Los Angeles & San Diego · Product, Ecommerce & Campaign Photography
Chris Frara,
Commercial Photographer & Director
I shoot product photography, ecommerce imagery, and brand campaigns for companies that care as much about how the images perform as how they look. Some shoots are built around a single product in the studio. Others bring in talent, location, and a full crew. Either way, I work directly with brands and alongside advertising and marketing agencies across Los Angeles and San Diego.
Trusted by
I start with the product, then work outward: what needs to be visible, what needs to feel expensive or useful or easy to understand, and where the image actually gets seen first. Those answers shape the lighting, the styling, and the shot list.
What I shoot
South African roots.
Built in Los Angeles.
I grew up in South Africa and moved to Los Angeles in my early twenties. Southern California is where I learned the business, built the studio, and figured out how I actually like to shoot. The light here is part of it, but so is the mix: one week is a controlled set in the studio, the next is a location campaign with talent and a full crew. I like that range, and I like keeping the work feeling like one brand no matter how the scale changes.
That range comes from somewhere specific.
In my own wordsBefore I photographed products, I sold them. That still changes how I think about every shoot.
Chris Frara
That background taught me to think beyond the frame. I still look at where the image will live, what the customer needs to notice first, and whether the full set gives the brand enough to work with across a launch, campaign or product page.
The team behind the camera has grown too. What started as one person with a camera now has the crew and production support for a tight product shoot or a full campaign, without the process getting more complicated.
How a project runs
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Plan
Brief
I start with the product, the audience, and how the images will be used, then turn that into a clear plan before anything gets booked.
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Shoot day
Shoot
On set, I keep the direction clear, the energy good, and the pace moving so the work stays sharp without the day feeling rushed.
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Handoff
Deliver
Files come back organized and ready to use, so nothing gets held up on the handoff.
You've seen the work.
Let's talk about yours.
Whether you need a product shoot, an ecommerce refresh, or a full campaign, tell me what you're working on.
Responds within one business day.
Studio FAQ
What Clients Ask Before Working With Me
A few honest answers to what people want to know before they book a shoot with me.
01
About Chris & The Approach
Why choose Chris Frara Studios for a brand shoot?
Before I ever picked up a camera, I spent almost ten years as an ecommerce director, working with brands both here in the US and internationally. That background is still the lens everything gets planned through. Whether an image is going up on Amazon, running as a paid ad, or anchoring a national campaign, I'm thinking about how it needs to perform, not just how it looks.
Working together is meant to be easy too. We go through pricing, deliverables, and usage upfront, so there's nothing that shows up later as a surprise fee or a hidden licensing cost. You know exactly what you're getting and what it costs before anything gets booked.
That's all backed by ten years of commercial work across Los Angeles and San Diego, with the same level of care whether it's one product shoot or a full campaign.
What makes your approach different from other photographers?
Most photographers are thinking about how the shot looks. I'm thinking about whether it sells. Every shoot starts by building a concept around the product itself, not just picking a pretty backdrop, because a beautiful photo that doesn't say anything about the brand isn't really doing its job. I want someone to see the image, whether it's on a product page or in an ad, and immediately picture themselves using it. That comes from nearly a decade of watching what actually converts across different channels, not just from shooting good photos.
What types of brands do you work with?
I work with consumer brands of all sizes, from founders shooting their first product line to established names running national campaigns. Most clients are in wellness, beauty, lifestyle, apparel, and jewelry, based in Los Angeles, San Diego, and across Southern California. Some come to me because they're launching something new and the images have to perform right out of the gate. Others have been with me for years on campaigns you'd recognize, like Dior, Nike, and Casamigos. What they all have in common is that they care about how their brand actually shows up and sells. If that sounds like you, you're in the right place.
02
How We Work Together
What kinds of projects are the best fit?
I work best with brands who want more than just a nice photo, people who think about where the images are actually going, a product page, an ad, a launch, and want the shoot planned around that from the start. Some projects are a single studio day. Others bring in talent, locations, and motion for something much bigger. The scale changes, but the thinking behind it stays the same either way.
How do you scope and quote projects?
Every project gets quoted on its own, based on the brief, deliverables, usage, and how many days it takes to pull off. A single product shoot and a multi-day campaign are completely different animals, so there's no flat rate that makes sense for both. We go through everything together before anything gets booked, so pricing stays clear and there are no surprises later, no hidden licensing fees, no last-minute add-ons. Send over your brief, deck, shot list, or even just a rough idea, and I'll come back with a clear scope and budget.
Where are your studios located?
I run studios in both Los Angeles and San Diego and shoot across Southern California. For bigger productions I'll travel wherever the project needs to go. Depending on the brief, we might be in studio, on location, or a mix of both.
Do you work with agencies?
Yes, agency work is a big part of what I do. I'm used to plugging into an existing creative team, working from someone else's brief, and keeping communication clear across producers, creative directors, and clients. If you're an agency looking for a production partner, my agency page goes into more detail on how that partnership works.
03
Services & Where To Go Next
Can you help with creative direction for a brand photoshoot?
Yes, and for most projects it's where the biggest difference gets made. Before anything is booked, we work through the concept, shot list, mood, and references together so every frame has a clear purpose before we step on set. You end up with a more efficient shoot day and images that feel considered rather than figured out on the fly. If you don't have an in-house creative team, this is usually the part clients tell me they didn't know they needed until they had it. For bigger productions built entirely around a creative concept, my brand campaign page goes deeper into how that process works.
What's the difference between product photography, ecommerce photography, and a brand campaign?
Good question, since they sound similar but aren't quite the same. Product photography covers styled studio and lifestyle work built around one product line, with or without models. Ecommerce photography is more focused, clean images made for your online store listings. A brand campaign is the biggest of the three, a full creative production with concept development, multiple locations, and talent, built around your brand's story rather than one product. If you're not sure which one fits what you have in mind, just reach out and I'll help you figure out the right scope.
Verified Google reviews
Chris Frara Studios · Los Angeles
5.0
54 reviews
Perrin Mullinax
Director of Cinematic, Bibola
I worked with Chris on a TV commercial project and he was the stills photographer. He was awesome to work with, quick at his job, and very professional! He's a great personality and vibe to have on set and he's definitely someone you should look to hire for photography or for videography!
Tracy Howes
Director of Procurement, TRAFFIK Advertising
Chris Frara was an absolute pleasure to work with on our two-day photoshoot. He brought an exceptional level of professionalism, creativity, and attention to detail to every aspect of the production. He made everyone feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera, resulting in authentic and beautifully captured moments. I was especially impressed by his efficiency and ability to keep the shoot organized, on schedule, and running smoothly across both days without ever compromising the quality of his work. His calm, collaborative approach made the entire experience enjoyable for everyone involved. I highly recommend Chris to anyone looking for a skilled, dependable, and genuinely wonderful photographer to work with.
Leah Nicole
Talent, Gymwrap
I had such a great experience working with Chris Frara Studios for our Gymwrap photoshoot! Chris was super fun and easy to work with, and made the whole shoot feel comfortable and effortless. He captured some amazing shots, and I loved how everything turned out. I would definitely recommend him and would happily work with him again!
Kyung Ja Whang
Talent, TRAFFIK Advertising
I had the pleasure of working with Chris on a commercial lifestyle shoot, and he was an absolute pleasure to work with. He is incredibly professional, kind, encouraging, and has such a wonderful energy on set. He made me feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera, which made the entire experience enjoyable and memorable. His attention to detail and the way he brings out the best in people through his lens are truly impressive. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to work with him and would absolutely love to work together again in the future. Highly recommended!
Nelly Hoke
Marketing Director, Los Angeles
We brought Chris in for a lifestyle product shoot in Santa Monica and couldn’t be happier with how everything came out. We needed a fresh set of photos for our website, online store, and social ads, but didn’t want anything that felt too staged or overdone. Chris made the whole shoot feel really easy. Everyone was comfortable, nothing felt forced, and that definitely shows in the photos. The product looks great, but the images still feel natural and like real moments. It can be hard to find a photographer who gets the brand, knows how to make things look good, and also understands where the photos are actually going to be used. Chris really nailed that for us. The photos are already live and we’ve had a great response so far. We’d absolutely work with him again.
Vanessa Johnson
Production Manager, Los Angeles
We hired Chris for a full campaign launch in West Hollywood and couldn't be happier. He handled our campaign video and product photography and everything came back ready for web, ecommerce and paid ads. Super easy to work with and really dialed in on what we were trying to say as a brand. The shoot felt organized but relaxed which made a big difference for our team. Easily one of the best commercial photographers in Los Angeles.
Sal Alvarez
Co-Founder, Studio Haven LA
Couldn't be happier with the experience. Super professional, easy to work with, and clearly cared about getting everything just right. Chris went above and beyond to make the shoot a success, and the results were even better than expected.
Madeleine Miller
Founder & CEO, Buzz Social Media
We use Chris as our go-to photography partner for our marketing agency, and he's been incredible to work with. We regularly do shoots for clients across a wide range of industries, and Chris always adapts his technique to deliver the best results for each project. He's dependable, reliable, on time, and always professional. His attention to detail and clean approach make every shoot run smoothly, and his top-notch equipment ensures consistently high-quality results. Exactly what you want in a photography partner.
Kai Brown
Founder, weareamR
Chris is an incredible guy and a super talented Photographer. Highly recommend!
James Herrault
Co-Founder, Savalé Footwear
Working with Chris Frara was a great experience. Very professional. Ultra talented. Definitely an effective communicator when it comes to his creative work and feedback. Which isn't always the case with many creatives. He shot some studio photos and video of my footwear brand Savalé. The work came out extremely high quality. I highly recommend him.
Jason Klug
Owner, Nectarine Agency
We worked with Chris several times on photo shoots for fashion and apparel clients and he never disappoints. Unlike some photographers Chris always goes the extra mile to make the clients happy and deliver great work. Highly recommended!
Matthew Hayes
Client, San Diego
Chris was amazing!! Came a long distance on short notice and saved the day. His work was outstanding, his attitude was easy, and his professionalism was off the charts.