Executive Portraits

Editorial Authority

The executive shot gets you in the room.
The editorial shot makes them glad you're there.

The executive shot gets you in the room. The editorial shot makes them glad you're there.

Founder portrait of man in gray suit outside modern office building, San Francisco on-location executive photography
Founder portrait of man in gray suit outside modern office building, San Francisco on-location executive photography
Founder portrait of man in gray suit outside modern office building, San Francisco on-location executive photography

About

At your level, looking professional is table-stakes. Personality is the differentiator.

At your level, looking professional is table-stakes. Personality is the differentiator.

A typical headshot optimizes for safety. I optimize for resonance (the warmth that makes people actually want to connect with you).

And since you aren't one-dimensional, we’ll capture both:

The Executive Portrait: Polished, grounded, boardroom-ready. The one the investors want to see.

The Editorial Portrait: The image people actually remember. The laugh. The look. The moment your guard came down. (This is the image that makes someone want to meet you.)

Trust starts when you show the world you are secure enough to stop performing.

A typical headshot optimizes for safety. I optimize for resonance (the warmth that makes people actually want to connect with you).

And since you aren't one-dimensional, we’ll capture both:

The Executive Portrait: Polished, grounded, boardroom-ready. The one the investors want to see.

The Editorial Portrait: The image people actually remember. The laugh. The look. The moment your guard came down. (This is the image that makes someone want to meet you.)

Trust starts when you show the world you are secure enough to stop performing.

A typical headshot optimizes for safety. I optimize for resonance (the warmth that makes people actually want to connect with you).

And since you aren't one-dimensional, we’ll capture both:

The Executive Portrait: Polished, grounded, boardroom-ready. The one the investors want to see.

The Editorial Portrait: The image people actually remember. The laugh. The look. The moment your guard came down. (This is the image that makes someone want to meet you.)

Trust starts when you show the world you are secure enough to stop performing.

Approachable executive headshot of a Black male leader with dreadlocks, signaling warmth and creativity. Modern business portrait photography Oakland.
Approachable executive headshot of a Black male leader with dreadlocks, signaling warmth and creativity. Modern business portrait photography Oakland.
Approachable executive headshot of a Black male leader with dreadlocks, signaling warmth and creativity. Modern business portrait photography Oakland.
Approachable executive headshot of a Black male leader with dreadlocks, signaling warmth and creativity. Modern business portrait photography Oakland.
Approachable executive headshot of a Black male leader with dreadlocks, signaling warmth and creativity. Modern business portrait photography Oakland.
Approachable executive headshot of a Black male leader with dreadlocks, signaling warmth and creativity. Modern business portrait photography Oakland.
Confident executive portrait of a male CEO in a grey blazer, conveying authority and focus. Corporate leadership photography San Francisco.
Confident executive portrait of a male CEO in a grey blazer, conveying authority and focus. Corporate leadership photography San Francisco.
Professional headshot of a young Asian male in tech, using studio lighting to highlight intelligence and focus. Startup team photography Bay Area.
Professional headshot of a young Asian male in tech, using studio lighting to highlight intelligence and focus. Startup team photography Bay Area.
Stylized creative portrait of a woman in a green jacket, blending artistic flair with professional polish. Design leadership photography Oakland.
Candid laughing headshot of a man in a grey tee, capturing a genuine unscripted moment. The signature character portrait style.
Candid laughing headshot of a man in a grey tee, capturing a genuine unscripted moment. The signature character portrait style.
Friendly personal branding photo of a woman in a leather jacket, designed to build trust with clients. Realtor and consultant headshots.
Friendly personal branding photo of a woman in a leather jacket, designed to build trust with clients. Realtor and consultant headshots.

Testimonial

Beyond his obvious creative talent… Brian took what could have been an uncomfortable situation and made it fun!

Beyond his obvious creative talent… Brian took what could have been an uncomfortable situation and made it fun!

WELLS FARGO

Vice President, Interactive & Motion Design

WELLS FARGO

Vice President, Interactive & Motion Design

Relaxed professional headshot of a creative director, demonstrating the result of a comfortable and fun photo session. Wells Fargo executive portrait.

Brandon Eversole

  • “He's a master of his craft, a kind and hilarious and wonderful person...”

    ”Brian is absolutely amazing. He's a master of his craft, a kind and hilarious and wonderful person, and a total artist soul.”

    geena chen

    Geena Chen, Artist + Designer

  • “He Brings Out the Best in a Diversity of Subjects”

    “The photo shoot was a blast, and I felt immediately at ease. It’s a true testament to Brian’s creative genius that he can bring out the best in a diversity of subjects as he does.”

    Author Image

    Annie Jean -Baptiste, Google

  • “Brian Has Nothing But Five-Star Reviews for a Reason”

    "You pay for what you get, and with Brian you get excellent photos that will set you apart from everyone else. Brian Has Nothing But Five-Star Reviews for a Reason"

    Jeremy Castro Law

    Jeremy Castro Law, CEO

  • “Brian Exceeded My Expectations in Every Aspect”

    “From the moment we initiated the project, Brian demonstrated an unparalleled level of patience and professionalism. Brian Exceeded My Expectations in Every Aspect.”

    Sydney Coleman Google

    Hantz Févre, Stoovo, CEO

  • “His studio Is really nice and welcoming - great energy. He knows his art and work”

    “His studio Is really nice and welcoming - great energy. He knows his art and work”

    Author Image

    Nadé Bozhinova

  • “He's a master of his craft, a kind and hilarious and wonderful person...”

    ”Brian is absolutely amazing. He's a master of his craft, a kind and hilarious and wonderful person, and a total artist soul.”

    geena chen

    Geena Chen, Artist + Designer

  • “He Brings Out the Best in a Diversity of Subjects”

    “The photo shoot was a blast, and I felt immediately at ease. It’s a true testament to Brian’s creative genius that he can bring out the best in a diversity of subjects as he does.”

    Author Image

    Annie Jean -Baptiste, Google

  • “Brian Has Nothing But Five-Star Reviews for a Reason”

    "You pay for what you get, and with Brian you get excellent photos that will set you apart from everyone else. Brian Has Nothing But Five-Star Reviews for a Reason"

    Jeremy Castro Law

    Jeremy Castro Law, CEO

  • “Brian Exceeded My Expectations in Every Aspect”

    “From the moment we initiated the project, Brian demonstrated an unparalleled level of patience and professionalism. Brian Exceeded My Expectations in Every Aspect.”

    Sydney Coleman Google

    Hantz Févre, Stoovo, CEO

  • “His studio Is really nice and welcoming - great energy. He knows his art and work”

    “His studio Is really nice and welcoming - great energy. He knows his art and work”

    Author Image

    Nadé Bozhinova

  • “He's a master of his craft, a kind and hilarious and wonderful person...”

    ”Brian is absolutely amazing. He's a master of his craft, a kind and hilarious and wonderful person, and a total artist soul.”

    geena chen

    Geena Chen, Artist + Designer

  • “He Brings Out the Best in a Diversity of Subjects”

    “The photo shoot was a blast, and I felt immediately at ease. It’s a true testament to Brian’s creative genius that he can bring out the best in a diversity of subjects as he does.”

    Author Image

    Annie Jean -Baptiste, Google

  • “Brian Has Nothing But Five-Star Reviews for a Reason”

    "You pay for what you get, and with Brian you get excellent photos that will set you apart from everyone else. Brian Has Nothing But Five-Star Reviews for a Reason"

    Jeremy Castro Law

    Jeremy Castro Law, CEO

  • “Brian Exceeded My Expectations in Every Aspect”

    “From the moment we initiated the project, Brian demonstrated an unparalleled level of patience and professionalism. Brian Exceeded My Expectations in Every Aspect.”

    Sydney Coleman Google

    Hantz Févre, Stoovo, CEO

  • “His studio Is really nice and welcoming - great energy. He knows his art and work”

    “His studio Is really nice and welcoming - great energy. He knows his art and work”

    Author Image

    Nadé Bozhinova

Pricing

Engagement

Options

Professional gets you the meeting. Character closes the deal. You need both.

Epic Founder portrait of a man wearing a blue button up shirt , representing the definitive boardroom authority look. Professional LinkedIn photo package.
Epic Founder portrait of a man wearing a blue button up shirt , representing the definitive boardroom authority look. Professional LinkedIn photo package.

One Image.

Total Certainty.

$1600

I don't shoot to give you choices. I shoot to produce the singular portrait that defines the next five years of your career.

$1600

I don't shoot to give you choices. I shoot to produce the singular portrait that defines the next five years of your career.

Learn More

Learn More

Polished female executive headshot in a grey blazer, representing the definitive boardroom authority look. Professional LinkedIn photo package.

The Executive

& Editorial Session

$2800

Stop choosing between "safe" and "memorable." We capture both: the polished executive shot that satisfies stakeholders, and the editorial shot that makes your audience actually want to connect with you.

The Scope:

  • Narrative Strategy: We start by diagnosing the gap between how you're seen now and how you need to be known.

  • The Experience: 1-2 hours of directed ease in my Oakland studio.. I manage the energy so you don't have to perform.

  • 3 Definitive Portraits: A mix of executive and editorial style portraits, tailored to how you need to show up.

  • The License: Unlimited Personal Brand Use. (Web, Social, Press).

Check Availability

Check Availability

Full brand media kit example showing a male founder in a white suit on location. Comprehensive visual rebranding photography service.

The Founder

Media Kit

Media Kit

$5500


For founders and business owners scaling their brand. This is not just a photoshoot; it is a comprehensive visual rebrand designed to carry your business narrative for the next 18-24 months.

The Scope:

  • Creative Direction: Deep-dive consultation to build a visual language that matches your ambition.

  • The Production: Half-Day (Studio + On-Site) to capture the full range: polished studio portraits and authentic in-action lifestyle.

  • The Anchor Assets: 6 High-end retouched portraits or office lifestyle images for your permanent footprint (Website, Press, Book).

  • The Content Engine: 30+ Color-graded files to solve your daily content needs. A consistent visual narrative for social volume.

  • The Direction: Wardrobe consulting and on-set performance direction to ensure you look effortless.

  • The License: Comprehensive Brand & Press Licensing.

Start a Project

Start a Project

Have

Have

Questions?

Contact Me

Contact Me

I hate being photographed. Can you fix that?

Yes. My entire process is built on psychological safety, not just lighting. Most executives freeze or overperform because they think they have to. Drawing on 20 years of luxury hospitality experience, I am delighted to make people feel confortable, confident and well taken care of. I will direct the entire session in my Oakland studio so you never have to guess what to do with your limbs. :)

I hate being photographed. Can you fix that?

Yes. My entire process is built on psychological safety, not just lighting. Most executives freeze or overperform because they think they have to. Drawing on 20 years of luxury hospitality experience, I am delighted to make people feel confortable, confident and well taken care of. I will direct the entire session in my Oakland studio so you never have to guess what to do with your limbs. :)

What is the difference between the "Boardroom" and "Editorial" portrait?

The Boardroom portrait is for your stakeholders; the Editorial portrait is for your audience. The Boardroom look is polished and grounded (keeping the investors happy. The Editorial look is warmer, more relatable and captures the actual human behind your title. My signature session captures both, giving Bay Area leaders a complete visual toolkit.

What is the difference between the "Boardroom" and "Editorial" portrait?

The Boardroom portrait is for your stakeholders; the Editorial portrait is for your audience. The Boardroom look is polished and grounded (keeping the investors happy. The Editorial look is warmer, more relatable and captures the actual human behind your title. My signature session captures both, giving Bay Area leaders a complete visual toolkit.

Do you retouch the images? (And will I look like A.i.?)

Think of it like a volume knob where we can easily dial the polish up or down to your preference. I do high-end commercial retouching, and I do it by hand. It’s the same treatment celebrities get for a magazine cover. I remove distractions (blemishes, stray hairs, tired eyes) but I fight to keep the skin texture and character that makes you look human. As the world becomes more flooded with AI-generated perfection, 'real' has become a status signal. My goal is to make sure your image proves there is a human behind the title.

Do you retouch the images? (And will I look like A.i.?)

Think of it like a volume knob where we can easily dial the polish up or down to your preference. I do high-end commercial retouching, and I do it by hand. It’s the same treatment celebrities get for a magazine cover. I remove distractions (blemishes, stray hairs, tired eyes) but I fight to keep the skin texture and character that makes you look human. As the world becomes more flooded with AI-generated perfection, 'real' has become a status signal. My goal is to make sure your image proves there is a human behind the title.

Do you work with teams? (And do you come to us?)

I bring the studio to your office. For executive teams, I have a compact mobile setup that can fit just about anywhere. Whether that's in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, or Oakland. It’s designed to be low-impact and efficient so we don’t disrupt your work-day. We’ll define the creative strategy beforehand to ensure a consistent brand look, and I’ll build a custom proposal based on your specific headcount.

Do you work with teams? (And do you come to us?)

I bring the studio to your office. For executive teams, I have a compact mobile setup that can fit just about anywhere. Whether that's in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, or Oakland. It’s designed to be low-impact and efficient so we don’t disrupt your work-day. We’ll define the creative strategy beforehand to ensure a consistent brand look, and I’ll build a custom proposal based on your specific headcount.

Direct and confident headshot of a female professional on a textured green background, encouraging potential clients to start a project. Executive inquiry contact image.

Let’s

Connect.

The Signature Session

For The Leader Who Needs

For The Leader Who Needs

The Definitive Asset

Most executives need a library of images. But some are at a career-defining transition and need the single, undeniable truth.

View the Signature Session

View the Signature Session

© 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

Home

Home

Executive & Corporate

Executive & Corporate

Editorial & Brand

Editorial & Brand

One Image.

One Image.

Contact

Contact

Explore

My Approach

My Approach

The Journal

The Journal

Gallery

Gallery

Licensing

Licensing

Socials

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

Yelp Reviews

Yelp Reviews

Instagram

Instagram

Threads

Threads

LinkedIn

LinkedIn

© 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

Home

Home

Executive & Corporate

Executive & Corporate

Editorial & Brand

Editorial & Brand

One Image.

One Image.

Contact

Contact

Explore

My Approach

My Approach

The Journal

The Journal

Gallery

Gallery

Licensing

Licensing

Socials

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

Yelp Reviews

Yelp Reviews

Instagram

Instagram

Threads

Threads

LinkedIn

LinkedIn

© 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

Home

Home

Executive & Corporate

Executive & Corporate

Editorial & Brand

Editorial & Brand

One Image.

One Image.

Contact

Contact

Explore

My Approach

My Approach

The Journal

The Journal

Gallery

Gallery

Licensing

Licensing

Socials

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

Yelp Reviews

Yelp Reviews

Instagram

Instagram

Threads

Threads

LinkedIn

LinkedIn