Tara Draper Photography

Sonoma & San Francisco - Weekend Getaway Photographer

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:11:06 -0500

I usually don’t post my travels on my blog, but this trip was too picturesque and too amazing not to:) A weekend getaway to San Francisco and Sonoma for my friend Alise’s bachelorette party, I took it upon myself to document the entire trip, the five wine tasting’s and all! When I left Wisconsin on that Friday, it was sleeting, and was still winter in my mind. It was awesome to arrive in San Fran to 80 degree temps with everything blooming and the warm breezes. When we met the rest of the girls at our vineyard estate in Sonoma, I knew this trip was going to be amazing.

Here is a look at this beautiful part of California thru my lens.

First stop - Chinatown!

Onto Fisherman’s wharf for some crab, yum!

One of the first beautiful flowering bushes that I see and of course I have to do some pics:)

Seriously loving all the flowers:)

Haight and Ashbury, a super electic and hippie-esque area, really cute shops here.

The first of the tours Saturday morning, and this was one of my favorites, Petroni vineyards, this was up in the mountians and was absolutley beautiful with rolling hills of grapes and olive trees, it reminded me of Sicily.

Back on our private bus, Army (our driver) brought platters of cheese and crackers for us to munch on in between vineyards.

Next stop, Muscardini, for lunch and another wine tasting! On the right is the owner with his golden!

I was begging for someone to come in the super tall grass that would be perfect for senior photos!! We don’t have anything like that in Wisconsin this time of year. Luckily, the beautiful Erin volunteered:)

The grounds of the Benziger winery.

Stopping to smell the roses!

Alise’s gorgeous diamond on top of a cork with “wine diamonds” in it.

Time for dinner….at this point we all really need food! Haha!

There were dogs everywhere!

Ya…it’s starting to get a little crazy!

The next morning we woke up and headed into downtown Sonoma - which is super cute.

Stumbled upon the girl and the fig - and so glad we did! This was a great, French inspired restaurant. If you are ever in Sonoma, check it out for sure!

Not sure if we were ready to jump back onto the wine train, we stopped in this really cute champagne bar, Sigh. It just so happened to be right next to Ben’s (as in Ben from the Bachelor) winery, so we had a great view of his place from the little nook in the window. Jayme, the owner, was super sweet and put up with us as we giggled away with our four flights of champagne!

My friend Michele spotting Ben for the first time! She was just so excited, and we couldn’t stop laughing!

At Envolve winery - we sat outside and enjoyed eachother’s company on our last night, with some of my favorite red wine of the whole trip, the Epilouge Boreaux Blend.

Some super cute kids outside of the winery.

Back at the house, I was making everyone take “senior pictures!” A couple bottles of wine in and we were all having a blast!

Miss Cindy on the right, the mastermind behind planning this whole trip. Cindy, you rock!

Thank you Lisa for taking this one of me!

Seriously, best group of girls ever!

As we ended our last evening together, we all went around the table saying how thankful we were for this trip and how much we love Alise. It is true, you can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep. Thank you everyone for such an amazing time, and I can’t wait to celebrate with all of you this July! Congratulations Alise on finding your dream man, love ya girl!

Brie - Wisconsin Dells Senior Photography

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:17:00 -0500

Hey class of 2014! Senior season is just around the corner. I’m starting to book up sessions for this summer, so give me a call! Here is one of my favorite senior sessions from this past summer of the beautiful Brie from Wisconsin Dells High School. She was so much fun to photograph, and is incredibly photogenic!

So Happy Together - Wisconsin Dells Engagement Photography

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:52:00 -0500

I truly believe in soul mates. Someone that makes you a better person, the other piece you have been waiting for, someone you can’t live without. This couple is very special to me. Wade is my husband’s best friend, a dear friend of mine, and our business partner at the High Rock Cafe. He has been there for both of us through thick and thin. Justin and I have been married for three years, and Wade was the best man in our wedding, and now it’s his turn!

When Jamie came into the picture last year, I knew she was special, and this was different than any relationship in the past. I hadn’t seen Wade this happy, well…ever. The chemistry that these two share is amazing. They bring out the best in each other, and that is what I truly believe love is all about. Jamie and Wade are getting married this weekend, and I am beyond excited that I will be able to capture their big day. It’s so awesome how fast it happened and how hard they both fell for each other, but I am so happy they did.

We shot these pictures just a few weeks ago, they gave me about 10 minutes and these two are so much fun to photograph. Fun loving, genuine, and IN LOVE:)….okay, enough of the mushy stuff and onto the pictures!

Jen & John - Baraboo Wedding Photographer - Baraboo Arts Banquet Hall

Tue, 09 Apr 2013 15:02:00 -0500

It feels so good to get back into the swing of things and wedding season has arrived!! Jen and John’s wedding was filled with great friends, laughter and love. The ceremony and reception were held at the Baraboo Arts Banquet Hall - a beautiful venue with old brick and big windows.
It was a bit chilly, a high of 40 degrees that day - but these two were total troopers. I scouted out some areas to shoot the day before, there was still quite a bit of snow on the ground, so I looked for colors, textures and arcitecture that spoke to me, and downtown Baraboo has so much charm.
Jen’s dress was amazing - it fit her perfectly, and I loved the girls aqua marine dresses. Such a great color!
Here are some of my favorites from Jen & John’s beautiful wedding. It’s my first wedding of 2013 so I may have gone a little overboard on the photos…I was just so inspired and I want to thank the both of them for letting me capture their big day! I truly love what I do and feel incredibly blessed!

Beautiful Brianna - Reedsburg WI Senior Photographer

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 13:17:00 -0500

Miss Brianna is such a beauty, and she just so happens to be my cousin. We had a blast photographing her senior portraits, she brought a friend along (which I highly recommend) and we laughed the whole time. Brianna is also the pitcher for the Reedsburg High School softball team, and loves it. She is attending UW - Madison in the fall and I couldn’t be more proud of her. Love you Bri!

Beach Babe - Child & Family Photographer, Wisconsin Dells WI

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 12:20:00 -0500

My oh my, there is still snow on the ground and it is almost April! Gah!!! I was looking back at a few of my favorite family sessions from the summer and stumbled upon this gorgeous little family. Miss Layla is 7 months here, and she is just the cutest. I’m loving her little romper and matching hat! We photographed on the shores of the Wisconsin River and at a few others fun places around Wisconsin Dells. I’m on the hunt for new locations for 2013, hopefully mother nature will cooperate and warm up soon:)

Lindner Family - Wisconsin Dells Family Photographer

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 15:18:42 -0500

The Lindner’s are such an awesome family and were so much fun to work with. We shot these in the beginning of November, ahhh, just to see green grass on the ground! Hoping spring is just around the corner! The kids are adorable and the cutest names ever: Paige, Peyton, Parker, Paris, Paisley and Palen! I was also lucky enough to shoot Paige’s senior photos - but that is another post:) Here are a few of my favorite photos from their family session.

Bailey - Adams Friendship Senior Photography

Thu, 14 Mar 2013 11:34:00 -0500

Bailey is such a gorgeous girl, inside and out. She was one of my senior reps from Adams Friendship High school, and we had so much fun with her senior portraits. Bailey is a country girl at heart, and loves her horse. It was awesome to capture the bond between them, these are some of my favorite images of 2012. She will be attending the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire this fall, best of luck to you Bailey!

Tiffany & Patrick - Madison Wedding Photographer at Majestic Theatre

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 11:46:00 -0600

Patrick and Tiffany are the definition of a happy couple. Their wedding day was super unique and the Majestic Theatre in Madison is such a fun and hip venue. They are both music lovers, and some of their favorite concerts were held here, so it fit their personalities and will forever be a special place for them.  We were lucky that the weather wasn’t too cold for the end of November and stopped at a few places around the capitol to shoot at. As we were walking from the hotel, I was drawn to this beautiful church with an awesome bright red door, it gave a perfect pop of color on an overcast day against Tiffany’s porcelain skin.  
After their first look at the Majestic theatre, the group headed on over the Wisconsin State Capitol building for some quick pics. It was my first time shooting in the Capitol, and I was in heaven! Such amazing light and architecture! Here are some of my favorites from Tiffany and Patrick’s awesome Madison wedding.

Their first look was adorable!

One of my favorites from my second shooter Abbey - while Tiffany and Patrick were climbing out the window on the roof!

Her bouquet was gorgeous!

I could have photographed them all day in here - so in love with this setting…

The Majestic Theatre was an amazing venue. All of the uplighting and high ceilings gave the ceremony a unique feel. Tiffany walked down the isle to an instrumental version of one of my favorite Bon Iver songs, and I swear there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

They love their chuck taylors!

Another favorite of the night!

Wishing you both all the best!!

Elishia - Wisconsin Dells Senior Photographer

Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:38:09 -0600

Elishia is such a sweet girl, and was so much fun to photograph. Here are a few of my favorites from her sun-filled senior session.