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Fall in Palo Alto, an Indoor Outdoor Session

11/15/2017

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Picture
Picture
Picture

Entertaining, Sweet and Silly

Before a session, families fill out a questionnaire that helps me understand and express their families' unique qualities.  They are definitely entertaining, sweet and silly, the 3 adjectives Mom chose. 

They wanted to have a nice portrait for their wall and have digital files so they could make their holiday card. Looks like they are ready for the party!

See the video from this session.
See Their Video
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Changing and Growing

7/27/2016

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From baby to child. Family photography by Tara Gill
One of the pleasures of having children is seeing how they grow and change. And boy do they change! Hiring a professional photographer to document this growth will be a gift to them and you in later years.

This little girl gets her photograph done around her birthday every year.

Get started today! Call or email to inquire about a session.
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Preparing for your Family Photo Shoot

10/16/2015

 
It can be hard to set aside the to-do list and take time to connect and rest but let's see if we can do that in service of self care. Even if it is 10 minutes of rest.

Preparation
  • Make sure that your child has taken a nap and eaten before the session. You too parents! Take 5 however you can.
  • Have some non-messy snacks available and ready.
  • Simple unprinted clothing is best for photos, if your baby is still drooling, a spare shirt or bib would be a good addition. Plain shirts and textures help bring the focus to faces.
  • Consider a simple activity that you enjoy doing together, having a tea party, playing hide and seek, wrestling, painting, eating ice cream. Let's talk about your ideas before the session.
  • Take as much time as you can to fill up those kids' cups with love before the session. Have a pillow fight, cuddle, whatever helps your child feel close to you and you to feel close to them. That connection is the most important thing, what we cherish as families, and what I want to capture.
  • Don't plan a lot. Keep the day as simple as possible so you can relax and be as present as possible.

During the Session
  • Take deep breaths, be present, have fun.
  • Let's have the laughs and smiles come naturally.
  • I will direct you if I need to so you don't have to worry about doing the right or wrong thing. You are perfect just the way you are.
 



Preparing for your family photo session tips.Father & Child, Connected. Tara Gill Photography
Preparing for your family photo session tips. FConnected Family Photography, Tara Gill, Bay Area

Children who shine from within

10/11/2015

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Children who shine from within. Family Photography that includes butterfly and firefly children.
I read a blog post from Rachel Macy Stafford author and creator of Hands Free Mama. She used the analogy of insects to compare ways of being in the world. It highlighted how some children are like fireflies, they shine quietly from within. It really touched me. I have one of those children, quiet, introspective, and thoughtful. While I do love the butterfly children of the world, it is important to recognize the quieter ones and see their gifts. There is space for everyone.
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The Gift that goes both ways

7/4/2015

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Quote from Mom and Dad to child. Tara Gill Photography
As I raise my son, I find myself reviewing a lot of the ways I was raised. One thing that I would have liked was to be told what was precious about me.

In my latest offering I give parents and children this gift of connection. Parents are invited to say what they treasure about their children and pair this quote with their favorite images from their portrait session.
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Holding Hands

4/20/2015

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There is nothing sweeter than holding the soft innocent hand of your child.

Together. Simple. Pleasure.

I am hoping those days don't end, but they might.
Mother's hold their children's hearts forever.
Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever. -ergens gelezen
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An Inheritance of Love

1/4/2015

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Love is the Only Truth

Mom & Son PortraitTara & Son
There is an intersection that holds me at the center. The past and future generation behind and in front of me. I am suspended in the present. The pinpoint in time I rest on is apparent. Past, present, future converge in me.

I feel my grief at having had needs as a child. The feelings passed on to me surface. How can I have needs? I should be ashamed of myself, how dare I? My son should be ashamed of himself. Really? No. Absolutely not. I made myself wrong because my parents made me wrong because their parents made them wrong.

So here come the waves of grief, the understanding that I wasn’t wrong, the letting go of unrealistic expectations of myself. Expressed grief is like a salve for the past. The waves wash over my heart and make the truth apparent. Love is the only truth.

The access to the ocean of love is bigger today. The feelings my son is allowed to have have more space because I have space for myself.

This is the greatest gift in parenting.

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The Best Toy

12/15/2014

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You will always be your child's favorite toy. Portrait by Tara Gill Photography
Quote found on Aha Parenting Newsletter. An excellent resource.
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What to Wear to your Family Portrait Session

10/14/2014

 

You don't have to match unless you want to.

  • Keep your clothing simple, without any busy patterns.
  • Is there a color that is special to you or your child?
  • Is there a color that everyone tells you you look good in?
  • If you are coordinating a family, keep the shirts in the same tonal range.
  • Avoid logos or printing.

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