the six questions featuring tara whitney
Thursday, April 2, 2009 by Maile Wilson 
Image Copyright Tara Whitney
Chris Sneddon recently wrote a lovely post here. She remarked that there's a certain point in the evolution of an artist, where your heart becomes visible in your work. I wholeheartedly agree. And I don't think anyone does it better than Tara Whitney. We are honored to have her answer some of our questions!
1. What was it that lit your photography spark? Do you remember a particular camera, course, person, roll of film?
Well, as a child, I was more interested in being in front of the camera. I wanted to model, to set up shots... I was absolutely enthralled with magazine photos and would pour over them and dream of the day I would be old enough and able to be in shots just like them. But then, as I got older I was more interested in being behind the scenes. I wanted to be the one setting things up and telling people what to do. And especially when my children were born...they were my biggest inspiration. We couldn't afford custom photography when they were babies, so I taught myself! My husband surprised me with an SLR and sent me to beginner photography classes at a local night school. That was truly the beginning of my life as a photographer.
2. What's your photo philosophy? Does it reflect your life philosophy?
100%. My life philosophy has always been "just be you". All you can do is be the best you that you can be, and know that that is totally enough. When coming up with my business branding, it was seamless. It had to be "Just Be You."
3. Where do you look for inspiration?
At the people I am photographing, mostly. Also the world around me. Of course like everyone else I am inspired by my family, music, movies, magazines, advertisements, and other photographers. But I try to leave that all behind when I am working and keep it strictly between me and the client.
4. What would you say is one of your 'signature' editing tricks, themes or style?
I like to go wide and shoot without looking through the lens. I do this a lot, while walking, while talking, I just move my camera around and hope for the best. I am often amazed at what I get. I also love to get people talking and laughing. My favorite shots are of a family laughing about something only they "get".
5. What aspect of your photography are you constantly working on, trying to improve?
Exposure! It is hard for me to be technically perfect when I am on the move. I make mistakes, and sometimes they make me really mad-haha-like when I miss THE SHOT because I forget to change my settings from the last set up. It happens to everyone though.....right?! ;) I plan on constantly trying to improve my exposures, until the day I can no longer pick up my camera. I don't think anyone could ever learn everything they need to know about light and photography. It is an ongoing process.
6. If you could go anywhere in the world for an epic, weeklong photo excursion all by your luxuriously unhurried self - regardless of money, time or childcare issues - where would you go and why?
Honestly, take me anywhere, I'll be happy as long as I can be un-hurried and child-free! Specifically, and if I could choose....I would choose Thailand. I have been once, but I think going back again with experience would be beneficial to me.
Reader Comments (22)
:)
So glad you are in our sisterhood over here..