Photography is about the little pieces of life that make it feel like home. The glances, the laughter, the quiet connections—tiny moments that might pass in a day but never fade in memory. Each image preserves these details, keeping the warmth, joy, and nostalgia of our best days vivid and alive
My Philosophy
Who I Am & My Why.
Hey There! My name is Tara I started my photography journey in 2013 while living in Southern California. Since then, my business has traveled with me—from the California coast to coastal North Carolina, and eventually back home to Alabama. Along the way, life brought me incredible joy, unexpected challenges, and countless lessons that shaped not only who I am, but how I see the people and moments I photograph.
More Than A Photographer: One of the greatest chapters of my life has been becoming a mom. Back when I was a single mom, I made the decision to return to college, a journey that took nearly ten years to complete. Somewhere along the way, I became a wife again, gained two amazing bonus kids, welcomed the little boy who blended our family together, and in December 2025, graduated from the University of Alabama with a degree in Social & Behavioral Studies. That season taught me resilience, perspective, and one very important thing: my heart belongs behind the camera, not behind a desk.
The Story Behind The Name: Portrait Den is named after my favorite place throughout my life, my grandparents' farm in Saluda, Virginia. I remember the sound of dogs barking in the distance, old John Wayne movies playing in the living room, the chime of the clock as it changed over hours, the sounds that brought peace to me from the den that myself and my cousins slept while we visited. There was no better feeling, the feeling of warmth and safety... When I think of home, that's where my heart goes. It is the memories of this place that give me the greatest joy when I look back at the days behind me.
My Hope For You: I want your photographs to feel the way those memories feel to me. warm, familiar, and full of life. Years from now, I hope your images bring you back to the laughter, the emotions, and the little moments you didn't realize you'd one day miss.
If your gallery feels like coming home every time you open it, then I've done exactly what I was meant to do.
I look forward to meeting you and giving you and yours a sense of home for many years to come.
