Worked with Kyle for company headshots for our team. Kyle was easy to communicate with and was quick to respond to my emails and questions. The shoot was smooth and organized! Our guys felt comfortable in front of the camera with him and his positive energy. Photos turned out really amazing and we were all happy with them. Received the finished/ edited photos right away. Definitely will work with Kyle again! read more

Hands On Studio - Video/Film Production Near Me - San Jose, California

Went for a head shot and got 3 images with different looks the same day and completed very quickly while over 180 pics were taken. Really amazing skill and work! I had been putting off getting a head shot and this was an extremely positive experience. Kyle did such a good job and was patient while going through all the images. Would highly recommend Kyle & this studio. read more

I have had the pleasure of working with Kyle for many types of sessions during the last 13 years: studio head shots, on location photo shoots, events photos. He is the consummate professional, nails the lighting, beautiful resolution, works quickly, knows how to put subjects at ease, takes enough shots to effectively capture the moment. He has fabulous equipment and effectively uses technology. He is not your standard photographer. I moved to Florida 5 years ago and recently flew to CA to have Kyle take head shots for me. He is amazing. read more

Hands On Studio - Video/Film Production Near Me - San Jose, California

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I need a local photographer for professional pics. I made some calls to different studios to compare which one matches what I need. Including price, service, time frame etc. this studio gave me the worse experience I have ever experienced. Credit to this Kyle guy. I tired to explain what I need and asked for a quote, and I could feel not much patient he got. I doubt he could shoot good pictures. Or maybe he will pick his customers to see whom he wants to take in and whom he dislike?! I will not recommend this studio to any one. read more

Definitely the worst attitude I've ever know, they don't care abt what you want. They need to improve customer service and fix the attitude issue. read more

Love Kyle! What a genius! I hate taking photos and am not photogenic whatsoever, but he really took his time with me. I usually feel rushed with photographers but he stopped a couple times so I could see how photos were turning out. He's such an amazing photographer and I'm very lucky I was referred to him! Thanks Kyle ! read more

Kyle is a photographer extraordinaire, with amazing skills not only in photography, but also in communications and service, with a pleasant and winsome personality, and lightning-fast turnaround times. read more

Wow! I needed a professional headshot and didn't have time to get my hair done or spend any extra time with my makeup. No need! My photos turned out great and it only took a short time!!! Highly recommend!! read more

Kyle is a excellent photographer, I was able to get this done at my lunch time. What a deal from a Groupon offer. I'm loving my photo to add to my social network profile and work profile. Thanks Kyle you are quick and painless and less expensive than a plastic surgeon. With talent ,skill and you made me feel relaxed. Thanks Dr. Kyle! You are awesome!!!! 120 stars for you... read more

Kyle is a very professional and talented photographer. He took the time to work on my photos. Highly recommend read more

I have photo sessions for myself regularly each year, and Kyle and his business has been the best so far! In the past I have gone to mall-based studios and selected sessions and products that provide digital-based photos for purchase as my plans always focus on using my photos online, not via traditional prints for placing around the home. Hands on Photo specializes in digital photos and much more, costs the same or less, and with so much more expertise and great service than the mall-studio staffs. My session with Kyle was a total of 90 min from arrival to departure, and he involved me in the entire process. Arrival/setup - about 15 min. I was prepared when I arrived having come over directly from a makeup and hair session elsewhere. I brought over a couple outfit/accessory choices, and Kyle gave some great advice on which outfits/accessories would work best depending on my the intended use of my photo and the structure and aesthetics of how they fit together. Photo shoot - about 15 min. Instead of the mall studios which take about 30-50 total shots of about 10-15 poses (only about 3 shots per pose), Kyle prepped me for 1 single pose - the headshot - at a very specific and optimal angle which produces the best personality and style. We took over 70 shots of this one specific pose, with me posing in a variety of smiles and expressions. This is how I like to take photos myself - take a lot - more than you think necessary - and then pick out the best later. Choosing the best photo - about 15 min. There are a lot of photos to go through, and this was the most challenging part of the entire process. There were the usual few shots where I blinked or smiled half-way, but sorting through the rest was challenging. Kyle helped guide me through a sampling-review process of several at a time, so we could narrow down the candidates from 70 down to 19, then down to 8, then down to the final 2 best ones to work on. (The session price included 1 photo, but I opted to buy the 2nd image at a very reasonable additional cost.) Post-production - Photoshop magic - about 20-30 min. This was the most fun part of the process, watching Kyle work his Photoshop skills, pulling out various magical editing tools and watching the wrinkles, stray hairs, blemishes go away, while still preserving the natural colors and textures underneath! Layers are created from the original photo, so portions can be preserved or recovered if needed. We even put back in a couple birthmarks on my face, so the polished photo would look even more authentic! Thicker hair (filling in thin and empty areas) as well as a slimmer jawline were all made possible with the newest technology! Kyle provided the finished photo in a variety of resolutions and file types so I could use them on my website, brochures, Facebook profile, and any other digital use imaginable. He also provided me a transparent version (PNG) with background removed so I could even use that in other photos with other backgrounds - very versatile. No place else has provided that in a photo session before. I found Hands On Photo through a Groupon a couple months ago. So glad I did. Even without the Groupon, his normal prices for a headshot session is competitive with the same prices I got at my mall studios and digital products there, so I plan on coming back for my photo updates later. If you book a session mentioning a friend's name for referral, you can still get a pretty good discount. Thanks Kyle for the great photo and great session! Very interactive and educational as well as very happy to leave on time with a great product. I started using my photo already the same night, with many friends instantly commenting online (within minutes) on my new photo. read more

Thank you Kyle for the fantastic photoshoot! I had so much fun and felt completely comfortable and at ease! Highly recommended!!! read more

Kyle took our family portraits recently in the woods and the pics turned out great! He made it easy for our family of 4 to pose, and our kids had a blast! Will definitely use his services for future photo needs! read more

We love working with Kyle. My daughter took many photos with him and it was amazing. He is professional, great communication, artistic and totally extraordinary. All her photos turned out great and he took the time to work on it. We highly recommend him!!! read more

"A picture is worth a thousand words." This proverb best describes how I was enticed to look for the individual who took two stunning profile pictures that I saw on LinkedIn. He has taken more than two; I found out later. I must say that when looking for someone to do a corporate photo shoot, looking at the work of a gifted photographer is more powerful than word-of-mouth advertising. And thanks to technology, anybody's work of art can be viewed online so easily. We had our photo shoot last week. We met Kyle Chesser who is very personable yet extremely professional, talented yet unassuming. He gave us personal attention and offered professional insight. Our pictures turned out nice. If you want great photos and excellent customer service, I highly recommend Hands On Photo! read more

Got my professional photos taken here and am a fan! Kyle offers a great experience, is very personable and friendly. When going through the photos to select the finalists he helped me understand the process and was very knowledgeable about how his client companies handled their photos which saved much time and energy. He made the process painless, fun and productive. Recommended!!! Note: The office location might be hard to find initially. O'Toole Way can be tricky if you don't catch the last parking lot entrance to the Rivers Edge Business Park. I had to make two laps around Brokaw and Junction. read more

Thanks Kyle for the fabulous photoshoot!!! He absolutely made it a fun experience. I would recommend Kyle to anyone I know. He is so patient at photoshop the pictures the way I want. And we were having a wonderful conversation through the whole time . His job definitely worth more than what he charges. read more

Hands On Studio - Love my background! - Video/Film Production Near Me - San Jose, California

Kyle is fantastic! I just worked with him on a project last weekend. As a model, I know that artistic communication can be challenging. Kyle, however, conveys the message with supreme clarity. It was easy to follow his direction. The shoot was long, but Kyle's demeanor never shifted. I feel so thankful to have worked with him, and I can't recommend him enough! read more

Kyle is the perfect mix of creative and practical. We have had the pleasure of working with him at JAKE in a variety of capacities -- both directly and indirectly. In each instance he does more than just impress. He consistently endeavors to over deliver on whatever project is put in front of him. Once he dives into his work and a project, you experience the necessary organization that is essential to ensuring not just successful finished product... but an absolutely enjoyable creation and production process. His respect goes beyond his own team and his direct client -- the person who might be writing the check -- and falls on anyone participating in the project. This element is such a breathe of fresh air in an industry that can often be mired in lack of professional integrity. If you are looking to work with someone who is really the complete package... please look no further then Kyle and Hands On Studio... truly, their approach is personified in the name of the company. read more

I have lived in San Jose since the 1950s. Not until Hands on Photography was recommended to me did I know that a graphic designer and photographer could be both professional, thorough and put out fabulous work. I have used Hands On Photography both for business and personal needs. Hands on designed many sales materials and a website for my business with great results. Personally, Kyle (the proprietor) has photographed many events, private sittings and my daughter's Bat Mitzvah. I highly recommend this firm for all of your graphic, photographic and electronic media needs. read more

Thank you so much for making Stephanie's wedding fantastic! As a former wedding and event professional myself, I realized how tight the schedule was on the event day. You accepted the challenge gracefully and made it all seem effortless. To complicate things even further, all the family "dynamics" we're handled as if they didn't exist at all. I am so happy you could help make the day truly memorable! Kudos to you Kyle Chesser and I would highly recommend Hands on Photography ~ hands down!!! Michelle Caplan Mother of the Bride Former professional wedding and event coordinator read more

Needed a headshot recently, Kyle was amazing. Took quite a large number of photos, slowly narrowed it down to the ones I liked best, and then edited it to make it exactly the way I wanted it to be. The end result was significantly better than I ever imagined I would get out of a headshot picture. Definitely the best photographer around, I'll be sure to come back in the future. read more

Took a great photo with him years ago. Impossible to reach now. Does not answer general email. No way to leave message as auto-attendant routes you to dead vmail box. Disappointing. read more

Kyle Chesser Of Hands On Photo is the most amazing photographer in the Bay Area. Not only does he do incredible photography but can do web design, video shoots, commercials, promotional material, logo's etc...He is a one stop shop! I have worked with Kyle on many occasions from weddings to fashion shoots and he is very professional, courteous and his clients adore him. If you want the "Best" in quality, service and a true professional Kyle Chesser, and Hands On Photo is the only place to go! read more

Got a professional headshot taken today with the Groupon deal. Kyle is a real pro and I can't agree more on all the great things that other yelpers have said so I won't repeat them here. Kyle is not only professional but also very patient. Last time we went to the mall for a X'mas photo, my wife, myself, and our puppy together got like 10 photos to choose from. This time just my headshot Kyle did 70 frames. He then systematically screened them out with me in multiple rounds. So even the very un-photogenic me ended up with a "very handsome" (per my wife who loves it!) and professional looking photo, and the photoshop touch-up was icing on the cake. I also noticed that Kyle did very nice family photos and portraits as well (you need to check out the one that he did for his wife and his kid) - something for me to consider next time. read more

really, really good experience. I am not photogenic, and I don't enjoy the whole beauty-based activity of getting ready for photos. But I needed a professional headshot, and I got one with Kyle and Hands On Photo. It was so unpainful and even pleasant that I regret having put it off so long--I was in and out in about 45 minutes, with a beautiful, natural looking picture of me, only better. I subtracted one star because scheduling the appointment required numerous phone calls and emails. But it was well worth the effort--what an easy and pleasant way to get a professional and attractive photo. I'd highly recommend Kyle and Hands On Photo to anyone, but especially to photo-phobes like me. read more

I was extremely impressed with the quality of the work and the how quickly he was able to turn around touched up photos. I was able to get touched up photos about 30 min after he took the pictures. read more

I had a great experience with Kyle and Hands On Photo while getting a head shot photo taken. I normally hate getting my picture taken but he offered great advice on some outfit choices I brought, helped pose me in natural and flattering positions and kept me loose during the shoot. The process to narrow down the 80+ photos to the best one was quick and easy and kind of fun. I little photoshop magic and the picture came out great and I'm proud to use it. I highly recommend Kyle and Hands On Photo. read more

Kyle Chesser and crew pre-produced, filmed and edited a Halloween-themed children's music video for me last October and I couldn't be happier with the results- and my fans feel the same way. Hands On's work ethic, attention to detail are impeccable and they are very easy to work with. What's more, they pulled off an incredible feat for me with limited time which is a testament to their creative and organizational skills. I would highly recommend them if you want a truly professional video, portfolio or anything else related to video or photography. I can't wait to work with them again! read more

The experience of getting a professional photo could not have been better. Kyle is efficient, friendly, runs on time, and has a fantastic product. I will not hesitate to refer Kyle to any of my friends who need an excellent photographer. Thank you so much Kyle! read more

Wow!!!! Kyle is the best photographer that I've encountered. He made feel very relaxed and laugh. It was a great experience and very highly recommended. read more

After reading all the other 5 star reviews of Hands on Photo, there is not much else to add, I whole hardily agree with the 5 star rating. Kyle is very good at what he does, he can work magic with his camera and photoshop. I will definitely be going back in a few years to update my headshot and will recommend Hands on Photo to friends and coworkers. Thanks Kyle! read more

Had a great experience with Kyle. I went for a headshot and was pleased with the process and result.

Kyle is an outstanding photographer. I had a Groupon offer and in about half an hour I had a great photo in several sizes that I can use as a realtor. He did color and also black and white, so I am set with whatever I need. The one we chose for iis so good, professional but relaxed. Everyone loves it. He makes clothes suggestions that are right on and makes you look your best, like you are standing in just the right light with your make up artiest at your side, but it is still you. I highly recommended him to my associates. He makes it easy. read more

I went to Hands On Photo a year ago to get family pictures taken. I have three small girls. At the time my baby was a year old and couldn't sit still for a minute. Kyle was creative at capturing that perfect image. We have the pictures hung up all over our house. After having Kyle do our pictures, I won't go anywhere else!!! read more

Kyle did a great job. I was in and out in under 45 minutes. Definitely check them out if you need business photo and/or video services.

I can not say enough great things about Kyle. He was an absolute joy to work with. He was the photographer at my wedding. Not only were his pictures phenomenal but he seemed to get the best pictures out of everyone. He is without a doubt the best photographer I have ever seen. If you are thinking about hiring Kyle I must urge you to do so. You will not be disappointed. read more

Kyle is amazing! I had a professional headshot done with him for my business and he knew exactly what I was looking for! All done in one hour. Thank you Kyle! Your professionalism and skill are top quality! read more

I was the last customer at this weekend. I saw the yelp reviews and chose Hands On Photo studio. It is close to 880, and easy to find. The facilities were designed as magazine photo shoot. Kyle is very professional. He took 2 hours after work to take 160+ photos and polish 3 of them. I am glad to choose Kyle to be my photographer. And his work is well done. My friends saw my photo in wechat, and they gave high praise. The editor of my new book loved all of 3 photos and will choose 2 of them to be the covers(front and back) of the book. Furthermore, I got the copies of the 38 photos without touch. Since I don't know the color of the cover, Kyle offered the transparent background of 3 photos, and I can still get his help if I know the color of the cover. Nice choice, isn't it? read more

Last week I visited Hands On Studio after searching online and reading some reviews. From my experience visiting there, Kyle, who took the pictures, is absolutely fantastic! This was the first time that I ever used services of a professional photographer for a business portrait picture. I had no idea what to expect. Eli, who is a team member at Hands On Studio was the first person to answer my call when I was checking out different studios. He set an excellent tone in giving me a brief overview of the process and how to prepare. I felt comfortable to give it a shot at Hands On Studio. There I met Kyle, who was not only very personable, but also thoroughly professional and patient. He understood the kind of picture that I was looking for. He gave me very valuable insights from his experience. The end result was just fantastic. It was pleasantly beyond my expectations. Kyle walked me through the process. He also explained the studio lighting for my situation and how it would help to bring in the focus from the intended audience. During the photo-shoot Kyle ensured that I was completely at ease. He was able to bring out my best expressions for the picture and its purpose. Overall, an awesome experience!!! Thank you Kyle! Keep up the good work! Anyone reading this review, if you need services of a professional photographer, I can tell you from my experience that you will be glad that you visited Kyle. read more