Seen as a Leader
Felt as a Human
Seen as a Leader
Felt as a Human
The Executive Portrait Earns Respect.
The Editorial Portrait Earns Trust.
You Need Both.
I’m not just here for the boardroom image. I’m here for the version of you that connects with the people you lead.
I’m not just here for the boardroom image. I’m here for the version of you that connects with the people you lead.
BRIAN DESIMONE
Serving San Francisco’s ambitious leaders since 2015.
BRIAN DESIMONE
Serving San Francisco’s ambitious leaders since 2015.
BRIAN DESIMONE
Serving San Francisco’s ambitious leaders since 2015.
Oakland Based Studio
Oakland Based Studio
Oakland Based Studio
Oakland Based Studio
The ability to get a nervous Celebrity or CEO to relax in 90 seconds is priceless.
The ability to get a nervous Celebrity or CEO to relax in 90 seconds is priceless.
They’re not afraid of the lights. They’re afraid of the vulnerability.
When someone walks into my studio, I’m not thinking about my camera. I'm watching how they carry tension, what makes them laugh, what they need to feel safe enough to drop the armor.
Yes, I manage the lighting.
But mostly, I manage the energy.
They’re not afraid of the lights. They’re afraid of the vulnerability.
When someone walks into my studio, I’m not thinking about my camera. I'm watching how they carry tension, what makes them laugh, what they need to feel safe enough to drop the armor.
Yes, I manage the lighting. But mostly, I manage the energy.
Photographer / Creative Director
Photographer / Creative Director
Photographer / Creative Director
Photographer / Creative Director
Authenticity is a strategy. Before we shoot, we'll define the stakes.
Authenticity is a strategy. Before we shoot, we'll define the stakes.
BRIAN DESIMONE
Serving San Francisco’s ambitious leaders since 2015.
BRIAN DESIMONE
Serving San Francisco’s ambitious leaders since 2015.
BRIAN DESIMONE
Serving San Francisco’s ambitious leaders since 2015.
Questions
I'll Ask You.
What’s at stake in the next 90 days?
If the answer is "nothing much," you don't need me. But if you’re raising capital, pivoting your career, or stepping onto a bigger stage in the next 90 days, the stakes are too high for a mediocre image.
What’s at stake in the next 90 days?
If the answer is "nothing much," you don't need me. But if you’re raising capital, pivoting your career, or stepping onto a bigger stage in the next 90 days, the stakes are too high for a mediocre image.
What’s at stake in the next 90 days?
If the answer is "nothing much," you don't need me. But if you’re raising capital, pivoting your career, or stepping onto a bigger stage in the next 90 days, the stakes are too high for a mediocre image.
What’s at stake in the next 90 days?
If the answer is "nothing much," you don't need me. But if you’re raising capital, pivoting your career, or stepping onto a bigger stage in the next 90 days, the stakes are too high for a mediocre image.
What is the cost of being underestimated?
You can’t control what people think, but you can control what they see. If your current image is costing you opportunities because it reads "junior," "uncertain," or "outdated," we fix that first. The most expensive photo isn't the one you pay for, it's the one that costs you the deal.
What is the cost of being underestimated?
You can’t control what people think, but you can control what they see. If your current image is costing you opportunities because it reads "junior," "uncertain," or "outdated," we fix that first. The most expensive photo isn't the one you pay for, it's the one that costs you the deal.
What is the cost of being underestimated?
You can’t control what people think, but you can control what they see. If your current image is costing you opportunities because it reads "junior," "uncertain," or "outdated," we fix that first. The most expensive photo isn't the one you pay for, it's the one that costs you the deal.
What is the cost of being underestimated?
You can’t control what people think, but you can control what they see. If your current image is costing you opportunities because it reads "junior," "uncertain," or "outdated," we fix that first. The most expensive photo isn't the one you pay for, it's the one that costs you the deal.
Is there a version of yourself you haven't shown professionally yet?
You’ve evolved, but your headshot is likely stuck in the past. We aren't documenting who you were. We are capturing the person you have become but haven't given yourself permission to show professionally yet.
Is there a version of yourself you haven't shown professionally yet?
You’ve evolved, but your headshot is likely stuck in the past. We aren't documenting who you were. We are capturing the person you have become but haven't given yourself permission to show professionally yet.
Is there a version of yourself you haven't shown professionally yet?
You’ve evolved, but your headshot is likely stuck in the past. We aren't documenting who you were. We are capturing the person you have become but haven't given yourself permission to show professionally yet.
Is there a version of yourself you haven't shown professionally yet?
You’ve evolved, but your headshot is likely stuck in the past. We aren't documenting who you were. We are capturing the person you have become but haven't given yourself permission to show professionally yet.
What clichés do we need to kill?
This is critical. Every industry has a "look"—the crossed-arms consultant, the black-turtleneck founder. Which cliché do we need to actively avoid so you look like an original? We define what we are not doing before we decide what we are doing.
What clichés do we need to kill?
This is critical. Every industry has a "look"—the crossed-arms consultant, the black-turtleneck founder. Which cliché do we need to actively avoid so you look like an original? We define what we are not doing before we decide what we are doing.
What clichés do we need to kill?
This is critical. Every industry has a "look"—the crossed-arms consultant, the black-turtleneck founder. Which cliché do we need to actively avoid so you look like an original? We define what we are not doing before we decide what we are doing.
What clichés do we need to kill?
This is critical. Every industry has a "look"—the crossed-arms consultant, the black-turtleneck founder. Which cliché do we need to actively avoid so you look like an original? We define what we are not doing before we decide what we are doing.
On Set
Philosophy
Prioritize Genuine Connection, Always
I connect with people easily and often before the gear comes out. Whether it's an executive portrait or a full day on set, everyone should feel valued from the moment we meet. Eye contact, remembering names, reading the energy. These aren't small details. They are the foundation. That authentic connection is part of why the portraits look so natural.
01
Prioritize Genuine Connection, Always
I connect with people easily and often before the gear comes out. Whether it's an executive portrait or a full day on set, everyone should feel valued from the moment we meet. Eye contact, remembering names, reading the energy. These aren't small details. They are the foundation. That authentic connection is part of why the portraits look so natural.
01
Prioritize Genuine Connection, Always
I connect with people easily and often before the gear comes out. Whether it's an executive portrait or a full day on set, everyone should feel valued from the moment we meet. Eye contact, remembering names, reading the energy. These aren't small details. They are the foundation. That authentic connection is part of why the portraits look so natural.
01
Prioritize Genuine Connection, Always
I connect with people easily and often before the gear comes out. Whether it's an executive portrait or a full day on set, everyone should feel valued from the moment we meet. Eye contact, remembering names, reading the energy. These aren't small details. They are the foundation. That authentic connection is part of why the portraits look so natural.
01
Lead With Unreasonable Hospitality
The right photographer knows how to read energy and adjust. I'm comfortable taking the driver's seat, but some people need to feel that they are in control. Hospitality is more of a dance than a dance. A gentle nudge one moment, a moment of levity the next. This creates the ease essential for nervous teams and high-stakes campaigns. Comfort, not pressure. (And never underestimate the power of a well-timed dad-joke to get a candid moment).
02
Lead With Unreasonable Hospitality
The right photographer knows how to read energy and adjust. I'm comfortable taking the driver's seat, but some people need to feel that they are in control. Hospitality is more of a dance than a dance. A gentle nudge one moment, a moment of levity the next. This creates the ease essential for nervous teams and high-stakes campaigns. Comfort, not pressure. (And never underestimate the power of a well-timed dad-joke to get a candid moment).
02
Lead With Unreasonable Hospitality
The right photographer knows how to read energy and adjust. I'm comfortable taking the driver's seat, but some people need to feel that they are in control. Hospitality is more of a dance than a dance. A gentle nudge one moment, a moment of levity the next. This creates the ease essential for nervous teams and high-stakes campaigns. Comfort, not pressure. (And never underestimate the power of a well-timed dad-joke to get a candid moment).
02
Lead With Unreasonable Hospitality
The right photographer knows how to read energy and adjust. I'm comfortable taking the driver's seat, but some people need to feel that they are in control. Hospitality is more of a dance than a dance. A gentle nudge one moment, a moment of levity the next. This creates the ease essential for nervous teams and high-stakes campaigns. Comfort, not pressure. (And never underestimate the power of a well-timed dad-joke to get a candid moment).
02
Permission to Play
Yes, we'll execute your shot list. But I leave room for what emerges in the moment. That unguarded laugh, the unplanned angle, the idea we didn't discuss. Exploration, play, and spontaneous discovery are where the best art happens.
03
Permission to Play
Yes, we'll execute your shot list. But I leave room for what emerges in the moment. That unguarded laugh, the unplanned angle, the idea we didn't discuss. Exploration, play, and spontaneous discovery are where the best art happens.
03
Permission to Play
Yes, we'll execute your shot list. But I leave room for what emerges in the moment. That unguarded laugh, the unplanned angle, the idea we didn't discuss. Exploration, play, and spontaneous discovery are where the best art happens.
03
Permission to Play
Yes, we'll execute your shot list. But I leave room for what emerges in the moment. That unguarded laugh, the unplanned angle, the idea we didn't discuss. Exploration, play, and spontaneous discovery are where the best art happens.
03
Honest Direction
My job isn't just to say "yes." It's to lead you to a better result than you imagined. You're paying for taste, judgment, and 20 years of knowing what works. If a choice doesn't serve the final image, I'll speak up. The ultimate decisions are yours, but I'll make sure you aren't guessing.
04
Honest Direction
My job isn't just to say "yes." It's to lead you to a better result than you imagined. You're paying for taste, judgment, and 20 years of knowing what works. If a choice doesn't serve the final image, I'll speak up. The ultimate decisions are yours, but I'll make sure you aren't guessing.
04
Honest Direction
My job isn't just to say "yes." It's to lead you to a better result than you imagined. You're paying for taste, judgment, and 20 years of knowing what works. If a choice doesn't serve the final image, I'll speak up. The ultimate decisions are yours, but I'll make sure you aren't guessing.
04
Honest Direction
My job isn't just to say "yes." It's to lead you to a better result than you imagined. You're paying for taste, judgment, and 20 years of knowing what works. If a choice doesn't serve the final image, I'll speak up. The ultimate decisions are yours, but I'll make sure you aren't guessing.
04
Let’s
Let’s
Let’s
Connect!
© Damn, your hair looks good today!
About
Brian DeSimone is an Oakland-based portrait photographer serving San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and the Bay Area.
Specializing in executive headshots, founder portraits, corporate team photography, and editorial brand campaigns for startups, leaders, and creative businesses.
❤️
Studio
© Damn, your hair looks good today!
About
Brian DeSimone is an Oakland-based portrait photographer serving San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and the Bay Area.
Specializing in executive headshots, founder portraits, corporate team photography, and editorial brand campaigns for startups, leaders, and creative businesses.
❤️
Studio
© Damn, your hair looks good today!
About
Brian DeSimone is an Oakland-based portrait photographer serving San Francisco, Silicon Valley, and the Bay Area.
Specializing in executive headshots, founder portraits, corporate team photography, and editorial brand campaigns for startups, leaders, and creative businesses.
❤️