The 9 Best Lifestyle Photographers in Oakland, CA

Hoping to work with one of the best Oakland lifestyle photographers to capture your special moments? At Peerspace, we get it! Big occasions call for seriously talented photographers to document them.

The following Oakland lifestyle photographers know how important it is to document both the momentous occasions and tiny moments of love that pepper our lives. In fact, each one of them has dedicated themselves to excelling at their art and capturing your life. 

1. Sara Pietras

Based in Oakland and available for travel throughout the Bay Area, Sara Pietras started her career as an early childhood educator. However, after her son was born, she began to realize the importance of documenting life’s precious memories. And so began her journey as a lifestyle photographer.

Her focus is on the perfectly imperfect aspects of her subjects’ lives — including the messy and the emotional. It all comes together to give her work a beautiful sense of humanity. In front of Sara’s lens, every feeling is welcome and documented so her subjects can feel completely at ease. This means they can also revisit the feelings of their time with her in perfect clarity.

Sara’s documentary style is well suited for Fresh 48 sessions, newborn portrait sessions, and family portfolios since she expertly blends style with substance. She celebrates all families, so if the tenderness and love she demonstrates in her work speak to you, reach out. You won’t be disappointed. 

2. Kait Nicole

Kait Nicole has an undeniably eye-catching style. She alternately features geometric compositions, bold colors, a fine art aesthetic that wouldn’t be out of place in a museum’s Old Masters wing, and personality-packed portraits. As one of the top Oakland lifestyle photographers, she works with a variety of subjects and composes each shot to suit them to a T with editorial flair.

While Kait’s compositions are generally minimalist, her absolutely mouthwatering table displays are full of color and zest and entice the viewer to take a bite. Plus, her portraits show subjects showing their true selves — from refined to quirky. She carefully plans her shots, using angles and compositions to enhance the overall vibe of the photos. Whatever or whoever comes in front of her skillful eye gets the benefit of looking completely stunning. 

3. Xilo Photography

Kati is all about authenticity since the connections and love she captures are her art. In fact, she never poses people; she simply facilitates moments of beauty in gorgeous light. Believing that the beauty of life lies in the spontaneous moments as well as the unplanned and real emotions, she spends the bulk of her time documenting families and couples. Those sessions offer some of the most beautiful moments life has to offer.

Kati has had her work featured in numerous places and has been named a Family Favorite by Bay Area Parent. With one scroll through her portfolio full of warmth and love, it’s easy to see why. 

4. Leigh Ann Pincus

Leigh Ann Pincus has always loved babies and children. In fact, she was a NICU nurse before becoming a nurse practitioner and now lives to help moms document their journeys as moms. As one of the best Oakland lifestyle photographers, she specializes in getting moms out from behind the camera and in front of it. After all, what your children will treasure the most throughout the years are memories and photos.

Leigh Ann has been voted one of the top five newborn photographers as well as one of the best portrait photographers in the area for her sweet family portraits. To document your family where they are most comfortable, she offers in-home sessions as well as on-location sessions. The polish she brings to her shots adds a finish perfect for creating treasured family heirlooms 

5. Hasain Rasheed Photography

Beginning with his background in newspaper and magazine editorials, Hasain Rasheed developed a reputation as a world-class photojournalist with exacting standards and an easy-going personality. His work has taken him around the world.

He has worked with numerous internationally known organizations including PBS, Intel, and Banana Republic. Hasain brings his colorful storytelling style to families and couples throughout Oakland and the Bay Area. It’s all because he loves people and storytelling. 

6. Ripple Rain Photography

For years, Sharyce photographed the people and the scenes in front of her because she found them to be beautiful. Only after her son was born did she truly feel the power of photography. Now, as one of the top-tier Oakland lifestyle photographers, she gives that same magical gift to couples, mothers, and families throughout the Bay Area.

Sharyce’s work has been featured extensively on The Knot, Looks Like Film, and Unscripted. She is also a photography instructor for Unraveled Academy, teaching other artists how to find their unique style as she has found hers. Warm, raw, and real, her portraits are intimate peeks into the lives of her subjects, and the result is a wonderful combination of beauty and truth. 

7. Emily Wong Photo

Emily Wong is one of our favorites for lifestyle photography in the East Bay for her polished branding and family portraits. Her focus is often on local women rocking their lives and businesses. It’s not often that one photographer can pull off both professional and playful, but Emily does it with aplomb.

No matter her subject, her approach is the same. She makes a session feel relaxed and fun so that her subjects can enjoy the shoot and have naturally gorgeous images. Her edits are always kept natural with a film styling that feels thoroughly modern. They will look as good as the day they were shot for years to come. 

8. Allison Busch Photography

Helping brands bring their visions of themselves to life, Allison Busch is an accomplished lifestyle photographer. She loves working with families and documenting the joys and special challenges of motherhood. Yet, she is equally adept at showcasing small brands and helping them be themselves in photographic form.

In all of her work, Allison strives for honesty in addition to beauty, so expect plenty of close facial shots to see those gorgeous expressions as well as creative angles to add a sense of spontaneity. Above all expect to be showcased exactly as you are. She says: “’I’ve learned that when space is made that allows us to be vulnerable, to laugh at our ourselves, to let our unique and idiosyncratic dynamics show up, the images that result capture the true energy of a family. These images show love that will shine through in the years to come as today’s photos become tomorrow’s heirlooms.”

9. Hannah Suh Photography

Hannah Suh has a dreamy, editorial approach to her lifestyle photography, making her work ideal for weddings, couples portraits, and natural family sessions.

All of her subjects are treated with tenderness under her lens, bringing out the love and zest they have for life and for each other. Hannah’s ability to tell a full story in a series of photos is truly remarkable. Her documentary eye captures every emotion and results in an evocative portfolio fit for print. 

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