Gretchen Adams has been creating custom portraiture and business head shots for clients all around the San Francisco Bay Area since 1999. Our cottage studio, located near Concord, is proud to have been named "Best Portrait Photographer" by Diablo Magazine in 2007, 2015, 2016 and 2017 as well as being named "Best Pet Photographer" by Diablo Magazine in 2018.
We were also honored to received Parent's Press Best of the Bay "Best Portrait Studio" award in 2016 and 2017. We specialize in custom portraiture of the people and pets you love, designed specifically with your home in mind. We are known throughout the Bay Area for providing the very highest level of service and quality and for making the process of obtaining heirloom quality portraits an easy and enjoyable experience.
We were also honored to received Parent's Press Best of the Bay "Best Portrait Studio" award in 2016 and 2017. We specialize in custom portraiture of the people and pets you love, designed specifically with your home in mind. We are known throughout the Bay Area for providing the very highest level of service and quality and for making the process of obtaining heirloom quality portraits an easy and enjoyable experience.
Services
Every portrait that we create is a special commission made specifically with our client's family and home in mind. We design our artwork to reflect family connections, personalities, style, and to enhance the home in which it will hang. A lot of thought and careful planning goes into each portrait session and it all starts with creating the concept.
Many of our clients are coming to us because they want to have a portrait created on canvas to hang in a prominent area of their home. These become the focal point of the room and help tie the entire decor together. Our canvases are not the same as the commercially available ink jet wrapped canvases that you may see from time to time.
Where we choose to capture your family portrait will depend on the look and feel we are aiming to capture based on your family's style, taste, and the decor of your home. Some clients are drawn to a formal aesthetic and wish to have their portraits created in an atmosphere that has classic architecture with arches and columns and dress in more formal attire.
Sometimes we don't have to look any farther than our client's own backyard (or front porch) to find the perfect spot for a family portrait session. A Hearth and Home Session is also a wonderful time to include the grandparents in your portrait session. Or if you are the grandparent, it's a wonderful time to invite your adult children and their families over for a portrait!
As huge animal lovers ourselves, we definitely understand the bond between a human and their fury four legged friend. We absolutely love (and encourage) our clients to include their pets in their portrait session. But sometimes those special companions need a session of their own. We are thrilled to capture beautiful images of your pets on location or in your own home-anywhere they feel most comfortable!
Reviews (13)
Jason T.
Apr 25, 2019
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Our family has been going to Gretchen for 14 years, before our kids were born. She has taken beautiful photographs throughout the years of our whole family and our dogs! Gretchen always delivers phenomenal photography and has always gone over and above our expectations. The quality and craftsmanship is second to none. She really captures all those precious moments you would hope to capture. She has also won numerous awards for best photographer in the Bay Area. I recently needed a photo for work, the one you see here, and she came thru like she always does, awesome. We would highly recommend
Bern C.
Apr 24, 2019
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I haven't had a professional picture taken of me since I was probably 16 years old!!!
I never like pictures of myself.
Gretchen was amazing.
We shot at her home studio outdoors. She had an evident mastery of her craft, deftly controlling lighting, my poses, and more importantly my COMFORT during a process I literally dreaded initially.
Gretchen made me feel great, look great, and produced a high quality image quickly.
I have suffered (through work projects) the tedium of selecting images from a vast pile of options. Gretchen's process is unmatched by any in it's efficiency
I never like pictures of myself.
Gretchen was amazing.
We shot at her home studio outdoors. She had an evident mastery of her craft, deftly controlling lighting, my poses, and more importantly my COMFORT during a process I literally dreaded initially.
Gretchen made me feel great, look great, and produced a high quality image quickly.
I have suffered (through work projects) the tedium of selecting images from a vast pile of options. Gretchen's process is unmatched by any in it's efficiency
Marmar B.
Jul 19, 2017
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This review is 9 years overdue but better late than ever, right? Gretchen did our son's first birthday shoot. We drove an hour to her house twice. Once for the shoot and once to pick the pictures. Communications with her was always smooth and professional. She is an amazing photographer and just a magician with little ones. Choosing the pictures was the hardest part. They were all gorgouse. She is on the pricey side but worth every penny and the drive. We have cherished those pictures for 9 years. One of the best decisionst that I have made as a mom.
Katie Strom
Oct 04, 2014
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Erica L.
Nov 23, 2011
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I just viewed my maternity and family photos at Gretchen's studio. As soon as I saw the slide show of the pictures I started crying. The family photos were amazing. I have always loathed getting my picture taken because I never liked any of them. However, every single picture was amazing. Gretchen is a true artist and professional. She captured every moment perfectly!!! Not only that, but even the photo shoot at her studio was easy. I went in uncomfortable, but something about her presence just puts me at ease.
We go back next week with our newborn baby girl for her infant photos
We go back next week with our newborn baby girl for her infant photos
Youri B.
Sep 15, 2011
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She is really terrible ever!
She is just business woman, not photographer!
Don't think about her if you are not american!
She ignored my emails after our first shoot so I needed to email her several times. But, she said that she usually ignore email if she thinks emails from unnecessary client. And, unfortunately, I was that UNNECESSARY client.
I had my son's one year photo shoot with my parents. She said later she was upset because our kids (33mon daughter and 12month son) didn't understand english! She said she had really hard time because our kids didn't understand
She is just business woman, not photographer!
Don't think about her if you are not american!
She ignored my emails after our first shoot so I needed to email her several times. But, she said that she usually ignore email if she thinks emails from unnecessary client. And, unfortunately, I was that UNNECESSARY client.
I had my son's one year photo shoot with my parents. She said later she was upset because our kids (33mon daughter and 12month son) didn't understand english! She said she had really hard time because our kids didn't understand
Charlynne M.
Jul 16, 2011
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Gretchen has shot my maternity photos and my 3 children and she never ceases to amaze me with the her work. She's always coming up with new ideas and new locations to avoid the mundane. She's very patient and efficient which is important when working with kids. Her style is timeless portraiture so the photos won't look dated and will last for generations. I love her work and highly recommend her. I travel from south San Jose to Concord because her work is well worth it.
Jack C.
Jun 22, 2011
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Gretchen doesn't know this, but her work always makes me cry. So when you go to do the preview, bring a box of tissues. Her work has brought joy and happiness to our lives. We have been working with her for over 8 years, and she never ceases to amaze me. She has made every experience personal. So if you are looking for great work look no further. An amazing person and an equal great artist.
Cathi C.
Jun 07, 2011
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Gretchen has an amazing ability to capture the essence of whomever she photographs. She has been chronicling our family since my son was born 8 years ago and I am always surprised at how she can take a fussy baby or grumpy teenager and make them feel comfortable and look beautiful! I have received so many compliments from friends who see her work in our home, it truly is a piece of art.
Nathan S.
Jun 05, 2011
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Gretchen Adams ROCKS, her quality of work ROCKS and you MUST ABSOLUTELY use her services. We had two sets of family photos done by Gretchen, one in Half Moon Bay and one in wine country (two years apart), and WOW they turned out amazing! We also chose one family shot from each for our holiday cards and have never received more compliments on photos in our life. She is great with kids as well and makes the entire process enjoyable and stress free. 100 % recommended without hesitation.
Carrie C.
Jun 05, 2011
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Gretchen recently shot pictures of my shop "Hip Chick Designs" and I loved them all. She had great ideas for how to shoot my tutu's which are my signature item, along with fun shots of me in various poses. I love Gretchen's energy, she mixes fun and professionalism together perfectly. I highly recommend her , my pictures speak for themselves!
Lanay M.
Jun 05, 2011
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Gretchen is an exceptional photographer with a keen eye for detail. I have worked with Gretchen on several occassions. She has done my professional headshots twice, shot pics for my business for web use, and also did my family pic for our Christmas Card last year. If you are looking for a photographer who is professional and does amazing work and makes picture taking fun......look no further. Call Gretchen!!!
Jennifer S.
Apr 23, 2008
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Gretchen shot my maternity and infant shots of my daughter. All of her shots turned out wonderful.
She is an amazing photographer. She's very easy to work with and has a great studio. Her sessions last about an hour and for maternity shots and infants it's the perfect amount of time. I highly recommend her!
She is an amazing photographer. She's very easy to work with and has a great studio. Her sessions last about an hour and for maternity shots and infants it's the perfect amount of time. I highly recommend her!
