Tara Donne is a New York City–based photographer and director working across food, beverage, and lifestyle.

She is known for her clear, confident leadership on set and her intuitive approach to storytelling. She brings focus and decisiveness to the work while keeping things relaxed and approachable, creating an environment where people feel comfortable, the energy stays high, and moments unfold naturally!

Her work spans still photography and video, with a focus on advertising campaigns and image libraries. Projects also include hybrid shoots, where she photographs stills and directs video in a single, cohesive production, as well as director-only video work built to live across platforms, from digital and social to streaming and CTV.

Whether a scene is carefully built or discovered in the moment, Tara’s work feels warm, human, and intentional. She moves easily between real-world environments and more constructed setups, always paying attention to how the work comes together to shape a clear and compelling voice.

Her approach is shaped by an early foundation in observation and detail. Drawing from life and street photography sharpened her eye for timing, gesture, and the moments in between. That way of seeing continues to guide how she directs and photographs today, keeping the work grounded, natural, and story-driven.

Tara received a BFA in Art Photography from Syracuse University and later worked as a photo editor at domino, Real Simple, and Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. That experience still shows up in how she approaches production and collaboration. She lives in New York’s Hudson Valley, bases her work in NYC, and works on location in Los Angeles and beyond.