Business Details
45 Years
experience
Award-Winning Portrait Photography in the Bay Area
At Jana Marcus Photography, we believe in the transformative power of imagery to celebrate individuality and empower self-expression. With over three decades of experience as an award-winning Bay Area photographer, Jana has dedicated her career to capturing the essence of her clients through luxury portrait experiences, headshots, and theatrical stills. Our approach combines artistic vision with technical precision, offering personalized sessions that include pre-shoot consultations, professional makeup, and curated wardrobe guidance.Recognized for her work in documentary photography and contemporary portraiture, Jana brings a unique eye to every project, whether creating magazine-quality images for professionals or designing empowering sessions for the 40 Over 40 Portrait Experience. We prioritize client comfort and satisfaction, ensuring each session reflects your authentic self while delivering timeless, high-quality results that exceed expectations.
Services
Luxury Portraits
Headshots
Personal Branding
Theatrical Stills
40 Over 40 Experience
Fine Art Portraits
Documentary Photography
Family Portraits
Theater Campaigns
Photo Workshops
Details
- Year established: 1981
Highlights and features
- 30+ years of award-winning documentary and portrait photography experience
- Personalized sessions with pre-shoot design consultations and wardrobe guidance
- Professional camera-ready makeup and hairstyling included in all packages
- Winner of UC Berkeley International Photojournalism Award and PDN Best Photos honors
- Featured in Transfigurations: Best LGBT Non-Fiction Book by Independent Publishers
Associations and certifications
- Master Photographer (California Bay Area)
- The Portrait Masters
What people say
Empowering experience
Beautiful images
Professional expertise
Confidence boost
Magazine-quality results
Services
Luxury Portrait Package
Our flagship luxury portrait experience includes a pre-shoot consultation, professional makeup, up to four outfit changes, and a fully guided 2.5-hour session. Clients receive eight curated images in a velvet-lined folio box with digitals, plus retouching services. This magazine-style session focuses on capturing your unique essence through expert posing and lighting techniques.
40 Over 40 Experience
This specialized program celebrates women aged 40+ through transformative portraits that challenge ageist stereotypes. Includes professional hair/makeup, three outfit changes, and a $500 credit toward portrait collections. Participants gain inclusion in annual exhibitions and receive personalized guidance to rediscover their beauty and confidence through photography.
Headshot & Branding
Designed for actors and professionals seeking impactful headshots, this package includes makeup options, 2-3 outfit changes, and four digital images. The session features expert posing guidance and retouching to create compelling visuals that enhance career opportunities while maintaining authentic representation.
Fine Art Portraits
Collaborative art portraits allow clients to embody themes like 'Warrior' or 'Goddess' through custom wardrobe and digital compositing. Includes professional styling, costume creation, and a 24x30-inch Italian wall print. This session transforms personal vision into striking artistic statements with cinematic quality.
Theatrical Stills
Specializing in live production documentation and promotional theatrical stills, this service captures dynamic performances with precision. Utilizing advanced lighting techniques and motion control, we create high-impact images for marketing materials and production archives that maintain artistic integrity while meeting industry standards.
People
Jana Marcus
Master Photographer & Owner
Award-winning photographer with 30+ years experience, MFA in Photography, UC Santa Cruz Community Studies graduate. Recipient of PDN Best Photos and Independent Publishers Book Awards. Specializes in contemporary portraiture and documentary work focusing on identity and transformation.
Questions
What makes your portrait sessions unique?
Our sessions combine pre-shoot design consultations, professional styling, and personalized posing guidance to create magazine-quality images that reflect your authentic self while emphasizing empowerment and self-discovery.
Do you offer location shoots?
Studio sessions include location options within 20 miles (with $100 fee). For shoots further away or out-of-state, we provide customized quotes based on travel requirements and production needs.
What payment options are available?
We accept credit card payments through Stripe with non-refundable session fees. Interest-free payment plans are available for portrait collections, with rescheduling policies requiring 14-day advance notice.
How long does the process take?
Studio sessions require 4-hour blocks (including makeup application). Reveal appointments occur 3-7 days later. Location shoots and theatrical stills may require variable scheduling based on production demands.
What's included in retouching services?
Professional retouching focuses on skin smoothing, stray hair removal, and minor enhancements while maintaining natural appearance. We discuss preferred retouching levels during reveal sessions to ensure client satisfaction.
Can I purchase digital-only images?
All purchased images include both print and digital versions. Digital-only options maintain the same pricing structure as print packages, with resolution appropriate for online professional use.
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