I reached out to John for some help updating my default professional headshot, and really enjoyed the comprehensive experience he provided me. We went to 4 different outdoor spots around his studio with distinct backdrops, and for each one we iterated on poses and expressions, and he even picked up on some of my facial idiosyncracies in the process. We then went back into his studio and essentially conducted a realtime review session - viewing all the recently captured shots, flagging ones we liked, and ultimately discussing them until we settled on 2 winners. He then applied some minor edits within Lightroom and within 40 minutes from my initial arrival, I had 2 really sharp headshots which will serve me well for the next 5-7 years. John is incredibly personable and also immediately put me at ease. It is easy to feel stiff or self-concious during something like this, and he made it feel like a real partnership. Highly recommend him and his services. Plus the guy is just fun to chat with. read more

Excellent photos and quick service! Our cat passed away and we went crazy creating images of all the lives. He didn't lead and they came out really great. read more

PhotosMarin - Session Photography Near Me - San Rafael, California

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Does not do passport photos . Yelp keeps listing this business for them. If you're looking for passport photos this is not the place.

John Andrew Murphy was simply fantastic, and clearly a top rate expert at what he does. Friendly in a way that puts people at ease before a serious objective. Knows how to prepare the client quickly in a way that works. Guided my 18 y.o. daughter who is very serious in a way that led her quickly to the smile and the type of presence that captured in the course of less than an hour five different professional photographs, all with professional grade editing that removed any imperfection. We pan to go back for an updated family photo. I recommend him highly. It did not surprise me when I went to write a review that I saw so many other positive reviews. read more

John helped me create a strong brand with my headshot. Provided a fun atmosphere for photos. On time, responsive and efficient.

John is FANTASTIC! I was long overdue for updated professional headshots - I searched Google for a local photographer and reviewed several portfolios of headshots which were overly posed and generally looked inauthentic. I was impressed with John's work and submitted an inquiry online- John was quick to respond and scheduling was easy. On one hand, I was looking forward to getting this done while at the same time looking forward to getting the session over with. When I arrived, John immediately put me at ease - I went from nervous and self conscious to comfortable and confident. He is great to work with - the session was very interactive and collaborative. John showed me shots along the way to gain my feedback and adjusted lighting, my position, etc. as needed to get the best shots. My shoot wound up being so much fun and the headshots are better than I imagined! John is incredibly talented - I'm looking forward to working with him again in the future. read more

I was very impressed with the quality and professionalism of Photos Marin. Very kind and relatable photographer who helped in my need for professional headshots. I hope to book a future photo session with my kids for an outdoor scenic venue in the future. Thank you Photos Marin! read more

John is so meticulously careful and thoughtful about his work, that he demonstrated to me taking a photo session can be absolute fun. His work is rounded in a conversation with his Clients and makes you feel at ease - since he is about to make you my face last to eternity in a photo. Highly recommend his artistic and caring work Víctor read more

I was with John a few minutes ago. He really knows his job. I found him in Yelp, which I usually check before finding a business, since their reviews have proved to be good guidance. John is a professional, he knows the lightning, how to improve your posture, and how to match another image. You talk directly to him, great customer service is embedded in him, you feel at ease even when you talk to him on the phone. Being at his studio, he was very kind and I like his personality, who invite you to relax ", smile and take the best photograph of you. I definitely recommend John. read more

A difficult job was well done No photography done, processing only. I had B&W negatives in multiple formats and I needed prints. My prior photo guy had retired and just about Nobody has that technology any longer. I called to ask if they could do it and was told that yes, they could, but they did it a different way. I took the negatives in and one by one we went thru what I needed on each. I worked directly with John and as far as I know he personally did all the work. In a very reasonable time (it took several days) and for a pretty reasonable price the work was done. He kindly set up a workaround since I had a deadline and he was going to be closed. I doubt that anyone could have done it faster or for less $ and the quality of the prints was better than I expected. Excellent work and I'd recommend for any pro photo finishing. Thanks John! read more

PhotosMarin - B&W print from 4x5 negative - Session Photography Near Me - San Rafael, California

I went here for a work portrait website photo. I wanted a portrait that would be in the same style of existing photos on the website. I sent an image of the website and photos on the web to John, and John was able to make a similar background as on the website photos as well as photograph me in the same style as persons on the website. My business already said it was a good photo for the website. The session was promptly scheduled, and the photo was emailed to me as the session ended. The best of all was I didn't have to travel far to get to the studio, and it is clear you don't have to go to San Francisco for a skilled photographer. read more

I was really dreading my photo session - I HATE having my picture taken! But John made me feel comfortable, made me laugh and he got some great photos. I look good but I still look like me! read more

We've had John for a couple of family shoots now and highly recommend. Very friendly and a great positive energy that makes us all smile. Both our shoots were in outdoor locations and though he hadn't been to before, he went and scouted it in advance to find the best areas based on the lighting/weather. Reasonable pricing and excellent results! read more

I was looking for a reasonably priced head shot photographer and found John based on his numerous positive reviews. All I can say is that I understand all the positivity. John was an absolute pleasure to work with. His enthusiasm is contagious and his love of his work shows in the finished product. Very professional, very friendly and very thorough. From his coaching on posture and positioning to his eye for proper lighting and texture, John exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend John and will contact him again if I ever have a need for more photography work. Thank you so much John!! read more

Well, I said I'd use him again and I did, and it was just as great as last time. John had to help my husband get a passport photo ASAP. I wanted to wait to give my review until I could confirm the passport photo worked and, of course, it absolutely did. I knew it would because John is very attentive and understood the requirements of passport photos and made sure he provided the best option on the first round (just like the last time I needed a passport photo). He was considerate and empathetic to our needs and situation, and he worked hard to provide us with options so that we could have the results we desired. Kind, pleasant, observant, communicative. This guy is the full monty when it comes to photography and interacting with clients. We'll be seeing you again for more projects soon, John, you can count on it! read more

What a great experience ! I needed a photo for a visa and of course I wanted to look great. John was super friendly, professional, and he took a lot of time to get a great photo (I think it makes me look 10 years younger so I loved that). The studio is warm and welcoming with lovely photography decor. I highly recommend John and his studio! read more

John was AMAZING to work with! He listens to what you want, and helps get the right shots. I had a few people in my sessions that didn't like taking photos but he made everyone feel comfortable and confident. Our photo results were fantastic and can't recommend him enough! read more

Despite my aversion to being in photos, particularly posed ones, I needed a headshot. After looking at a number of reviews, I started checking well-recommended photographers' portfolios, and that was what made me call John Murphy at PhotosMarin. John's headshots stood out because they convey the energy and personalities of a range of people of different ages, sizes and styles. The message I got was, "You don't need model-level looks to get a great photo that draws people in." John gets those results because he has a great eye, is a good coach, puts you at ease throughout the shoot, and has a great setup to take studio shots and/or outdoor photos. I came away with terrific photos that surpassed my expectations! I highly recommend John. read more

My wife and I both needed corporate headshots. John is super responsive and has a warm, pleasant and casual style that puts you at ease. He did a great job and his prices are fair. John cares about his customers and his work, even doing some initial editing so you can get a feel for the results. He is thoughtful and methodical, working with you to achieve portraits that you can be proud of. I am extremely pleased. And my wife left feeling confident and happy! Thank you for the primo work John read more

John is a super pro - taking the right shots, posture, post-work. And super communicative, prompt, and I highly recommend!

I am an extremely satisfied customer of PhotosMarin. And I am fussy! First, the quality of the prints they produce is outstanding! John, the owner, is a true artist, with a great eye for color, composition, and overall quality. He treats each photograph with utmost respect, like it is a work of art. Over the years of working with John, he came to recognize each of my children's faces and remembered my favorite images, which I reprinted on numerous occasions, like they were his own. In addition to great quality, John's level of service is outstanding. He is personally available to every customer and has a very quick response time. He is patient and encouraging even with disorganized customers like me. The final plus is that he has a great sense of humor. Go to John of PhotosMarin. I am certain that you will be happy with the product and the service! read more

I can't express how thrilled I am with the photoshoot my family had with John for the arrival of our baby girl. He knew exactly what to do and was able to turn my vision into reality. Extra kudos for being able to get my 2 1/2 year old to cooperate throughout the entire shoot. He was punctual, professional and was able to get the photos back to us in record speed. I HIGHLY recommend John and will certainly use him again. Such a wonderful experience :) read more

My headshots turned out great! I've worked with John previously for different projects and felt very confident I'd be happy with my headshots as well. He never disappoints. Very simple and straightforward process when you work with a professional. Direction was clear for the photos and the editing was collaborative to ensure I was thrilled with the final shots we selected. I've got photos optimized for both print and digital use, price was competitive, and the logistics were efficient. Thanks John and I'll be back for my next photo project soon. read more

I can't truly express how fantastic John was. I typically find the experience of getting headshots to be a bit nerve wracking. I'm uncomfortable and usually see the result as not so flattering. In this case though, John was wonderful. He worked with me through a number of shoots to identify the best possible position and photo for me. He made me look like a star! I highly recommend his services if you need headshots and / or are looking for any type of professional photography. Five stars! read more

Since I didn't have much time to get some old photos scanned for a book for my mother's 90th birthday, I thought I would try Photos Marin out because of the great reviews on yelp. I'm so glad I did! Not only did Chris do a great job scanning the photos and making prints to my specifications, but he actually contacted me to say that the photos and scans were ready a day earlier than he had promised -- which by the way, was sooner than their normal deadlines for that kind of service to begin with. Now that's great customer service! Chris is an experienced photographer himself and was able to give me helpful recommendations on sizes for the prints. For one old picture from 1926 that had a decorative picture mat around it, he recommended I print the whole picture including the mat to preserve the look of the old photo. He also knew how to optimize the scans for the best resolution. Lastly he transferred some videos from a small format tape to DVD. Next up for me: sorting through slides to take them in for scanning -- that way I won't have to worry about fading colors or storing all the boxes. I'll be able to keep them all online. Photos Marin offers great discounts on scanning slides, especially if you're scanning 1000 or more. read more

Highly recommend John for professional headshots (and other photography needs!). My sister and I went in together and we were in/out in less than an hour. He is super easy to work with, knows how to get the best out of you, and has a great process for working with you to pick the best photo. I've worked with many photographers over my long marketing career and John is top flight. Plus, the final photos were emailed to me the same day. read more

This was my first time needing some professional business photos, I did my research online reviewed some photographers but there was something about Johns photos that stood out to me. I contacted him, received a call back later that day and scheduled something a few days later. When I arrived to Johns studio I didn't know what to expect, I was quickly distracted by his beautiful Fine artwork on the walls and the special moments he has captured. John took me over to the area where he was going to take the photos, he sat down as if he were the one getting photographed and gave me coaching on what to expect. I followed his lead and the photos came out Perfect! Not only was John professional and efficient, he took extra time to re-edit my photos for no additional charge. Would I recommend? Heck YES!!!! read more

Walked into Marin frames with a tight budget and short deadlines. Chris welcomed to me and we got to work. One hour later I'm walking out with an amazing 50th birthday present for my best friend and a gorgeous birthday present for my girlfriend all tasteful extraordinary and highly creative. I can't recommend Marin Frames highly enough. I'm a persnickety designer and painter. Chris and his teamare off the charts in their creativity, professionalism and eye for beauty. Check them out. You won't be disappointed! read more

If I could give 10 stars instead of five I would. John is such an absolute pleasure to work with and is so good at what he does. From copy work + image enhancements + giclee printing ... No one does what he does or as well as he does it! read more

Great place for passport photos! Needed a specific size for my Canadian Passport and they were able to accommodate me quickly. Very fast & professional read more

I just got back from spending one of the most enjoyable and artistic days that I can remember. Chris helped me get a photographic project out of the gate and to the finish line. He treats his work as a passion, not just a business. His color sense and keen eye for detail helped take my photos to the place I needed them to be. It is best to make an appointment and block out some time with him if you have a big project like mine. And it is important to know that you do pay for your time with Chris if you want undivided attention and help with your project. It was worth EVERY penny! Because he helped me get 3 months of work done in 2+ hours. Not only am I happy, but the recipients of my photographic Christmas gifts will be as well. I will be back again for more, as I appreciated the true insight and vision he gave my project. read more

I came in for professional headshots. John was unbelievably efficient, to the point, and so easy to work with. He has a much better eye than I do for the right pose, light, and ultimate pic. Highly recommended! read more

Was dreading the work photo shoot for a head shot and couldn't be happier with how it turned out. John made everything easy and comfortable and we quickly worked through the shots and editing to get a great final result. I shouldn't have put it off for so long! Thanks John! read more

I've had great experience after great experience with Photos Marin! As a professional photographer, quality and professionalism are really (really) important when creating finished art for clients. Through Photos Marin I'm able to take care of the whole process: from gorgeous prints to fabulous frames to the delivery of the finished product. They make my life easy, with a result that's second to none. On top of it, they're great people. It's also really important that i personally like, respect and appreciate the people I do business with. This is the case with everyone i interact with at Photos Marin. They're friendly, smart, fun, accommodating, and stand behind who they are and what they do. So if you're looking for a place to create prints or get something framed, I recommend Photos Marin over any other place I know of in the Bay Area! read more

Updated: Had a great family photo session at McNears beach with John. Excellent service and great results. John makes it incredibly easy to get a family portrait session together for holiday gifts and prints. I think this is the third external session we have had with him, as well as passport photo shoots, and he works really well with our (rather high energy) kids to get the best out of them. Highly recommended. Andrew --------------- Went to Photos Marin today for multiple passport and Visa photos for different countries. Worked with John to get photos for the whole family - amazingly he was able to get my toddler and four year old to pose for without them fussing! He was setup for the different passport photo requirements of each country with templates in his system - so it was all very quick and painless Very reasonably priced, great service, and excellent quality. Recommended. read more

PhotosMarin and John, the formidable owner, did a fabulous job putting together the photos for my husband's Life Celebration. He has a great eye for composition and created an amazing collage and head shot using various scanned and digital photographs. I will use his services again should anything come up no question's asked! read more

Great timely service. Pricey but quality is superb. Worth every penny! Thank you, John, for your recommendations and work. Photos you've printed are now framed and on the wall. Awesome memories of our family trips to Hawaii and Tahoe, pregnancy and kids photoshoots. Thank you! read more

Needed photos scanned for a funeral on a tight timeline and John turned it around quickly, cost-effectively, and delivered the files straight to dropbox for download. If only he could write eulogies too! read more

Photographer was really rude for no reason. I had made an arrangement with this company expecting great service but was let down. I am a very understanding person and very patient but their photographer was beyond rude. When I inquired about my problems the photographer said he would call back and never did. Don't do business with this company. They give free headaches on your special days don't bother go with other companies. Last thing you need is a person being rude to you at your wedding, graduation, party, or any other special occasion! read more

John was ready to go early for my daughter's passport photo. He puts one at ease immediately. He took two shots and the second one was perfect. Quick & easy! Thank you John. read more