san francisco May 2013

"If you are a photographer, you might think of Sugar as your trusted printer." The company is capable of heavy lifting on the composition front as well as CGI work. "For us, it is about understanding your vision and making your final image as balanced and beautiful as you might have imagined it."

For agencies, Sugar can be considered a highly responsive vendor but also a creative partner and problem solver. As much of its work is done in pre-production as in post.

Visit the website for more information.

Raygun Studio is a digital retouching and CGI studio in Palo Alto, California, founded in 2005 by image artist Michael Tompert.

"Are you shooting an intricate composite job in San Francisco? We offer on-site retouching and compositing, and CGI overlay. Clients and creatives will see which shots are working in the composite in real-time, allowing the photographer to concentrate on shooting - and having the peace of mind that what is shot is good to go."

Crew You Productions makes creative visions an easy reality with years of experience in production, scouting, casting and art buying. The company provides efficient solutions for every budget and has access to amazing crew and talent. Crew You works everywhere and is based in San Francisco and Los Angeles. "Staying on budget and keeping things fun is what we do best."

The company works with many international clients and agencies. Crew You Productions offers comprehensive services for every type of project and is always on time and on budget.

Visit the website portfolio and client list at crewyou.com.

With almost 20 years of production experience behind him, John Babor started JB5 Productions a little less than a year ago to provide the best production services possible.

In this time John and his “A” Team have produced for Jeep, Lexus LS, Volkswagen Toureg, Ford C-MAX, Volkswagen Passat, Chevrolet TRAX, Design Within Reach, Acura RLX, Jimmy Dean, Sun Life Financial, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Acura MDX, Lexus IS F and Honda Odyssey.

Throughout his years in production John has developed a vast network of contacts from around the globe. His ability to collaborate with photographers, creative directors, art producers and crew have provided JB5 Productions with many repeat customers.

Jennifer Bullock Productions, a top-­notch, friendly, full-­service production company can handle all of your commercial photo and motion production needs, not only In San Francisco but worldwide.

With over a decade of experience, the company's projects have spanned the globe. The team chooses SF as home as there is no better place to find variety and diversity… California has it all!

Producing projects large or small, every detail is handled from start to finish for shoots that are stress-free and enjoyable.

Clients include Intel, GE, Toyota, Reebok, Shell, Vanity Fair and HP, to name a few.

Steve Peixotto has home bases in San Francisco, Mexico City and Puerto Vallarta. He is an award-winning photographer known for his ability to create photography that feels natural.  Steve shoots for advertising clients large and small. He is just as comfortable running a crew of 20+ as he is with smaller productions.

Visit his website or email the studio to get a file pull specifically put together for your next project.

Stan Musilek: born in Prague / makes dark room in mother’s pantry / photographs neighbour’s dog (relentlessly) / flees Czechoslovakia with family / becomes German / college in Heidelberg / studies mathematics / realises photography is sexier than math / assists / shoots naked girls / shoots jumbo jets / over assisting / becomes American / starves / parties / works ass off / wins NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship / side trip on motorcycle - NYC to tip of South America and back / opens studio in San Francisco / shoots first Apple iMac / shoots porcupines/shoots fashion / shoots still life / advertising / editorial / first to embrace digital post / wins awards / opens second studio in Paris / befriends art directors (especially those that like shooting in Paris) / kicks their ass in tennis / makes clients laugh/makes great work / phone keeps ringing / we keep picking it up.

Real food. Real people. Real fun. That’s photographer/filmmaker Scott Peterson's approach. For more than 25 years, Scott has been keeping his clients happy with his delicious images. His passion for food (ask him about his technique for smoking ribs) is matched only by his precision of light and appetite appeal in every shot.

Scott aims to bring the beautiful light of the Dutch Master’s to food photography. Not surprisingly, he hails from a family of Flemish painters and cooks.

“You’ve got to tell a story with your image - whether it’s a product shot or still life,” Scott tells his University photography students. “And you do that by creating beautiful light, choosing the right props and composing with a critical eye. Texture, mood, highlights and shadows need to be considered along with great attention to detail while keeping the set spontaneous.”

Mark Compton specialises in location photography. His bold, graphic approach sometimes comes with a touch of irony, and has found him collaborating on lifestyle and landscape work for clients ranging from Visa to Marriott Hotels.

With more than a dozen years of smooth, well-run productions that are fun, on-time, and on-budget, clients rest easy when Mark is on the job. It speaks volumes that those that hire him once nearly always do so again.

Mark is represented by Nouvelle Vague in Venice, California.

Zdenek Mlika’s devotion to photography started as a skateboarder in his birthplace, Prague, Czech Republic. Photographing his fellow skateboarders inspired a lifelong passion for the art.  After moving to California in 2003, he expanded from skateboarding and sports photography to advertising. His attention to detail is unrelenting, both behind the camera and in post production.

Zdenek will always love photography for its never-ending challenges, and he will always strive to find new and inspired ways to showcase his subjects.

Recent clients include Sonim Technologies, B.J Penn, Nike SB Europe, Seatel/Cobham, Braun/Zooom Productions, SF Guardian, Bleu Marketing and Abc.com.

"My name is RC Rivera - RC like the cola. R stands for Renato and the C stands for Carlos. I shoot pictures. When I'm not taking pictures I'm either working on my motorcycle, trying to whip up something from the Momofuku cookbook, checking Kayak for deals, or annoying my wife, cat and/or rabbit.

Born in Pasig City (part of Metro Manila, Philippines). Army brat. Moved to Virginia for High School, back to the Philippines, back to New Jersey, then New York City and now living in San Francisco.

Client list includes Levi's, W + K, BrenesCo., Bare Essentials, ICON Magazine UK, ZOBHA, Hennesy, Papyrus, Macworld, Target, Walmart, Performer Magazine, Another World Entertainment, Volvo, CNN and GAP."

Robert Houser is an award-winning San Francisco-based professional photographer specialising in portrait, editorial and corporate photography. Bob has been shooting for over 20 years and is best known for his uncanny ability to connect with his subjects and clients, as well as his expertise in ambient light, enabling him to produce genuine, natural work with the highest level of quality and professionalism.

His clients not only value the quality of his images but his resourcefulness and ability to work under just about any setting, delivering beyond expectations.

Bob's client list includes BioRad, BioMarin Pharmaceuticals, Genentech, Safeway, PG&E, UPS, Visa, Business Week, WebMD, Wired, CFO Magazine and Barron's, among others, most of whom are ongoing.

Dawn Sutti is a visionary hair and make-up artist who has created works of stunning originality in collaboration with leading names in fashion, advertising, film and celebrity. With a perfectionist's approach and exceptional skills, she brings a wide range of talent and enthusiasm to every project and team.

Clients include Grand Marnier, Visa, Target, FORD, Lipton Tea, Madden NFL, Coca-Cola, Nike Superbowl, Hyundai, Safeway and Levi’s.

Magazines include Marie Claire, TIME, Sports Illustrated, Fast Company, Forbes, Vogue, Men’s Health, Fortune and LA Times.

Awards include RIAA Platinum, Graphis, SIFF Best Feature Audience Award’12 and Remi Gold Award ’11.

The Blackwell Files is a much loved and well respected real people casting agency in San Francisco. Known for its friendly and efficient staff, the company manages a savvy database of over 7,000 real people models.

This full–service casting agency, located in San Francisco’s trendy Mission District, casts projects of all sizes including those requiring professional models from local agencies.

The company has three beautiful rental studios available for independent castings, photo shoots, workshops and professional events. Two of the studios have sleeping accommodation for out-of-town photographers or clients.

The agency is surrounded by some of San Francisco’s best restaurants, cafes, bars and the ever so popular Valencia corridor.

Birdman Inc is a full service location scouting business based in the San Francisco Bay Area that has been providing unique and thorough location solutions for over 15 years.

The team of highly skilled photographers, known for their fine art and portraiture independently, bring an exceptionally high level of vision, craft and creativity to all of its scouting assignments.

Working with local and international photographers, art directors and producers, the team has developed a reputation as one of the best sources for locations in northern California, boasting an image library of nearly 600,000 images.

"I first drove the blue highways and shot my way from NYC to SF via New Orleans in '86, and haven't stopped driving or shooting since. I have freelanced my entire career. I bring never-before seen locations to the industry every month. I think tech scouts are fun. My contacts are your friends.

Location scouting and management everywhere, all first-person, hands-on, and custom tailored to your needs, with the largest location library in Northern California. Location files within 24 hours, field scouting, full permitting, and on-site management, as much as you need. Servicing over 150 shoots annually."

LUX-SF is quickly cementing its reputation as San Francisco’s favourite full-service daylight rental studios. Mark and John are the hosts in these comfortable, thoughtfully-appointed natural light studios in the sunny Dogpatch neighbourhood.

Conveniently located near downtown and SFO, LUX-SF specialises in turn-key solutions for commercial photo shoots. The company has comprehensive gear rental and also offers complete digi-tech and post services, both in-studio and on-location throughout California.

Recent clients have included Eton, The New Yorker, Williams-Sonoma and Adidas.

With easy access to transit, reserved parking, a full practical kitchen and complimentary beverages, plus a panoramic view of gorgeous San Francisco Bay, shooting at LUX-SF is a pleasure in every way.

The Adolph Gasser Rental Departments have a knowledgeable staff that can answer questions clients' might have or suggest equipment they'll need for their shoots.

The still rental department carries various cameras, from 35mm to 8x10, studio and location lighting, grip equipment and accessories. Adolph Gasser is the leading San Francisco audio/visual rental source, renting HD cameras, lighting, audio, tripods and DLP projectors.

"Adolph Gasser's Rental Departments have a special deal on rental gear: We offer a walk-in special every Wednesday and Friday after 3pm, where non-reserved items are 40% of the one-day rate and due back by 12pm the next day. Friday rentals are due back Monday."

Check the pricelists here.

Samy's Camera has been the leader in sales and rentals of high quality imaging products and the ultimate resource for the professional and amateur photographer.

Samy's rents a huge assortment of equipment, from cameras and lenses to studio grip gear. Clients include students, photographers, movie studios, and more. The company offers lighting equipment, digital cameras and lenses, professional and consumer video and audio gear, film cameras from 35mm up to 4x5 and 8x10, plus panoramic format cameras and accessories.

Samy's five locations can be found throughout Southern California as well as in a new flagship location in downtown San Francisco. The company also ships and delivers directly to desired locations.

Click here for the rental catalogue.

Phase One is the world’s leader in open platform, medium format camera systems. In March this year, Phase One introduced the IQ280, IQ260 and IQ260 Achromatic, the second generation high-resolution digital backs.

Together with Production Paradise and Profoto, Phase One is travelling around the world to give photographers a chance to get hands-on experience with the new digital backs at their Photography World Tour events.

Upcoming stops include Sydney, Tokyo, Madrid, LA, San Francisco and more. Visit the website or sign up to the newsletter to stay tuned on upcoming events near you.

If you missed the World Tour and want to test drive a Phase One camera system, sign up for a live demo with one of our local partners here.