I worked with Modern Love photography for Boudoir photos, Engagement Photos, Wedding Photos and Videography. Let me tell you, I am one happy camper. Denise is phenomenal and she surrounds herself with a team that is professional, considerate and competent. There were a fair amount of questions I had to answer about which photos we wanted and this made me feel at ease knowing that the team would make sure I got all the photos I wanted for my special day. I ordered a boudoir photo package in addition to the wedding photos and video. The boudoir photo shoot was an incredible experience and Denise made me feel incredibly at ease and sexy as hell. I got the proofs and was able to view them in the studio - this was a special day and it was helpful having another set of eyes and also someone there to help me not be so critical of myself!! The final result was a book of photos of me feeling sexy, confident and amazing. My husband sat, mouth open, carefully going through each page and I felt like the most beautiful girl in the world. On our wedding day there were absolutely ZERO ISSUES. When Denise arrived, I breathed a sigh of relief, she took care of everything. I was confident that the pictures were going to be exactly what I wanted and then some. Overall, my experience with Modern Love was beyond anything I could have ever dreamed of. They know how to take incredible photos and have done a lot of training to ensure that they are getting photos that you not only see as visually beautiful but photos that make you feel something, photos that make you experience and witness the beauty and magic of a moment. Thank you Denise and all of Modern Love for an incredible day!! read more

Modern Love Photography - Engagement Photo - Session Photography Near Me - Hayward, California

See all

This is honestly a hard review for me to write. I did love Denise and her personality, and I loved my engagement shoot that I did with Katie. But my wedding shoot was extremely, so extremely disappointing. We opted not to have a videographer and told people not to take pictures during the ceremony, so I'm just left with sad pictures( or the lack of pictures I guess). For starters, the photographers were 45 minutes late. I heard there was a lot of traffic, and I wonder if this is the first thing that threw everything off. We initially signed a contract for Denise and Katie as the second shooter, but we found out that Katie was promoted as a main photographer, so there was a new guy. The second photographer was nice but pretty useless. You could tell which photos he shot, and they were pretty poor. He did the groomsmen getting ready, but all of the photos are just close ups. The guys did a pillow fight (tradition with his friends), and every single one of them is just a close up of a man holding a pillow. Also, one of the reasons we chose the venue was due to its interior, and I spent a lot of time looking at wedding photos done inside the building. I remember asking for photos in the hallway and taking a bunch, but I didn't see any. I was told they couldn't shoot properly in there because of the lighting. I'm not sure why all the other photographers from that venue were able to get pictures, but I couldn't. We ended up with a handful of portraits, many of them disappointing because either my hair is blowing all over my face or my husband couldn't keep a straight face. We spent a good portion of our decorating budget on flowers, but I don't have a single photo of my centerpieces. My florist asked to add them to my portfolio, but I didn't have any to offer her. The biggest, most disappointing issue is that there are zero pictures of the whole wedding party, and I don't have a single photo of the whole family. How did that escape people? I wasn't keeping track of each photo, and I really expected the photographers to do that. I don't have one with just my parents or with my sister, who was my maid of honor. These pictures were things I just took for granted. It definitely wasn't because we ran out of time because between the ceremony and reception, I was just sitting around in my room for about 45 minutes. Aside from Denise's personality,  I was extremely disappointed with the whole day.  I even tried to get a refund for the "trash the dress" session I had also purchased and was met with a refusal. They did refund us for the cost of a second photographer though. To this day, I get really sad seeing other great wedding photos and for years thinking about it could bring me to the verge of tears. That being said, obviously I survived and I did absolutely love my wedding. I still have beautiful memories of my wedding, and I'm happily married with a gorgeous kiddo. I just wish I had some photos too. read more

I'm honestly very torn on how to write this review. The good parts are amazingly, good, but the bad parts are too glaring to overlook. The Good: 1. I met a few of the women working at the studio. They were all absolutely divine. The woman who shot me made me feel like a total babe and knew how to pose me. I was very shy and worried at the beginning, but she put me at ease and made me feel comfortable. 2. They are extremely accommodating. I missed my first appointment because I had the wrong date down on my calendar. I was so ashamed, but they forgave me and allowed me to reschedule (which from what I hear, is not common with boudoir photographers). Then I was late to my second appt because traffic had been terrible, and they still allowed me to do my shoot! Even after all these shenanigans on my end, they still treated me like a queen. You can tell they take pride in their work. 3. I didn't want to shoot regular lingerie, and they were fine with my picky 'modest' boudoir items that I brought along. 4. The studio space. Can you say gorgeous? It's like you're in a fairy tale. It's part French-Chateau, part glam, and part vintage, all in one. It's the kind of place you remember forever. The Bad: 1. They had a policy regarding digital proofs. In other words, you can't have your proofs emailed to you to review, you have to come back to the studio. I can understand the reasoning behind this, but I'm extremely busy, I didn't have time to drive 45 minutes BACK to the studio to review images. After explaining my dilemma about time constraints, they said they could send me digital proofs. Fast forward 4 months, I had still not received the proofs. I inquired again about them and received a pleasant response from the manager. She did finally send them later that week indicating that I should inform her of what images I wanted to purchase. 2. I purchased the boudoir package during a special deal. Part of my package included receiving 1 finished image, but there were 5 others I had intended to purchase. I don't know if my photo selection email got lost, or overlooked, but at any rate, my shoot was in April of 2014. It's now years later and I still do not have one single image from the shoot. I decided not to reach out to them again regarding the photos. I didn't feel comfortable nagging them about it. My experience with Modern Love was bitter-sweet. They were such dolls in the studio, and they really are good at what they do. The proofs were gorgeous. But at the end of the day, I spent money and didn't get anything in return. read more

Denise and her hair and makeup artist Ashlyn are absolutely a dream to work with! I've worked with Denise 3 times and Ashlyn twice on glamour and boudoir sessions and its always been a pleasant experience. I do warn you will be showered with compliments and feel absolutely beautiful with her. The studio makes you feel like you entered in a dreamy, vintage house with soft and light colors. Very elegant and feminine. Denise's additional attribute, other than amazing lighting technique, is that she knows how to bring out many of your emotions in the photos; solo or couple session. If you want photos that your partner, friends and family will adore for years on end, you won't be disappointed booking with Modern Love Photography. read more

Modern Love Photography - Boudir session - Session Photography Near Me - Hayward, California

Denise is the shit. Basically. Her supporting staff is awesome as well. She was the best part about going to the bunk ass "Great "Wedding Expo last year in SF (it's not great, mediocre at best!) Within 10 minutes of talking to her, I thought to myself, she is the one! Women's intiution maybe but I also felt a connection...or I think it's her dreamy green eyes. I'm a sucker for dreamy green eyes. Her portfolio also got my attention. There are so many basic photographers out there. If that is what you want, then that is cool but in Denise's work, you could really feel the love...for real! The pix I loved the most were the ones where you could feel the passion. She was out of our budget but after looking at her work on her website more, my fiance and I just had to book her. When you book her for your wedding, she requires an engagement sesh, and for good reason! You get a sense of her style. She really puts you at ease and makes you feel like a supermodel, no joke! I love when she says "gimme sugar!" That really got me going! I'm looking forward to the wedding this fall. Then after that, the boudoir, maternity, and family shots. Yup I'm contracting her for life! read more

Modern Love Photography - Denise made us look sexy! - Session Photography Near Me - Hayward, California

We used Modern Love Weddings as our wedding day videographer, we had already arranged a photographer which is why we didn't use them for that service. While I wanted a videographer and kept reading how it was the one thing most brides regretted not getting, I couldn't justify in our budget the quotes ($4-5k and up) I kept getting for one. Eventually I got an email from Modern Love Weddings about a videographer special for the end of the year (our wedding was in November 2018) where you get their videographer for 8 hours and end up with a 10-12min highlights video, all for $1,200 - this was exactly what I was looking for and in a price we could afford. We asked for some samples, liked what we saw, and jumped on the deal. We worked with Christian Hernandez as our videographer and the final product was beyond what we could have hoped for. It literally brought streaming tears to my mother-in-law's eyes and caused both me and my husband to choke up when we first watched. Christian was great and worked beautifully with our photographer (even though they never met before). He let our photographer take the lead and just documentary-style captured the entire day. We especially wanted the speeches in the video and feel Christian captured the entire gist of the day while allowing us to focus on the speeches and seeing everything in our video. We only chatted with Christian once before our wedding day yet he got exactly what we wanted, was on time, and delivered the final product about two months after our wedding day. His video editing was very professional! Would totally recommend using them to anyone. If you're interested in a sample of his work, here's the link to our wedding highlights video:  https://vimeo.com/311341543/38d616a0ff And here are some of the other samples we received when we asked for some: https://vimeo.com/224524610 https://vimeo.com/217332217 https://vimeo.com/191233273 read more

I purchased a Groupon for my sister who was getting married in June this year. I even added things outside of the groupon to ensure a great experience. During that time frame, we had a lot going on and couldn't fulfill the boudoir package I had purchased for her but was told that I could call to reschedule. It has been a week of calling (unable to leave a voicemail because it's full,) emails, and trying to reach out on messenger and no response. I feel quite uncomfortable having to had spend a little extra and not know whether or not they will honor this credit we still have. I am disappointed in the lack of response or even an away message (if this is why) and can only wonder what the turnaround for photos are. I really do hope I can have a different perspective if and when they decide to share what's going on but it's been stressful not hearing back. Update: I deleted my previous Yelp review when Denise reached out to me about being on sabbatical. I am understanding of the situation but I was not given a solution. Essentially, I was given only one day to fulfill and no other opportunity to discuss a fulfillment at a later date so I was willing to make that one day work. I was also provided a personal line in which I've reached out to twice and have had no response. This is $300 worth of credit and I'm really bummed by the lack of response, solution, or any resolve to the issue. I hope you all have better experiences than I but it really makes me feel sick to my stomach. I felt everyone should be aware should they purchase specials and not are aware of her leave. read more

I have had the pleasure of Denise taking my picture a few times. It seems I cannot take a picture without looking totally freaked out. I must say that Denise somehow always captures amazing pictures of me and makes me feel so comfortable. This past weekend I did a mommy and me session with Denise and my daughter who is 7. What an amazing day I spent with my daughter- memories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. This session is not just come in pose and get a few posed pictures- We laughed and bonded and received they most beautiful photos of a special day. I highly recommend Denise and her crew if you want photos that are extraordinary! read more

Modern Love Photography - Cuddling up with momma - Session Photography Near Me - Hayward, California

See all

DO IT!! I was so nervous for this but it really was such a great experience! She makes you feel so comfortable and is just a blast to work with! I got my digital photos super quick and they were amazing! I've already referred a friend who has booked her appointment! JUST DO IT! read more

This review is 6 years overdue, and it's in regards to my wedding day. I can not vouch for boudoir, because I paid for one as part of the package but never recieved it. Obviously after 6 years it literally still keeps me up at night since it's midnight and I'm here writing this. Details have alluded me at this point, maybe suppressed, but bottom line is their claim for "journalistic", and "nonintrusive" photography style is just to get away with being non creative, flat out lazy. My photos came back almost voyeuristic, as if the photographers decided to pick one spot during the wedding and just clicked away when they felt like it. I provided a list of pictures of important people to coordinate ahead of time, in the haste and blur of the event, I realized after that it was never coordinated by the photographers. My family is still upset, as aside from the bridal party, I didn't have any pictures with my family. It was the last opportunity we had our entire family together (my siblings all live in different states, my grandparents had passed after). My bridesmaids had to often look for the photographers to remind them, "it's time for the cake cutting", "hey they're starting the first dance". I don't have a single photo taken by Modern Love framed in my home from our wedding. Some of the best shots were from our guests. They made no attempt to build rapport with us leading up to the day or after. Delayed and minimal communication at best if we had any questions. Up to the morning of, we had no confirmation that they had recieved my message from the day before regarding the location of the hotel we would meet at. They showed up late and just showed up, no confirmation, no apologies, and had me worried throughout the night before the wedding day. If we didn't attempt to reach out to them, they would not initiate anything. With emails, it'll be weeks after for a reply. . I'm still owed a boudoir shoot and my wedding photo book. But after two babies I don't think that's in the stars anymore. After initial sadness... Nay, grief... Of the outcome of our photos, I reached out to the main photographer (Katie) to inquire about our photo book. Her response was that she no longer worked with modern love, expressed she would forward the message, but still no reply. I got too frustrated and didn't want to keep re-triggering myself. I'm reading a lot of comments talking about how heart broken clients are, and I completely relate. The cake gets eaten, the flowers dry up, the wedding dress no longer fits... But the photos are all you have left from your special day. But I don't even have those thanks to Modern Love's very mediocre attempt to care enough to know me, capture who we are as a couple, value me though as a client after the payment had been recieved. read more

From the moment I met Denise I knew I was in good hands. Andy and I aren't the "serious photo" type and typically look rather goofy in our pictures. Denise and the Modern Love staff have made me realize we just needed direction! She and her crew have an amazing ability to make you feel comfortable, confident and at ease. Our engagement session and my boudoir session (something I NEVER thought I'd do, but am so thankful I did!) turned out so awesome and I couldn't be more grateful. There is an artistic quality to the photos that doesn't detract from the subject in any way. I have never seen photos so wonderful. We were just married a few weeks ago and I was very concerned about the intrusiveness of the photographers I've witnessed at other weddings. We wanted to have as much time as possible to spend with our guests AND have amazing photos... Not an easy task! Rizza was absolutely perfect and I am sure the photos will be wonderful. I will update this review once we receive them! Thank you Denise and Modern Love! read more

Modern Love Photography - One of Modern Love's photos that somehow kept me from looking like a goof ball! - Session Photography Near Me - Hayward, California

I was so excited to do my photo shoot that I received as a engagement present from a friend through groupon. I drove 30 miles thinking that my appointment was at 1:30( because that was the person told me 3 days before ). I arrived at 1:15pm looking for the place I called and they tell me that my appointment was at 1:00pm. Ahhh I explained to Lauren. It seem she didn't care and I tried to reschedule until the end of the month and then there was going to be a charge of $75.00 for no shows. No thank you read more

I usually am an avid Yelp review reader, but never write reviews, unless I feel so strongly about a business. I have to say that Modern Love Photography, in its entirety, is simply amazing. I found Modern Love through a Groupon deal. For $100, the Groupon included a 30-minute boudoir photo shoot with 2 outfit changes and 2 High-res images included. I thought it sounded like a good deal, took the plunge, and decided to try it out. My best friend was also interested in the shoot because she her prior boudoir experience with a different photographer had been awful, and she wanted a re-do.I had never done a boudoir shoot. so all of the nerves were there. Scheduling the appointment was easy, and after a few email exchanges, my friend and I had a confirmed appointment time. We arrived on a Wednesday, in the morning, with our hair and make-up already done. Katie and the Modern Love staff told us that for $65 we could get make-up added on, and for $95 we could get both hair and makeup done, but for times sake, my friend and i did our own hair and had a friend do our makeup. The studio is gorgeous. It is a huge New York style loft with many different sets (romantic beds, darker, sexier beds, soft throw blankets, silky sheets), and gorgeous lighting. Katie, with whom we had been in frequent contact with, was our photographer. She was AMAZING. Immediately, she made us feel welcome, comfortable, and authentically beautiful. She did not try to force us into any pose that we were not comfortable with, she demonstrated each pose before we got into it, and gave such clear, friendly, amazing direction. I had never felt so beautiful. After the shoot, we went and got lunch while Katie did a light edit of the photos, and then we got to view the photos that very same day on the big screen tv in their viewing room. Beautiful, amazing photos. Such a talented, professional staff. I will be back, and will post some once I pick up my CD on Friday! Oh, and the photos were so beautiful, I purchased 10 more, in addition to my 2 free photos that came with the groupon. read more

Extremely poor communication, getting in contact with the business was very difficult. The owner would not refund any money after requiring less hours due to the pandemic and significant downsizing of my wedding. The owner/main photographer canceled at 9am on the day of my wedding. A back up photographer was assigned but arrived 45 minutes late. Unfortunately, I would not recommend this business for bridal services. read more

where should I start? I bought a groupon and booked my appointment within a week with Katie. She sent me the booking proposal and reminder via email, super fast, no problem at all. this is my first maternity shoot, I had my hair and make up done on the day of my shoot. When i got there, Katie was ready for me. She was super friendly, put on some music, showed me around the sets, and told me the ideas about the shoot. My entire experience was better than awesome. I had 2 different outfit and she gave me more than 2 looks. the shoot went pretty fast, but i definitely got QUALITY photos. I'm over 8 month pregnant, but Katie made me look like a million dollar!!! Went back to view the photo, they looked amazing!!! i went ahead and upgraded my package and got 10 more photos. Now my bf and I are going back for 2nd shoot with Katie. She is easy to work with, I just had a great time over all! i wish I can have her as my personal photographer. Tips: EMAIL is way faster than phone call. She responds to email really really really FAST!!! read more

All I can say about my boudoir shoot with Modern Love yesterday is that it is easily one of the best things I've ever done for myself. Yes, I bought these as a wedding gift for my husband, but I don't even care if he never looks at them. Doing this shoot made me feel more beautiful than I ever have. This morning when I looked at myself in the mirror I didn't see the "flaws" I nit pick at every day. Instead I felt sexy and perfect and I can never thank the team at Modern Love enough for showing me that. Every single person at the studio is kind and gorgeous and motivating. I had no idea what to expect but they blew me away with their talent and ability to put my nervous self at ease. It doesn't hurt that they found a way to make me look super hot in my photos (and not silly at all). I plan to keep looking back at these until I'm 80. Seriously ladies, this experience and the resulting photos are worth every penny. read more

This is a review for the wedding photography consult I had. This review comes before I had my boudoir session. I met Denise at the bridal fair and I was assigned to Katie. She was flexible and met with me after work, and was very accommodating. She is a warm and loving person. She teaches you how to pose for shots. She even hugs you goodbye. They really want to make a connection with you. We decided not to go with them for a few reasons, which mainly boils down to personal preferences. * I liked Denise's photos more than Katie's. They're very similar, but I saw some differences. However, I was told you can't pick which photographer you get, so for us either Katie or no one. Of course, they did not say it like that. * They have never been to my venue before and wouldn't do a site visit in advance. * There are some sales pitch tactics they use which are a little off-putting to me. * The photography they shoot is a similar recipe. Of the albums I saw, it was a similar story for each couple. * The photographs didn't capture much of the background, mostly just the people. A lot of the backgrounds were blurred with focus on the person * It's nice to learn how to pose, but for some people, that can make them look uncomfortable or unnatural. I saw that in some of their photos, but not the majority. Modern Love was definitely high in the running for my wedding photographer decision, but I think my photo preference didn't match with theirs. In my opinion, their style would look amazing in any high-quality bridal magazine (and it does)!! read more

About two years ago I took Boudoir photos for my husband before our wedding at Modern Love Photography. I can't begin to tell you how great of an experience I had. First of all, they offer so many sets to choose from which was awesome. The lighting in there is incredible! My photographer really made me feel beautiful and even taught me how to make sexy faces and give incredible poses. I am so happy I with my photos. They are absolutely GORGEOUS!!! Fast forward to early this January, I am now 7 months pregnant and decided I wanted to capture this moment as well. Made an appointment and got to shoot with the owner and her assistant this time. I am so happy with my maternity photos. I originally wanted to do a Demi Moore inspired pregnancy shoot and ended up with the most incredible shot inspired by that. I highly reccomend Modern Love Photography to everyone. So professional and truly give stunning photos. I am forever thankful! read more

I hate to be one of those Groupon people, but because of my deal I discovered a FANTASTIC establishment that I endorse and recommend completely. When I reached out to Modern Love, I always got a response within 24 hours. I voiced every concern I had, and all email correspondence was professional. I decided to pay for hair and makeup by Mikala (spelling?) and she is more than a makeup artist, she's a natural. Great, cheery personality (not saccharine or fake) and openly discusses the look you and her are going for. Might I just add, that I would give anything to pull off the hairstyle she did for me. damn. Working with Katie was a blast as well, she just kind of lays her tips out on the table and you dive right in. She is so enthusiastic about her work it made me enthusiastic to even be there, and get a high five for pulling off a pose! She really knows how to have fun with you, set you right where you need to be, and get the most out of what you have to offer. The viewing was excruciating. Honestly there wasn't a single image I wouldn't have loved to come home with. I must have spent 30+ minutes squinting my eyes, scratching my head, and asking, "why? WHY must they all be so amazing?!" I couldn't believe I looked that good. I was so proud of myself I told them to use my pictures for whatever they wanted. I really felt that confident. Overall, I felt like I was having a day with the girls. Every one of them were very complimentary and relaxed. I am telling every one of my friends about this studio and plan on coming back to them for my photo needs. Looking at their images makes me want to get married. haha. But seriously, the money you pay is beyond worth it. I'll be picking up my finished images in a week and can't wait to see the work (Denise's daughter who has a very unique name...) will do. Thank you, Ladies! Keep up the awesome work! read more

Taking time to leave a Yelp reviews means you were either completely blown or you were so upset that you need to warn everyone. I WAS COMPLETELY BLOWN AWAY!!! Found out my boudoir photoshoot Groupon was expiring and gave Modern Love Photography a call in the wee hours of the morning to remind myself to call them back later to set up an appointment. Instead, Brittany called me back on Thursday and I was all set up for Sunday! Within minutes, I was sent an email and all set for my appointment! AMAZING customer service before I even set foot in the studio. Come Sunday, I found the studio and my photographer Katie welcomed me in. She's so down to earth, open, and professional. She expertly posed me and I was so sad when the shoot was over. But when my 30 minutes were up, with a few minutes extra, I had nearly 100 shots to choose from. 100!!!!! When it came time to review my photos in my own private viewing on a huge flat screen television, my only disappointment was that I couldn't buy all of them. The Groupon gave me one pose but I ended up leaving with six of the best photos anyone has ever taken of me. I will definitely be coming back and would highly recommend this team! If you're looking for a well organized studio with the most brilliant and knowledgeable team ever, look no farther than Modern Love! :D read more

The girls are amazing! KATIE is an effin #GODDESS This review is indeed overdue!.. I set an appointment with Katie for a shoot about a week prior to valentines day, in hopes they would be ready for 2/14... I know WISHFUL thinking right?! I had met a few of the ladies of MLP on several different occasions all being at bridal shows where they remained as they did on each encounter CALM, COOL, WELCOMING, and naturally gorgeous! They exude positive energy, confidence, and of explained my nervousness to Katie via our email conversations, and she gave me some pointers read more

This review is LONG overdue... Let me start by saying that before my awesome first-hand experience with Modern Love Photography, I was part of a wedding that they photographed and loved them immediately! So when I saw a LivingSocial deal for a boudoir session from them I purchased it right away. The entire experience from hair and make-up, to my photo session with Katie, and my image viewing session an hour later was just a dream come true! The entire team is beautifully talented and made me feel 1000% comfortable (and beautiful)! Please note that, for the most part, my regular-on-the-daily-steez consists of minimal make-up, sneakers, T-shirt, and skinny jeans. But lately, I've felt more comfortable in my skin and wanted to step outside of my comfort zone by doing a boudoir session. This boudoir experience was meant to be part of a surprise Christmas gift for my husband and I ended up surprising myself! I had no idea I had it in me and I cannot stress it enough, it was all thanks to Katie! She completely calmed any nerves I had and I felt amazing. When it finally came time to view/select the images to purchase I had the hardest time choosing the best of the bunch because they were ALL beautiful!! My boudoir session was over three months ago and I am still beaming with confidence and light! For lack of a better reference, I felt like Beyonce in her video for "Partition". Please trust and believe me when I say that if you choose Modern Love Photography you will not be disappointed (and neither will your bf/gf, wife/husband)! I love them so much that I'm trying to find an excuse to schedule another session with them! read more

OMG!! Denise so rocks and us an AMAZING photographer. Awesome customer service as well. Her daughter just makes the whole experience very well rounded. My only complaint and hence 4 instead of 5, the primary make up artist for my shoot was quite rude and rough. I could tell right off that she was not invested in Modern Love but a contractor. I have worked with many contractors in my career and they give off a certain non savor faire. Spend your funds here. Get sexy here. Love your body at Modern Love. You will not be disappointed. read more

Modern Love Photography - Great seating area. - Session Photography Near Me - Hayward, California

Happy Love Day to Modern Love Photography! I had the pleasure of working with Denise and her phenomenal crew of professionals over the last few months for my engagement, boudoir and wedding shoot. My wedding happened at the Legion of Honor back in October of 2015, and my husband and I recently received the pictures from the event a few weeks ago. Speechless, was our reaction to the quality and intimacy that Denise and her assistant Sarah capture on that day. Like many brides to be looking for the perfect photography company to be a part of a very special day, I too spent hours researching portfolio's, looking at website content and reading reviews. One of the aesthetically pleasing aspects of Denise's portfolio compared to the other handful of companies we considered was her ability to capture and beautifully frame intimate moments. My husband and I met with Modern Love in late spring before our wedding and instantly fell in love with Denise's work ethic, vision and style. The engagement shoot was a perfect way to establish and ease our comfort levels of trying to look glam when you have this awkward foreign object 10 inches from your face. Needless to say you're in wonderful hands with the photography direction provided by the team. I also decided to have my hair and make-up done for this session and I'm so glad I did because I met Ashley, the wonderful make-up artist who I loved so much that I ended up asking her to so my hair and make-up for the wedding. Prior to the wedding, modern love provides a questionnaire that helps frame how you want to schedule your day. Clearly the team is experienced in working with brides and during the consultation prior, Sarah helped me logistically organize my group shots and other details of the wedding day. Denise also has a strong personality, and one I appreciated during the day of the wedding. She essentially took care of organizing our group post-ceremony when our announcer failed to queue family and friends to stay behind. Earlier in the day she also sprained her ankle while walking on the grass to head around the museum, but despite that she remained professional throughout the whole time. Much of the photography direction was exactly like the engagement shoot. And so happy to finally have my curiosity of the photos satisfied after having to turtle neck and bevel feet (you'll understand if you work with Modern Love). Lastly, the boudoir shoot. Nervous, anxious and excited is what I felt like prior to the actual shoot. Confident, sexy and awed is how I left. How did they put a girl's concerns at ease? How did they capture some of the hottest photos with taste? How do you limit which photos to feature in that Little Black Book? Well... I guess you'll just have to find out for yourself ;) read more

Okay seriously ladies... YOU HAVE TO DO THIS! Denise is seriously one of the best humans I've ever met! She is soooooo good at what she does! She listens to you, she makes you laugh, she guides you, she's patient with you, she makes you feel sexy af, and the list goes on. Did Boudoir pics for my husband as his wedding gift and doing it here with Denise was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Sure it's expensive but you're paying for a once in a lifetime experience and trust me when I say this. You will leave here feeling like a Victoria's Secret model no joke! So I did the whole package where I got my hair and makeup done which I highly recommend because it gives you time to ease into it, talk with Denise (She doesn't do the makeup and hair but she comes In to chat with you) loosen up, get a run down of how its all going to play out. Okay so first it was hair and makeup, and then it was wardrobe which you can choose from her ginormous collection she has or bring your own stuff which I brought my own. Then it's show time, I got an hour and a half with 3 different rooms/backdrops (She has like 10 to choose from) then after you're done playing Victoria's secret model you take an hour break so I went and had lunch. Then you come back and sit in their room with a big screen tv and narrow down your picks. This is the hard part, choosing from over 200+ shots she got was seriously so hard but they don't rush you and they help you choose. Then they create your book and you come back to pick up when it's ready or you can have it mailed. Do not try and be cheap about an experience like this. Don't just come in for the group on because I'm afraid you won't be happy. You need the whole experience, it's more one on one time and isn't rushed at all. Thank you Denise and team for all the hard work you put into my little black book! read more

See all

What can I say about Denise that everyone else here hasn't!! I helped Denise and her husband purchase a house several years ago, and we have stayed in contact as I have watched her business bloom and flourish into the incredible company it is today. Several months ago she started hinting that my current professional pictures might not be up to par... As often happens, business and life got in the way and I was never able to make the time to get in to her studio. Finally I relented and contacted her, conceding that yes, perhaps it was time to take some new shots. As a Real Estate Broker, I am very comfortable in front of new and existing clients. In front of a camera however it's a completely different story! I turned up the studio and she gave me a walk around. Incredible! The ambiance and the old school warehouse stylings just felt so open and eclectic! I was a little nervous because part of her prowess is for taking Boudoir shoots... What had I let myself in for?! She instantly put me at ease. Walking me through the shoot as if I was just a good friend. Pose this way, lean that way, look this way. After a couple of minutes, I had to admit, I was having an awesome time! I would definitely recommend Denise and her company to any of my friends or clients looking for pictures. Wedding, head shots and yes, even Boudoir!! Can't wait to see the pictures so I can update my company website! Keep calm and carry on shooting Denise :o) read more

Found a groupon deal and decided to jump the gun and do it! I was nervous as i did not know what to expect. During the session you do get coaching which made it much relaxing and fun! I defin recommend that every woman should do it once in a lifetime. Its not like glamour shots. The ladies here are very friendly and nice! The hardest thing was narrowing the pictures down to which package you order. I defin would use Modern Photography again in the future! read more

Mother and Daughter provided an awesome service. It was a great experience for me. Having a Boudoir photo shot done for hubby's gift was pleasant and great experience. Denise the owner and photographer was such a sweetheart and she made me feel beautiful in and out. It was kind of far for me and I wish the album came with keep safe box at least for the price I paid. Otherwise I highly recommend. read more

First off I had originally met these wonderful ladies at the San Ramon bridal fair, passing by the this booth caught my eye. The work they had displayed was amazing!!!! I got the business name and site and went online to try to book. Unfortunately, way out of my price range.... However, when I came across there groupon I was so excited. I purchased and it was the best experience by far! I want to surprise my fiancé with these gorgeous pictures taken by this remarkable company! They made me feel so comfortable so relaxed (and that ain't easy for a bride!) Katie, you are a saint! All the woman in the studio are incredible. I have recommend 3-5 people all ready:) I can not wait to see their final product as well. Keep doing what your doing, I will come back for a second shooting!! read more

Modern Love Photography - Final product!!!! It's so beautiful I nearly cried!! Love love love it! - Session Photography Near Me - Hayward, California

I have been sitting here trying to figure out the right words to explain just how amazingly wonderful my experience with Modern Love has been. There are, quite simply, no words! I found Modern Love through a deal on Groupon. $39 for a 30-minute shoot, with 2 looks, accessories, and 1 4x6 or digital image. The deal seemed too great to pass up, so I took the plunge and decided to surprise my boyfriend with some photographs. With only a couple weeks until his birthday, I emailed Katie that Sunday night. Much to my surprise, she answered just a couple hours later in so much detail, with an appointment for that Friday! The follow up emails and conversation between us really eased me into the experience and left me feeling well prepared the day of the shoot. My appointment was Friday afternoon and although it took me a little while to find the location (one way streets will always get me), I arrived an hour early to get my hair and make-up done. It was $95 but SO worth it. Mikala is a make-up genius! She knew just the right colors to use to bring out my eyes and just how to contour for the most flattering angles. Not to mention, the experience alone was worth it. Mikala was so sweet and really calmed my nerves before the shoot. After my hair was perfectly curled and my face all made up, it was my turn in the studio. The studio itself is AMAZING. It's a loft with a few different sets, all that evoke the playful, sexy, sweet feeling that you look for in boudoir photos. After quickly chatting with my photographer Katie (who is even sweeter in person that in e-mails), I was left to change. I had issues with my thigh highs, but Katie was there to help me with my entire wardrobe when I asked. Then the shooting began! My nerves were at an all time high, that whole day, but I relaxed so much when the camera started clicking. Katie patiently walked me through all of the poses, doing them right alongside of me before each shot. I never felt like I was doing it wrong, which made me feel sexier and sexier as the shoot progressed. With some photos by a window and some on the bed, I really thought it would get awkward at some point, but Katie is a real professional. She definitely knows what she's doing. Once the shoot was over, I was sad it had to end. I left the studio with an amazing buzz of self confidence and excitement. Even if I hadn't gotten any photos out of it, the experience itself would have definitely been worth it. Normally the photos are available to view about an hour after the shoot, but the editor had to run out of town last minute the day of my appointment. Instead, I scheduled something for early the next week. The ladies were so apologetic, but I didn't mind. I was actually kind of excited to draw out the experience even more. I met with Sakara the next Wednesday. She had soft-edited all of my photos and had them all prepared as a slideshow for me to watch on their big screen TV. After my mind was completely blown by the amazing photos Katie took, Sakara patiently sat with me while I narrowed down my choices. Not once did I feel pressured to purchase more photos than I was financially comfortable with, and I had so much fun going through them all. When I finally got to my final decision (eight photos total, a few more than I planned for but I just couldn't help it!), the payment was seamless. I was able to use a credit card and had a receipt e-mailed to me immediately. No more than two hours after I left, I was e-mailed the link to my final gallery. The photos were all saved to a beautiful, personalized site and I could NOT stop staring at them. The work these three ladies did was absolutely phenomenal. I was able to open the site on my phone, save the images to my personal photos folder and then I couldn't help but send a lot of them out to my friends! I have been buzzing ever since I first stepped foot into Modern Love. I really cannot recommend shooting with them enough. Whether you want a sexy gift for your significant other or a big boost of self confidence, you'll be amazed at how these women make you feel. For now, I'll enjoy my eight fabulous pictures and continue looking for an excuse to return to my three new friends. I absolutely cannot wait to see my boyfriend's face when I surprise him with these photos! I just know he will LOVE them as much as I do. Thank you, Modern Love, for a wonderful day of pampering and fun and for eight gorgeous photos that I will cherish forever! read more

attempted this review previously and it never showed up: I am an enthusiast for giving praise, but disappointingly not today. I inquired about my upcoming commitment celebration asking for a price quote. I was sent a link that did not work with a generic message. I informed the photographer the link did not work and asked to send in a different format with no luck of a response back. I am though very fortunate to have found a local photographer in Oakland that responded quite promptly with a quote. read more

Where do I start! First off, the team at modern love is so sweet and made me feel so insanely comfortable in the studio. Denise really helped me step out of my comfort zone and feel more confident in myself. My first time shooting a boudoir session I was so insanely nervous, as I had never done any type of photo shoot before. I was immediately at ease as the vibe and tone in the studio is so comfortable and relaxed. I found myself feeling more bold and risky and sexy as the photo shoot progressed. I ended up doing many more sessions and have loved every experience here! Denise is truly amazing. You will leave feeling empowered and proud of everything that makes you beautiful (: love you Modern Love!! read more

I had Denise as my Photography goddess guide‍. I never knew I could be so sultry & sexy. I did the shoot for my then boyfriend for our anniversary. He now didn't deserve it, but it turns out it was more for me. Denise was very understanding because I was late due to a personal emergency prior to my shoot. She helped me relax & feel amazingly confident. She said my legs would make most guys weak, I blushed! I was always self conscious about them & many other things, because I have a disability. But that day I was a goddess. I still want to go back. I was always the geeky girl next door, but on that day I was the Naughty Librarian! Lol. Denise & her staff are Empowering, Magnificent, Magicians with cameras . I made them cream puffs as a Thank You. read more

Modern Love Photography - My pic done by the genius with a camera, Denise. - Session Photography Near Me - Hayward, California

We just got the photos that Denise and crew took for our wedding. Denise has a great eye for composition and did an amazing job of capturing the look and feel of our big day and engagement photos. We opted for her full package including engagement photos, make-up for my bride, and wedding photos. Ashlyn, the make-up artist did a great job of taking care of my bride and knowing how to make her look good both in photos and in person. Having a collection of pictures of us at our best was well worth the price! read more

It was amazing working with Denise for our photos! She was patient and knew how to make someone get comfortable if they're nervous. The entire experience was amazing and the photos turned out beautiful. I would recommend Modern Love for anyone that wants a comfortable experience and amazing quality photos. read more

Ok...so I pretty much LOVE Denise Birdsong. Our love story began almost 2 years ago when I went online and saw photos of my friend's wedding on my facebook newsfeed. As I just recently got engaged, I asked my friend, "who is your photographer?". And the rest is history. I met with Denise, who is really warm and I immediately knew I wanted to have her photograph the most important day of my life. She is everything I wanted in a photographer, someone who knows angels, and has a great eye for framing a shot, and who listens to my concerns. She is artsy but not a type of photographer who gets lost in the art and forgets about the main subject...the people in the photo! With Denise you are guaranteed great photos! All my friends and family loved my engagement and wedding photos! Even my guy friends, texted me and said "whatever you paid for your photographs was well worth it!". I would recommend Denise without hesitation! She really gets to know all of her brides and I am amazed at how most of the brides and her have remained friends even after the wedding has occurred. They have, for instance, used her for when they wanted to take pregnancy photos, family portraits, etc. I plan on too calling on her to capture more big life events. read more

Modern Love Photography gave my fiance and me a lovely engagement photo experience!! Denise is an amazing coach, stellar photographer, and a wonderful human, full of love and laughter. Janessa did an amazing job on my makeup and made me feel absolutely beautiful on such a special day. Carly was great at keeping us organized and an informed the entire way. Modern Love provides a loving family environment. If you make them your choice, you are guaranteed amazing photos! read more

Ok, so I'm a bit obsessed with photography and when it came time for me to choose someone to do portraits for my beauty business, you know I did the research! I was in awe of all the beautiful photographs on the Modern Love website and was beyond excited to shoot with Denise. Denise and her team were great. My business partner and I had such a fun time and couldn't wait to see the photos. And it was worth the wait! Somehow she made a 6 month pregnant lady (me!) look fabulous! However the true testament to her amazing photography and wonderful personality is the fact that I hired her to do my birth story. Now, I'm a relatively private person and didn't want a lot of people in the room when I delivered. It was just my husband, my mom and my sister. I debated about having anyone else there but Denise is so easy going that she fit right in. She was not obtrusive in any way. Even my family remarked on how she seemed like part of the team. I hardly noticed her (in a good way). I just recently looked back at the photos she took and all the emotions of that day just came back to me. Her pictures were not only beautiful technically but also in the emotions they were able to convey. That was a moment that will never happen again and I feel so blessed to have those pictures to look back at. I got married long before I knew Denise and her team but I trusted them during the birth of my baby and I would definitely trust them to capture the beauty and emotion of a wedding. read more

I've been a fan of Denise for years..literally. I met Denise at a wedding fair, and proceeded to stalk her work for months- its beautiful and really captures your best self. I booked Modern Love for our wedding, and could not be happier, the images were stunning, and Denise and her team were such a pleasure to work with. Denise will do anything to get the perfect shot, multiple times in the evening I saw her laying on the ground to capture a shot. We had some photo shy groomsmen, and she managed to not only get great images of them, but they actually SMILED...she really makes everyone at ease and can make what sometimes feels like an awkward position into the most natural and stunning image. Fast forward to what is now five years later, Denise just did a family session for us, and despite a squirmy little 18 month old, she managed to capture our family perfectly. I cannot wait to hang these in our home. If you are looking for a photographer who will listen to you, and help you capture your special day or time in your life, Denise is the best. read more

Words cannot express how much fun I had today with the Modern Love team! I've never felt more beautiful and sexy in my life. They are extremely professional and accommodating. I would highly recommend them for a boudoir shoot, e-sesh or capturing your special day! You will NOT be disappointed with in the quality of your photographs. Thank you again team Modern Love for such an awesome day! read more