Ever been to San Francisco? It's a place like no other! From the majestic Golden Gate Bridge to the charming Victorian houses perched on steep hills, this city is a filmmaker's dream. With inspiration around every corner, it's no surprise that creative minds are drawn here. And when we say "creative minds," we mean some seriously talented videographers.
San Francisco is home to top-tier experts who truly know how to capture the city's unique vibe through a lens. Whether they're shooting dreamy weddings, sleek corporate videos for IG growth, or artsy passion projects, these folks have got it down. Ready to meet them? Let's dive into the top 15 videographers making waves in the Bay Area!
1. Caron Shahrestani
Credit: Instagram @caronmodmedia
Caron Shahrestani, the brains behind Caron Modern Media, is a jack-of-all-trades in the creative world. She's not just a videographer but also a painter, video coach, and marketing workshop host. Her Instagram is a peek into her colorful life — shown in a masterful way of videography. When it comes to her skills, Caron's a pro at crafting custom video strategies that hit the mark for her clients.
2. Brian
Credit: Instagram @415dreams
Brian is all about capturing nature's beauty, focusing mainly on mountains and seascapes. This San Francisco-based videographer knows his way around a camera, playing with aperture settings like a pro to get those sharp, stunning landscapes or make specific elements pop. A glance at his portfolio, and you instantly know he’s your guy!
3. Sarina
Credit: Instagram @sarinasoriano_
Sarina Soriano is breaking barriers as the first female Senior Producer for the San Francisco 49ers. Since 2016, she’s been capturing the excitement of professional sports, earning two Emmys along the way. Her skills behind the camera lie in her excellent ability to capture fast-paced action and turn it into captivating visual stories.
4. Johnny
Credit: Instagram @savvisualsss
This California videographer specializes in weddings, quinceañeras, and couple shoots. Savvisualsss is big on composition, believing the right angles tell the best stories. His standout feature? Mad skills in cinematic color grading that add a whole new dimension to his work.
5. Todd Stanley
Credit: Instagram @toddstanleyfilms
Todd Stanley's been bringing clients' ideas to life since 2018 through his company, Left Coast Media Co. He's the go-to guy for off-road motor racing and skateboarding videos. Todd's technical forte lies in his smooth camera movements and razor-sharp focus on action sequences, creating videos that'll keep you on the edge of your seat.
6. Tony Adapt
Credit: Instagram @eyeadapt
Tony Adapt, the mastermind behind Eye Adapt Productions, does it all — corporate events, weddings, promo videos, you name it. Thanks to his obvious skills, he has worked with big shots like Tesla and Google. Tony's ultimate skill? His knack for producing cinematic short films and his behind-the-scenes glimpses into the production world.
7. Kevin
Credit: Instagram @kevinwiththecamera
Kevin isn't just about videography; he's also big on skincare and beauty. Kevin knows how to shoot and properly edit skincare products, making them look premium and eye-catching. He often doubles as a makeup artist during shoots, too. Kevin's technical expertise shines in his ability to maintain natural-looking skin tones in his work, a skill that's made him a hit with beauty brands.
8. Kory James
Credit: Instagram @wdsvisuals
If you're in the food biz in San Francisco, Kory James is definitely the best guy to hire. With over 10 years in the game, he's a master at making food look irresistible on camera. His technical skills in producing high-quality food photos and scroll-stopping videos have helped many restaurants up their social media game.
9. Donavon James
Credit: Instagram @donavonjames
Donavon James is all about cars and portraits. He loves throwing in some drone footage to spice things up, and the way he produces good results with aerial shots is just perfect. Technically speaking, Donavon's a wizard with his Sony A7S III, creating a signature look with cool color tones and cinematic techniques that'll make your jaw drop.
10. Branden Kirkman
Credit: Instagram @branden_sf
Branden Kirkman's all about capturing San Francisco's vibrant nightlife and street scenes. Every shot he does with this city is so visually pleasing that it’s worth saving to your favorites. He also has a thing for shooting wrestling and drag shows. Branden's technical prowess is evident in his dreamy color grading effects, which he skillfully applies to enhance the city's unique vibe in his footage.
11. Alex Rios
Credit: Instagram @alexrios.sf
Alex Rios, co-owner of Arch & Co, is your go-to videography expert for travel, adventure, and lifestyle content. His work screams consistency with its mind-blowing color palette that complements the season of his project. Technically, Alex excels in maintaining a cohesive visual style across various subjects and locations, creating a distinctive and recognizable brand through his videography.
12. Eric Thurber
Credit: Instagram @thurber_shots
Eric Thurber is a certified drone pilot obsessed with San Francisco's skyline. Like many others, he genuinely loves capturing the city's famous fog and beautiful landscapes. Eric's technical skills shine in his smooth camera movements and ability to capture dynamic aerial shots that offer a fresh perspective on familiar cityscapes.
13. Carl Wilson
Credit: Instagram @sbdunkscarl
Carl Wilson is a globetrotting cinematographer who loves good bird' s-eye view shots. His aerial videography is always visually stunning, offering sweeping scenes full of detail and beauty. His technical expertise is evident in his consistent color grading and seamless integration of instrumental background music, creating a cohesive viewing experience.
14. Derick Daily
Credit: Instagram @derick.daily
Derick Daily, the brain behind The Savage Bureau, is a veteran in the visual storytelling scene. He's into aerial landscapes and dynamic video portraits that feel so cinematic. Derick's technical skills shine in his diverse color-grading techniques and ability to create bold, impactful cityscape experiences through videography.
15. Michael Lax
Credit: Instagram @michaellaxphoto
As a testament to Michael Lax’s unparalleled skills, he has worked with big names like Shell Recharge and Nike. As an experienced videographer, you can see how impactful his perspective is when looking at his shots. Michael's technical prowess is evident in his cinematic editing and hard-cut transitions, creating a distinctive visual style that separates his automotive and landscape videography.
Whew! That's quite a lineup of talent, right? San Francisco's videography scene is truly thriving, with each pro bringing their unique flair to the table. But hey, maybe you've already got some killer footage and just need some help polishing it up.
That's where we come in! At Jumper Creation, our world-class editors are ready to turn your raw clips into pure masterpieces. So why not give your footage the star treatment it deserves? Reach out to us today, and let's create something amazing together!