The Tara Sessions.
Clearly, I love photographs. But photographs including myself, not so much. I know a photogenic subject when I see one and I also know that me, I’m not one of them. I’m fine with this fact, I just figure I got a good phone voice, my sister got photogenic.
So, one recent day, I was admittedly filled with part excitement, part terror when Krysta informed me she’d done a secret little something and booked us a shoot with the incredible Miss Tara Whitney. What? With me? As in me on the other side of the camera? Breeeeaathe.
As the day drew closer, the excitement mostly took over the fear and we madly planned, bombarding poor Tara with random texts and emails. I can’t think of anything worse than photographing two pedantic, detail obsessed, indecisive photographers but if she was daunted, she didn’t appear to be. We enticed her with promises of champagne and frivolity and it must have worked, she showed up.
Laden up with forty thousand props, we struggled along suburban streets until suddenly we were there. The perfect spot. Hazy light, dusty tracks, gorgeous fields. All the things we’d hoped for. Throw in some vintage frocks and a pink bike and we had ourselves a dream session. Photos aside though, the afternoon we spent together was without a doubt, a highlight of my trip to the States. We didn’t stop laughing the entire time. And when we weren’t laughing, we were just so relaxed and happy and comfortable. Who would have thought?
And then, the bonus..the photos are just beautiful. The whole purpose behind Krystas gorgeous idea was to simply capture the friendship we share, and Tara did just that, so perfectly. Krysta, thankyou for a truly beautiful gift. Tara, thankyou for a truly beautiful day. (Again, I’m sorry I tried to run you down with the bike.) If you’d like to see the result of our splendid time together, you may go here. (Password: field)
S xx
*Added an out-take Tara emailed through..I wasn’t kidding about the near demise of Miss Whitney at the hands of my inexeperienced bike rider-self. If we’d audio taped the event you’d hear be shreiking “Tarrrrrraaaaaaaaaa….Stoppppp the biiiiiiike”. Like she could.
Splendid indeed, especially the closeups. No idea who Tara Whitney is, but she’s good.
Wow amazing photos they had me smiling! So happy for you!
Oh, Sheye…how breathtaking, and what a gift! :-)
Mesmerised.
that number 27 with you spinning in the field is a heart skipper, huh.
What a beautiful gift
Absolutely priceless photos of love, laughter, friendship.
Love the location, props and pretty dresses.
Great series of photos :)
Those are lovely!
Oh, the pictures are so lovely. How lucky you two are to share such a special bond, and to have it captured in such a beautiful way.
Going to sound strange since we have never met, but “knowing” you, #27 and #28 actually made me get a big ol lump in my throat, and feel a bit teary. Such a wonderful time for you, captured!
Oh my goodness Sheye. I had to watch it over again. It is divine. So pretty, fun, happy & special. What a perfect gift! Far too many faves to mention.
Oh. My. Goodness.
You must be so pleased.
And not photogenic? Me don’t think so. You have photogenic written all over your face. Beautiful.
And Krysta looks like a barrell of laughs. x
Sweet… have to love Tara!!
oh sheye you two look like a couple of school girls who have skipped school for the day and are frolicking in the fields talking of boys and dreams of your futures.. just gorgeous gorgeous shots… what lovely mementos to keep from your trip abroad.. just delicious!
What a fun set of pictures! I love them!
(Also, I do mean to respond to your e-mail, but we have both mothers’ birthdays and the 4th of July in the next couple days, so it may take me a little while. I’m glad you had a great time, though, and I hope the kids were all tuckered out!!)
sheye those photos are magical. and you look gorgeous (especially for some who apparently doesn’t take a good photo).
I want a vintage dress. Beautiful pictures.
Sheye, these are amazing photos, and proof positive that you are so very photogenic!
Oh my goodness, I am so jealous! Those pictures are beautiful!!!!! You girls look great! The vintage, the frocks, the scenery, the closeness of two friends I see in these pictures – Tara captured it all so perfectly. Oh and the bicycle…. too funny!
Absolutely stunning. You two should model already. Love the shots, love the setting and the clothing. Tara captured your souls.
we all know how gorgeous you are on the inside but holy cow – you are so gorgeous on the outside too!! just stunning. these photos are so wonderful – krysta is a beauty too and your friendship and relationship are so beautifully captured. tara is a genius. i would give anything to have that black and white print of you with your eyes closed – it is by far one of the most gorgeous shots i’ve seen in a long time. xo m.
omg are those gorgeous!! my fav. is the very last shot. who wouldn’t want to capture that feeling with their best friend??? hope you had a great trip! can’t wait to see more, tracy
those pictures are beautiful! glad you had so much fun!
AMAZING!!! I couldn’t have enjoyed them more.
how lucky you are.
simply. amazing.
i love everything about these. i love the mood that she created with these. i am in love with them!
Oh Sheye, those are just absolutely beautiful! Love them all. What a great friend for setting that all up. And Tara really is just SUCH an amazing photographer. Well, you all are!!!
Glad you’ve had such a wonderful time in Cali. I’d expect nothing less from our wonderful state!
So beautiful! LOVE!
Wow, the photos are beautiful and it looks like so much fun!!
You both look beautiful!!!
No doubt, you seem to have quite a lot of fun.
Love the picture of you in black and white, the one with eyes closed… Simply beautiful.
Ohhh. *swoon* How crazy that I had recently started following Tara’s blog and then you two(three!) intertwined! Sheye, these are just precious. I actually ache at the sight of your friendship–it rings truly of the kind of “busom friend” I remember reading about in Anne of Green Gables. You share the same heart. That’s so clear. And I think you were marvelous on the other end of the lens, really. Just perfect. Such a treat to share!
Really Beautiful! #27 & #28 also produced a lump in my throat as they capture a bit of the Sheye I imagine you to be.
So happy you had such a lovely and memorable day. Enjoy the rest of your vacation!
oh sheye! they are gorgeous… beautiful location, beautiful women, and beautiful friendship that shines throughout the entire session!!! i am so glad for you to have these treasures… these moments trapped in time! much love,
emily
Absolutely magical captures of the two of you – what a beautiful gift!
I think I squealed when I read that you had a session with Tara Whitney, I love her. Absolutely stunning session!!! You and Krysta are both gorgeous AND photogenic.
Not photogenic! Surely you honestly don’t believe that Sheye??? Stunning, Gorgeous, Perfect, Fun all of the above! Looks like you had such a blast! So glad you got to meet up with your Krysta and share something so special!
Ebz xoxo
Wow. The gift of friendship well and truly captured by Tara. Absolutely gorgeous in every way.
Love
Elise
Stunning, the most perfect expression of friendship. And that frock with the pink sash, OMG, all the dresses are gorgeous of course but that one, wow.
Absolutely beautiful photos :)
Gorgeous! Thank you so much for sharing these pictures. I’ll bet the 3 of you had such an amazing time. You’re all 3 so amazing at what you do behind those cameras of yours! You and Krysta really do seem like soul sisters. It’s so neat that you got to come together and document that special friendship.
Absolutely breathtaking images, I have no words….. you both look like rockstars (or should that be vintage super models?)
I Love, looove the BW shot of you with your eyes shut, and the BW one of Krysta with the strap off her shoulder, in the white dress.
If I looked that gorgeous in images I would not mind framing and displaying them images in my home!
Absolutely perfect!
holy GORGEOUS! #39 makes my heart stop. oh, to have such a lovely, vulnerable, treasured friendship <3
these are absolutely gorgeous! i love #7 of the two faces together. and i love your contrasting hair colors. it just makes the photos all the better. I don’t even know either of you, but imagined by best friend and me in those same photos. it just gleaned friendship.
oh and the one of you twirling reminded me of one of the photos you have posted of your sweet Ava. Stunning.
Gorgeous. Its so fantastic to see you. :)
Heavenly! What a beautiful friendship.
Sheye ~ for a few reasons, those pictures made me cry. They are just so breathtakingly beauty-full. You need not worry when you are on the other side of a lens gorgeous….
x
They are simply divine! You must be so happy with them :)
so perfectly beautiful and touching.
Beautiful! They so speak of a special friendship. Thanks for sharing.
Sheye you are insane. I’m sorry to be so blunt, but if you think you do not photograph well then you are crazy. You are stunning. Your smile is incredible and your dark hair and blue eyes are so striking. Krysta is gorgeous. And the photos are all amazing. You both should be in front of the lens more :)
Those are divine. Gorgeous. Like the spinning one too! It reminds me of the picture of Ava running through the yard. The joy just radiates from both of you.
P.S. I have serious vintage frock envy.
Simply.BeautyFull.
And what a gift for your avid followers that you share them with us :)
You are both stunning and the bond between the two of you is so obvious.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Oh honey they are perfect!! What a gorgeous gift. You.look.amazing.
x
Why have I NEVER thought of a photo session for my 2 ‘Besties’ and me??? What a great idea. These pics are great!!!!!!!
Thank you so much for sharing those with all of us. What a treat!
Sheye, Darling~ You are stunning! Not photogenic?! Silly girl!
Wow. She is such an amazing photographer. I have admired her work for some time and these shots are stunning. As I went through the slide show, I kept saying “this is my favorite” and the next shot would pop up, and I’d think “No, this is my favorite.” I can’t choose! The bike photos – especially the one of Krysta walking away with it. The bubble gum shot. The close ups of each of you individually, the ones of your heads together in the grass. Awwww… such great photos and such a lovely gift. You obviously have a beautiful friendship – thanks for sharing.
How truly wonderful! This is just another reason one should go with a friend’s ideas, even if one is not 100% inclined.
BEAUTIFUL :) “loverly” :)
I loved the one of you on the bike and number 30!
that is the most amazing set of photos. they tell such a beautiful story of friendship! what an amazing gift and a precious keepsake for both of you! i love tara’s work but this set was definitely different– but just as magnificent as her child/family work.
the dresses were GORGEOUS too.
i am in awe.
Girls, frocks & Champers, how could you go wrong????
Looks like this afternoon was well spent ‘filling your cup’ in more ways than one ☺
♥x♥
those are simply beautiful…you are gorgeous! ;-)
lovely, s:)
l,
d xxxxx… x
Oh my gosh, those photos are so gorgeous! You two looked like you were having a blast!
i LOVE these photos- yoou both look stunning and she did a great job!
PS i want (NEED) all those beautiful dresses ; )
OH. MY. GOSH.
These pictures are sooo glorious!
What a treasure!! Each and every one was my favorite ~ thank you for sharing!
you lie when you say that you’re not photogenic. you totally are!
i love seeing the photographer on the other side of the lens. it’s always a nice surprise.
Wow. beautiful. love to be able to see a whole run of Tara’s work. absolutely gorgeous!! So glad I found you by the way :)
oh, this has to be one of the cutest sessions i have ever seen.
you are truly beautiful in every way!
thanks for sharing your gift with us.
What a beautiful session. Fantastic job by Tara W. She has such a fantastic eye & I feel like Iknow you just from viewing the shots! You will treasure these for a lifetime.
OMG, that outtake is hilarious!! LOL! :)
ah! this post made me smile ~ looks like you girls had a fab time.
great photos!
sensationally beautiful <3
just beautiful! makes me want to grab my best friend and go for a photo shoot. Love all the vintage ware. Where can I get a pink bike like that? I love it.
God Bless!
Oh ma gawd Sheye! Let me just reiterate what these wise women above have said (& say) loud n clear that YOU ARE SUPER DUPER PHOTOGENIC! I know this Tara chickie is a talented lass by the looks of the photo shoot (Jealous me!), but to put it bluntly…..you can’t shine a turd! You guys made it easy for her to shoot away (I’m sure she’d agree). You are both so ‘purdy’! Hard to pick a fav shot, so I’m not going to! They’re all little beauties…
oh Sheye, unphotogenic my arse, you look so gorgeous! both you and Krysta. these are all amazing, it’s obvious what a close connection you guys have. simply stunning.
Sheye.. my gosh those photos are simply breath-taking.. I love Tara’s work and she certainly did a beautiful job.. You and Krysta are both just gorgeous.. and I love the connection you two share, Tara really captured that so well..
What a great idea, and you didnt even have to do the work. The photos turned out awsome and looks like you had some fun too.
I just left my sister in another state Sunday, I wish we had thought of something like this. Have a great rest of the week.
Thanks for sharing these! They are absolutely beautiful.
Just LOVED every one of those gorgeous shots
Adore the location, frocks, wine and bike
They all made me smile
Simply Stunning!!!!!
You….and your smile….are beautiful.
What a dream shoot, these are absolutely amazing.
Truly beautiful..I don’t believe I’m photogenic but I see the beauty here- I can hear it in your words too.