Best Pet Photographers in Oakland

Sometimes the word “pet” doesn’t do justice to the importance of animals in family life. For many people, pets are integral members of their close-knit unit, providing unconditional love and support when they need it most.

Pet photographers are passionate about capturing this special bond and the joy that animals bring to our lives, whether it’s a long-eared puppy, an inquisitive cat, or a cute rabbit. In Oakland, you’ll find some of the most talented pet photographers in the Bay Area, with the following among our favorites.

Soulful Pet Photography

Pipi Ray Diamond is the owner and lead photographer at Soulful Pet Photography, an Oakland-based company that specializes in animal portraits. Aside from offering shoots in her backyard studio, she’s also happy to travel to her clients’ homes or meet up at their pet’s favorite park. She’s a member of the Professional Photographers of America and was voted as the Best Dog Photographer - East Bay by “BayWoof Magazine” in 2017. Pipi also receives rave reviews from her clients for her skillful camera work and professionalism.

Nuena Pet Photography

Kira Stackhouse has been photographing both babies and pets throughout the Bay Area for the past 8 years and is the owner of Nuena Photography. Her images have been published in numerous magazines, books, and newspapers throughout the United States, including “Rolling Stone”, “The San Francisco Bay Guardian”, and “The Wall Street Journal”. When she’s not photographing fur babies, Kira is busy volunteering at local animal rescue organizations and developing her dog clothing line, Scutte.

Fog Dog Studios

Diane Costello is the woman behind Fog Dog Studios and brings 25 years of photographic experience to her shoots. Whether in her studio or on location, her photography is inspired by her late dog, Gromit, who was her initial muse, model, and confidant. She loves documenting all the comedic looks, curious noses, and floppy ears of pooches, as well as their wagging tails and hanging tongues. Her pet portraits are full of personality and often capture the love between dogs and their owners.

Tonya Perme Photography

San Francisco born and bred, Tonya Perme now works throughout the Northern California Bay Area as a professional pet photographer. She says that she fell in love with photography as a child while spending time in her parents’ darkroom and was fascinated by the stories that came alive in their developing trays. Tonya decided to pursue a career in photography after her soul-mate cat was diagnosed with cancer and she wanted photos to capture how much he meant to her. She’s now dedicated to doing the same for others.

Yellow Neener Photography

Mary is the owner and lead photographer at Yellow Neener Photography, a pet portrait business that’s all about capturing the emotions and essence of animals. She really takes the time to get to know her subjects and their owners so that she captures exactly what they are looking for, whether it’s a solo portrait or incorporating a human element. Her motto: “Create some memories to drool over!” seems highly fitting considering the industry she’s in and we think Mary definitely achieves that.

Mark Rogers Photography

With previous clients that include the PetSmart Foundation, Smucker’s, and Pet Food Express, Mark Rogers is one of the most in-demand pet photographers in Oakland. He has a unique ability to draw out the personalities of his subjects through images that are sometimes humorous and always filled with emotions. He primarily shoots cats and dogs, although he has worked with other animals on national advertising campaigns and print publications. When he’s not working, Mark generously volunteers his time to animal welfare and rescue groups to help promote their work.

Silver Curmudgeon

Jim Burakoff is the man behind Silver Curmudgeon, which specializes in both human and pet portraits. He’s based out of South Berkeley but is happy to travel to a location that suits you, as well as offering pro-bono shoots for social justice organizations. Jim is passionate about working with underrepresented subjects and has garnered a reputation for his relaxed and natural shoots. From cats to dogs and even bees, it appears there are no limits to his diverse portfolio.

Frances VonWong Photography

Driven by a vision to "heal hearts one photo at a time”, Frances VonWong works alongside her husband Patrick to capture weddings, engagement sessions, lifestyle photos, and pet portraits. She’s had careers in both design and public health before discovering that her passion lay in photographing life as it unfolds before her. Frances donates a portion of all proceeds towards health education and medical research, causes that are close to her heart after witnessing both her father and grandfather endure open-heart surgery.

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