If you're in the San Francisco Bay area, whether for a photo shoot or to take some gorgeous family photos, you're well aware of the fact that San Francisco is one of the most scenic places in California. Photos with the Fort Point, Golden Gate Bridge, and Baker Beach in the background make for some brilliant shots. But there are some great indoor locations to be found as well.
Whether you're looking for a penthouse with views of the Pacific Ocean or a Spanish-themed garden with a vintage car parked on the property, Giggster can provide you with the best locations. Looking for an original mid-century home located slightly outside the city where you won't need a production permit? We have a beautiful home in an ideal setting for you. On the other hand, an art deco distillery on Treasure Island provides clear views of the San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz Island.
Giggster is versatile and can provide locations to fit the tightest of budgets. A small, white studio space makes for an excellent blank canvas so you can get as creative as you want. Or, a lovely outdoor patio garden, a mostly secluded spot, can accommodate a fair number of people.
Giggster's carefully selected venues, whether idyllic or sophisticated, are some of the best shooting locations in the whole city. Known for its fine arts, San Francisco will win the hearts of all photographers.
San Francisco Photo Shoot Venues Curated by Giggster
Looking for something a little outside the purview of San Francisco Instagram spots? Giggster has no dearth of photo spots for you! The San Francisco skyline and Golden Gate Bridge views might be what you come for, but you'll stay for the charm and elegance of our private locations.
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If you want a family session, you can check out an elegant and well-furnished private home with a gorgeous fireplace and lots of character. Truly a hidden gem in the midst of one of San Francisco's beloved neighborhoods!
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A penthouse with wooden decks and stunning views of the city skyline, including the Marin Headlands, Golden Gate Bridge, and Lombard Street is a great location.
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While beaches like Baker Beach or Ocean Beach at low tide are popular photo shoot locations, you might do better with a more controlled private space. A modern house on the waterfront gives you stellar views.
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A small studio or industrial warehouse with proper lighting and equipment in Oakland is one of the best East Bay locations to film at.
702 Amazing Photo Shoot Venues in San Francisco
Exceptional Variety & Quality: From modern homes and lofts with the plushest of furnishings to well-equipped studios with excellent light, Giggster has the choicest of venues for you. You can choose from 702 venues for the place that fits your vision perfectly!
Hassle-Free Booking: Our easy-access website makes it that much simpler to figure out relevant information about a venue, from the amount of space available to the pricing on weekdays and weekends. You can rent a location for as little as $20/hour, which is unheard of in San Francisco!
24-Hour Free Cancellation Policy: Photo shoots can be a tricky matter. If you've got to cancel, then there's no issue. As long as you've booked the venue 48 hours prior to the event, you can cancel within 24 hours of confirmation!
Platform Protections: Since we also provide optional protection packages against damages and liabilities, you needn't be afraid to book your favorite places like Ultra Swanky Designer Home!
Pros and Cons of Photo Shoots in San Francisco
While the beauty and the fine arts scene of the San Francisco Bay may appeal to the photographer in you, you must first check out if the city itself with serve your needs.
Advantages
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With beautiful beaches and architecture like the Golden Gate Bridge on offer, obviously San Francisco makes for a scenic spot. Whether you want a studio downtown or a private beach home outside the city, San Francisco's got plenty of spaces for you.
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With year-round sunshine and blue skies, San Francisco has some of the nicest weather in the country. You can do outdoor shoots all day every day!
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There are various places to visit in San Francisco in your downtime, from Lovers Lane and Golden Gate Park to the Bay Bridge and Alamo Square Park.
Disadvantages
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If you're doing commercial shoots in public, then do remember that you'll need to apply for a permit in advance. Some popular shooting locales may also need an entrance fee for you to enter.
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Traffic and congestion is a problem in San Francisco. If you're driving, make sure there's a parking area just a short walk away from the venue. You'll be carrying a lot of equipment.
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Getting around from place to place can be a hassle during peak tourist season. You'll have to plan ahead so you don't miss the golden hour of evening light.
The Best Type of Venue for Your Photo Shoot in San Francisco
When you're in San Francisco Bay, you can really have your pick of shooting locations, from beachside homes to small avant-garde photo studios where you can play around with lights and shadows. Look through Giggster's 702 locations for the perfect space for you!
Photo Studios – A Blank Canvas. A favorite location for a reason, photo studios really bring out the artist in you. Play around in a serene, fully white space with floor-to-ceiling windows that let in natural light or a creative lab set up like an office with a coffee and tea nook in the corner.
Private Homes – Intimate and Calming. Since you're in San Francisco, why not take advantage of one of the beautiful, well-furnished, and beautifully decorated homes? Rent out the full house, with open spaces on the roof or the backyard in case you want some outdoor shots. Some of them will even afford you iconic views of the skyline or the Pacific!
Lofts and Penthouses – In the Heart of the City. On a tight schedule and you need to get to places quickly? Look for a true gem of a loft or penthouse in the heart of downtown SF. With these, you'll have no trouble skipping out quickly to film art installations or a sunset on the streets. Most have gorgeous views but do make sure they have a parking lot since you'll have a car full of equipment!
Warehouses – Distinctive Photographs. From dark, vintage, woodsy warehouses to renovated modern warehouses laid out with tables and mood lighting, these are the spaces when you have a particular aesthetic in mind. If you're looking for grungy photos in San Francisco, then opt for a warehouse.
Restaurants – A Themed Setting. If you love photographing people and places, you can't skip out on the many interesting restaurants that San Francisco has to offer. A family photo session in a restaurant that is housed within a historic train station or in a cozy, Italian, family-style diner is just the thing.
Planning Your Photo Shoot in San Francisco
Looking for the perfect photo session spots in San Francisco but nervous about it? Don't worry. We can help you navigate the city and plan out your day!
Scout Locations – Start looking for your locations way ahead of time because it's absolutely essential that you check it out in person before shooting. Check out the studio or apartment you had in mind so you can visualize your shots and make sure the interior design is in line with what you want!
Contact Local Businesses – If you're not from the Bay area, you don't have to actually carry all your equipment with you. There are plenty of businesses that provide cameras, lenses, lighting, etc. You can rent anything you don't want to bring along.
Apply for Permits – If it's a commercial shoot that you're doing, you'll need to apply for a permit at least a week in advance. While there's no application fee, there is a fee for the days that you use the permit. Remember to do research about permits in San Francisco!
Think about Timing – Depending on whether you want the harsh afternoon light, the diffuse light of early morning or evening, or a night shoot, you'll have to plan your shoots for maximum effect.
Saving Money on a Photo Shoot in San Francisco
California is expensive but it doesn't mean that you can't conduct a photo session on a tight budget, with some prior planning!
Rent the necessary equipment.
It's not necessary to buy everything that you need for a photo shoot. There are a lot of businesses in San Francisco that will rent you second-hand stuff.
Do you know what shots you want?
If you've got a clear idea of the kind of photographs you want, then you can reduce the number of locations you have to visit. Making use of photo opportunities at a single location means you can cut down travel time and rental money.
Can you make use of free props?
There are certain favorite spots in San Francisco. If you can grab an iconic photograph of the painted ladies or the cable cars for free, then you don't have to shell out additional money on props.
San Francisco Photo Shoots with Giggster
Whether you're planning some family photography sessions in a cozy loft or a commercial shoot on a rooftop with city views, Giggster's got a multitude of venues for you to choose from. Stylish and chic or vintage and charming, your favorite locations will definitely give you photographs that grab eyeballs!
