Mom and dad each kiss one of their daughter's cheeks at the same time while she smiles, framed close against a blurred golden lakeside backdrop.
Three generations stand in a row dancing on the lawn in a black and white portrait, one daughter making a heart with her hands and another holding the baby on her hip.
Three siblings sit shoulder to shoulder on a driftwood log at the base of a sandstone bluff, the brother holding their poodle mix on his lap
A woman reaches up to touch a man's face on a hedge-lined path strung with warm string lights during a winter engagement session at Filoli.
Mom and dad each kiss one of their daughter's cheeks at the same time while she smiles, framed close against a blurred golden lakeside backdrop.
A woman reaches up to touch a man's face on a hedge-lined path strung with warm string lights during a winter engagement session at Filoli.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHER

No stiff poses. Just your people, being themselves.

Warm, natural portraits in San Francisco, the Peninsula, Oakland, and San Jose. Most of my clients have never done this before, and about half are only here because someone else booked it. That's fine. You don't need experience or a pose memorized. I'll give you clear direction and simple prompts so you're never standing there wondering what to do with your hands.

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Check My Availability

Sessions from $295 • I reply within a day • See pricing

★★★★★ on Google · San Francisco · the Peninsula · Oakland · San Jose · Galleries in 2 Weeks · Sessions from $295

Four women walking hand-in-hand outdoors, smiling and laughing in a garden with flowering bushes and large trees.
“Your work is absolutely gorgeous. It was the highlight for me and my sisters…it was their first photoshoot, and they wouldn’t stop talking about how fun it was. You did an amazing job making a comfortable, fun space.”
— Ada

Take a look at what we'd make together

Have a browse and picture your own session.

Couples and Engagements

Mom and dad walk a shaded Oakland redwood trail holding their daughter's hands as she swings between them with her feet off the ground

Family Portraits

Bride and groom cheering with arms raised and hands clasped outside the City Hall doors.

City Hall Elopements

Also booking senior portraits this fall. DM me or send a note below.

  1. Say hi. Send me a quick note about who I'm photographing and roughly when. That's it to start.

  2. We plan it together. I'll help with location, timing, and even a second opinion on outfits if you want one. No idea where to shoot? I shoot at Filoli, the Palace of Fine Arts, the San Jose Rose Garden, Half Moon Bay, Golden Gate Park, and plenty of quieter spots I'll suggest based on where you are.

  3. Show up and relax. You don't need any experience or a single pose memorized. I'll talk you through every bit of it, and honestly, it tends to be more fun than people expect.

  4. Get your gallery. Fully edited, high-res photos within 2 weeks, yours to print however and wherever you want.

Here's how easy it is

A woman lying on green grass, taking a photograph with a camera, smiling, in a casual purple blouse and denim skirt.

I'm the Bay Area photographer behind Bells Portrait Co. I'm based in Daly City and I shoot all over the Bay, and I'm at my happiest making the camera-shy feel right at ease. Usually that means the person who least wanted to be there ends up having the best time.

Hi, I'm Isabella

Meet Isabella
A family of three smiling outdoors in a green, wooded area. The woman has long dark hair, the man has short black hair, and they are holding a happy young girl with curly dark hair and a white lace dress.
“We are absolutely, completely thrilled. Every single shot was just perfect…I even shed a few happy tears reliving those moments through your incredible lens. Your passion shines through in every single image.”
— Stephany

Simple, honest pricing

Portrait sessions start at $295. Most families book the Full Story at $625, which is a full hour and every edited photo from the session, so you're never choosing between favorites later. No mystery, no pressure.

See All Packages

The stuff people usually want to know

  • Not even a little. Most of my clients have never done a session before, and the kids who won't sit still usually give me my favorite photos. I don't need anyone to hold a pose. I'll give you simple things to do so nobody's stuck staring at the camera, and we let the good stuff happen in between.

  • Your fully edited, high-res gallery arrives within 2 weeks. I'll usually send a few favorites sooner, because waiting is hard.

  • It depends on the session. The Intro session includes 10 images, Highlights includes 20, and the Full Story and Keepsake sessions include every edited photo from the session. Most families choose Full Story so they're not picking favorites later.

  • Yes. I'm based in Daly City and travel free within about 35 miles, which covers San Francisco, most of the Peninsula, Oakland, and San Jose. Anything further, just ask and I'll let you know.

  • Soft, comfortable, and coordinated rather than matching. I'll send a short guide once we've picked your date, and I'm always happy to give a second opinion on outfits before the session.

  • I take three or four sessions a week, so popular weekends fill a few weeks out. Fall and holiday dates go fastest. If you have a date in mind, send it over and I'll tell you honestly whether it's still open.

  • We reschedule, no charge and no stress. Your deposit moves with you to the new date.

Let’s Plan Your Session

Send me a quick note with who I'm photographing and roughly when. I'll come back with pricing, open dates, and a few location ideas. That's it to start.

Contact Me

I reply within a day. No pressure, no catch.

Prefer to just message me? DM me on Instagram at @bellsportraitco

Form not loading? Email me at bellsportraitco@gmail.com