The 6 Best Event Photographers in Riverside

Nested in the Inland Empire, the city of Riverside, CA, punches well above its weight when it comes to the number of talented creatives who call the area home. If you’re in need of expert coverage for your next concert, fashion show, corporate gathering, or other event, you couldn’t have chosen a better city. Take a look at the top Riverside event photographers you should be networking with.

1. Andrea Kaus Photos

Riverside event photographer Andrea Kaus considers herself an action photographer. In her own words, she states, “If it moves, I’ll shoot it!” Her roots in photography began when she was working with an SLR film camera, learning how light and the environment interact with one another. In addition, photography played a role in her anthropology doctoral field work, as the medium allowed her to make connections with ranching families in Mexico. Small, wonderful aspects of ranch and western culture like rodeos and bull-riding makes up a large part of Andrea’s portfolio.

Her talent for capturing decisive moments in the arena is incredible, showing the full extension of a horse’s kick and the play of a lasso before lashing towards a bull. Boxing, MMA events, and Aikido also find a place in her work. Andrea’s editing style uses natural colors and a documentary style that faithfully tells the story of each event she’s a part of. 

2. Coldea Productions

Need dynamic photography of different events ranging from dance shows to fashion shoots throughout Southern California, including Riverside County, Los Angeles, Orange County, and beyond? Coldea Productions has you covered! Gabriela and Cristian Coldea are the two masterminds of the organization with entrepreneurs, corporations, advertising agencies as their target markets.

When on the job, the team at Coldea Productions ensures your event gets coverage from multiple angles, including on stage, wide angle takes of the venue, small group interactions, and individual portraits as needed. We’re especially impressed by their high standards; for example, their equipment masterfully captures clean and sharp photographs with little noise present. 

3. Joe Schaeffer Photography

Joe Schaffer’s concert photography exudes a raw grittiness — a hardness to the lighting and shadows that we love, and it’s well suited to the intense emotions that he has an instinct for capturing. Documentation is important for any event, but few photographers have the eye for mood that Joe does. Monochrome occasionally makes an entrance in his work, but his contrasting color palette truly draws the viewer into the show. Best of all, he’s virtually never far removed from the stage — his profiles of performers are usually taken with wide and normal lenses for an intimate, personal feel.

4. Horacio Garcia Photography

Riverside event photographer Horacio Garcia’s energetic, intense concert photography captivates viewers. Naturally, he’s one of our top choices for local music events. His photos bring out the most in the complex lighting environments of live performances and showcase the passion of crowds and performers alike.

Horacio works to cover not only the main events but other moments that some may miss. He loves both color and monochrome styles, with a preference for high-contrast tones that works perfectly with the extremes of light and dark in during a live music performance. We also love how intimate his captures are — browsing Horacio’s portfolio, we can tell his photography is a step into the chaos and pulse of the venue!

5. Yogi Patel of Global Photography

Master photographer Yogi Patel has over 34 years of experience as a Southern California photographer covering events, weddings, and studio shoots. Though based in the Los Angeles area, he also services Riverside County, Orange County, and beyond. Not only has the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) twice recognized him in its International Photography Competition with Gold awards, but the PPA even selected his work for their prestigious Loan Collection.

Yogi’s style is vibrant in terms of color, with expansive views that show off both the venue and his subjects. Specialty and culturally oriented weddings are a particular favorite of his; Hindu, Bengali, Sikh, Muslim, and destination weddings play a large role in his portfolio.

6. Cristy Gutierrez Photography

Cristy Gutierrez’s approach to photography is nuanced, thoughtful, and full of appreciation and reverence for each moment she’s a part of. As a famous quote she invokes implies, “You don’t take a photograph, you ask quietly to borrow it.” Having been a photographer for decades, her expertise shines through her images, with a mixture of intimate, closely cropped portraits and wider environmental coverage for each event she shoots. Weddings, birthdays, maternities, horseback riding, parties, and other events are all captured in a punchy, evenly lit fashion. Cristy’s outdoor photography often includes warm, overflowing highlights that bathe her subjects in an ethereal glow.

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