saying?  “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it”. -ferris bueller

Favorite Workshop or photography event you attended?  Loved the Seniors Ignite event and I took a workshop in Seattle with Brianna Graham that was awesome.

Favorite Magazine?  Marie Claire and Allure

Favorite Vacation Spot?  Kauai

Favorite Movie?  This was the easiest question for me- Nothing beats The Breakfast Club!!