Embracing Adventure and Finding Beauty Amongst the Chaos
In this edition of Remarkable Women, we introduce Tahnee Shanahan, an Australian mother of three who, along with her family, embarked on an unexpected adventure to the heart of New York City. From her laid back, beachside beginnings in Sydney, Tahnee now embraces life in Manhattan, a world away from the lifestyle she has always known. Her story is one of courage, resilience, and finding beauty in the everyday moments of motherhood amidst the bustling energy of the city that never sleeps.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and your family?
Tahnee: I am an Australian mother of 3 young children currently living in Manhattan, New York City. We relocated to NYC for an amazing work opportunity for my husband at the beginning of 2022 when my youngest daughter was just 10 weeks old—what were we thinking!
NYC was never somewhere we had wished to visit, let alone move to. With my husband being a surfer and me a homebody, all we had ever known was life by the beach in Sydney. City life was so foreign to us, and the thought of moving away from my family made me sick. But as anxious as we were, we decided to take a chance. What is life all about if not for making the most of opportunities when they come your way, right?
Two years on, moving to NYC has been the greatest adventure of our lives. It has been full of highs and lows that will shape our family forever.
The photographs for this story were captured by NYC lifestyle photographer, Lindsay Claire | @linds_claire
What first inspired you to explore photography, and how has your perspective evolved over the years?
Tahnee: My love of photography was definitely inspired by my children. I first got a camera when my eldest was born and never looked back. Capturing the everyday moments of 'beauty amongst the chaos' brings me so much joy. During my time in New York, photography has definitely been an outlet that allows me to be creative while still being present for my children. Every day, I feel like we are in a scene from a movie—how can I not love capturing that!
Photo by Tahnee of daughter Billie
@tahnee.shanahan
What does a typical day living in New York City look like for you? How does it differ from your day-to-day life back in Australia?
Tahnee: I feel like there is no typical day in NYC, and that's what I love the most. The city is spontaneous and unpredictable in the most wonderful way. The distinct change of seasons is what I love most. The whole city transforms from season to season, each bringing its own distinct beauty. Whether we are picnicking as a family under the breathtaking cherry blossoms of Central Park in the spring, or ice skating to carols under the Rockefeller Christmas tree in the winter—New York has a magic energy that has definitely gotten under my skin.
But, of course, being a mother to young children, the daily rhythm of life still has its similarities to life in Australia. Most of my day is spent doing school drop-offs and pick-ups and exploring the city in the meantime with my youngest daughter. Rather than driving to school as we would in Australia, we are lucky enough to walk through Central Park to school each morning. My eldest greets each dog she passes, my son climbs every tree he sees, and my youngest dances to the trumpet player who plays under the arch each morning.
How do you maintain a sense of simplicity in your lifestyle, or find moments of calm whilst living in a bustling city?
Tahnee: Absolutely the biggest saving grace to fostering some calm within the city has been living next door to Central Park. Central Park is more beautiful than I could have ever imagined, and the most magical 'backyard' I could wish for my children. There isn't a day that goes by that we don't visit the park, and I feel that this is definitely what grounds us in the concrete jungle.
Do you mind sharing a few of the joys and challenges you experienced in relocating with three young children to New York?
Tahnee: The greatest joy in relocating has definitely been the closeness it has brought to our family of five. Moving across the world to a foreign place where we knew no one made us come together as a family on a whole new level. I always saw my husband and I as being a good team, but through the move, we had to support each other in a way we had never had to before, making us closer than ever. We have experienced highs and lows together that will shape our family forever, and we have shown our children that home is wherever we are together.
By far, the biggest challenge of relocating has been being apart from my family. I am extremely close with my parents, and being apart from them is heartbreaking. But I tend to always find the bright side, and that would be when they come to visit, or when we visit them, we are able to spend quality time together creating memories I know my children will hold forever.
You have such a talent at capturing the precious everyday moments in your children's lives. Can you share some tips for other mothers wishing to better capture these organic moments with their children?
Tahnee: I have a love for photos that tell a story. I know in years to come, there may be little that my children remember of New York, but I hope that through the photos I have taken, each picture will speak of a memory that was special to our family.
My tip would be to start by buying an actual camera! I found that when I use my camera versus my iPhone, my photos are much more intentional and inspired.
Also, try not asking your children to look your way and smile; just capture them in the moment. My favourite photographs are always the ones I have taken in the moment, capturing my children in a more authentic way.
As a mother to two daughters and one son, how do you nurture their creativity and individuality?
Tahnee: To be honest, this is something I am struggling with more and more lately. I am finding as my children grow older, they are each developing their own individual passions and interests. My son is a keen skateboarder and would spend every minute at the skatepark, while my eldest daughter is a homebody and would prefer to stay home and craft with me. Being in NYC without family help, and without a car to get them from A to B easily, I am finding it difficult to meet all of their needs on our own. These are the moments I wish we had the help of their grandparents in the city.
We love to hear about family traditions (both big and small) that are particularly meaningful to you and your children. Can you share one or two that come to mind?
Tahnee: Something I love most about New York is that it is a city with rich traditions. From season to season, there is always something to look forward to, whether it be a parade, a marathon, or a holiday. They are all celebrated in a big way and done so year after year.
When I think of small traditions that we do within our family, one that comes to mind is that every night at dinner, we each share '2 truths and a trick'. We share two things that happened that day and then one trick that we need to guess. I find it brings us all together at the end of the day and starts lots of happy conversation around the dinner table.
What are some of the values that you hope to instil in your children as they grow?
Tahnee: Through moving abroad with our children, there are a few values I hope to have instilled in them as they grow.
I hope to have shown them that they can be brave, take a chance, and step out of their comfort zone when an opportunity comes their way, even if it scares them. These are the things in life that shape them the most, and if it doesn't work out, they will always have the support of their family.
I hope it has taught my children to have gratitude for the life they live. Living in a city as big as New York, on a daily basis, my children have witnessed people less fortunate than themselves on a level that I don't believe they would have in Australia. They are always questioning what they see and wanting to help others. I hope this compassion sticks with them as they grow.
Finally, do you have any advice for mothers navigating a big relocation with their children?
Tahnee: My advice would be to not overthink it! Your children will be okay as long as you are, so be brave and embrace the adventure. In the end, all we have are the memories of the life we lived—make them worth it!
Tahnee's journey reminds us that life is full of unexpected opportunities and challenges, but with love, bravery, and a strong sense of family, anything is possible. Her ability to capture beauty amidst chaos, her efforts to nurture her children's creativity, and her commitment to embracing new opportunities to create unforgettable memories makes her truly remarkable.
Keep up with Tahnee on Instagram @tahnee.shanahan
The photographs for this story were captured by NYC lifestyle photographer, Lindsay Claire | @linds_claire
Outfit links:
Billie wears the Honey Blouse and Meadow Shorts
Nancy wears the Sunday Dress, Pink (sold out)