Meet Corrie Mcgovern | Co-Owner of MCG Photography

We had the good fortune of connecting with Corrie Mcgovern and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Corrie, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
My business partner – James McGavick – also happens to be my husband and we met in the dark room (old school photography). He was interested and assisting in architecture photography for Architecture Digest and I thought I was going to get my masters to teach photography. While in school, I worked part time at a photography lab and met an inspired wedding photography. She was looking for an assistant and got me hooked. Eventually I ended up pulling James to the people side of photography. We merged our skills, eloped, moved to Charleston and started our wedding photography business that has morphed into including portraits and events.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think our secret sauce is less about technical photography and more about taking the time to see and engage couples, families and individuals for their best selves emerge. As a couple that works together, we can bring a sense of play and banter to our experiences that takes the pressure of performing or perfecting.

We started with 2 wedding models and a handful of portrait clients. Our website was our storefront in Charleston which was just being discovered as THE wedding destination place. From there, we sent postcards and built relationships with venues and vendors. Wedding clients became portrait clients. A photography friend offered us an event photography gig. That led to non-profit work. My husband is a Pisces and he tends to flow with the stream. I am a Capricorn and tend to swim against the current. Over time, we found more ease in working as a team and more ease in allowing the wedding/portrait/events ratios to be what they are from year to year. Our brand and our story are fairly interwoven. We value crafting memories. We value love stories. We value clients trusting us to be themselves.

We have learned many lessons along the way. This one in particular has gotten easier over time. Meeting with potential clients and getting a No used to sting. Now I cherish the ‘YES, please sign us up’ and don’t put focus on the ‘no, thank you’s’.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Day beach trips, Folly beach followed by a meal at Jack of Cups or Isle of Palms with a meal at the Obstinate Daughter. Live music outside on a deck and then inside later for headlining shows if you are feeling it – The Pourhouse on James Island or the WindJammer on IOP.

Downtown favorites include Gibbes Museum, Harken Cafe, SNOB for lunch, sailing on the Schooner Pride, Vendue rooftop bar for sunset and appetizers. Depending on the time of year…the carriage rides are fun way to get an overview of Charleston or a pedaled rickshaw for couples. Walking tours that take you South of Broad or strolling yourself. Comfortable walking shoes are a must. Check the calendar for Charleston local events and programing : Historic Home and Garden Tour (spring), Art Charleston (April), Charleston Literary Festival (fall), Spoleto (spring) and IBU movement (shop year round/events around International Women’s Day).

If kids are in the mix.. the Aquarium, the kids museum and the fountains at Waterfront Park for a cool off.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Too many to count.

Photography mentors :
Madeline Vite of https://madphoto.com/ was my wedding photography and how to stay inspired mentor. James had two mentors Erhard Pfeiffer www.erhardpfeiffer.com/ and Jim Bartsch https://jimbartsch.com/ They taught us a wide variety of skills from styling to booking to longevity.

My dad – Mike McGovern – Once he realized we were serious about starting a business, we went to the bookstore and found a book with photography contracts. It was one of those foundational pieces to the business aspect. My mom – Kathy McGovern – whom I think has watched every slideshow we have made for the past 20+ years and always sends positive feedback. She is our biggest fan.

Wedding Planners : Two wedding planners – Cris Bernstein and Cindy Zingerella gave us a chance from the start. They matched us with clients that best suited our style and personality. Some of those original wedding clients and still portrait clients.

Lastly photography friends along the way. We find our most frequent referrals come from local fellow photographers that we have developed friendships over the years. Banner Radin, Taylor Stewart, Kate Thorton.

Website: https://mcgphotography.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mcg._photography/

Image Credits
MCG Photography