BRIAN. Man, how I begin to describe how awesome Brian is...I'm a complete flibbertigibbet, and he made me look pulled together and professional. He gave me awesome tips for the day of the shoot that I would have NEVER thought of (outfit ideas, etc.), and he was so collaborative and honest with his feedback during the session. I felt safe that he was really and truly trying to get the best shot possible in regards to color choices against my skin, glasses vs. no glasses, stuff I don't ever think about and can't really see as the person in the frame. During the session he let me see previews, explained everything he was doing, and really made me feel a part of the process. He got me giggling and took an AMAZING shot of my dorky laugh, which he edited and let me keep because he's a Super Sweet Amazingpants McGee. I've gotten compliments already on my fresh headshot; no stuffy corporate looks here. He's all about human, genuine, professional images. I can't thank him enough for that; stuffy isn't my bag, and he totally gets it. Why are you still reading this?! Go schedule a session!! :) read more

Brian DeSimone Photography - Session Photography Near Me

Brian is amazing! I was selected to give a plenary talk at a conference in the Fall. The only problem was that they needed a high resolution headshot and they needed it within 10 days. My cropped out home photos that I'd been using were clearly not going to cut it. In a panic I scoured the internet and came across Brian's work. He managed to book me in at short notice and gave me tons of good advice in preparing. The shoot itself was a lot of fun, and it really felt like we we collaborating together to get the perfect headshot. His photos were instantly loaded up onto a computer screen so we could scroll through and tag the good ones together and change looks and outfits. Brian made me feel very relaxed and comfortable. After the session was over, he worked on a very tight timeline to get me the processed photos before my deadline. Attached are a couple of the final results - my badass bitch look, and my more approachable look. I couldn't be happier with them! read more

Brian DeSimone Photography - Session Photography Near Me

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Brian has nothing but five-star reviews for a reason. You pay for what you get, and with Brian you get excellent photos that will set you apart from everyone else. I could not be more happy with the final photos. Brian of Brian DeSimone Photography made the entire process of a professional photo shoot so easy in all aspects from the very first email to the final result. Most importantly, Brian is a business owner who truly cares about his work and his clients. I will definitely be using Brian again for future shoots. read more

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I contacted Brian about doing a headshot for probably 2 years before I finally got to his studio. I was so nervous! Once I arrived, I was out immediately at ease-"everybody is nervous" He assured me. I also stressed about how to prepare- I texted him and he told me to bring multiple looks and layers, and he would coach me, once he understood what I was going for. What I want to communicate with this review is that he supported me throughout the entire process. During the photos, he reminded me to breathe and most importantly, made me laugh! He's such a lovely and talented person. The result was a photo that felt both authentic to myself and professional. I can't even count how many compliments I have received. read more

Brian DeSimone Photography - Session Photography Near Me

Look. You need professional headshots and your selfie skills won't do this time. You ask around your social circles for recs, but your degenerate friends don't have need for professional headshots. You don't know any pro photographers so you visit Yelp for ideas. You get to Yelp and there are too many options. How do you choose? You'll want a photographer with professional equipment and the ability to use all of it effectively. You'll want a photographer who is efficient - one that doesn't waste time on shots that you aren't going to want. You'll want a photographer that can work with clients of various experience levels. And if you could get all of this at a fair price with responsive service, you'd probably be happy to go get your pictures taken. Well look no further. For a rank novice like me, this couldn't have gone better. Brian was efficient, professional and fast. Even though I had no idea what I was doing, Brian made the process easy. Photos came out far better than I expected. I'm very pleased. read more

I've been wanting to have professional business headshots done for years. I could never find the 'right' photo artist for me. Until I found Brian DeSimone. I wanted someone who could tell my story in a shot. Someone who could lift me off the page and cast me into my own story...one that invites you to join me. While in the Bay Area recently, I stumbled upon his site. Brian's website instantly blew me away. It was destiny. The results are my 3 final images below. I couldn't be happier. If you need someone to visually tell YOUR story, contact Brian. He is beyond professional, super sweet and kind, and fun to work with. Check him out: https://briandesimone.com/ or via IG and FB. #briandesimonephotography Make-up by Lindsay at @lbartistry on IG. read more

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Brian is absolutely amazing. He's a master of his craft, a kind and hilarious and wonderful person, and a total artist soul. I saw his work over a year ago on a friend's profile picture and was immediately floored. I hit Like on his page even as someone who almost never Likes pages on Facebook. After following his work for over a year and meeting many other portrait photographers in that time, I knew it was clear that I'd never seen another person produce work like his. I'm so happy I finally signed up for a shoot, as I'd never had professional headshots taken and all my work and social profiles were from over 2 years ago. *Pre-shoot* Brian was super speedy at responding and scheduling. He gave very simple and clear instructions for what to bring (LOTS of outfits, lots of layers, lots of options: "more is more," he said. It was so helpful to know that nothing I'd bring would be over the top). He reminded me to hydrate and said that the shoot would be fun. I really appreciated all this help with preparation. As someone who spends 0 time modeling and very little time primping and posing and feeling 100% comfortable in front of a camera, it was helpful to be guided gently by an expert and know that nothing I would do would be judged as wrong or right. *The shoot itself* Lasting about 2 hours, the shoot was so enjoyable and memorable in itself. Meeting Brian was awesome since I'd admired him as an artist from afar for a while. He was an excellent coach. We started by picking an outfit that vibed with us, trying it out low pressure, and seeing what worked in terms of vibe. He was there all the way to give helpful instructions and feedback on where to stand, how to shift weight of the body and stretch and breathe comfortably. He spoke and joked and captured spontaneous expressions. He was obsessed with detail without making me stress. We worked our way methodically through first perfecting the outfit, then the drape of the clothes, then the hair, the accessories, and the makeup until everything was right. Then looked at images together and collaborated on working toward the desired look. *Post shoot* Brian went completely ABOVE AND BEYOND with the delivery of final shots. He took the time to give feedback on individual shots as I narrowed down and chose the final ones, continued to give me the opportunity to give creative feedback on the desired final look, and ended up firing back multiple cuts and copies of the final shots with his super unique post processing. He has an incredible sensitive eye, delivers 110% at every step of the way, and is soooo freaking awesome. I highly recommend Brian if you are looking for clean and eyecatching shots that are able to capture a good amount of personal flair, especially if you have a targeted purpose for your photos. Many thanks, Brian! read more

Brian is both a genius photographer and one of the nicest people I think I've ever met. I'm an artist and have a big public art project coming up which requires a really good headshot, the curators told me. I got some photos done that weren't me at all and felt pretty dejected. Worried that I wouldn't have anything that suited their request, I was lucky enough to find Brian here on Yelp. He managed to both fit me into his super busy schedule and get my photos back to me in record time, but that wasn't the most amazing part. They were pure me! He made me look like I feel in the most natural way and was so modest, humble, and funny to work with. Brian has the ability to make you feel so comfortable and at ease. I usually find having my picture taken to be a stilted and awkward activity, but working with Brian made me forget my usual discomfort in front of the camera. He advised me to bring a lot of accessories and different tops, and that was a great idea. Turns out my Holy Grail photo was in the fourth costume change, sans necklaces, and we both kind of knew it right away. "I look so gorgeous and I love my expression!" I exclaimed. "That's great that you said that about yourself," Brian said, or something like it. I guess a lot of people don't blurt stuff like that out at their sessions. Well, once I hit 40, I was complimenting myself all the time. Someone needs to. Seriously though, I love the way Brian was able to show my essence in these photos. I'd really rather call them portraits, because that's what the best few are: a real record of myself right now. So, in case you weren't paying attention -- 1) Brian is the best, bar none, 2) he's an artist extraordinaire, and 3) he is modest, kind, attentive, and incredibly professional. You will love the quality of his work. It's pure editorial beauty. Get in with him before he's even more booked! read more

Had a fantastic time working with Brian and his assistant Alyssa. He was great in directing and he manages to create a fun environment while still remaining professional. The pictures turned out 20x better than I had hoped! Thanks Brian! read more

Brian is so talented, funny and wonderful. It was an experience, not an appointment. And he let me pick vegetables from his garden afterwards. I would highly recommend!!! Ania read more

Having my picture taken is one of my least favorite things to do. But, a suuuuuuper outdated professional photo was calling out for some much needed updating. Brian with Modern Headshots knows what he is doing and made the process as painless as possible. After looking through different portfolios of Bay Area photographers, something about Brian's headshots drew me in, so I reached out. The entire process was easy and timely - from payment to securing final photos. Brian is a true professional and was receptive to feedback on edits. He definitely wants to make sure you, as the customer, are satisfied with the final product he provides. Tip: Whatever Brian tells you to do in front of the camera, just trust him and do it! Even if you think you look silly, things translate differently in pictures. read more

Brian is amazing. He finds a way to bring life and true personality into every headshot he takes. We started needing one headshot for an employee and it evolved into many employees getting new headshots (b/c once one person gets a headshot that looks this good, everyone wants one). Brian is also great on the operation side. The entire process is fast and efficient and the team each had edited and ready photos quickly. We will be using Brian for all of our local team headshots going forward! read more

Brian is an amazingly gifted photographer. I always hate myself in photos. I am just not photogenic at all. But my LinkedIn photo was 10 years old and did not present the best image of me even 10 years ago. Looking at Brian's portfolio on his website, I saw that his work was quite professional but different to other headshot photographers. His work has an edgy spark and a gorgeous sense of color that makes his photos stand out above the others. I also noticed that he had a knack for making facial quirks look like someone's greatest asset. Since I've never recovered completely from a half-paralyzed face from 20 years ago, this appealed to me. Brian did not disappoint. I don't like having my photo taken but he made it lots of fun and had so many tricks up his sleeve to make me look my best. I'm older and a plump neck runs in my family. Brian made vibrant photos while respecting my wish to not remove wrinkles or be "untruthful" in the photo. He used specific posing encouragement to make sure I wasn't giving myself an unflattering look. Finding a photo I liked when he was done was not hard... it was picking which one I liked best that was difficult! He has my highest recommendations. read more

Brian is amazing. I hadn't had professional headshots in 15yrs. I started pretty stiff and unsure but after lots of gentle guidance, Brian captured my personality beautifully. We got so many great shots that it was hard to choose one for my Real Estate brand. It was such a pleasure and so much fun working with Brian. Highly recommended. read more

Brian DeSimone Photography - Session Photography Near Me

I am very happy with the photos Brian took of me. I've never had professional headshots done before and I was a bit apprehensive as it used to be traumatizing to take formal photographs as a kid. But I was immediately put at ease with his warm personality, and the jokes that he promised on his website didn't fail. Actually it turned out that one of the best shots I took was me cracking up at a particularly funny dad joke. He was very prompt and clear with communication and had the photos to me super fast which I was impressed by. He also helped my friend and I take a headshot for our band which I know will elevate our game and give us a more professional look. I definitely recommend Brian to anyone looking for a professional, clean and unique read more

Super happy with my headshots by Brian D. The photo session was easier than I expected - I was nervous but he really put me at ease! The end result really upped my professional game - thanks Brian! read more

I went to Brian because if you look in his portfolio, he has all these gorgeous photos of people with various skin tones and freckles. Me being brown and freckled, it was an immediate match for who I wanted to take my next headshot. He sent me a style quiz first to get an idea what I was looking for. It was super hard to choose just 1, but I believe we went with a clean fresh vibe and agreed next time, it's gonna be sophisticated and moodier! :) He works from his studio apartment in Adam's Point, his camera and equipment all set up next to a window.. and thanks goodness, as I picked the hottest day ever to get these shots done! Plus, I was wearing all black & long sleeves.. ugh, not smart Tanisha! But, he made it work... AND, he made me work! Woo wee, I was literally sore the night after my photo sesh, as Brian had me posing and holding my arms in positions I never attempted. I have a very expressive face so, there were times he could sense I was thinking "what the hell must this look like on camera?" because he'd ask me to walk to the screen and give it a looksie..and boom, he had it down! He was super complimentary as he took the shots and made me feel like I'd definitely gotten at least a few good shots in. In the end, he edited till I was 100% satisfied, sent me my shots and I absolutely love them! I feel fly as a mofo! Thank you Brian xoxo read more

Brian is super professional, responsive, and warm; I can't recommend him enough. He has a terrific eye for shooting, and as for retouching/processing, his portfolio clearly speaks for itself. When I needed headshots I was immediately drawn to his work, which manages to combine a very cool, signature almost painterly look with relaxed, natural poses and expressions. I also think he does terrific work with people of color, which sounds like it should be a given, but unfortunately isn't always the case! I'm Asian and in the few professional photos I've had taken in the past, the photographer always retouched my face in a way that left me looking flat and washed out. Brian's photos drew out my natural features and looked like a (slightly more flattering version!) of my regular self. Like a lot of people, I get pretty awkward and insecure in front of a camera and was dreading getting headshots taken, but Brian is a total pro at breaking you out of your discomfort and giving good direction. He's consummately organized and in charge, while also somehow being super chill. The session flew by, and I actually had a lot of fun. Before the shoot, he sent out a helpful style guide to prepare me, and was incredibly attentive, accommodating and friendly throughout the entire process. I couldn't recommend highly him enough. Thanks, Brian! read more

Brian is a professional headshot photographer rockstar! With an urgent need for a professional headshot, Brian worked with my limited schedule, was flexible and very easy to work with. He offered specific directions and feedback to capture the perfect shot. He took tons of photos that came out really well, so I had a hard time picking just one! I am most definitely satisfied with the final portrait which he was able to produce to me within 72 hours of the photo shoot! Thank you, Brian! read more

Brian DeSimone Photography - Session Photography Near Me

Brian is the best. His beautiful work speaks for itself. But he's also a joy to work with -- warm, down to earth, funny, a great communicator, and very professional. I recommend him to anyone and everyone needing headshots, and I hope to work with him again in the future. read more

Brian did an amazing job with my headshots. He was professional, prepared and gave me great guidance. His work in finishing the images was great -- he added depth, color and definition to make super polished final images. I loved working with Brian and would recommend him highly to anyone looking for a memorable and professional headshot! read more

Brian DeSimone Photography - Great work by Brian! - Session Photography Near Me

Brian did an awesome job producing much needed headshots for my new business. We were very pleased with the results and had a great time figuring out the best images during our session. Brian set definitive and realistic expectations and promises from the get-go and consistently followed up and delivered. No surprises, lots of fun, and a great product. Thanks Brian, we hope to work with you again soon! read more

Highly recommend Brian's photography! He helped me with some updated headshots for professional use. Absolutely love the final outcome!

If I can give Brian 10 stars, I would! Brian is as good as it gets. He's professional, creative and super down to earth. Taking pictures can be awkward and uncomfortable. Brian knows how to get you relaxed in front of the camera. He has a vision and is particular about the details. I have been getting my firm's head shots from Brian for 3 years now and he has never let us down. If you want professional shots, go with Brian. He's the best! read more

Brian is a mad genius. I've never spent the time and money on a professional portrait but my lack of decent selfies and pressure from friends led me to Brian's studio. I really didn't know what to expect but the experience flew by so quickly that I wish I'd taken the time to be more present. That's difficult when you're worried about how you look but Brian did a masterful job of keeping the whole session fun and on point. I never felt uncomfortable or pressured. In fact, it felt like I was hanging out a with a great friend. We had a conversation before and during the shoot to make sure expectations were clear. Once the shoot was over I had the difficult task of picking one image for final touch ups from so many great shots. With some advice from Brian and help from my friends we narrowed it down. The final image was beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I felt like a rockstar when I saw it. Now I just need to figure out how to get back to Oakland so I can do it all over again. read more

Brian does a great job making memorable shots that highlight one's personality. Highly recommending him!

Brian is fantastic! He ensures clients are comfortable when shooting, he has great lighting skills, very personable and works with you to ensure you achieve the results you want. He is also highly responsive + a proactive communicator. Throughout the process he kept me in the loop of the status of my projects, followed up quickly and the photos turned out beautiful. If something required extra work he will transparently share that with you and if additional time + costs are needed. Def recommend! read more

Brian is the BEST! Best in quality, in service, and made it fun! My company decided we all needed new pics and brought in a photographer. Many of us were not satisfied and had to scramble to get a new headshot. Brian had been recommended to me a few times in the past and so I jumped on his website and was sold. I don't know what took me so long! His work is top notch and he makes the whole experience delightful. He takes good care of his clients and is a true professional. He also responded almost immediately and got me in and out and done like lightning. I couldn't be happier and I owe it to you Brian. Thank you! read more

I wanted to take a professional headshot, and did not find one who had a creative and unique flair; until I found Brian. Brian is incredibly talented, and goes out of his way to make sure that you LOVE your pictures. Pre-shot, he sent an email of what to bring. During the shot, he made sure that I was comfortable throughout the entire session. He is also an incredibly funny guy. Brian made the whole process an experience. Everyone who had seen my headshot was blown away. I will never go to another person for headshot. Brian is THE guy! read more

Brian was recommended to me by a close friend who is a professional photographer. This was my first time getting proper headshots. I was looking for executive quality while still conveying personality and warmth. Brian made me feel at home all the way through the journey. I learned an incredible amount about myself through the process. The shoot was extremely professional. We ended up with a broad spectrum of expressions to choose from and an absolutely stunning headshot. I definitely recommend Brian and plan to return for more. read more

Brian is the client whisperer. It was the Best photo shoot I've ever had. He was professional yet an obvious intent to make one feel comfortable. I could trust he knew what he was doing, I honestly already knew that from the portfolio. He has a wonderful Artist's eye for retouch and I appreciate the process. There isn't more to ask for in a photographer. #digitalsavant read more

If you're looking to get memorable headshots that reflect your personality in an authentic way, I would highly recommend Brian! He is a talented photographer who is very easy to work with. I am definitely a bit camera-shy, but Brian made me feel completely at ease during the session. He gave me simple and clear direction on expressions and posture to achieve the best photos possible. I am very satisfied with the way the photos turned out, and Brian provided lots of high-quality options to choose from. It was actually a bit difficult to narrow down which ones I liked the best! After making the final selection, Brian did an amazing job with retouching and making the headshots look both professional and flattering. I look forward to using these photos to help build my personal brand. read more

Brian was really fun to work with. I don't usually photograph well. I have a hard time making natural expressions instead of forced smiles, but Brian did a good job of getting some natural looks out of me. He was also great about communicating about retouching to make sure I got what I wanted. read more

Who wants to get photos taken? Certainly I did not. I put it off as long as possible, fearing it would be uncomfortable and just too anxiety-producing. Well Brian is a pro, in every way. He immediately put me at ease, he helped me figure out how to look like my best "me," and I love the results. Brian - you are a magical artist. Thank you. read more

Brian's work is top notch. He has put a lot of thought into the way he executes his process - from the in depth inquiry for services on his website to the first intro call through the final retouching he is systematic and intentional. He told me what to expect, had a list of items to consider prior to the shoot, showed up on time the day of, masterfully got through headshots and group shots of 7 team members and then artfully brought those headshots to life. I am thrilled with the outcome and have already received positive feedback from the website updates. I would highly recommend working with him. read more

Brian was just an awesome guy to work with - super accommodating, and friendly. We chose him because his work is both truly artistic and professional at the same time. Love my pics and would recommend him to anyone, especially those who want to go beyond the standard "glamour shots" corporate portrait in order to add depth, character, or edginess. read more

I'd been looking around for someone to take some quality head shots for my business and website for some time now. 1.) I didn't want to fork over more than my monthly rent. 2.) A lot of the people I'd spoken to were either sloppy and cheap or slick and intimidating or 3.) They were high price and high pressure. Hounding me to book. Then a friend posted her head shot on Facebook and was very happy with the results. It was fantastic. I asked her who did and she told me about Brian. It just so happened that he was doing a special for $299 so I grabbed a slot. The set up is clean and professional and Brian is just great. Super relaxed and yet wildly efficient. Not at all intimidating plus he bounces all his ideas off his assistant Alyssa. I was a little awkward at first but with his easy going manner and exxpert guidance we were getting great results in no time. Going in I thought I'd be lucky to get one decent pic. I walked very happy. After 3 days of looking I've narrowed the selections down from 54 to 17! If you're looking for quality head shots in a relaxed, fun, non threatening environment and don't mind a mildly funky location (I liked it. It didn't bother me at all), I can't recommend Brian Desimone highly enough. read more

Brian is a true artist. I never had pictures taken of me before but had a very specific vision that I didn't think could be pulled off very easily. Brian was extremely professional, responsive, and flexible in setting up the session and details. The session itself was incredible. He really gets to know his subjects and digs into things that are working. The shots themselves were just incredible. They exceeded both our expectations. Thank you so much Brian! read more

Brian is a rock star. I had been procrastinating on updating my headshot and went to him after referrals from several colleagues; I'm so glad I found Brian. He made the process easy, relaxed and daresay even fun (coming from a person who hates getting her picture taken!). I'm thrilled with how authentic I look in my shots. Brian has an excellent eye and his signature retouching work gives his photos a texture and pop that is really polished and modern. I highly recommend Brian! read more

My experience with Brian was terrific - he is very professional, responsive, and completely committed to the highest quality outcome. He is kind and candid with his feedback on what looks awesome and what does not; he has a terrific eye for detail, and is fully prepared for any touch up, etc. He also is very helpful in preparing his clients for headshots, providing a detailed checklist, guidance for clothing to bring, and a link to a very helpful video! The shoot itself was very relaxed and efficient - Brian makes really good use of time! His studio is comfortable, too. The finished product - two updated headshots that I love and already have uploaded to my LinkedIn, Google and corporate profiles - is superb. I highly recommend Brian. read more