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The 12 Best Fashion Photographers in San Francisco

Diane Villadsen is a fashion and conceptual photographer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. With a hint of “weird” and a cinematic perspective, her images focus on color, space, and empowered femininity. She is also passionate about teaching and inspiring others through photography, as well as connecting with other artists to share stories. What we really love about Diane’s work is her fearless use of vibrant colors and model choice to tell a compelling narrative.

We’re far from the only ones in Diane’s fan club. Brands like Bose, Zapps, Allbirds, and Mail Chimp are proud clients, too.

Inspired by the hunt for his own wedding photographer, Ed Carlo Garcia delved into the world of photography with a passion for crisp style and pensive portraits. Since then, he has risen to become one of the area’s best fashion photographers. In fact, Garcia has gained recognition as a Professional Beauty Association 2017 winner. His clean and inventive work has also appeared in magazines like Harper’s Bazaar, Martha Stewart Weddings, and Modern Salon.

Brett Mynear’s fashion photography combines strong lines, earthy tones, and weathered textures. The Academy of Art student and Afghanistan War veteran works with his wife, Carly Mynear, creating high-impact images as a duo. Together, their work has graced the pages of Volant Magazine and countless refrigerator doors, thanks to the couple’s ethereal childhood portraits and editorials. With one look at his portrait, you will see images that are well-posed and in theme, while highlighting a fashion brand’s beautiful clothes.

High-definition and upward angles give Patrick Andrada’s work the look and feel of candid street photography with a nod towards upscale editorials. In fact, it’s this mix of grime and glamour that we appreciate in his work. Patrick’s use of saturated colors, high contrast, and natural light allow him to spotlight the details and weight of clothing while maintaining the edgy, non-commercial quality of his work.

You can tell Joe Charles is dually based in New York City and San Francisco since he brings together East and West Coast styles in his uncluttered fashion photography. With soft shadows and warm highlights, Charles celebrates diversity and inclusion by expertly lighting various skin tones individually and in groups. His low-contrast work brings out the humanity in his models while also highlighting the realistic elements of design and styling.

With thousands of completed assignments under his belt, Spencer Aldworth Brown has become an authority in the field of photography. He teaches the art of portraiture at the Harvey Milk Photo Center, all while boasting a hefty workload as a fashion and commercial photographer. In fact, you can say the former camera salesman has come a long way from his days as a mall employee. As one of the best fashion photographers in San Fran, his artistic and lively work has been published in a laundry list of widely read media such as TIME, Rolling Stone, Esquire, Forbes, and Women’s Wear Daily.