Discover Top Portrait Photographers in Oakland, California, USA

My name is Tri and I’m the founder of Bay Area-based Tri Nguyen Photography and Video Production. My path to this industry was not a straight line, as after getting my B.S. from Carnegie Mellon University and MBA from Johns Hopkins University, I pursued a career in information technology. It was during my time working in corporations that I developed my professional and detailed approach, and I discovered that I really enjoyed the collaborative spirit that comes from teamwork. As my career progressed I realized my true passion was in the creative field, and that my unique background would help me better serve my clients. I don’t think of my subjects as a job, but as a story waiting to be told. Extensive preparation and collaboration are an important part of my approach, and it’s very important to me that you feel comfortable, confident, and excited about our time working together as well as the end result. I’ll provide the talent and leadership to get us there.

• Commercial DP
• Production Company
• Corporate Videographer
• Drone Operator
• Documentary DP
• Fixer
• Production Assistant
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Portrait Photographer
• Video Editor - Documentary
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Immersive/Spatial Video Capture
• Full-Service Live Production

Vatsala is a cinematographer and director based out of San Francisco and Los Angeles. Her films have premiered in competition at Sundance, Tribeca, AFI Docs, Cinequest, Doc Fortnight: Museum of Modern Art (NY), and on platforms such Netflix, Amazon, PBS, CBS etc. Clients include Facebook, Google, Sony, Eventbrite, HBO Docs, MTV Films, VICE/ Refinery 29, Good Company, Godfrey Dadich Partners, Attn: Inc, Tribeca Studios, Firelight, ITVS, TIME, BET, AwesomenessTV, Salesforce and 23andme. Her work is informed by years of experience working across narrative and documentary film, photojournalism and fine art, as well as from her dual cultural identities as an Indian and queer woman of color living and working in the United States. Vatsala is a recipient of the American Society of Cinematographers' Vision Mentorship program (2020) and is a member of the International Collective of Female Cinematographers. She received her MFA in Cinematography from the Film and Television Institute, India.

• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Field Producer
• Corporate Videographer
• Event Photographer
• Line Producer / On-Location
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Portrait Photographer
• Fashion Photographer
• Product Photographer
• Creative Director

I am a documentary photographer and videographer currently based in Northern California. I possess a solid background in photojournalism and specialize in the long-term narrative. My documentary work focuses on social justice, health, environmental conservation, and identity. I am passionate about utilizing the visual narrative as a tool to inform, engage, and impact social change. As a multimedia journalist and storyteller, I have experience working as a producer, visual creator, editor & curator, and project manager. I am proficient in image editing software, studio lighting, video and audio capture, and various array of photography including reportage, portraiture, editorial, travel, corporate, and commercial. I am conscientious, resourceful, and welcome any challenging assignments. Selected Clients & Publications: ActionAid, Asian Development Bank, Bloomberg Businessweek, BuzzFeed News, Clinton Health Access Initiatives, Courrier International, Der Spiegel, Facebook, Fair Trade, Financial Times, Getty Images, Global Citizen, Greenpeace International, The Guardian, Instagram, International Monetary Fund, The New York Times, T: The New York Times Style Magazine, Open Society Foundations, Oxfam, ProPublica, Sactown Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, UN-REDD, USAID, USA Today, TripAdvisor, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Documentary DP
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Field Producer
• Portrait Photographer
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Creative Director
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Commercial DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Translator
• Event Photographer
• Landscape Photographer
• Product Photographer
• Fashion Photographer
• Fixer
• Production Assistant
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Reporter / Journalist
• Post-Production Manager

Fred Greaves is an editorial and commercial photographer based in Sacramento, California. Fred has a well-documented talent for telling his clients' stories with the camera. Put him in the middle of a raging wildfire, an energetic kindergarten classroom, hospital emergency room, or far out at sea on a tuna boat and Fred uses his camera to focus attention on what's important by creating beauty and order out of the chaos of real life. His ability to meet his clients diverse photographic needs has attracted an impressive roster of editorial, advertising and corporate clients. They include Volvo, Macy’s, United Services Organization (USO), Reuters, Sacramento Magazine, Rotary International, San Diego County Fair, California Farm Bureau Federation, Center for Land-Based Learning, Eating Well, Bodega Marine Laboratory, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of Southern California (USC) and UC Davis. While he is based in Northern California, Fred travels regularly for work and is happy to take on projects with a travel component. He is also an FAA Part 107-certified commercial drone pilot (and insured). You can see more of Fred's work at his website, www.fredgreaves.com Fred also gives back to the photographic community. He has guest lectured on photography and photojournalism at schools across the U.S. as well as having taught photography courses at the University of California, San Diego and co-taught a photojournalism course at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. He has also taught photography workshops at the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) in San Diego. Member: NPPA, ASMP, and CNPA.

• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Portrait Photographer
• Product Photographer

Zabrina Deng is based in San Francisco California who travelled the world to do portrait assignment. She is an SONY Artisans of Imagery and a holder of WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Professional International) master photographer title and processor for over 60 international award winning photos. Zabrina been featured on RangeFinder Magazine's 30 Rising Stars of Photography, her work has been published on: Vanity Fair, Town & Country (Thailand), Cosmopolitan Bride (China), CosmoLove (China) Elle (Hong Kong), Stuff Magazine (UK), Vogue Italia's Photovogue. Zabrina has also photographed the Grammy Award winner R&B band All-4-One for their 20th anniversary album CD cover.

• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Fashion Photographer
• Event Photographer
• Portrait Photographer
• Commercial DP
• Corporate Videographer
• News Shooter / Video Journalist

I grew up hunting, fishing, backpacking and hiking between Northern California and Idaho. After high school I served four years in the US Coast Guard, then in 2009 completed a BA in Journalism from San Francisco State University. I'm currently a freelance journalist, photographer and videographer based in Oakland, contributing to Redux Pictures, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle and other local and national publications, as well as producing work for corporate and commercial clients.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Documentary DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Drone Operator
• Fixer
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Landscape Photographer
• Portrait Photographer
• Product Photographer
• Content Strategist
• Commercial DP
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Post-Production Manager
• Creative Director
• Field Producer
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Video Editor - News
• TV News Producer
• Social Media Producer

My names Joe, I've been working in the creative space since 2005. I started out as a photographer and mixed my marketing skills to provide services to small businesses. In 2010 I started to get into videography. My work experience includes event photography, commercial photography and videography and wedding videography. I've worked for a couple of companies, such as the California DMV producing photo and design assets, 2 successful kickstarter videos and currently work at Mvo studios and Revrnt as a project manager and videographer

• Commercial DP
• Drone Operator
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Full-Service Live Production
• Corporate Videographer
• Production Coordinator / Crewing
• Portrait Photographer
• Production Assistant
• Grip
• Event Photographer
• Documentary DP
• Fixer

As a creative director, I help businesses & entrepreneurs confidently portray their story through cinematic videos and photography. My video work has helped nonprofits, restaurants, and creative entrepreneurs in the San Francisco Bay Area to authentically present themselves online. The greatest, most powerful connections have always come from a compelling narrative story. I truly believe that everyone has a compelling story.

• Corporate Videographer
• Drone Operator
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Event Photographer
• Digital Content Creator
• Portrait Photographer
• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• Creative Director

I'm a Sacramento area based photographer who finds joy and purpose in photographing various subjects. Specializing in portraits, wedding, event and product photography I constantly strive to foster a creative, fun and relaxed environment so that the true nature of the people or the products shine through. My personality and my love for connecting with people are strengthened by my personal philosophy that I've “never met a stranger”

• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Event Photographer
• Landscape Photographer
• Portrait Photographer
• Product Photographer

A Black Woman Photographer based in Oakland, CA. I spend my days crafting visual content for personal brands, people, and products!

• Portrait Photographer
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Fashion Photographer

• Colorist
• Documentary DP
• Event Photographer
• Portrait Photographer
• Corporate Videographer

• Drone Operator
• Portrait Photographer
• Product Photographer

• Portrait Photographer
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Event Photographer

Anthony “Mogli” Maureal is no stranger to the nomadic life. He was born on the island of Cebu in the Philippines, and spent 3 years living in Seoul, Korea as a child before his family immigrated to the United States. Mogli majored in Sound Arts at Ex’pression College for Digital Arts, and eventually found his home base in Oakland, CA, making his own way as an international photographer, filmmaker, and touring musician. Mogli’s work has been featured in outlets such as Business Insider, Quartz, California magazine and many more. He is a founding member, photographer, cinematographer and music producer of the award winning film, theater, and music collective RADIX Troupe. His recent projects include an independent feature film, Kaneko’s Owl (2022), four short documentaries with California Magazine, a feature-length documentary about the Marshallese community in Arkansas, and a short documentary with Business Insider about potato farmers surviving the economic crisis caused by the pandemic. Mogli owns and operates his own multi-media production business called, The Mogli, where he creates compelling visual content for businesses, non- profits, and media outlets, as well as fellow artists and musicians in the local Bay Area community. In addition, he's an avid traveller, very adaptable and have experience shooting photos and videos in many different environments, including the Amazon jungle, Peru, West Africa, Philippines and many others. We are currently working on our first original feature film and I am working as 2nd AC, DIT and On Set Photography.

• Production Company
• Music Composer
• Sound Designer
• Documentary DP
• Creative Director
• Sound Mixer
• Grip
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Production Assistant
• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Commercial DP
• Gaffer
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Fixer
• Colorist
• Landscape Photographer
• Audio Storyteller
• Portrait Photographer
• Event Photographer
• Fashion Photographer
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Product Photographer
• Drone Operator

Jonathan Smith is a Director of Photography and editor from Pontiac, MI. He moved to Oakland, CA, in the summer of 2017, after graduating from Eastern Michigan University with his B.S. in Electronic Media and Film Studies. Jonathan uses his passions for photography, videography, and storytelling as conduits for others to share their stories. From 2014-2017 in Michigan, Jonathan worked as an ESPN cameraman and radio host for WEMU 89.1. Since 2017 in California, Jonathan formally served as Control Room Operator for KTOP TV-10, Oakland's government television station, as Social Media and Graphic Design Director for Oakland-based nonprofit Safe Passages, and as Visual Media Director for Berkeley Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Berkeley, CA. Jonathan currently serves as the Worship Projection Operator at the historic Allen Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland, CA. Additionally, he is working in collaboration with acclaimed documentary filmmaker Cheryl Fabio as Director of Photography for her upcoming film Baseline.

• Documentary DP
• Commercial DP
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Portrait Photographer
• Fashion Photographer
• Corporate Videographer

I'm an Emmy-nominated freelance video producer and multimedia journalist living and working in the Bay Area. I was a staff producer with Engadget for four years, and in the past I've worked with a range of outlets including The Verge, BBC, The Guardian, Mission Local, and I'm a regular freelancer for USA Today, Arts Technica, and Toms Hardware. I specialize in science and technology coverage, but also do works on stories around the arts, education, healthcare, business, and live events. I'm a 2015 graduate of the Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, and my master's project (on international smartphone smuggling) was purchased and published by National Geographic. I also do corporate video, multimedia communications, and consulting. I teach multimedia production at both UC Santa Cruz and Stanford, and have made videos and motion graphics for organizations including The Berkeley SETI Research Center, Wing Venture Capital, Hotwire PR, First Republic Bank, USPA Athletics School, Disaster Mesh, and Experian, Planet Labs, Symb.io, Allogene, Vida Ventures, and others.

• News Shooter / Video Journalist
• Commercial DP
• Documentary DP
• Video Editor - News
• Sound Mixer
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• On-Air Reporter / Host
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Production Company
• HD Live Operator
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Colorist
• Event Photographer
• Portrait Photographer
• Reporter / Journalist
• Digital Content Creator
• Executive Producer
• Corporate Videographer

Howdy! I'm an award winning director, cinematographer and editor based in California. I work with brands, agencies, NGOs and production companies. As a director: I have an extensive background in developing and pitching ambitious projects to executive leadership. My films have a unique look and feel characterized by truth and authenticity in the storytelling and dynamic and creative camera work. As a cinematographer: I always try to work in service of the story. I'm capable of giving it a unique identity in the visual approach or can find beauty in simplicity. I'm highly collaborative and am capable of taking direction or leading the way creatively. As an editor: I pride myself on crafting compelling stories. I try to uncover poignancy and vulnerability in the characters. All my edits have a creative edge and careful attention to detail, taking the effectiveness of every shot into consideration. Freelancer and co-founder & director at The Elevens.

• Video Editor - Commercial
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Creative Director
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Senior Editor
• Landscape Photographer
• Portrait Photographer
• Commercial DP
• Corporate Videographer
• Documentary DP
• Field Producer
• Colorist

I am from Milan, Italy, and I immigrated to the US in 2009. In Milan, I achieved my bachelor's in Advertising as a copywriter then won a grant to join one of the finest film companies at the time, Central Productions. After a few steps in commercials, I joined a Post facility (Rumblefish) where I worked as an AVID editor (commercials, documentaries, TV Shows, you name it) in the pioneering years of NLE, the mid-'90s. After three years immersed in Post, I began to freelance and merge my advertising studies with my tech skills. I evolved professionally as a writer, video, and convention director across Europe for Fortune 50, as well as filming documentary footage in Tibet. Relocating to the US was a major change in my life. I went through a long immigration process and health challenges. From the time I arrived in the US to the time I received a life-changing green card, I endured years of unemployment due to Visa restrictions, and battled cancer at the bone marrow while being a stay-at-home dad to my newborn daughter. Such experiences shaped my approach to work in new ways– I’ve learned the literal meaning of resilience, increased my empathy, and try to make days meaningful and joyful. In 2016, I wrote and directed my first US short film called Thank You Rebbe. In 2017, at the age of 44, I received my green card and returned to collaborating and volunteering with film projects. Soon, I was helping nonprofits meet their filmmaking needs, and in 2018, I accepted a full-time position as a video director at the Jewish United Fund of Chicago. The first project I wrote and produced was a video raising awareness about anti-Semitism in the US. In 2020, I received a Silver Telly Award and a Midwest EMMY nomination for this video. In 2021, my short film Thank You Rebbe won the Best Jewish Film Award at the Cannes World Film Festival - Remember The Future competition. My professional expertise includes developing creative strategy, managing creative and production teams, and developing content for Arts, Broadcast, Corporate, Entertainment, and Non-Profit initiatives. My passion for storytelling led me to wear multiple hats, from founding niche social networks to directing videos and conventions. I love to travel and have developed projects in China, the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, Tibet, and the USA.

• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Translator
• Creative Director
• Video Editor - Documentary
• Senior Producer / Project Manager
• Portrait Photographer
• Content Strategist
• Video Editor - Commercial
• Production Company

San Francisco Bay Area based lifestyle and people photographer Jay Watson shoots editorial, automotive, sports, apparel, and corporate subjects for commercial clients. Available for studio, location, or travel assignments. CLIENTS (partial list): Audi Sportscar Experience • Bicycling Magazine • Fidelity • Jaguar/Land Rover (North America) • Hawaiian Airlines Magazine • Inked Magazine • LifeAid Beverage Company • LinkedIn • Lufthansa Magazine • Motorcyclist Magazine • Nikon USA • New Era Hats • Porsche • Santa Cruz Skateboards • Socksmith • Seagate • Whole Foods Market • Wired (UK) AWARDS: 2023 reFocus Awards Photo Annual Advertising & Commercial 2023 International Color Awards Americana 2022 International Photography Awards Lifestyle 2021 International Photography Awards Editorial 2020 Applied Arts Photo Annual Portrait Photography

• Portrait Photographer
• Editorial Photographer / Photojournalist
• Product Photographer
• Digital Content Creator
• Event Photographer

I am a multimedia artist and storyteller––a commercial and documentary filmmaker and photographer who specializes in outdoor adventure, lifestyle, environmental, and human interest work. I am especially drawn to working with eco-conscious brands, B corporations, and companies that are committed to equality and the environment. For the past twelve years I have been freelancing full time in the film and photo industry, starting through the camera department while pursing creative side projects. Along the way I have worked on union commercial sets, feature films, television, and documentaries. Now I primarily fill the roll of photographer, camera operator, documentary DP, and/or director but I also take my love of illustration/design, audio, and artistry wherever I go.

• Documentary DP
• Commercial DP
• Creative Director
• Non-Fiction Film Director
• Audio Storyteller
• Portrait Photographer
• Landscape Photographer
• Product Photographer
• Content Strategist
• Illustrator
• Graphic Designer