FAQ » Tara McGovern

Tara McGovern

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WEDDING/ELOPEMENT FAQ

Q: ARE WE A GOOD FIT FOR EACH OTHER?
- A: I hope so! Be sure to check out the “Experience” page here: http://taramc.com/experience/ for more details on how I work. However, the quick answer to this question would be: I think we may be an amazing fit for each other if we share a love of any of these things: Anything non-traditional or unique: I’m big on making sure everything is unique to telling the story of who you are! Love (ALL THE LOVE): In any shape or form, at any time, LOVE is always the priority to me. Authentic Unscripted moments: The kind that can make you laugh hysterically, cry like a baby, or even cringe. As long as hey are REAL and honest! Real love stories: You know…the messy unedited kind where people get to be human and break, heal, learn, grow and experience life to the fullest together. The good, the bad, and the ugly. People: My people come first in my life, so usually I tend to attract clients that feel the same about theirs! That being said, my priority on your wedding day is to make sure that you get to spend TIME with your people and make the most of the magical moments you have together. Animals: Usually my clients are always big on including their fur babies of all kinds! Adventure/Travel: Somewhat self explanatory. I always connect well with others who share a love of new experiences and places.
Q; HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I BOOK & HOW MANY WEDDINGS DO YOU TAKE PER YEAR?
- A: Depending on whether you are trying to book a date that is during a popular time of year or busy season (like near a holiday), some dates can book up as far as 2 years in advance. I take a limited number of weddings per year. I do this so that each client receives the very best of my and my energy/creativity for their project. I could take 70 weddings a year, but I would be burned out and unavailable to you. Nobody needs that. So in an effort to make sure my clients receive the best version of me possible, I limit that to no more than 30 per year now. That being said, the time to book is as soon as you know your wedding date. I can not hold dates without deposit being in place and a contract signed.
Q: HOW MANY IMAGES CAN I EXPECT TO RECEIVE FROM MY WEDDING DAY?
- A: Typical wedding days result in 80-100 images per hour shot. Obviously this isn’t an exact science and factors are different in every shoot. Often there are more images. It really depends on the flow of the session or wedding.
Q: Do MY IMAGES COME IN COLOR OR B&W?
- A: Both! I make sure to edit each image in both color and a TRUE black and white so that clients don’t have to deal with conversion issues.
Q: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE?
- A: My shooting style during weddings is to be as invisible as possible for the documentary portions of things. You will often notice me shooting through things and people to create frames and depth, or laying on the floor for better perspective. In general, I prefer to blend in and be as much a part of the festivities as possible to capture the raw and real moments that are occuring. My lighting and editing style always lend themselves to prioritizing color and contrast. You won’t find any overly trendy washed out colors here! Preserving the vibrant colors and contrast in my images is a big part of capturing the energy of a moment in my opinion. Passion, authenticity, raw moments, vibrant, and depth are all key factors in my style.
Q: HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO RECEIVE MY IMAGES?
- A: Anywhere from 7 days (if you choose the rush option), to up to 8 weeks. Typical turn around time for a traditional wedding is about 4-6 weeks during busy season.
Q: THE KNOT SAYS I SHOULD HAGGLE OR ASK MY VENDORS FOR DISCOUNTS. WILL YOU OFFER DISCOUNTED RATES?
- A: Please take every Knot (or similar site) article you’ve ever read with a grain of salt. Perhaps this might get you the CHEAPEST photographer. However it won’t get you the BEST QUALIFIED photographer, or one that can capture your day in a way that is authentic to you. My prices are carefully considered and based on not only my basic business expenses like insurance, gear, taxes, etc, but also the experience I bring to the project, making sure that I am using the best quality gear and lighting to make sure your images are of the highest quality, as well as the value of the custom art that is created for you by myself and my my associate artists. If you are basing your choice of photographer on the cheapest or easiest to haggle with, you are likely to be in for a great deal of disappointment, and we will not be a good fit. It’s one of those standard “you get what you pay for” kind of deals.
Q: DO YOU TRAVEL?
- A: Yes! Anywhere! You name it, lets go!
Q: HOW DO TRAVEL EXPENSES WORK FOR DESTINATION WEDDINGS OR ELOPEMENTS?
- A: I don’t usually set a specific price for my travel fees. I simply have you pay for the base minimums (flight, transportation, and stay) and the rest of the stuff that comes up I cover by myself. I’m pretty good at finding super cheap deals and am also extremely low maintenance when traveling. I am open to just about anything. Whether that means staying with you, camping, sharing an airbnb, or any other creative alternative. Lets figure it out! I would always rather help save you $ that you can spend on something else wedding related. as far as booking things goes, I book flights and rental car on my own, for logistics and travel ID purposes. I usually include the cost of this in initial deposits that are due.
Q: WILL YOU HELP IS WITH THE PLANNING PROCESS?
- A: Always! It is important that all of your vendors be on the same page and be working together. I am always happy to give you any and all information that I can, help make timelines, and plan locations, etc. Whatever you need!
Q: DO YOU USE BACKUP GEAR?
- A: I always have a set of backup gear on standby
Q: WHAT IF OUR WEDDING DATE CHANGES OR WE NEED TO CANCEL?
- A: As far as cancelations go, retainer fees are non refundable in most situation. However, if the date that you need to change to is available, you are more than welcome to switch it unless without extra costs unless your contract stipulates otherwise.
Q: WHAT KIND OF LIGHTING DO YOU USE? WHAT IF NATURAL LIGHT ISN’T AVAILABLE FOR MY WEDDING?
- A: All of it! You’re never going to hear me say I am a “natural light only” photographer. I consider any type of light to be something I can use as another
Q: DO YOU GIVE RAW OR UNEDITED IMAGES?
- A: RAW images are not provided for weddings. You receive your fully edited images in both color and black and white in jpeg format. I believe that editing is just as much a part of the final art as the image itself is.

PORTRAIT FAQ

Q: HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO RECEIVE FINAL EDITED IMAGES FROM PORTRAIT SESSIONS?
- A: Anywhere from 3-14 days depending on the type of session and other factors. I do my best to never have anyone wait longer than two weeks total no matter what!
Q: HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I BOOK MY SESSION?
- A: Weekends fill up quickly due to wedding and event schedules. So if you want to make sure to have your session date available, the sooner the better. I usually book up at least 6-8 weeks in advance.
Q: HOW MANY IMAGES CAN I EXPECT TO RECEIVE FROM MY SESSION:
- A: Typical one hour sessions result in about 50-60 final edited images. Typical two hour sessions result in about 120-130 final edited images.
Q: Do MY IMAGES COME IN COLOR OR B&W?
- A: Both! I make sure to edit each image in both color and a TRUE black and white so that clients don’t have to deal with conversion issues.
Q: WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
- A: I will send you a detailed what to wear guide when you book your session! Have no worries! You are also welcome to text me pics of outfits or call me about it at any time if you have more questions.
Q: CAN I BRING MY PET?
- A: Heck yes! Please! Bring me all the fur babies! Or better yet, let’s do your shoot at home where they are comfy and cuddly with you!
Q: ANY TIPS FOR US AWKWARD PEOPLE WHO FEEL LIKE BEING NATURAL OR COMFORTABLE IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA IS A STRUGGLE?
- A: Oh yes. Queen awkward girl here. See the experience page here for all the details on how I deal with this and why I work the way I do: http://taramc.com/experience/
Q: DO YOU SHOOT IN STUDIO OR ARE YOU ALWAYS ON LOCATION?
- A: Studio sessions are available, but limited and based on availability of studio rental.
Q: DO YOU SHOOT BOUDOIR OR NUDES?
- A: YES! LOVE it and I do it frequently (most of my brides book boudoir sessions before the weddings or for anniversary gifts. There are many options for location whether it be in home, on location, hotel, studio, etc! To see more boudoir images or galleries just ask! The internet isn’t a huge fan of me posting them on my social media accounts (insert eye roll here) but I am happy to show you lots of ideas and examples!

OTHER FAQ

Q: DO YOU CARRY LIABILITY INSURANCE? MY VENUE OR LOCATION SAYS IT IS REQUIRED.
- I do. I carry a minimum 1 million dollar liability insurance policy at all time to make sure any venue or location requirements are met and to make sure I am covered as well as my clients.
Q: HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SHOOTING?
- Your Text HereA: Professionally as my career, almost 12 years!
Q: WHAT ARE YOUR RATES?
- A: Please see the investment page.
Q: DO YOU OFFER DISCOUNTS OR A REFERRAL PROGRAM:
- A: I do. Please visit this page for all of the details on the referral and special needs offers: http://taramc.com/referral-program/
Your Text HereQ: DO YOU STILL TEACH OR OFFER MENTORING:
- A: Yes. I still do both. I have not done larger workshops in many years because I feel like the best learning environment to absorb what I teach is done in small groups or one-on-one, but I am open to doing with. You can visit the mentoring page for more information. You can also visit the “For Creatives” page for more tips and tricks, FAQ for photographers, and free tools!

Ask a Question

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