Hi, I'm Karen.

I'm a first generation Peruvian-American commercial portrait photographer based in Oakland, CA. 

My background in performing arts and art history fuels my process, deeply inspired by emotion, movement, and storytelling. Much of my curiosity about an individual's human experience and inner landscape is what drew me to portrait photography. 

I established my photo studio here in the Bay Area, and have frequent commissions and travels to LA and New York. Although much of my clientele consists of Broadway performers and emerging TV/Film stars, my colorful work has also been sought out by other kinds of creative professionals and artists, publications and organizations, as well as social and executive leaders. 

My passion to celebrate marginalized communities through my photographic medium is the focus of my work and personal projects. I believe imagery has the power to elevate communities through positive inclusive representation. 

Inclusive work spaces are an important value for me. I exclusively hire women, queer, and/or people of color creative professionals as we are critically underrepresented in the greater commercial and media industry. 

I'm a member of Authority Collective and Diversify Photo, and I've also co-founded a creative non-profit called By And For which consists of Black, Indigenous, and People of color (BIPOC) creative photographers who are committed to the work of social justice activism and community building through acts of service. 

Clients include | PepsiCo, Adobe, Nike, VSCO, NPR, Billboard Magazine, Clif Bar, Google, Uber, Cruise, Phenomenal Woman Campaign, Kamala Harris Presidential Campaign, The Transgender District, Latina Coalition of Silicon Valley


GET IN TOUCH!

408.483.8263

hello@karensantos.com

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