Tara Krauss shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Tara, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
I love spending time in nature. I could walk and meander for hours taking in all the beauty. I am especially captivated by animals from the deer and wild turkeys in our neighborhood to the moose and bear in the Tetons. I am intrigued by their behavior and instincts. And, of course, love to photograph it all as well.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, everyone, I’m Tara. I am the owner and photographer at Parker Headshots. I specialize in modern studio headshots with an emphasis on expression. Many photographers ‘do headshots’ but I ONLY do headshots. I think the nuances and details of this niche of photography make the difference between a boring headshot and one that stops the scroll. In this visual world, what your headshot says about you is important. At every session, I’ll ask the client what they want their photo to say about them to make sure that they are coming across in a way that is true to who they are and how they want to be portrayed.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
One of the most important relationships in my life was the one I had with my first boss at a shipping company down in New Orleans. I was a fresh graduate out of the Merchant Marine Academy and so very young and new to the corporate world. This man taught me everything I needed to know to excel from coordinating stevedores on the dock to communicating with the CEO on the top floor. He modeled what he taught and he did it with grace and kindness. I admired this man so much, yet he was the one that sang my praises to everyone he met. I began to see myself through his eyes and all the opportunities that lie ahead. He was a mentor to me long after I left that job and that industry. Sadly, he passed away last fall. His absence has left a void in my life yet I am so grateful for the countless ways his life touched mine.
Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
I had a special person in my life who always listened to me. My great aunt (my grandmother’s sister) lived alone for many years after her husband passed away. She had no children but loved all the children of our extended family as if they were her own. She had a kind, sweet and strong personality. My visits with her began as childhood time fillers during summer days and turned into heartfelt rap sessions as I grew. We were an unlikely pair- the teenager and the 90 year old. I visited her every chance I could even when I moved away. She was so wise, so caring and so engaging. She not only listened to me, but she heard me. Our favorite topic was ‘love.’ Her advice was always the same “you’ll just know.” The day I introduced my fiancé to her was a happy and sad day. She was happy, I was sad. I knew in my heart that was the last time I would see her….. and it was. She passed away a few weeks before our wedding, and it was then that I discovered that we shared a special date. Every year when we celebrate our anniversary, I whisper a birthday wish to heaven to her. My dear Aunt Emma taught me the profound difference you can make in someone’s life with the simple act of listening.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Family. Family is at the heart of all that I do. I was raised in a close, loving family and these are the values that are important in my life today. I hope I am planting the same seeds in my own family that have been passed down through the generations. I believe that the values we want our kids to possess must be taught and modeled in the home. There is so much ‘noise’ in the world. It is important to me that our home be a safe place for my family- a place of caring, trust and calm. This all starts at home.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope my life’s messages resonate long after I’m gone: “enjoy the little things” and “the journey is the destination.” These gems guide my days, weeks and years. Life is a compilation of moments. I deliberately choose what fills my days as those things will ultimately create my life. I try to balance goals with presence– always working to improve while never forsaking today for tomorrow. Another gem that’s taken me a long time to understand is that true joy comes from within and not from the circumstances that surround us. A quote that grabbed my attention when I was young is this: “Set your course by the stars, not by the lights of every passing ship.” (Omar Bradley) Think on that one, it’s good right?!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.parkerheadshots.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parker_headshots/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tarakrauss/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/parkerheadshots
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/parker-headshots-parker?uid=WRbIEOy5yTPC1QEKYvrf1Q&utm_campaign=www_business_share_popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)
