Los Angeles & San Diego · Product, Ecommerce & Campaign Photography
Chris Frara,
Commercial Photographer & Director
I shoot commercial product photography, ecommerce imagery, and brand campaigns built to make the product look right, feel on-brand, and work everywhere it needs to live. Some projects are focused studio shoots. Others bring together talent, location, motion, and a full production. Either way, the work is made for advertising, ecommerce, social, and paid media, whether I'm working directly with brands or alongside advertising and marketing agencies throughout Los Angeles and San Diego.
Trusted by
Product is at the center of the work, but the bigger picture is always the brand. One project might be a single product shot in a controlled studio. The next might bring in talent, locations, motion, and a full campaign. Whatever the scale, the goal stays the same: images that feel right for the brand and perform once they reach a real customer.
What I shoot
- Commercial product photography for advertising and ecommerce
- Ecommerce photography for product pages, launches, and paid media
- Brand campaign photography with product, talent, and lifestyle
- Campaign video, creative direction, and full production
SoCal
commercially
photography
South African roots.
Built in Los Angeles.
I grew up in South Africa and moved to Los Angeles in my early twenties. More than two decades in Southern California have shaped the way I see light, people, products, and brands. That eye has become as practical as it is creative. I know what an image needs to do on a product page, in a campaign, across paid media, and everywhere in between.
Years of shooting across Southern California have taught me that a studio product image, an ecommerce set, and a location campaign can all belong to the same brand while doing very different jobs. The best work respects that difference and still feels completely connected.
Before photography, I spent close to a decade running ecommerce for fashion and consumer brands around the world. Before I photographed products, I sold them. That experience still shapes how I think on set, because I know the image is only the beginning of what the customer eventually sees.
Most photographers are focused on the frame. I'm focused on what the frame has to do for the business. That means understanding the product, the customer, and how the final images will actually be used, whether they are headed to ecommerce, advertising, a campaign launch, social, or paid media.
The team behind the camera has grown too. What started as one person with a camera now has the crew and production support to handle focused product and ecommerce shoots, plus larger campaign productions. The scale can change without the process getting complicated.
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Brief
I start with the product, the audience, and where the images need to live, then turn that into a clear plan before anything is booked.
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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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Deliver
Final files are delivered with the real rollout in mind, ready for ecommerce, advertising, campaign launches, social, and paid media.
South Africa → Los Angeles → San Diego
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.
Verified Google reviews
Chris Frara Studios · Los Angeles
5.0
51 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 Agency
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.
Kyung Ja Whang
Talent, TRAFFIK Advertising Agency
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!
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!
Nelly Hoke
Marketing Director, Los Angeles
We brought Chris in for a lifestyle product photography shoot for our brand in Santa Monica, and we're honestly stoked with how it turned out. We needed updated product photography that would work across our website, e-commerce and paid social while still feeling true to the brand and not overly produced. Since these images are being used for commercial campaigns, it was important that everything felt polished but still natural. He has a great way of getting people comfortable on set, so nothing felt stiff or posed, which made a real difference in the final images. The product still stands out, but the moments feel authentic and easy. As a growing company, it's not always easy finding a Los Angeles commercial photographer who understands both the creative side and how visuals actually need to perform across marketing, and he really understands that balance. The images are already live and the response has been great. We'll definitely be working 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.
Studio FAQ
What clients ask before working with me
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About & Approach
Why choose Chris Frara Studios for a brand shoot?
Before photography, I spent close to a decade running ecommerce and consumer brand operations, and that background shapes every shoot I walk into. Most photographers are thinking about the frame. I'm thinking about where that frame is going to live, how it needs to perform on a product page, hold up in a paid ad, and feel right when someone scrolls past it on their phone. That shift in thinking changes everything about how a shoot gets planned and what you walk away with.
Working with me is straightforward. You get a clear plan before we shoot, honest communication throughout, and final files that are actually ready to use without another round of back and forth. No surprises on the day and no chasing after delivery. Ten years of commercial work across Los Angeles and San Diego. The level of preparation and care stays the same regardless of the budget.
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 across Los Angeles, San Diego, and Southern California. Some are coming to me because they're launching something and the images have to work from day one. 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 deeply about how their brand shows up in the world. If that sounds like you, you're in the right place.
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.
Working Together
What kinds of projects are the best fit?
Usually it's a brand that wants more than just a nice photo. I work best with people who think about where the images are actually going, a product page, an ad, a campaign launch, and want the shoot planned around that from day one. Some projects are a single studio day. Others bring in talent, locations, and motion for something bigger. The size changes, but the thinking behind it stays the same.
Where do you work?
I'm based between 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.
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. Send over your brief, deck, shot list, or even a rough idea, and I'll come back with a clear scope and budget before anything gets booked.