Meet the Artist

Mark Brandes' portrait work has blessed many families and individuals for decades.

During that window of time, he has created thousands of portraits, and shared his passion for portrait work with hundreds of other portrait photographers through many speaking engagements in the United States and Canada.

Known for his simple, and elegantly posed work, Mark has garnered numerous awards from the Professional Photographers of America, been honored with the degree of PPA Master Craftsman, and was named by Eastman Kodak as one of the top four storytelling portrait artists in America.

Brandes specializes in wall portraits hung over fireplaces, in dining rooms, or in the formal entry halls of homes. These are portraits that capture a family's legacy in art for the home.

They become heirlooms to be passed to the next generation.

Photographic Portraits

Beach Portraits

Southern California is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Nothing says SoCal like a casual beach portrait, and we know the best locations from Santa Barbara down to San Diego.

Portraits at Home

Why not create your portrait in the environment you designed for your family? After all, you crafted that home just for your taste. A portrait done there might be just the finishing touch your home needs.

Special Portrait Locations

We have so many special locations across Southern California that provide unusually beautiful backgrounds, such the one in this portrait of the Hassard family at Westmont College in Montecito.

Painted Portraits

A Brandes Painted Portrait is a marriage of photographic work, digital painting as well as traditional oil painting. The resulting painting must be seen to be appreciated because it is an unusual one-of-a-kind piece of art.

Equine Portraits

F.A.Q.s

How do we begin a portrait session?: When you call or fill out the contact form, Mark Brandes will arrange a time to meet with you at your home to talk about your portrait desires. At that meeting, Mark will go over location choices as well as clothing suggestions.
How many people can we have in our portrait?: The more, the merrier! Mark has done portraits of families with 25+ members. Whenever extended family portraits are scheduled, Mark allows sufficient time to do smaller family groups at the same time.
Is there a minimum order?: Since Mark only does a maximum of two portraits a day, there is a minimum order of a 16x20 wall portrait.
Do you release digital files of the portraits you create?: Yes, for every portrait image that is ordered, a digital file of that image is released and it can be used to post on social media or to make holiday cards.
How do I know I will like how I look in the portrait?: Mark Brandes has done over 10,000 family portraits during his career, more than any other photographer in Southern California. Each and every face in a Brandes Portrait is enhanced, and every portrait may include digital artwork such as moving heads or body manipulation (i.e.body slimming). Your satisfaction is always guaranteed.

949-515-5140 and 805-367-8100

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