Helbard is a delight. He has done several projects for me. He is very good at what he does...and his pricing is very competitive. I have always found him to be approachable, courteous, and he seems to have a keen insight into how to deliver the perfect photos, on time, and on budget. I hired him to photograph my daughters wedding at Chaminade, and he recently photographed my 30th wedding anniversary at Nestldown. The best part? He is a commercial photographer who specializes in product shots...but as a courtesy to me he agreed to do the wedding and anniversary parties. Thanks Helbard! read more

I own a small local business in Santa Cruz County. I approached Helbard yesterday morning to inquire about potentially revamping my current logo. I gave him my ideas and he said he would see what he could do. By yesterday afternoon, I was already able to choose between 5 different options. CJ is a saint for putting up with my constant, minor tweaks. By EOD, I had a new logo ready to go. Best design company in the area. Wouldn't trust anyone else. Thanks y'all! read more

I actually joined Yelp (after reading several reviews over the years) specifically to write a review of Mockingbird Product Photography because I am so grateful to Helbard and the package that he gave me as an independent local Jewelry Designer and incredibly anxious/desperate start-up businessperson. I called 5 local product photography outfits who quoted me outrageous prices on a very small inventory. One business actually quoted me a rate of $300 hundred dollars an hour PLUS a per-print fee of $20! Mockingbird Product Photography charged me a flat rate, gave me what I felt was an honest, upfront estimate, and charged no additional per-print fee. I also found Helbard to be warm, genuine, ethical, and Santa Cruz Cool. He demonstrated a thorough understanding of my business and business needs, and he even took a few minutes to show me how to work my own D-! I discovered when I started out that are plenty of people willing to prey on me for my meager investment money, and that some local businesses are no exception. Thank Heaven Santa Cruz still contains folks like Helbard and Santa Cruz-y businesses like Mockingbird Product Photography. read more

Helbard offered our company a package that seemed like a great deal, but he didn't live up to what he offered. Our website that he created is only a template that he plugged information into and looks like anyone with a computer could create. Every time we tried to explain what we were looking for in our website, it was just another template that he plugged information into and not at all what we were looking for. We are a small business and decided to go with a local small business like Mockingbird, but I would have paid an actual website developer the same amount of money and got a personalized website that looks professional. Everyone we have approached in helping us fix the disaster that he didn't even finish says we got ripped off and taken advantage of. Since we kept asking for things to be changed to the site because he couldn't meet our needs, he wrote us a letter of completion and said he is done working with us because he thinks he did everything he could. They are not website developers, or good at social media marketing JUST photographers and even some of the photo ideas they had were not great. His idea of social media marketing is boosting our posts on Facebook and charging us for doing so. Something we could again do ourselves. Don't get wrapped up into his joking around and over promises. I will also say we are not the only company that feels this way. I mentioned his company to our kitchen owner and he had a similar story to tell about his website and Helbard still owes him money. UNPROFESSIONAL BUSINESS ETHIC, please choose to work with actual professionals who specialize in what they are doing. As the description to their business says, they are Photographers and that is it. read more

Without going into detail let me just say that my experiences around our project were the worst I can recall in the last twenty years of successful small business operation. I felt that promises were not kept, timelines were irrelevant, and the initial work offered sub-par by my standards. I ended up feeling like I had been "taken." (Note: Helbards staff have always come across as very nice and professional folks, and the actual photography work is solid) This review is solely regarding my results as a client of Mockingbird Photography and Helbard Alkhassadeh --the business owner and my sole contact for the cancelled project. Caveat Emptor... read more

I recently had Mockingbird Photography do some photos and videos for my business. I have been in business for almost 25 years and I know the difference between a good business and a bad one, and I must admit working with Mockingbird was not good but an excellent experience. Helbard works hard to make everything happen just right with superb results. He takes his job seriously and knows what each one of those photos can do for our business. Lets just say he does his homework before hand and knows how to deliver a quality job. Thank you Mockingbird!! I will have no problem referring people to you. read more

Great location, really great work. Helbard is professional yet keeps it light and fun. My aunt had headshots taken for her real estate profile and she is just the pickiest person alive and had a great experience and "got the shot." I've seen some of their product work and it is superb. Really a great choice for the future of your business or product. read more

Mockingbird Photography takes interior and exterior architectural photos on location at our rental properties as well as employee head shots in their studio. Their photos are excellent and have helped us improve our marketing and online image immensely. I am always impressed with not only the quality of their images, but also their quick turnaround. I always receive the images sooner than expected in high resolution and any file format that I may need. What is more impressive is that Mockingbird Photography provides this quality service and images at a fraction of the price of any other photography studio; there are no surprise fees as we have found with other photographers. I also love that they are local and I do not have to leave our area to find professional, quality photography. I would recommend them to anyone, especially businesses marketing a product or service. Mockingbird Photography has a very satisfied customer for life! read more