About Pooja | Bay Area Portrait & Headshot Photographer

I’m Pooja, a certified professional photographer and the founder of Pooja Photography — a luxury portrait studio based in San Ramon, California, serving clients across the San Francisco Bay Area, Silicon Valley, and the East Bay.

I specialize in professional headshots, personal branding photography, corporate team portraits, maternity photography, family portraits, and pet photography. Whether you’re a Silicon Valley executive who needs a powerful LinkedIn headshot, a growing entrepreneur building a personal brand, or a new mum wanting to treasure this fleeting season — I create portraits that feel authentic, timeless, and deeply personal.

My sessions aren’t rushed. They’re carefully designed experiences where you feel guided, comfortable, and genuinely celebrated — from wardrobe consultation through to your final portrait reveal.

From Engineering to Photography — My Story

My path to photography started in an unexpected place: engineering. With a background in technology and process-driven problem solving, I spent years in the corporate world before following my heart to the camera. That technical precision didn’t disappear — it transformed. It’s why my sessions are meticulously planned, why my lighting is always intentional, and why my clients feel effortlessly guided rather than awkwardly posed.

I believe portraits are more than pictures. They’re legacy pieces — heirlooms to be displayed on your walls, shared with your family, and remembered for generations. That belief drives every single session.

Training & Credentials

I’m a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) — a credential awarded by Professional Photographers of America (PPA) that fewer than 3% of photographers worldwide hold. In addition, I’ve learned from some of the most respected names in portrait and headshot photography:

• Peter Hurley — world’s leading headshot photographer
• Sue Bryce — internationally renowned portrait photographer
• Lindsey Adler — fashion and portrait photography educator
• Joel Grimes — commercial and editorial photography
• Felix Kunze — natural light and studio portraiture
• Pratik Naik — advanced retouching and post-production
• Kelly Brown — newborn and maternity photography specialist
• Steve Saporito — client experience and sales strategy
• Megan DiPiero — luxury portrait business and artistry

This education isn’t a list of badges — it’s the reason my clients consistently say their session felt completely different from any photo experience they’d had before.

Awards & Professional Recognition

• Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) — Professional Photographers of America
• WPPI Award Winner — Wedding & Portrait Photographers International
• PPA Award Winner — Professional Photographers of America

Press & Publications

• Vanity Fair — client headshot published in celebration of editorial feature
• Forbes — client headshot published in celebration of Forbes feature
• Biz Journal — client headshot published in celebration of editorial feature
• Mortgage Banker Magazine — cover and branding photography for CMG Financial
• Bold Journey — featured photographer profile
• Mortgage Banker Magazine — full feature spread, CMG Financial leadership portraits

Notable Clients & Collaborations

Over the years I’ve had the privilege of photographing individuals and teams from some remarkable organizations:

• LiveRamp — corporate team headshots (San Francisco)
• CMG Financial — executive branding and magazine cover photography
• 17 Mile Drive — business branding photography
• BST — professional team headshots

Studio Location & Service Areas

Pooja Photography is based in San Ramon, CA and serves clients across:

• East Bay: San Ramon, Danville, Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Orinda, Concord, Pleasanton, Dublin, Livermore
• San Francisco & Peninsula: San Francisco, Oakland, Palo Alto, Menlo Park
• Silicon Valley: San Jose, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Cupertino
• On-location and in-office sessions available throughout the Bay Area

👉 Explore more of my work in Headshots, Branding, Family, Maternity, and Pet Photography.

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🐾 Community & Giving Back

Beyond the studio, one of my greatest joys is giving back to the community through dog rescue work. Over the years, I’ve partnered with organizations like Golden Gate Labrador Retriever Rescue (GGLRR) to foster, photograph, and advocate for dogs in need of loving homes. Many of my volunteer portraits have helped dogs get adopted faster by showing their true personalities to potential families. Whether it’s capturing a senior Lab’s gentle spirit, photographing puppies to raise adoption awareness, or hosting “Pet Photos with Santa” fundraisers, this work fills my heart and reminds me how powerful images can be in changing lives.