Business Details
19 Years
experience
Professional Portrait Photography Studio in Santa Cruz
Positive Vista Photography & Art By Portia Shao has been capturing life's most meaningful moments since 2007, specializing in portrait photography that blends artistic vision with technical excellence. Our studio offers a wide range of services including professional headshots, family portraits, maternity and newborn photography, pet portraits, and fantasy-themed sessions that transform clients' creative ideas into stunning visual art. With over 15 years of experience and international recognition through awards from the Professional Photographers of America, we combine technical expertise with a personalized approach to ensure every client's unique story is told through photography.Our commitment to quality is demonstrated through our 'Be Thrilled or Bust' guarantee, ensuring complete satisfaction with every session. Led by Portia Shao, a Master Artist and Certified Professional Photographer, we provide a fun and collaborative environment where clients can expect professional-grade results that exceed expectations.
Services
Family Portraits
Professional Headshots
Maternity Photography
Pet Portraits
Fantasy Portraits
Newborn Photography
Glamour Portraits
Senior Portraits
Artistic Photography
Portrait Consultations
Details
- Year established: 2007
Highlights and features
- We offer over 15 years of experience in professional portrait photography
- Our team has won multiple international photography awards
- We provide personalized sessions tailored to individual client visions
- Our studio guarantees client satisfaction with our 'Be Thrilled or Bust' promise
- We combine technical expertise with artistic creativity in every session
Associations and certifications
- Professional Photographers of America (PPA)
- American Society of Photographers (ASP)
What people say
Amazing creativity
Fun to work with
Beyond expectations
Calm atmosphere
Discerning touch
Services
Family Portraits
Our family portrait sessions create lasting memories through artistic photography that captures the unique dynamics and personalities of your family. We specialize in coordinating sessions with multiple generations, pets, and even special costume elements to reflect your family's personality. Clients receive personalized guidance on wardrobe choices and posing to ensure natural, authentic results that showcase their relationships.
Professional Headshots
We create professional headshots that help individuals establish their personal brand through polished, business-appropriate photography. Our sessions include wardrobe consultation and styling advice to ensure clients present their most professional image for LinkedIn profiles, company websites, and marketing materials. The session includes multiple outfit changes and digital delivery of edited images suitable for professional use.
Fantasy Portraits
Our fantasy portrait sessions transform creative concepts into reality through themed photography featuring costumes, special effects, and imaginative settings. Clients collaborate with our team to develop unique concepts like mermaids, pirates, or fantasy characters, with full production support for props, makeup, and scene creation to bring their vision to life in a fun, collaborative environment.
Pet Portraits
We specialize in pet photography that captures the unique personality of animals through studio sessions that accommodate various species and sizes. Our experienced team works patiently with animals to create natural, engaging portraits that highlight their distinctive characteristics, offering both individual pet portraits and family photos that include beloved pets as part of the family.
Maternity Photography
Our maternity photography sessions celebrate the beauty of pregnancy through artistic portraits that capture this special life stage. We provide guidance on flattering poses and wardrobe choices to highlight the mother-to-be's natural glow, creating elegant images that document this important chapter in a family's story with sensitivity and artistic vision.
People
Portia Shao
Owner & Lead Photographer
Portia Shao is a Master Artist and Certified Professional Photographer with over 15 years of experience. She has won multiple international photography awards and specializes in creating artistic portraits that capture clients' unique stories. Her background in watercolor painting influences her photographic style, combining technical expertise with artistic vision to produce images that go beyond mere documentation.
Questions
What types of photography sessions do you offer?
We offer family portraits, professional headshots, maternity photography, pet portraits, fantasy-themed sessions, newborn photography, and creative art projects.
How long has Positive Vista Photography been in business?
We have been operating in Santa Cruz since 2007, providing professional portrait photography services to the local community.
What is your 'Be Thrilled or Bust' guarantee?
Our guarantee ensures you'll love your portraits. If you're not completely satisfied, we'll work with you until you are happy with the results.
Do you photograph pets and animals?
Yes, we specialize in pet portraits and have experience photographing various animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, and even horses.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, cash, and checks for our photography services and products.
Can I schedule a consultation before my session?
Yes, we offer complimentary consultations to discuss your vision, wardrobe options, and session details before your photography appointment.
