What do you do?
Tara C. Patty

Where do you work and what is your title?
       Tara Patty Photogaphy. I’m the owner.
What do you do there and/or what are you responsible for?
       Besides the shop upkeep and office duties. I take care of all my own marketing, promotion, appointments and equipment.
How long have you been doing this kind of work (total)? How long on the Westside?
       25 years. My interest in photography started in high school. I did an internship while in college (I was a communications/visual arts major) and went on to graduate school where I received my MA degree with emphasis on communication/photography. I’ve been on the Westside since March of this year. I moved to Colorado Springs in January.
What do you like best about it (other than quitting time)?
       I love what I do – I’m a people person and specialize in photography of people for businesses, commercial, editorial and private commissions. Because I also do documentary/fine art photography for exhibit and sales, I’ve travelled to Cuba, Mexico, Haiti, Jamaica and Zambia. I love meeting people from all walks of life and hearing their stories.
If you could change one thing (other than pay), what would it be?
       Some days, I’d like to have more hours in a day.
What part of your work did your training/education never prepare you for?
       How to figure out the city, county and state sales taxes!
What makes working on the Westside special?
       I like the atmosphere – the creatives on this side of town, and I love the merchants association down in Old Colorado City.

“What do you do?” is a regular feature in the Westside Pioneer. If you know someone who has an interesting job on the Westside (but doesn’t live here), he/she might be a candidate for this column! If you know someone who might qualify, give us a call at 471-6776.