If you are considering a photographer, search no more. You have found the perfect one right here…read more My family and I chose Salvador Ibe Photography to handle the photography for our family reunion celebration. Sal combines the best of both worlds in terms of photography - the experience and professionalism when it comes to taking great pictures, and the creativity and imagination of a true artist. My family is not the easiest to work with but Sal was extremely patient throughout the entire day. He has a fantastic eye, can work quickly and supremely professional all-around. His positive energy made the whole day such an enjoyable experience. We cannot express how happy we are with our photographs. Sal is one of those people who creates art through his photography. In addition to his great work, his prices are extremely reasonable. We will definitely use his services again if we have another special event to photograph.

Several months ago, my wife and I began our search for a photographer who would shoot our April…read morewedding in a way that would capture the dynamics of our family. I should rephrase my above sentence to --- just my wife was looking. But I remember how frustrated she was getting looking for the right person. She heard of Sal through word of mouth and planned a day where we could all meet. We met on a weekend afternoon and I was amazed how friendly and how in tune he was with what he wanted. Our passion to find the right photographer was equally met by his enthusiasm for his art. We booked him that day for our wedding. The wedding day came and Sal did a good job of being invisible. One of the things we really wanted was a photographer would capture the candid moments. The moments that are not posed, but rather a snapshot of emotion at a specific time when one thinks no one is looking. We did a few posed photos for family members but after that, we were able to concentrate on the family and friends who were there to share our special day. A couple weeks after the wedding we got a "teaser" photo from our wedding. The moment I saw it I became an emotional little baby! Honestly, we could have just stopped there and been happy with that one photo. However, we were lucky enough receive the rest of the photos this past weekend. The pictures were amazing and found many that could be the huge picture in the living room that says, "Look at us!". There was a great mixture of color and black and white. But the most amazing ones were those that were the candid moments. The honest smiles and tears that were captured are worth a million! The service and personability of Sal is beyond professional! I would recommend him to anyone who wants a photographer who cares about his craft and enthusiastic about capturing the perfect moment for you!

Outstanding! Me and my partner scheduled a small intimate wedding in July so started looking for a…read morephotographer and was instantly in shock what the majority of photographers were charging! Since our wedding was being held in Castro Valley we decided to contact Jeff. From the moment we spoke with Jeff we knew we found the person we wanted to work with us. Jeff is the one of the nicest people we have come in contact with. He was always in a great mood when we met, listened closely to what our vision was, always responded promptly to any of our questions/concerns. He also did prep work that we didn't even request to ensure that he was able to provide the best service he could. The day of the wedding it was just like Jeff was part of the family. Everyone in our party loved Jeff and commented what a great person he is. Our wedding was perfect and Jeff played a major role in it's success. Jeff's rate was beyond fair especially for the quality of service and results he provided. Jeff THANK YOU again for all you did for me and Gerald and we will look forward to working with you in the future and will always point our friends and family to you when opportunities come up. Kenny & Gerald

Jeff from Goldwater Photography gave us excellent service! He was so easy to work with and the…read morepictures are amazing! We loved how he was able to adapt to our needs and really listened to what we wanted for our wedding photos. We liked him so much we hired him again to take the beautiful photos of our first child and now we are ready to call him again for pictures of our next baby. We love Jeff, would recommend him for any type of pictures ~ especially weddings and babys.

**N.B. This review is based on my experience after having purchased a portrait session on Living…read moreSocial and having just received my photography package today.** Oh boy, my first 5 star review. This never happens. Background: I'm a super infrequent user of online daily deal sites like Groupon and Living Social. I've bought under 10 of these types of things in the past few years, for reference, and this purchase was my most expensive. As a full-time working professional, I'm just starting to get back into acting on a hobby basis (unless anyone wants to give me my big break, of course). I'm taking private lessons from an acting coach, but it's really all just for fun at this point. The first thing I was told I'd need if I wanted to be considered for roles at auditions was a nice set of headshots. I understand I could've had a friend take some, but I did want a nice quality set -- I just didn't want to pay upwards of a thousand dollars on something that amounts to a hobby. Enter Living Social and the Ideami Studios deal: for $99 (reg. $500), I'd get a 30 minute outdoor portrait session with 3 photos digitally retouched, a neat magazine cover with quotes of my choosing, and a video of my photo session. Ever cautious, I emailed the merchant before purchasing, with the understanding that I wouldn't purchase the deal if I didn't get a response. I've dealt with Groupon/LS merchants before who treated me a little bit less than respectfully (I'm guessing because they view the discounted deal as me being completely cheap). But no! Within an hour, I had a response back, addressing my questions about the feasibility of using the session for headshots. Owner and photographer Javier Ideami even offered me a better deal after a minor misunderstanding (that was no one's fault) so I got a slightly longer session. My girlfriend purchased a 30 minute session too, and we were scheduled for a shoot within a week of purchasing the deal. Throughout the week leading up to the shoot, Javier was responsive to any questions the two of us had via email (and we had a lot), always responding promptly and politely. A few days before the shoot, he sent us some information with tips on colors to wear, what to do with make-up, etc. The day of the shoot we met on time at a cafe and walked to a nearby courtyard. It was a nice, quiet setting. Javier was friendly and seemed genuinely interested in my girlfriend's and my pursuits and reasoning behind getting our headshots taken. My girlfriend went first and seemed to have a blast, doing a lot of different poses and being her typically outgoing self. Then came my turn. I'm much more reserved, but Javier made me feel really at ease, encouraging me to try different poses, expressions, etc, and talking to me throughout. After my hour, we parted ways with both my girlfriend and me in good spirits. Javier had let us swap out clothing and given his opinion on certain looks without being pushy in the least throughout the session. Two days later (this morning), we had our pictures. Since I was paranoid, I checked out my girlfriend's first (we were emailed the links together as that's how we'd been conversing) and WOW. Javier seemed to pick up on the features that made her unique and beautiful and just amplified them with his digital retouching. The background was also tastefully done and didn't draw attention away from the person in the picture. And her video was adorable. He managed to capture her personality perfectly in a 30 second short. My turn: I'm super nitpicky about my appearance, so I went in expecting to be mildly let down, but wrong again on my part. Apart from one picture I wasn't horribly fond of (blame goes to my dopey expression entirely as the retouching was just as good as the rest of them), I was stunned by how much I really loved the shots he chose to retouch for me. He picked a great variety of angles and colors. And there was my shy personality, right before me, except it looked appropriate in the pictures. Professional. Appealing. I was really pleased. Then to top it off (because Javier is the friendliest professional photographer on earth, it seems), Javier included a couples picture of my girlfriend and me as a gift at no cost as a thanks for the fun session. Incredible. Here's this professional photographer who's treating our $99 Living Social deals like we'd paid him his normal $500. There was no sense that he looked down on the fact that we were paying so much less. This photo session was an absolutely positive experience. I told my girlfriend earlier today it'd be a dream to have Javier be our wedding photographer sometime down the road. I liked him that much. Without question, I'll be recommending him to anyone I know who's looking for a photographer, as well as returning whenever I'm in need of new photos. His easy-going, friendly, and professional nature really made the experience memorable for the two of us.

I purchased a 30 minute outdoor photo shoot with Ideami Studios, as I am currently a producer of…read moreelectronic dance music and owner of LANYX Sound Factory (an independent record label in SF bay area). I was looking for a local professional photographer that I can partner with to take pro portraits to use for new artist profiles, releases, websites, and promotion. Javier is an efficient, professional photographer that delivers exceptional high quality photos. I am extremely pleased with his work and have used the photos on my website. If you want to see his work then check them out at www.lanyxsf.com/artists.html Definitely will be using Javier and Ideami Studios for LANYX Sound Factory! Rich

This review is for the consultation only for wedding photography…read more I found Annabella through a wedding expo in San Francisco. My fiance and I met with Alisa from Annabella. She came to our home in Oakland on a week night to meet with us and was very responsive with our questions, both in person and through e-mail. Alisa was very interested in learning about the types of pictures we would want to take, where we would want to take them, and our photography style. We did not end up hiring her, but I would have felt comfortable doing so. We just found someone that we liked a little bit more. I would definitely recommend her to friends looking for wedding photographers.

All is can say is WOW! Jennifer and Alisa far exceeded our expectations. From the very beginning of…read moreour consultation to the very end of receiving our images and albums. When I first met with them, I was blown away with their expertise, professionalism and personalities. I knew right then and there that I HAD TO HAVE THEM! So what did I do? Booked them right on the spot to ensure my day was going to be photographed by Annabella. Our first photo shoot encounter was during our engagement shoot and this is where my new appreciation for photographers went through the roof. We did it in mid March and it was raining and pouring. We were a little hesitant on doing it in that weather but Jennifer and Alisa persuaded us to just go out there and have fun with the rain. And that is EXACTLY what we did. We grabbed our rain boots and umbrellas an hit the road. Ramon and I looked FANTASTIC in the pictures! Although, I can't say the same for the people "behind the scenes". Jennifer and Alisa were decked out in rain gear from head to toe and their cameras were covered in plastic. While we were under an overhang, they were in the pouring rain trying to get the perfect shot. And to say the least... mission accomplished. I was ecstatic when our images came back. I was so happy we did it in the rain. Each and every shot seemed so much more intimate and very artistic. Fast forward a year.... a few weeks leading up to our wedding.... Jennifer and I were in close contact. She made a point to make sure she understood my vision and hopes for my wedding day photos. She jotted down my "MUST TAKE" photos. I really appreciated this. It showed me she cared to meet all my expectations. It's the little things like this that make a vendor stand out. Fast forward to my wedding day! YAY! =) Perfect, Perfect, Perfect. They were there on time. They made us feel very comfortable in front of the camera. All my must haves were taken. I loooved how every time I looked in a different direction, I saw either Jennifer or Alisa shooting away.... but my favorite part about that was that they were very discrete about it. No one really noticed them and that is a big plus in my book! They were there for me from the very beginning to the very end. A few weeks later, they sent me their images and everyone was BLOWN AWAY! They captured exactly what I wanted and so much more. Not only do their photos speak for itself, but just who they are as a person. During the planning process, they went out of their way to build a friendship and to really get to know us. This played a huge role in how comfortable we were in front of the camera on our wedding day because we had previously established that relationship. Every picture was so natural. We are so grateful and honored to be shot by Annabella Photography. They truly are amazing and artistic people. I can't wait to hire them for upcoming events. It was a pleasure to work with them and I would recommend them and only them to the world!

I looked over a few portfolios and liked Porcupine's the best for professional head shot. I am so…read moreglad I contacted Ian - he was great to work with, and the result was awesome. He was on time and brought literally everything to my place. He had a great suggestions for what to wear, where to look and what should I be doing during the session, which sounds basic but was immensely helpful during the photo shoot. I am normally extremely nervous about taking pictures of myself, but working with Ian was very relaxing and fun. He is conversational and friendly which made me less self conscious and focus better. I am extremely happy with the final product. From one hour session I got five photos, retouched and ready to use for almost everything from LinkedIn to professional head shot for publication. Highly recommended!

When it comes to professional head shots, I have always viewed them as a necessary evil, not…read morelooking forward to time in front of a camera. But Ian at Porcupine Photography actually made the experience a lot of fun! I got to try different backgrounds, in different lighting, and he worked hard to find the perfect setup for me, and it resulted in photos that I am actually quite excited to share. I never realized how much goes into making a photo so great, but Ian spent time educating me about the process (just because I was curious) all while keeping me at ease. After my experience, I must say that I have a new found respect for models (so many facial expressions and head positions!), and a greater respect for amazing photographers, such as Ian!

Marcell was so professional, had an amazing expirience and am so happy with the photos! Probably…read morethe Bay Area's premiere photographer.

After researching a number of professional head shot photographer portfolios in San Francisco, and…read moreinterviewing photographers, I decided to move forward with PuzsArt Photography. I'm so glad I did! Marcell, the award-winning photographer and owner of PuzsArt Photography, was such a pleasure to work with. He was extremely professional, great at communicating and listening, responded immediately to my questions and emails, and referred a talented hair and makeup stylist who accompanied him during the photo shoot. He showed up early for the photo shoot and handled photo editing after the session smoothly. If you're looking for a talented and professional business head shot photographer based in San Francisco and the Bay Area, I highly recommend working with Marcell and his team at PuzsArt Photography.

Love Studio Kibo! Jon is very professional, responsive, transparent, and overall just easy and a…read morepleasure to work with. 5 stars right there! Where Jon stands apart from all the other wedding photographers I see are: attention to detail, and capturing imaginative snapshots. Attention to detail: sure you can snap a thousand photos, and a handful are great, but Jon sets you up for success. He coaches you with posture, positioning, how clothes drape, your hair, how to walk towards him properly, how to hold each other, exactly which angle to look towards, stand on this exact spot, etc. He knows what will look great, and what needs to change to bring it to amazing. He's also taken enough SF photos that he knows exactly when and where to be! Imaginative snapshots: Jon takes a lot of candid shots, as well as shots with striking lighting or unique framing or from behind a bush (!!!). We enjoyed these shots, and thought they looked fun! Definitely distinctive, and one of a kind. However, when we started putting together an album with all our photos, we realized just how meaningful these shots were. We realized these images created flow, a story, and at the same time, a break. They added the spice of life, and our album felt a lot more emotional as a result.

I sincerely recommend Jon to anyone who is looking for an amazing photographer. Jon was…read moreprofessional, easy going, and a ton of fun to work with. We had our wedding at a state park, complete with tricky lighting and weird angles. Jon was super generous with his time and expertly directed us through a range of shots. I usually look awkward in photos but with Jon's expertise, our photos turned out amazing!!! His masterful photography skills add a touch of magic to every moment. We loved seeing the world from Jon's perspective, and all the range of emotions captured on our big day. Our wedding photos received so many compliments from our families and friends, and we'd love to work with Jon again!

We used Taken By Light for our engagement and wedding after a friend booked them for their wedding…read more Of course after our engagement shots were posted some other friends asked for Taken By Light's contact information. We got a ton of compliments. Their work is amazing and creative, not the typical catalog type portrait shots. They are so personable and easy to work with it's like we became friends during the process.

I am eternally grateful that my wife hired Taken By Light to photograph our wedding reception. We…read morewere impressed with their playfulness, professionalism, and attention to detail. We also hired them to take a family photoshoot by the Ferry Building before the reception, and their photos were artistic, crisp, and helped tell our story. They come highly recommended.