Crystal + Bronson
When Bronson proposed it was one of the first things that came to my mind. Who will take our pictures? I want something so different, not posed, and I want it to be a priceless memory of our day together. The looking began, I looked around from here to Dallas at different photographers. Nothing really caught my attention, until I looked into Tara. The pictures that she had on her site were unique, artistic, beautiful, and real. Immediately I sent her an email, and I think within minutes I received a response. I liked the fact that she was quick to answer...it shows that she really cares.
When we met I could tell that I like her style, and ideas. So, the process started. After we received our engagement pictures...I was truly amazed. Never in all 7 years have we had pictures taken as real, intimate, and fun as what I saw. It reflected who we are individually and as a couple. Little did I know that it was only the beginning.
We decided to do the first look on our wedding day, and I have to say that it was indescribable. We were in the woods all alone...as I look at the pictures I can relive the moment of walking up behind Bronson, him hearing me wrestling through the grass, the pictures of his face as he could hear me getting closer, the way his smile begins to grow shows our love. I would not have those priceless memories if we wouldn't have chosen the first look. People say well it's just not the same as him having to wait...it was better...we could be us, silly ol' us, and share more time on OUR day together. We laughed before the wedding, instead of hiding out. It was great, and I would recommend it to anyone!
It's hard to put into words what Tara did for us, but I can not say enough. She captured every detail from the time I got my hair done...the wedding details...ceremony...to the reception. When I complete my full scrapbook album I will be glad to share it with anyone, because it truly shows the entire wedding almost like watching a video. I have never watched a slideshow of pictures and felt like I was watching the event happen again, until I watched the slideshow Tara made of our wedding. WOW! Tara was a very special part of our wedding day, and now I can look back and laugh, cry, and get all fuzzy inside reliving the moment.
And not only was she part of the wedding day, but of course we had to extend the wedding a bit and do trash the dress. We just had to much fun at the other sessions...lol AMAZING!! I know some say crazy, but we had a blast! It is a time we will never forget...not just because the water was 20 below...but because we got to play!
To keep this short(ha ha)...I just want to say that still two months later I am looking at all of our pictures...at the little details...noticing little things that I didn't notice the first time. Tara has a magical eye, and the ability to capture memories that can be treasured forever. The real look of real life, and real people in real love....One thing that I will never get to say is...man I wish I had better pictures of our wedding day...that was my fear, and I'm so blessed that we found Tara! So...Tara you are a special part of our wedding memories! I can't thank you enough, and I could write all day! I can't wait for more pictures...maternity?? Trust me I will let you know!!
Ashley + Brea
When Brea proposed, I contacted Tara the very next day. I didnt even look at any other photographer. She had done such an amazing job with my best friend Haleys wedding, and she was so personable and FUN during the whole day, that I just knew she was THE photographer. I cant tell you the compliments Ive gotten from everyone about all of our pictures. Shes different and fun and that really transfers in your pictures when youre having a good time.
My wedding day was so laid back, and its all because of the first look. Brea and I were a little reluctant at first. Not necessarily because were superstitious, but Brea wanted to do something that was traditional (because nothing about our wedding was) and I figured we would just naturally have a ton of pictures anyway, especially with our trash the dress session. The more I thought about the first look though, I just knew I had to do it. I wanted that alone time with him before the wedding because I knew the whole week before the wedding would be a whirlwind of activity and we wouldnt be spending time together. I was not at all prepared for how EMOTIONAL it was. It was such a real moment. I can't imagine what it would've been like to see him for the first time walking down the aisle without seeing him alone. It never could've been as real, simply because EVERYONE is staring at you and the pressure overwhelms you. The ceremony and reception go by so fast that the chances of you being alone for even a second are slim and I'll admit it was nice not worrying about getting a good picture here and there because we already did that, and were able to actually ENJOY our wedding. If you don't do the first look, you will seriously regret it. Again, not only because of getting more pictures, but the moment. It's an unbelievably AMAZING thing to have with your (future) husband. Tara captured such an unforgettable moment for us that Ill cherish forever.
When I look through our pictures, I tear up every time. I can remember everything about our wedding day.
Tara, youre awesome and we cannot thank you enough for everything you did! You havent seen the last of us and Denver!
Meagan + Brandon
Brandon and I have been together forever and when he finally proposed the first thing on the agenda was finding a photographer. We looked everywhere and all the pictures just looked the same and none of them were what I wanted. When I heard about Tara I was so excited and was shocked at the work she did. When my mom and I meet with her we both then knew she was without a doubt the photographer that we had been searching for. Not only was she an amazing photographer she was extremely personable and down to earth.
Without a doubt she was a huge asset to our wedding. Tara was far more than just a photographer she was there to help me out with anything. I called her on everything, even to help me pick music for the wedding and she was always so sweet and helpful. On the wedding day Tara truly amazed me the way she was helpful and energetic. I was a nervous wreck and she was there the whole time calming me down and making everything so much fun.
I had worried about doing the first look with Brandon because all my friends and most of my family felt it was bad luck and you just aren't supposed to see the each other until the wedding. Lets just say I am so glad that we didn't listen to them! The first look was the most intimate moment Brandon and I had ever experienced. Brandon says he can't imagine a more perfect moment and seeing me alone for the first time was extremely intense and absolutely breathtaking. Truthfully I think when people say its just not the same they are thinking more about all the nerves that you have walking down in front of so many people and then seeing each other for the first time on top of that. When you do the first look you are taking away half of those nerves that you would have otherwise. This makes it much easier to relax and just enjoy your perfect day. I can't imagine my wedding day without that special moment with just he and I.
Tara's pictures were truly amazing and she literally captured every special moment of our wedding. Her ideas are just out of this world and Brandon and I both just had a blast working with her.
Whether it was out in a grown up pasture or riding around Honey Grove in the back of her car on our wedding day taking crazy pictures we enjoyed every minute of it! I can't wait for another reason to get to take more pictures with her!
Shelly Bowers
I would recommend the "first look" to everyone as a mother, it was to me one of the most emotional parts of the wedding if not the most emotional moment! Thank you for suggesting it.
-Shelly Bowers, mother of the bride (Meagan & Brandon's Wedding)
Casey + Jesse
Your wedding day is something you thought and dreamed about since you were little. Tara did an amazing job of capturing every moment and ever detail of our wedding. I can look back at all of our pictures and remember exclty what happened at every moment that whole day, and believe me, it was a whirl-win!
I knew of Tara through a mutual friend and she was on my Myspace page. When she started taking pictures and posting them I immediately knew I wanted to use her for every aspect of my wedding.
From the engagement session to my bridal portraits to our wedding day, Tara was very professional, patient, and open to anything. She offers GREAT advice and suggestions and it shows through her pictures.
Tara met my bridesmaids and I at the salon at 11 the day of my wedding and was with us until my new hubby and I left the reception. She took so many great pictures it takes hours to look at them! (Which I love!!)
I would recommend Tara to anyone because she is very reasonable with her prices, open to just about anything, and she is very diverse. Tara is not only a great photographer but she is also such a sweet and genuine person, that is what sets her apart from other photographers. She has done a great job and I will continue to use her for other portrait sessions in the future.
Haley + Ryan
One of our friends recommended Tara so I got on her myspace and found her website. I fell in love with her work. She is so artistic! On our wedding day she met up with me at 1:00 in the afternoon and started taking pictures. She came to my house and helped me get ready and took pictures while I was getting ready. Honestly I cant think of another photographer who would do that. She stayed with me the whole day capturing pictures of everything. She was one of the last people to leave our wedding which was over at 10:00 so she basically spent the whole day with me. Which was amazing because she didnt just take pictures at the wedding, but of every event which makes it 100 times better.
The wedding photos she took are breath taking! I cant pick a favorite one yet and I have looked over them 100 times. She puts such great detail into her pictures. They are so unique! In my opinion the pictures are a big part of the wedding and Tara went beyond my expectations. I had no idea that I would love every single picture. Tara has made our wedding day unforgettable.
Courtney + Ryan
Tara did such a wonderful job on our wedding and my bridal pictures, and I couldn't be happier with the way they turned out. She really captured everything, espescially the smallest details that I would have missed had it had not have been for the pictures. Everything was so chaotic at the wedding I was not able to fully even see what everything looked like, and what all went on until I saw the pictures.
Tara is so creative and talented, and I would not recommend trusting anyone else with such an important job. After all, pictures are one of the only things that you will have to remember this important day by.
She really went above and beyond my expectations! She didn't even mind getting covered in spider webs and tiny grasshoppers like she had to do for my bridal pictures, what more could you ask for!!! :)
Amy Ball
Our latest experience with taking pictures was actually very enjoyable. Tara is amazing!!! Previous experiences have left us saying," We will NOT do this again!!", but not this time. My son DREADS getting his picture made, but this time he said that he had fun! Tara's personality and love for what she does adds comfort and pleasure to her sessions. They are the BEST pictures of my kids to date. Everything was so natural! She took picture after picture and got my kiddos just being themselves. She caught some of the sweetest faces/looks. Creativity just bleeds through everything that she takes. I WILL recommend her to everyone that asks and will DEFINATELY be using her again.
Shawna England
With five children, it goes without saying "We don't do pictures." Not only do we not have the time, but it is incredibly hard to find someone that will be patient and understanding that not all our kids will look at the same time with a smile on their face! I contacted Tara after seeing some of the work she had done with some co-workers of mine. I knew that I wanted something fresh and different, something that captured "us", not a traditional picture of us in a studio on a cloth of black with fake props. I emailed her many times before the session and she was so quick with her responses, answered all my questions and was so dependable. When we had our session, we did it at my parent's where I had grown up so that it would mean more. (I just knew we would never get pictures taken again!) What Tara did the day of our session was so original and she was great with our kids. She took so many pictures that we still can't decide which ones are our favorites and I can not wait for her to take some more with us! She is so creative in everything she does and I didn't have to do a thing, she is a true photography artist and my family LOVED her. I have been telling everone I know about Tara and we will be getting our pictures done A LOT more frequently now! TARA ROCKS!
Thais Meyer-Beshirs
Tara spent the afternoon of April 9th with my senior daughter Cara. This day was one we had been looking forward to but were also apprehensive about. Cara had already had senior pictures taken with another photographer. She had not liked a single shot. But she had a friend who had Tara take her senior pictures and after seeing them was convinced that Tara was the one photographer that would take the perfect senior pictures for her. We were not disappointed. Tara offered encouragement, guidence and patience. She clicked away for almost three hours. I had never seen my daughter enjoy her picture taken before this day, but she was enjoying every moment, every change of clothes, every change of setting. It was an absolutely perfect afternoon, even tho rain threatened at any moment!
As a mom I would also like to add that for anyone that has had the experience of never having questions or messages responded to let me assure you that Tara responds to every question, or email with such speed that it is astonishing. I was so grateful for this too. So, if you are trying to decide on a photographer for any occaision you could not choose better than Tara. She is without doubt the best. Thank you Tara for a photo day we will always remember fondly.
Misty LeFlore
We learned about Tara through the North Lamar Swap Shop email system. I emailed her with my questions and she was quick to respond with the answers. When we finally met her face to face on picture day, she was so easy to visit with and our entire family felt like we had known her forever. She made family picture day a fun day. Then she tackled the task of taking pictures of 7 senior boys on that same day for me. These boys had been friends for years and they just took Tara under their wings and allowed her take their pictures. She made it fun for them and she got some priceless photos of them. We love Tara! She is professional and personable and GREAT to work with.
Shannon Nelson
I've known Tara & Billy for a few years now and they are the nicest people you'll ever meet! I wanted some maternity pictures in time for my shower so I called Tara. She was very willing to work with me, even on such short notice! The session was so laid back and easy which helped me be myself! Tara was really easy to work with. She did the most amazing job! I loved every picture and couldn't hardly pick between any of them! They were great! I will definately be using her again once this little one gets here!
LuAnn Hammack
I have known Tara for about 2 years. She has a great personality and is very dependable. Tara took mine and my husbands photos and they were awesome! We were very pleased. She is very professional in her work and does an excellent job. She is very good with children. She took my grandchildren's photos and they were wonderful also. I will definitely use her again for any other pictures I decide to do!