Images That Heal: The Transformative Power of Spirit Photography – An Interview with Tara Mead

What if the boundary between this world and the next isn’t a mystery at all—but a lens waiting to be focused?

For Tara Mead, that lens opened at sixteen, when ordinary photographs began revealing extraordinary visitors. What started as a teenager’s hobby quickly became a lifelong gift…capturing the presence of loved ones, ancestors, and even animals appearing within her images.

Raised in a strict Catholic home and shaped by early experiences in a haunted house, Tara’s awakening unfolded gradually. Over time, she learned to communicate with spirits, support families through grief, and help locate missing persons—all through the language of photography and intuition.

In this conversation, Tara shares how spirits appear in photos, why mirrors act as portals, and why she believes we don’t die—we transition. She also reveals some of her most unforgettable cases, from archangels to the healing moments when families see their loved ones again.

Continue reading, or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or YouTube to experience Tara Mead’s remarkable journey into the unseen world.

How did you awaken to consciousness, spirituality, and mindfulness? Did you grow up as a kid with abilities already, or did that come later in life?

Tara Mead: That came a little bit later. I loved taking pictures, and I’d run to have them developed immediately. I was about 16 when I started noticing people in the photos. Sometimes the spirits were tiny, sometimes they were large.

I also grew up in a haunted house in New Orleans. My father bought the house from a woman whose mother had passed away in the room that eventually became mine. I would feel her poking me when I was there alone. It was a sense at first, and it grew stronger over time.

When did you realize that you were having this experience?

Tara Mead: When I was a lot older. That’s when I found out the woman’s mother had passed away in my room. She could only walk from the bedroom to the restroom in those final days, and that’s exactly where I felt her presence.

Going down the stairs became my safe zone — I’d run through that area and then head downstairs. Over time, I realized there was no fear at all. That’s when the communication aspect began. I experimented, learned, and did everything I could to perfect what I was experiencing. There’s still more to learn, but I’ve discovered so much already.

Did you tell your parents about this feeling when you were 16? Or did you wait until later, when they finally told you what had happened in the home?

Tara Mead: Yes. My father did a lot of interesting things with me — like placing pyramids over my head and having me go through decks of cards. I could name the cards correctly and got through quite a few of them, so he definitely encouraged that ability when I was young. But it was mostly later that I became fully aware of what I was doing and what I was seeing in my photographs.

So it started with a family member? Can you share that experience?

Tara Mead: My father had a party, and afterward, I was looking through the pictures I’d taken. In one of them, I saw my grandfather up in the corner — wearing his coat and tie, just as he always did. That was exciting because it was a family member, and I wasn’t afraid.

As I grew older, I joined a paranormal group and learned more about spirits and the wider realm of spirituality. My abilities became stronger, and I learned how to communicate — how to ask questions and always receive answers.

For example, I might ask a spirit, “Can you be in a photograph and smile? Your loved one wants to see a lovely smile to feel better.” And they do. Sometimes they appear older or younger, sometimes with their glasses, so we can identify them. On the other side, we’re younger and healthier, but they often show themselves in a way that helps the living recognize them.

People will run to find a matching photo of the relative — and it feels so good for the whole family because it’s real. It’s them. It’s right in front of them. I do this live on camera, then immediately stop to show the photo of whoever appears. I have thousands of these. Too many to count.

When you had these early photographs, did you show them to your parents, or did you keep them to yourself?

Tara Mead: Oh, I kept them to myself. I didn’t really know what to think. When I was around 20, I lost a couple of family members, and coming from a very Catholic, strict family, they didn’t like what I was experiencing. All I could say was, “I’m sorry, whatever works for you.” Because what I do is real. I’ve been given this gift from God, and I’m going to use it as I’m meant to.

If they wanted to call me later, that was fine. What I do is extremely healing for people — whether it’s animals or loved ones. Friends and family always have an incredible reaction. Sometimes there are five people in the room while I’m doing this, and they’re just amazed — mesmerized. It’s hard to believe because not many people do this, but it’s real.

Do you remember the first time you did this for a client — paying or not paying — the first time you offered this experience to someone? What was that like for you?

Tara Mead: I remember them all. There’s a story with each and every one of them. One of my most famous photos — which I’ll send to you — came from an investigation for a woman who didn’t know what was happening in her home. I took about 50 pictures. As I was looking through them, I saw this beautiful lady smiling perfectly. I always find the eyes first. She ran to get a photo of her mother, who had just passed away, and it matched perfectly.

And that was the first one you did? How old were you?

Tara Mead: That one was much later — maybe six or seven years ago. The first one was my grandfather. Years passed, and I kept pushing myself to develop this. Now I have so many. I work with people around the world.

For example, someone from the Philippines once reached out — she was afraid, but willing. I asked her to go into a restroom with a large mirror and take some pictures. We talked about the person she missed; her husband had passed away. As soon as she sent the photos to me, I found someone in them, sent the image back to her, and it was her husband with a big smile.

When you send the photo back, do you modify it in any way to make it clearer, or can you see it as is without altering it?

Tara Mead: They’re unclear at first, so I do have to enhance them — but that’s all I do.

Do you add color or something else?

Tara Mead: I give a little color using warmth, just enough to clarify the image so the person can see it better. Sometimes it takes an hour or more. I only do it when the environment is completely peaceful.

What’s amazing is how the energy sometimes zaps me. After an hour, I can feel super tired, but then I get up and keep going. The goal is simply to enhance the image enough so the loved one becomes visible.

When you’re in this process — whether you’re photographing or someone else is sending you photos — what’s happening inside of you? Is this intuitiveness automatic? What does it feel like internally?

Tara Mead: It happens easily for me. I just have this gift — I see everything and everyone everywhere. It’s natural. The ability comes with a sense of connection. Once we connect and get a picture of the person, and the client sees it, I start looking more closely at the photo.

There are often scenes within scenes — layers of time that go way back. Some appear from the goddess days, some from World War II. Whoever we’re looking for naturally comes through. I point them out as I see them, and I communicate what I’m noticing.

Even with tiny images inside a photograph, I’ll tell the client, “I see someone with red hair, someone sitting next to them, someone with a backpack.” I’ll describe the backpack and say, “It’s not an American style.” And the client will say, “That’s my father from when he went off to war. My mother had red hair. That’s my brother.” The backpack turned out to be German, and the family was German. It all connects.

You mentioned layers and timelines. Help me understand what you’re seeing in the image.

Tara Mead: For example, I once had a photograph of a war veteran. Before I fully understood what I was doing, I sent it to a close friend who’s incredibly psychic. She said, “This photograph is someone from World War II, and he’s here for you.” Within that picture, I found a match to his obituary — he was there to communicate, to say, “I’m here.” His name was Randall Felix, and she picked that up immediately.

Now with clients, I can keep a photograph, sit with my equipment, talk about the people in the image, and they can communicate through certain apps. I don’t use many apps, but there are two that are amazing. When a client can talk to their husband, child, or loved one — and hear their actual voice — I let them continue the conversation. They answer back and forth. Some readings are extraordinary.

One time, a mother and son who had lost their husband and father invited me to their home. Influential people gathered, and eight of them joined. During the session, I heard “Greg.” I asked, “Who’s Greg?” They said, “That’s my husband’s brother.” The husband had passed away.

Throughout the reading, voices came through — even small messages like “drink more” when she was sipping beer, feeling deeply emotional. The photos I’d taken already brought her comfort, but when the communication began, it became incredible. The brother who passed away spoke. The father spoke. The grandmother called family members by name.

That’s part of the healing journey. Because we don’t die — we don’t die. We are alive. I have physical proof of that. And when the spirit realm meets the physical realm, it is beautiful.

In the midst of your photography, how much of it is technical — taking the photograph in the right way — and how much of it is intuitive mediumship? How would you describe the percentage of your approach?

Tara Mead: I can feel people there. Sometimes I take the client with me, and sometimes I walk off by myself — and I tend to get more when I’m alone. As I mentioned, mirrors in bathrooms are very large, so I’ll call the spirits by name: “Come on in, let’s communicate.”

Photographing is a huge part of what I do — that’s how I capture them — but the communication is the most important. That’s what pulls them in. And within the blink of an eye, they come that quickly.

When you’re calling and talking to them, do you see them beforehand, or only once you have the photo?

Tara Mead: Mostly I see them in the photos, but sometimes I can see them or hear them beforehand. They’re not in the mirror — they’re actually standing with me, even though it may look like they’re in the reflection. That process is called scrying. You can scry in water or mirrors.

I don’t always get them in the mirror. They’re out everywhere, anywhere. They come in wherever they want, but it’s easiest for me — and I think easiest for them energetically — to come through a mirror, a portal.

You mentioned some equipment and apps you use to help communicate. Can you share what they are and how they work?

Tara Mead: I use one app called Murmur Box — it’s probably free on any phone. The other one is Necrophonic. When you use that one, be aware: you’re going to hear your name, or someone who’s there — it could be family or not.

You simply turn it on, hit “start,” and you’ll hear a lot of people talking. When you want to filter that out, you move the bar to the right. It’s very simple. There’s a sidebar where you can ask important questions — and you’ll get meaningful answers: “Hello,” “I love you,” “I miss you.”

When people hear their loved one’s voice, that’s when they know. It’s incredible, and I’m very thankful to have this gift.

What is their reaction when they see the image — when they see their loved one appear in the photo?

Tara Mead: Some people are afraid at first. I never push what I do on anyone, but if they’re interested and they’re hurting, I’ll gently offer: “This is what I do, and I can help you if you want the help.” I’ve never had anyone turn me down.

When there’s a non-believer, and we can hear their loved one’s voice—or photograph them, which becomes a forever picture—it heals them. They’ll run to get an old photo to compare with the spirit in the image. This happens with animals, too. Spirits just keep coming in. I hear them talk. I hear them call my name — faintly, but clearly enough. They communicate, and that’s what began the whole process of saying, “Okay, let’s talk. Let’s bring in these people.”

The conversations aren’t long — I think it’s hard for them energetically — but we always get the most powerful reactions.

Does every session involve taking photos and using the apps to communicate, or do you sometimes only do the photos?

Tara Mead: Mostly photographs. Some people are afraid of the app, but later they’ll call me and say they want to try it. So we’ll go back and do that.

I can work on Zoom or really anywhere—it’s all about communication. The mind is the biggest tool; they hear you very quickly. And when I photograph, they come through immediately — sometimes older, sometimes younger, always as their loved one remembers them.

Is there any difference between photographing humans, animals, extraterrestrials, or angels? Do you sense or feel it differently, or is it mostly visual?

Tara Mead: It’s a sensed connection. For example, I once photographed an archangel — but I didn’t sense him beforehand. It appeared inside a small, round crystal ball I had bought. I took a picture, saw something unusual, zoomed in, and there he was. I had asked for that experience, and I was thankful to receive it.

With non-human beings, I can feel them. Sometimes I feel a little nauseous. If they look unusual or “creepy,” I’ll just keep the photos and move on to something else. But not everything non-human is scary. They’re not of our world, but they’re universal. I have images that are extraordinary — not human at all — but not harmful. I can tell the difference between good and bad, and 99% are good.

You mentioned you work with missing persons. How does that process work for you?

Tara Mead: When someone is missing, I take their photograph — the person we’re looking for — and work with a few other intuitives. I do the photography part. If I see the person appearing in the photos, that’s not a good sign. It usually means they’re gone.

For example, I once photographed a boy who had been murdered. As his killer grew older, we eventually identified him. In the pictures, five or six different faces appeared — all with their eyes closed. That’s when I suspected the person responsible might be a serial killer. The police agreed.

If I don’t get the missing person in photos, I’ll often get their family members instead — showing their faces and guiding me. One case involved a girl walking her dog in Los Angeles. She went missing, but we located her. The people I work with are incredibly accurate. They’ll say, “She’s behind this store,” and they’ll drive out and find her.

Saving lives is the greatest part of this work. Recently, we found a special-needs boy who had gone missing. Helping people in this way is a blessing.

What do you photograph in order to see whether a spirit is showing up? Do you photograph a family member, or…?

Tara Mead: No, I just go into a space with a large mirror — I love bathrooms because the mirrors are so big. They give plenty of room for whoever wants to come through. There can be 10 people in one photograph.

So you photograph the mirror and ask the spirits to show up?

Tara Mead: Yes. I kind of hide behind my camera, but I talk to them: “Are you out there? Are you okay? If not, can the family help me out here?” And they do.

When I don’t see the missing person themselves, it means they’re alive — just missing. That’s when we try to find them before something happens. When the person is on the other side, there’s always a story. They have something to say. It isn’t always pretty because of what happened, but every case is different.

Whether it’s drowning, murder, or someone who is simply lost — emotionally, mentally, or because of medication — the people I work with can feel what’s going on. We put it all together, and that’s how we locate them.

And when someone’s child has passed away from something horrible, seeing their son’s face in a photo — seeing him directly — helps them know he’s okay. That’s why I always say: people don’t die. We transition.

Some people call it heaven. Others have their own beliefs. But I know we go somewhere, and we don’t die. I believe we reincarnate; we come back and better our souls. But to see what I see is incredible, and I’m amazed by almost every photo I take.

How would you differentiate what you do from a traditional psychic medium who senses spirits or communicates with them?

Tara Mead: That’s why they call me medium rare — I’m just a little different.

The difference? I’m not exactly sure. I just have a photographic mind. I’m drawn to work with these people. Many psychics have strong intuition — some are absolutely amazing. I don’t always have that level of intuition, but I always get a little idea and run with it.

I can hear them, see them, smell them — all the clairs. Working with them is the best thing, no matter who they are or what they’ve done.

How has your photography shaped your understanding of life? How does what you do impact your day-to-day experience?

Tara Mead: It’s healing for me as much as it is for my clients. These clients appear from anywhere — the grocery store, someone who heard from a friend of a friend. For example, tomorrow I’m helping a woman who lost her daughter, who was very young. She found me through someone else, and I’m going to help her see her daughter and begin to heal. I know I can do that.

The photography part just flows. I always see them. Sometimes I’ll say, “Don’t get in the picture,” but they show up anyway — often tiny, but always there. Sometimes it’s many of them: family, friends, animals.

Photographing is something I love, day or night.

Is there a particular photograph or experience that stands out to you as the most mind-blowing — one that even surprised you after doing this for so long?

Tara Mead: Yes. The case of the murdered child from about a year ago. A huge story.

When I saw the people connected to the case — men, women, and a younger child — they were all with their eyes closed. One person had been badly beaten. You couldn’t see blood, but you could see the swelling, the broken jaw. It affected me deeply and made me feel sick, but they’re okay now. They showed me what happened.

That was the information I received — and no one else in spirit ever closes their eyes. Only in this case. That’s why I brought it to the police: “What do you think?” And yes, definitely a serial killer.

It’s an entire story in its own right, and I can’t share the rest because a documentary is being made. I have to be careful — someone could get hurt, because the person responsible is still alive. So I step carefully.

What would you say to people who don’t believe in spirit photography or who look at the images and say, “I don’t see anything — that’s just a speck of light”?

Tara Mead: If they’re interested, I’ll work with them. I’ll ask, “Do you have someone you care about who isn’t here anymore? Let’s try this.” And if they want to, I’ll do it. Some people are afraid, but I work with that.

If they want to see, I’ll show them animals, people, all kinds of things. My work is very different from that of many psychics, mediums, or healers. I consider myself a healer. I have 25 years of deep tissue massage experience, and that’s where my healing journey began.

I can sense disease — diabetes, cancer — and I’m able to help people. But the photography itself is incredibly healing. People feel better. They become overwhelmed. They take the picture and show everyone: “Look, look, look!” And then they understand.

Many very religious people don’t want to engage with this. I think fear is behind that, even though there’s nothing to fear. Communication with God, or with whomever they believe in — that’s all it is. I’m grateful for my gift.

The spirits know I’m open. The lady from the Philippines — they came within the blink of an eye. People often say I have a “light on.” They see the energy, the aura, and that’s how we connect.

I’ve been in theaters and heard my name called. A friend once had an iPhone in her hand — not even in use — and my full name came through it. She said, “Did you hear that?” That’s how easy communication can be. It’s very clear.

Do you know anyone else who does this? Are there others in the world practicing spirit photography?

Tara Mead: Yes. I’ve seen people take pictures through their eyeglasses and capture spirits. Others scry using bowls of water. You can see people appear, and their stories unfold. There are different ways to do this, and some people absolutely have the ability.

I believe everyone can do it — but only if they genuinely want to, work with it, experiment, and have no fear. Without that, they can’t.

Where can people book a session with you or connect with you? I know you work with people in Southern California and with clients around the world via Zoom. What’s the best way to reach you?

Tara Mead: tlmead2001@yahoo.com

People can also reach me through Instagram or Facebook. I’m working on my website now, but I always reply. I know something beautiful will come from anyone who reaches out.

Wonderful. Tara, thank you so much.

Tara Mead: Thank you, David. It was wonderful speaking with you. I appreciate it.