About Berkeley
Berkeley, a popular California city located in the San Francisco Bay area, offers a wonderful standard of living. Considered to be the 3rd best city in which to live in the United States, Berkeley is one urban center with a lot to commend it. With its ease of commuting time, low crime rate, and incredible weather, Berkeley is the ideal residence whether you are a student, a young professional, or a retiree.
Rated the Healthiest City in the United States and topping the charts on the list of the Healthiest Places to Live in America, Berkeley is a haven for those with a true love of the great outdoors. With many public parks and outdoor recreational activities to enjoy, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to fun things to do outside in Berkeley.
Among the most popular outdoor attractions here are the Tilden Regional Park, the Berkeley Marina, and the Cesar Chavez Park. Many well-known individuals have called Berkeley home throughout the years including Steve Wozniak, Ben Affleck, Michael Chabon, and Herbie Herbert.
Berkeley is one city that has everything you could possibly need for a productive photo session. Whether you were looking for a beautiful park setting, a spot by the marina with an ocean view, or something entirely different, you’re sure to find the ideal Berkeley photo shoot venue.
Photo Shoot Options in Berkeley
Berkeley offers many places that provide the perfect backdrop for photo ops. Once you’ve found the spot that seems ideal for your Berkeley photo shoot venue, it’s time to call in the local professionals to help get everything placed for your first session.
- Coffee Service
Having coffee on-site at your Berkeley photo shoot venue is a special perk that elevates the photo session experience for your clients. A city with a hipster vibe, there is no shortage of great mobile coffee caterers in Berkeley who can provide you steaming hot joe in disposable coffee urns, a full-service espresso bar, and everything in between.
- Décor
The set decorations at your Berkeley photo shoot venue make a big difference when it comes to the final product. Ensure you have an ample supply of furniture pieces, costumes, and unique props to capture some images that are fun and memorable for your clients to enjoy for a lifetime. The right Berkeley designers, furniture rental companies, and prop stores can ensure you have everything your heart desires for a great photo shoot.
- Hair and Makeup
Providing on-site hair and makeup services is an add-on feature many photographers offer to help their clients look and feel their best for their photo shoot. Berkeley is home to many of the top professional hairstylists and makeup artists with experience helping clients get camera-ready for film and photo sessions.
Photo Shoot Companies in Berkeley
You’ve found the perfect photo shoot venue; now it’s time to put all of the pieces in place for a successful session with your valued clients. Feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work yet to do? Not to worry. Berkeley’s top professionals are ready and willing to lend a helping hand.
- Abhilasha Singh
One of the most highly sought-after makeup artists in Berkeley, Abhilasha Singh is experienced in many styles of makeup application including makeup for film and photos and even Bollywood style trends. Willing to provide on-site hair and makeup services to both photo and film shoots, Abhilasha Singh has successfully worked with many celebrities helping them to look nothing less than their best on film.
- V&A Café
V&A Café has been proudly providing its top-tier coffee and catering services to North Berkeley businesses and events since 1993. A chain of several different cafes, V&A Café is the newest installation which offers a wide selection of outdoor seating with incredible views of nearby San Fran. All meals and snacks prepared here are crafted from fresh ingredients that are locally sourced whenever possible. Offering mobile coffee catering services, V&A Café can keep the java flowing all day long at your photo shoot venue in Berkeley.
- a.r.c. Art Rentals of California
For unique art pieces to add charm, glamor, and even a touch of history to your Berkeley photo shoots, you can’t go wrong by hiring a.r.c Art Rentals of California. a.r.c. focuses on artworks that are suitable for use in photos, film, TV shows, and commercials. For your convenience, you can peruse their collections online and place your order for delivery right to your door.
Pros and Cons of Photo Shoots in Berkeley
Berkeley is a beautiful city with a laidback vibe that lends it an enchanting air. Still, there are benefits and drawbacks to holding a photo shoot here that should be carefully considered before committing to a venue in Berkeley.
Advantages
- Pleasant weather year-round
With blue skies, warm temperatures, and little rain year-round, Berkeley is one city that has the ideal climate that makes you feel like you’re living in a place where it is endless summer.
- Exciting cultural scene
From museums to musicians, outdoor adventures, and even incredible cuisine, Berkeley is one city that offers it all.
- Nearness to San Francisco
Berkeley offers the feel of small-town residential living yet is close enough to San Francisco that you don’t have to miss out on the best things the big city has to offer.
Disadvantages
- High cost of living
Sadly, choosing to make Berkely the home of your photo shoot venue could cost you more than you expect. The high taxes and just high prices overall may give you sticker shock.
- Moderate crime rate
Though Berkeley by day is a very safe place to be, the nighttime brings out the more nefarious activity. You’ll need to make note of spots where crime most often occurs and carefully avoid them after dark.
- Noisy neighborhoods
Because of the large concentration of students in Berkeley, many neighborhoods close to the more popular and well-known universities can be quite noisy at times, particularly during the evening hours.
Famous Locations in Berkeley
- University of California Botanical Garden
First opened to the public in 1890, the University of Botanical Garden houses more than 10,000 plants representing every continent on the globe. The garden spans 34 acres in total space and is located in Strawberry Canyon on the Berkely campus. You will get stellar views of San Francisco Bay from there as well.
- Berkeley Marina
The Berkeley Marina is a large recreational area that encompasses over 100 acres of natural space and waterfront property. Most of the park region is designated space for Cesar Chavez Park from whose grounds you can glimpse incredible views of the nearby San Francisco Bay bridges, Angel Island, and Alcatraz.
- Tilden Park
Tilden Park is a stunning outdoor wonderland offering everything from 40 miles of walking trails, an 18-hole golf course, gardens, and even the perfect place to take a swim: Lake Anza. There are snack vendors on-site and also several picnic areas that can be reserved for private parties to enjoy.
