Whether you need professional headshots, team photography, or coverage of your next corporate event, Studio J Photography delivers polished, authentic images that tell your story.
I specialize in creating personality-driven headshots that help people look confident, approachable, and professional.
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39 customer reviews
Uzo Uche
Scott was super inviting and helpful. I was a walk-in for a professional shot and he was gracious and expertly executed what I wanted. Highly recommend Studio J.
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Tim Gant
Scott is immensely professional and really made an impact on an event him and I created for Mothers Day at the Claremont Hotel in Oakland. I would hire Scott for all projects moving forward. More...
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Brandon Boyle
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Peggy Kivel
Wonderful Mother’s Day photo at the Claremont Hotel.
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Chuck K
Scott Hester is an excellent photographer who is responsive and easy to work with. He took shots of our family and they came out great. We highly recommend his services.
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James Wallace
Patient and a good eye! Offered helpful hints on posing which gained us a perfect photo!
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Andrea Davis
We had such a wonderful experience with Scott! He captured a great event and the photos came out great. Thank you, Scott!
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Michelle K Stevens
Scott came to our spring meeting to provide headshots to for our team members. Not only was Scott very professional and courteous, he was efficient and flexible. Love all the headshots that Scott produced! Would recommend him for all UCSF events that want to provide headshots for staff! More...
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Stephanie
Headshot Photographers
Scott was very prompt, resourceful, timely, professional, and very pleasant to work with. He arrived early and was ready to set up his equipment. He was very flexible with our staff members and even offered to stay later if needed. I recommend his services to anyone looking for a professional, reasonable photographer. More...
Margaret Deflieze
Scott was awesome to work with for our corporate event! Super professional, timely, kind, and the photos turned out great. Definitely recommend and would work with him again! More...
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Jane Berg
I recently worked with Scott from Studio J Photography as an associate photographer for a corporate event in San José and had a great experience. Scott was clear about expectations, provided a helpful brief, and made sure I had everything I needed going into the event.He was easy to work with and very supportive with all of my questions both leading up to the day and after the event wrapped.I’d happily work with Scott and Studio J Photography again, and would recommend them to other photographers looking to shoot corporate events in the Bay Area. More...
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Marcos efrain Vargas. Intriago
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Naajy Chouteau
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Ash-Lee Rud
Scott photographed and did short film for my company holiday party. Not only was Scott communicative and professional, the photography turned out great! He captured candid's and provided posed photos as well. I was also very impressed with the turnaround time on the product, producing final images the next day. I would 100% recommend Scott and will be using him for future events. More...
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Colin S
Scott took photos for our Ferrotec USA Sales Conference in San Francisco, and was a pleasure to work with. His photos came out great, and captured each moment. Especially loved the presentation of our photos in the Web Gallery. Thanks, Scott! More...
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Catherine Sharani
Scott is pleasant and easy to work with. I like my headshot photos, and he did a great job capturing some candidate shots at our event. I would definitely reach out to him next event. More...
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Erik
They do great work!
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Bobby Stoner
Scott must have been born with a camera on his hand. It’s his twin. He made me feel relax and comfortable. I wanted to Cosplay the character of my late 2nd great grandpop. His photos stunningly captured everything I had imagined. The result, a remarkable resemblance, making my eyes close to tears. Truly, a wonderful picture that is worth a thousand words. More...
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Studio OLA
After I lunched my start up, I needed headshots for our website. Scott was helpful and patient all through the process, he gave me options and the images turned out so great I needed help from friends selecting the best of the best.
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Wakane Luke
I had an excellent experience at Studio J Photography yesterday, truly a 10 out of 10. The studio was exceptionally clean, with high-quality camera and lighting equipment. Having worked as a model for many years with numerous photographers, I can confidently say that Mr. Scott stands out for his professionalism. His direction was clear, efficient, and created a very comfortable environment throughout the session. For anyone seeking professional headshots or photography services for any occasion, I highly recommend Studio J Photography!! More...
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Paul Schraeder
Scott did an amazing job with headshots for my company's chairman and founder. He showed up early to get everything set up and dialed in, which I really appreciated since our boss has a tight schedule. The whole session was smooth and easy, and the final photos turned out incredible! We got a professional download link for the finished shots, and he even edited several for us. Couldn’t have asked for a better experience ... highly recommend Scott and will definitely use him again if he’s available. More...
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Mario
Scott is a seasoned professional and the quality of his work speaks for itself. Scott is my number one recommendation for anyone seeking a top-notch photographer.
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Enzo D'Alessandro
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Justin Donahue
My team hired Studio J for our annual headshots, and we were more than happy with the outcome. Our photographer arrived with all the equipment necessary, and worked quickly and efficiently through the day. The photographer had great tips to help us with our pose, and found simple ways to catch our natural smiles for the camera. I’ve even used the photo to update my social media accounts! I highly recommend Studio J and look forward to working with them at our next team event. More...
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Richard Jennings
Scott did a shoot for a magazine article. He was great to work with and the photos were excellent. Since then, when I've asked for copies, he's been quite kind and generous. I HIGHLY recommend Studio J.
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Adriana Urista-Firsich
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Erica Gustafson
Scott was great! He made the experience so easy and had a quick turnaround. 10/10 would recommend.
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Loren Fraser
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Roberto Graves
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Jenna Singer
Scott & his team came to our office for headshots and we had a great experience! The photo galleries were ready instantaneously and the photos turned out incredibly!
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H Keyserling
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Antigone Phinney
Loved the headshots from Scott. He listened to what I did and didn’t want and his manner put me at ease. Was able to see the photos realtime which was great. Very professional and the turnaround time was quick. I highly recommend! More...
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Karen Fleming
I had a wonderful 45 minute session with Mr. Hester and I was wowed. He’s a delightful, chap and understands people in what they want to put out of their personality. I’ve had a few head shots in my life, and this was the best one ever. I really like my pictures. And by the way, I don’t think I’ve ever said that before.13 More...
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Karin King
If you need a high quality head shot or any other photo/video related service look no further, you have found it, Scott and Studio J Photography are the BEST.
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joel gudger
Scott from from studio J Photograpy has my absolute highest recommendation! I am not very comfortable taking photographs. Scott made the process comfortable and even fun . Best of all, I loved the quality of his work! Great job Scott! More...
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Bill Tobin
Highly recommend Studio J Photography. Scott was very professional and accommodating. He took multiple headshots for me to choose from. Bill T. - Alameda
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Kylie Haskins
Scott is a wonderful photographer. I scheduled a headshot session with him, and he made it quick and easy. I highly recommend him.
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Kevin Connolly
Very professional and relaxed approach, making you comfortable in a potential anxious situation. Highly recommend!
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Eileen Gillan
Accommodated me last minute then added my husband’s requested photos. Quick and efficient and got the photos quickly. Would definitely use his services again and refer friends/colleagues to him .
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What’s the secret to taking a great photograph?
Technically, a great photo balances light, composition, timing, and emotion. But it's the intentional choices behind those elements that elevate an image from good to unforgettable.
Here's how that breaks down:
Light — Understand it, shape it, or chase it. It sets the mood.
Composition — Guide the viewer’s eye. Eliminate distractions.
Timing — Whether it's expression, gesture, or decisive moment — timing brings life.
Connection — Especially in headshots or portraits: if the subject isn’t connected to you, they won’t connect with the viewer.
And finally, editing only enhances what’s already strong — it doesn’t rescue a weak photo.
What questions might you ask a client when starting a new project?
What are you hoping these photos will help you achieve?
How do you plan to use the final images? (e.g., LinkedIn, website, print, press, social media)
Do you have a specific deadline or launch date in mind?
What do you love most about your job?
What I love most about my job is the connection — both with people and with moments. As a photographer, I get to create something that’s not just visually striking but also meaningful to someone. Whether it's a headshot that boosts someone's confidence or a candid moment at an event that captures real emotion, I love helping people see themselves at their best.
There’s also something deeply satisfying about the craft — working with light, composition, timing — and knowing how each subtle decision shapes the final image. Photography is where art, problem-solving, and human connection all meet.
What inspired you to start your own business?
What inspired me to start my own photography business was the desire for creative freedom and meaningful work. After years working in photography for others — from journalism to commercial gigs — I realized I wanted to work more directly with people, helping them tell their stories or elevate their personal brand.
I also wanted the flexibility to build a business that reflected my values: professionalism without pretension, quality over quantity, and a genuine human connection in every session. Starting Studio J Photography allowed me to shape my own path, work with amazing clients, and create images that actually make an impact — whether it's helping someone land a job, promote their business, or simply feel good about how they look.
Why should our clients choose you?
Why choose me? Because I combine 25 years of professional experience with a relaxed, human approach that puts people at ease in front of the camera. Whether it’s headshots, events, or branding, I know how to read the moment, shape great light, and capture images that feel authentic and impactful.
At Studio J Photography in Alameda, I don’t do cookie-cutter. Every session is tailored — whether you need to look polished for LinkedIn, approachable for clients, or confident for a career move. I guide you through the process, from posing to final delivery, so you never feel lost or awkward.
In the end, my job is simple: help you look like the best version of yourself — and enjoy the process along the way.
Can you provide your services online or remotely? If so, please add details.
Yes, while most of my photography work is in person, I do offer several remote services to support clients no matter where they’re located:
? Remote & Online Services:
Pre-shoot Consultations via Zoom – We can plan your wardrobe, style, and strategy in advance to make your session seamless.
Virtual Image Selection – After your shoot, I’ll send a private proof gallery so you can choose your favorite shots from anywhere.
Professional Retouching of Existing Photos – If you have a good photo that just needs a little polish, I offer retouching services to help you get it ready for LinkedIn, your website, or print.
Online Delivery of Final Images – Fast, secure downloads of high-resolution and web-optimized versions.
If you’re not local to Alameda or the Bay Area, I’m happy to work with you on retouching or virtual consultations to help you look your best online.
What changes have you made to keep your customers safe from Covid-19?
I will do whatever makes the customer comfortable.
Headshot Photography
Whether you need a professional headshot in my Alameda studio or consistent, high-quality headshots for your entire team at your office, I make the process easy and stress-free. I work with individuals, executives, and companies of all sizes, creating polished, approachable portraits that reflect your brand. On-location team sessions are designed for efficiency, with streamlined scheduling and seamless image delivery to each employee, minimizing disruption to your workday while ensuring everyone looks their best.
Corporate Event
I specialize in corporate event photography that captures the energy, connections, and key moments that make your event memorable. From conferences, meetings, award ceremonies, and networking events to company celebrations and trade shows, I document authentic interactions, speaker presentations, audience engagement, and branded details. My unobtrusive, photojournalistic approach allows your event to unfold naturally while delivering polished, professional images that are ideal for marketing, social media, internal communications, and future event promotion.
Headshots for event or large group
Scott Hester’s headshot photography services are ideal for corporate events or large groups, providing high-quality, professional headshots tailored to each individual. With over 25 years of experience, Scott brings expertise in studio and on-location setups to ensure efficient, polished results, perfect for enhancing your team’s professional image. Using top-tier lighting and editing techniques, Scott captures each person's unique personality, delivering a seamless and memorable experience for any corporate setting.
Food Photography
Studio J Photography specializes in mouthwatering food photography for menus and promotional use. Whether you need stunning shots at your restaurant or prefer a controlled studio environment, I bring 25 years of experience to every session. I’ll highlight your dishes with vibrant, appetizing images that attract customers and elevate your brand. On-location shoots available or visit my Alameda studio. Let’s make your food look as amazing as it tastes!
