Best Fashion Photographers in Santa Monica

From editorial to catalog, lifestyle, and street fashion, the fashion photography genre is broad. It encompasses everything from the high glamour of glossy magazines to sun-drenched beachside shoots.

As a global center for the fashion industry, Los Angeles is home to plenty of photographers who have dedicated themselves to fashion photography. Many choose to call the beachside community of Santa Monica home, capturing images that exemplify the Southern California lifestyle. In this article, we’ll introduce some of our favorite Santa Monica fashion photographers whose images are a step above the rest.

Kate Haus

Kate Haus started her photography business in 2009 after completing a year of schooling at Boston University's CDIA in Washington DC. In 2014, she made the move to Los Angeles where she slowly transitioned from wedding, event, and family photography into the lifestyle, editorial and commercial genres.

She’s worked with everyone from Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton to Kate Hudson, Julie Benz, and America Fererra. Kate’s images have been featured in “People Magazine”, “Forbes” and on the Today Show, and clients such as Paperclip Bags, Rum Haven, and Pollywog have trusted her with their content creation.

Jenna Bechtholt

Working between Los Angeles and Seattle, Jenna Bechtholt is a lifestyle and fashion photographer who also specializes in weddings. She loves how photography can capture a moment in time and enable us to relive it again and again.

When it comes to style, she describes hers as “simple and relaxed”, with a focus on the use of natural light and capturing raw emotions. Jenna’s ultimate goal? To create timeless photographs that her clients will cherish for many years to come. Her images have been featured by “Brides”, “Style Me Pretty”, and “Lemonade and Lenses”, to name just a few publications.

Guy Viau

Guy Viau has been working as a professional photographer since 1997 and specializes in headshots and fashion photography with a focus on swimwear and fitness. He draws on his 15-year career as a model in the fashion industry, which saw him working everywhere from Milan and Paris to Tokyo, New York, and Los Angeles.

Originally from Montreal, he trained as an actor in Southern California and appeared on numerous TV commercials before stepping behind the camera himself. Throughout his photography career, Guy has worked with some of the most talented stylists, makeup artists, and art directors in the business and has shot more than 9,000 clients that include Shakira, David Hasselhoff, and Esai Morales. Most of his sessions take place at his open-shade daylight studio.

LA Fashion Photographer

Shaun Alexander is the man behind LA Fashion Photographer, a Vogue-style studio that specializes in advertising, beauty, and modeling portfolios. He’s worked with thousands of clients and companies throughout his career, which has taken him from Los Angeles to New York City, London, Paris, and Tokyo.

In addition to being a leading name in the fashion photography world for the last three decades, Shaun Alexander also offers photography workshops to help other creatives hone their skills. Drawing on his personal experience, he provides hands-on advice and tips for achieving stunning fashion, beauty, and fine art images.

Ana Ochoa

Originally working in New York City and Miami, Ana Ochoa now calls Los Angeles “home”. She was exposed to the fashion industry in college while working with Next Models, which means she has an insider’s perspective and can offer her subjects posing advice. Today, she specializes in fashion and headshot photography, helping her clients to capture acting and corporate headshots, creative fashion look books, and catalog shots.

During the initial meeting, Ana looks at what she feels is lacking in the model’s current portfolio and comes up with dynamic looks to enhance it. Aside from fashion and headshot portraits, she also offers product photography for e-commerce websites and assists clients in designing their websites and Instagram pages.

Mike Azria

Originally from Paris, Mike Azria honed his skills as a street artist and now works throughout the Los Angeles area as a fashion photographer and art director. Largely self-taught, he says that he has been designing images his whole life and is on a mission to make a difference in the fashion photography world.

Not only is he a talented artist but he understands the commerce side of the business, something that gives him an edge with clients. Mike uses professional cameras and  lighting equipment and works out of several studio spaces in Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and Los Angeles.

Morey Spellman

Also known as “Ptolemy”, Morey Spellman is a Los Angeles-based photographer who has more than a decade of experience in the industry. He believes that “A picture is worth a thousand words” and uses this as inspiration when creating his images.

Morey takes a storytelling approach to photography, with natural light and beachside settings often utilized in his fashion shoots. We particularly love his creative use of windows in reflecting light and visions, and the surreal aesthetic he creates in some of his images.

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