The 8 Best Event Photographers in Oakland, CA

Wondering who made our list of the top Oakland event photographers? We understand. After all, vent photography is one of the more diverse genres, comprising corporate business events, weddings, and live music concerts. And the photographers who call themselves event professionals come from just as many backgrounds.

Whether your event is a bar mitzvah, performance, or something more, chances are there is a Bay Area photographer with years of experience capturing it. That said, there is an immense amount of talent here, so it can be hard to find just the right person. Hence, we at Peerspace have curated this list of the top 8 Oakland event photographers for you to partner up with!

1. Curtis Jermany

Curtis Jermany is an Oakland event photographer whose work appeals to a broad audience. From local high school events to live music performances, his deeply emotive images convey not only stories but feelings about them.

We really enjoy the dynamic compositions Curtis favors, like bringing his lens super close, using wide-angle perspectives, and highlighting bold colors. It all enhances the intensity of his work and leaves you eager to see more.

2. Erich Valo of Magnolia Weddings

Wedding photography is much more than just documenting the unfolding of a special day. It’s managing the nerves of a couple, finding the unplanned, candid moments of fine art that present themselves, and working with unexpected difficulties. All things Erich Valo has experience doing! Despite a decade of wedding photography experience, Erich manages to convey what makes each event a special and unrepeatable one.

From aspects of the venue to how each couple looks and smiles at each other, he finds the qualities that speak most powerfully to viewers!

3. Jamie of Studio XIII Photography

Looking for an event and wedding photographer with special sensitivity to LGBTQ ceremonies? Jamie of Studio XIII Photography is where you should begin (and end) your search! Her approach is especially intimate, bringing her camera within arm’s length to highlight the peak emotions her subjects are feeling.

Jamie then elevates her images further by using double exposures, contrast-rich color grading, and other elements to add a tasteful fine art perspective to the scene. Her approach mixes candid documentary moments taken during energetic events with gently guided poses that highlight the classic elements of weddings. Nostalgia, romance, elegance…Jamie’s wedding event photography contains all this and more!

4. Gina B Photography

While Gina B. is a freelance Oakland event photographer, she works throughout the Bay Area, capturing the essence of local happenings through her artwork! She is also a professional wedding photographer and has been immortalizing some of the happiest moments in people’s lives since 2016. Proposals, engagements, family portraits…People and their connections are a favorite subject of hers. But she also works with the connections people have to their careers and places of work.

When you browse her portfolio, it’s immediately clear how sensitive Gina is to timing. She finds compositions, angles, and instants that convey to you the mood and character of an event. Gina’s compositions, even the wide-angle ones, also have few stray elements. All the better to focus your attention where she intends.

5. Jack Simpson

As a Bay Area commercial and fine art photographer, the portfolio of Jack Simpson includes a staggering array of subjects. Film festivals, live music, food and beverage images…Any time a business client needs to tell a story about their creations, Jack is the first photographer they turn to.

He is also an immensely talented wedding and portrait photographer. So when he captures people engaged with each other and the environment at an event, Jack’s environmental portrait skills come in handy. Each frame ends up being a complete story about the people and scene in question.

6. Luci Valentine Photography

Heartfelt documentary images are Luci Valentine’s preferred approach. Instead of poses that convey little about the event, she finds perspectives and moments that, taken together, leave a strong impression on viewers. The narrative, be it a romantic wedding, corporate gathering, or something else, is made clear to us.

Luci also has an eye for artistry, finding compositions that highlight the environmental details of churches, parks, and other settings. When bright tones add emotion to the scene, she emphasizes them to the best effect. Otherwise, her style tends to be subdued and authentic, replicating the eye of your memories. Composition and emotion are of primary importance to Luci!

7. Saul Bromberger & Sandra Hoover

Saul Bromberger and Sandra Hoover are two Oakland event photographers with a documentary focus. Their clients include nonprofits, commercial businesses, and publications like LIFE Magazine. They bring 30 years of professional photography experience to each collaboration they are a part of. And over the years, their images span a wide range of styles, from candid to posed environmental portraiture.

True to their photojournalistic style, Saul and Sandra use a gentle touch when it comes to editing. Their use of natural colors and exposure makes it easy to envision the story and scene in question.

8. Michelle Castillo

Portraits and concerts are Michelle Castillo’s favorite subjects. As an Oakland event photographer, she captures live events from a dynamic and engaging perspective. Each image takes you right back to how it felt to be a part of the audience or on stage.

Her perspectives range from crowd-level to up above. And despite the boldness of the colors on display, Michelle uses a subtle color grading touch while bringing out a glow in the highlights. Her images remind us more of old-school concert film photography in character/ This makes them ideal for folks looking for both talent and originality in the world of event journalism!

And just because she is based in the Bay Area does not mean Michelle is limited there. As a traveling event photographer, her unique vision is equally well suited to projects in the rest of the country and even abroad.

Find unique event spaces in Oakland on Peerspace