Tara brings energy, playfulness and incredible talent to her clients. She made us feel like our quirky selves and relaxed the entire time. When working with Tara you feel like you found a long lost friend that already has witnessed your story and is helping you tell it, rather than just learning it.Tara and I have worked together on many weddings over the years, but Tara took it upon herself to do a photo shoot in Napa complete with a makeup artist (THANK GOODNESS!). She knows how much I HATE the camera and made it a super fun afternoon!
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I'm a photographer of weddings, events, portraits, people, interiors, & horses and I'm fine art creator of your precious memories. Photography is my life. This is my truth. Every day I do what I love. I capture beauty in all things- people, animals, and spaces. Above all else, I want to make people happy.
A stunning digital photo of you is amazing, but print this photo and it becomes a piece of art. I believe in printing photos. Back when I only shot film, I was so excited to pick up my developed film and prints from the lab, I opened the package immediately in my car. Digital gratification is immediate, but a printed moment in time is just that - timeless.
Reviews (14)
Jessica S.
Jan 24, 2022
Tara was amazing from beginning to end. We absolutely loved her photography style when we first came across her as a preferred vendor of our wedding venue (Beltane Ranch), but knew that we also needed to love HER if we were to spend the majority of our special day with her by our side. Luckily, from the moment we had our first chat with Tara, we knew she'd be perfect for us.
Our engagement photo shoot at the Sutro Baths in San Francisco was the perfect way to get to know Tara's style and she helped us bring our vision to life in the shoot. Once we got to the wedding day, we completely trusted Tara to nail it - and, boy, did she deliver! She was SO efficient and organized. It was certainly a huge benefit that she knew our venue, but I am certain she would have been just as impressive in any environment.
One of the best aspects of hiring Tara, ultimately, is her art. Her photography is truly a work of art. She has an incredible eye and managed to make two very awkward gals (my wife and I) feel incredibly comfortable behind the camera. We are just enamored with the photos she took and will cherish them for a lifetime. The cherry on top of all of it was that she turned around our photos within 1 week of the wedding! We received the digital album during our honeymoon and it was so fun to reminisce while still celebrating. Thank you for everything, Tara!
Our engagement photo shoot at the Sutro Baths in San Francisco was the perfect way to get to know Tara's style and she helped us bring our vision to life in the shoot. Once we got to the wedding day, we completely trusted Tara to nail it - and, boy, did she deliver! She was SO efficient and organized. It was certainly a huge benefit that she knew our venue, but I am certain she would have been just as impressive in any environment.
One of the best aspects of hiring Tara, ultimately, is her art. Her photography is truly a work of art. She has an incredible eye and managed to make two very awkward gals (my wife and I) feel incredibly comfortable behind the camera. We are just enamored with the photos she took and will cherish them for a lifetime. The cherry on top of all of it was that she turned around our photos within 1 week of the wedding! We received the digital album during our honeymoon and it was so fun to reminisce while still celebrating. Thank you for everything, Tara!
Tiana K.
Nov 14, 2017
I have known Tara and her husband Travis, also her assistant, since I was a little girl and having had them photograph my wedding was an absolute delight. Tara is very professional in her process and is super personable. It felt very natural the way she went about doing candid and posed photos. Her work is gorgeous, unique, and elegant. She is also very flexible.
If you think of a pose you want, on the fly, she is open to doing it. She always gives you the feeling that everything is under control so you can relax and enjoy the moment. We were very grateful to have had her photograph our wedding and extremely happy with the outcome. We would highly, highly recommend her to anyone. Thanks Tara and Travis! We LOVE you!
If you think of a pose you want, on the fly, she is open to doing it. She always gives you the feeling that everything is under control so you can relax and enjoy the moment. We were very grateful to have had her photograph our wedding and extremely happy with the outcome. We would highly, highly recommend her to anyone. Thanks Tara and Travis! We LOVE you!
Wing C.
Mar 25, 2017
She might not return your phone calls and emails right away, but she will get back to you for sure. She just helped me with my reception photographing. Love her works and she is so easy to work with. She understands exactly what I want and I'm very pleased with the result. I like how she capture all the good moments while ppl were having fun and laughing. I would say I am happy with her work.
Vicki B.
Jan 07, 2017
The photos we received are absolutely stunning. Tara took us to some incredible sites around the city, and then she and her assistant somehow managed to be in all places at all times throughout the ceremony and reception. I have received tons of compliments on our photos, and I don't think I will ever get tired of looking at them; In addition to being an incredible photographer though, Tara also knows what is needed to make the day a success - she pulled me into a separate room and quickly and expertly bustled my train so that I could get back to the reception. And she won my dad over when she offered her jacket to my grandmother, who got cold during the ceremony. I'd recommend Tara without hesitation.
Christine P.
Aug 30, 2015
Perfect! Perfect! Perfect! Tara shot our wedding and did an amazing job! We are so happy with the pictures and all of our guests said how much they loved Tara and her assistant. She kept me (the bride) at ease and knew exactly where to take the most amazing pictures at our venue. We would (and have) recommend Arrowodd Photography to anyone and everyone.
Lauren S.
Jun 25, 2015
Tara Arrowood is hands down the best wedding photographer (or photographer for that matter)! I work in the wedding industry and have had the pleasure of working with Tara over the last six years on several of my clients weddings. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about working with her and have never had a client say anything but the same.
I look at thousands of wedding pictures each year and while some photographers catch a few great shots or photoshop their work to add dramatic lighting, Tara's work ALWAYS stands out.and really stands out! She is truly an artist! When it came time to plan my personal wedding, Tara was a must have. Once the day (and really it's about six hours) is over.all you have are you photo's and Tara is worth every dollar plus more!
For us, Tara's photojournalistic style captured the most amazing candid photo's I couldn't imagine in my wildest dreams! In addition to the amazing candids all of our posed family photo's made even the least photogenic person looks amazing. When we received our photo's, we were beyond thrilled with Tara's work! We also had a videographer (which we were so happy to have to re-watch everything we didn't see or remember) but watching the video made us even more amazed with Tara. We honestly don't know how she managed to capture so many perfect pictures in a split second. Again, she's hands down the best!
I look at thousands of wedding pictures each year and while some photographers catch a few great shots or photoshop their work to add dramatic lighting, Tara's work ALWAYS stands out.and really stands out! She is truly an artist! When it came time to plan my personal wedding, Tara was a must have. Once the day (and really it's about six hours) is over.all you have are you photo's and Tara is worth every dollar plus more!
For us, Tara's photojournalistic style captured the most amazing candid photo's I couldn't imagine in my wildest dreams! In addition to the amazing candids all of our posed family photo's made even the least photogenic person looks amazing. When we received our photo's, we were beyond thrilled with Tara's work! We also had a videographer (which we were so happy to have to re-watch everything we didn't see or remember) but watching the video made us even more amazed with Tara. We honestly don't know how she managed to capture so many perfect pictures in a split second. Again, she's hands down the best!
C. C.
Oct 15, 2014
We fell in love with Tara the first time we met her, sitting on her vintage tiffany-blue couch and watching her french bulldog "Chicken" loudly drag a piece of driftwood around her studio space. She was as cool and inspired that day as she was on our wedding day. She did our engagement shoot at Fort Mason and our wedding at Annadel Estate Winery. We were looking for a photographer who could be edgier and who was comfortable using filters and editing.
She was able to find light and shoot angles that captured the best sides of my partner Brooke and I. She shared techniques for bringing out natural, candid poses and emphasized the contrast of hard and soft with us and the surrounding environment. Tara is one of the most amazing people we have worked with, we are so lucky to have had the opportunity to meet her and be the subjects of her artistry.
She was able to find light and shoot angles that captured the best sides of my partner Brooke and I. She shared techniques for bringing out natural, candid poses and emphasized the contrast of hard and soft with us and the surrounding environment. Tara is one of the most amazing people we have worked with, we are so lucky to have had the opportunity to meet her and be the subjects of her artistry.
Brett H.
Mar 28, 2014
We found Tara early on in our search for Wedding vendirs; and immediately upon our meeting My Fiancee (now wife) and I knew we had found a winner. She was so accomodating and so understanding about our time and our needs - and was even more willing to offer her expertise to take our idea and elevate it to the next level. "Working" with Tara is more like going to your secret fort and hanging out with friends - always fun; always exciting - but minus the "secret password".
Over the months; Tara gave us ideas about many aspects of the wedding - not just photography - and we knew that on our wedding day we would be in great hands. Even still; Tara and her second shooter exceeded even our own expectations and made our Wedding Day feel like an EPIC event (which it totally was) - but also her friendliness over the months led to her sitting with our guests during dinner.
I spoke to a number of different Photographers in our search and I would far and away suggest Tara for ANY type of event - she is an artist; a professional; a top notch creator and a first class person. Thank you so much!
Over the months; Tara gave us ideas about many aspects of the wedding - not just photography - and we knew that on our wedding day we would be in great hands. Even still; Tara and her second shooter exceeded even our own expectations and made our Wedding Day feel like an EPIC event (which it totally was) - but also her friendliness over the months led to her sitting with our guests during dinner.
I spoke to a number of different Photographers in our search and I would far and away suggest Tara for ANY type of event - she is an artist; a professional; a top notch creator and a first class person. Thank you so much!
Leslie K.
Mar 26, 2014
Tara and her team were amazing from start to finish! She photographed our engagement party, engagement photos and wedding! She truly captured every magical moment and in the process made us feel comfortable and confident! You will not regret using Tara and her team to capture a mix of artistic and beautifully candid photos for any special event!
Shoddy L.
Mar 21, 2014
Tara is amazing! Her team was unbelievable on the day of our wedding. It was almost like they weren't even there. The photos came out beautiful and she captured moments that forever we will have to share with others. Very professional and an immaculate artistic eye. We asked for a "journalistic" style and got exactly what we asked for. The photos look like they came out of a magazine spread. Thank you again Tara!
Vicky E.
Oct 28, 2013
We searched high and low for a great wedding photographer. Tara's photography stood out because of the artistry in her photojournalistic style. I wanted great candids, as well as beautiful portraits to have a memories of our wedding day. We were not disappointed, neither in the results of her photography, or in her level of professionalism. Honestly, we just loved Tara and her assistant Kevin!
First of all, the "interview" process was seamless. We met about six months before the wedding day and she made a huge effort to connect with me and get to know me. Tara is sweet and has a great sense of humor, which made me feel very comfortable choosing her. From an administrative perspective, the contract set-up process was straight forward and she answered all our questions.
Not a lot of questions though, because the contract was very straightforward. Then, a month or so before the wedding she contacted me again to touch base and discuss my day-of schedule, locations, and any must haves for the day of. not to be confused with a shot list. Tara re-assured me she was an experienced wedding photographer so a detailed shot list wasn't needed.
I trusted her and it paid off. Now for the most impressive/important part, and brides, please read this carefully. Though I tried to plan and perfect every detail of my wedding day, there were still a number of things that just mis-fired on the day of the wedding. It happens. But Tara was NOT one of those things that went wrong. If anything she was the voice of reason that kept me calm and sane as the day went on.
In addition to being a decisive, knowledgable, and adventurous/creative photographer (our pictures were INCREDIBLE), she was a bridesmaid/wedding consultant/all-around-troubleshooter backup along the way. It is very clear she is very experienced and this last part of the review, to me, is the most important trait that set her apart. Tara and her assistant Kevin were just incredible. Again, my pictures were AWESOME!
I got them super fast after the wedding, and it hasn't even been a month since our wedding. She's on it! We get to pick 500 pictures from the 1000 she sent us, and I have no idea how we are going to narrow it down. She's THAT good. I know I've rambled. but I feel very strongly about the quality of Tara's work. She delivered on the quality, and went above and beyond by being someone who kept me calm during my wedding. Hire her.
First of all, the "interview" process was seamless. We met about six months before the wedding day and she made a huge effort to connect with me and get to know me. Tara is sweet and has a great sense of humor, which made me feel very comfortable choosing her. From an administrative perspective, the contract set-up process was straight forward and she answered all our questions.
Not a lot of questions though, because the contract was very straightforward. Then, a month or so before the wedding she contacted me again to touch base and discuss my day-of schedule, locations, and any must haves for the day of. not to be confused with a shot list. Tara re-assured me she was an experienced wedding photographer so a detailed shot list wasn't needed.
I trusted her and it paid off. Now for the most impressive/important part, and brides, please read this carefully. Though I tried to plan and perfect every detail of my wedding day, there were still a number of things that just mis-fired on the day of the wedding. It happens. But Tara was NOT one of those things that went wrong. If anything she was the voice of reason that kept me calm and sane as the day went on.
In addition to being a decisive, knowledgable, and adventurous/creative photographer (our pictures were INCREDIBLE), she was a bridesmaid/wedding consultant/all-around-troubleshooter backup along the way. It is very clear she is very experienced and this last part of the review, to me, is the most important trait that set her apart. Tara and her assistant Kevin were just incredible. Again, my pictures were AWESOME!
I got them super fast after the wedding, and it hasn't even been a month since our wedding. She's on it! We get to pick 500 pictures from the 1000 she sent us, and I have no idea how we are going to narrow it down. She's THAT good. I know I've rambled. but I feel very strongly about the quality of Tara's work. She delivered on the quality, and went above and beyond by being someone who kept me calm during my wedding. Hire her.
Vincy B.
Aug 29, 2013
From Arrowood Photography's site: "I will always answer your calls, emails and questions before, during and after your wedding." We contacted Arrowood to photograph our wedding. We never heard back, at all. No contact to us whatsoever - which was really disappointing as I liked Tara's online portfolio. I'm also swayed by their dog Chicken, GoPro's sponsored dog. Unfortunately, it was literally a "non starter."
Abraham Y.
Sep 23, 2008
Not quite sure why the previous reviewer only gave 4 stars, but we recently had the dynamic duo for our wedding and are VERY happy with the results. Tara and Kevin are consummate professionals throughout the process. They worked with us to ensure we got the shots we wanted, and they also worked with our other vendors. The photos of the engagement shoot and wedding were professional - they looked like the kind of shots you see on VH1 or 20/20, when they show snapshots of the most recent Hollywood wedding (could not say the same if it was not for my beautiful wife).
Our guests also told us how cool they were and how much they loved the shots. If you want people who know what they are doing and execute flawlessly, they are the team for you. We recommend them without any hesitation.
Our guests also told us how cool they were and how much they loved the shots. If you want people who know what they are doing and execute flawlessly, they are the team for you. We recommend them without any hesitation.
Connie C.
Mar 10, 2006
Arrowood is made up of 2 photographers, Tara and Kevin. They have a great photojournalistic style and are really energetic and fun. We met Tara at a bridal show and saw a few of her albums and were really impressed by her work. I really liked that they offer a mixed format album, so you get both the matted and magazine style in one book. We were able to meet with Kevin in their swanky mod loft studio in Potrero HIll and see more of their work. They offer several packages, and you can hire either Tara or Kevin or both of them ("the dynamic duo") to shoot your wedding. Their packages start at around $4,000.
