Look like you’re ready.
Even if you don’t feel like it.
Look like you’re ready. Even if you don’t feel like it.
Some people need direction. Some need space. I know which one you are before you do.
The ability to get a nervous Celebrity or CEO to relax in 90 seconds is priceless.
They’re not afraid of the lights. They are 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.
The ability to get a nervous Celebrity or CEO to relax in 90 seconds is priceless.
They’re not afraid of the lights. They are 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.
Artist & Photographer
Artist & Photographer
Artist & Photographer
Most people freeze because they think they need to 'perform' for the camera. My job is to create a space safe enough for you to stop performing. That split-second where the mask comes off and the person shines through?? That’s where we get the shot.
Most people freeze because they think they need to 'perform' for the camera. My job is to create a space safe enough for you to stop performing. That split-second where the mask comes off and the person shines through?? That’s where we get the shot.
BRIAN DESIMONE
Serving San Francisco’s ambitious companies since 2015.
BRIAN DESIMONE
Serving San Francisco’s ambitious companies since 2015.
BRIAN DESIMONE
Serving San Francisco’s ambitious companies since 2015.
On Set
Philosophy
Prioritize Genuine Connection, Always
I connect with people easily and often before anything else begins. Whether it's an executive portrait session or a full day on set, everyone should feel valued and at ease from the moment we meet. Eye contact, remembering names, reading the energy - small gestures shift everything. That authentic connection is why the portraits don't feel posed.
01
Prioritize Genuine Connection, Always
I connect with people easily and often before anything else begins. Whether it's an executive portrait session or a full day on set, everyone should feel valued and at ease from the moment we meet. Eye contact, remembering names, reading the energy - small gestures shift everything. That authentic connection is why the portraits don't feel posed.
01
Prioritize Genuine Connection, Always
I connect with people easily and often before anything else begins. Whether it's an executive portrait session or a full day on set, everyone should feel valued and at ease from the moment we meet. Eye contact, remembering names, reading the energy - small gestures shift everything. That authentic connection is why the portraits don't feel posed.
01
Lead With Unreasonable Hospitality
The right photographer knows how to read energy and adjust. I'm very comfortable taking the drivers seat, but some people need to feel that they are in it. Hospitality isn’t a script. It’s a dance. A warm smile one moment. A moment of levity the next. This creates ease, which is essential for nervous teams and high-stakes brand campaigns. Comfort, not pressure. And never underestimate the power of a well-timed dad joke!
02
Lead With Unreasonable Hospitality
The right photographer knows how to read energy and adjust. I'm very comfortable taking the drivers seat, but some people need to feel that they are in it. Hospitality isn’t a script. It’s a dance. A warm smile one moment. A moment of levity the next. This creates ease, which is essential for nervous teams and high-stakes brand campaigns. Comfort, not pressure. And never underestimate the power of a well-timed dad joke!
02
Lead With Unreasonable Hospitality
The right photographer knows how to read energy and adjust. I'm very comfortable taking the drivers seat, but some people need to feel that they are in it. Hospitality isn’t a script. It’s a dance. A warm smile one moment. A moment of levity the next. This creates ease, which is essential for nervous teams and high-stakes brand campaigns. Comfort, not pressure. And never underestimate the power of a well-timed dad joke!
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 happy mistakes are part of the art.
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 happy mistakes are part of the art.
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 happy mistakes are part of the art.
03
Keep it Real
My job isn't just to say 'yes'—it's to lead you to a better result than you had even 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
Keep it Real
My job isn't just to say 'yes'—it's to lead you to a better result than you had even 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
Keep it Real
My job isn't just to say 'yes'—it's to lead you to a better result than you had even 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 the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley.
Specializing in executive headshots, corporate team photography, and commercial brand campaigns for founders, startups, and creative businesses.
❤️
Studio
© Damn, your hair looks good today!
About
Brian DeSimone is an Oakland-based portrait photographer serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley.
Specializing in executive headshots, corporate team photography, and commercial brand campaigns for founders, startups, and creative businesses.
❤️
Studio
© Damn, your hair looks good today!
About
Brian DeSimone is an Oakland-based portrait photographer serving the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley.
Specializing in executive headshots, corporate team photography, and commercial brand campaigns for founders, startups, and creative businesses.
❤️