Photography that Highlights Story and Elevates Brands

Portrait, Event, and Wedding Photography for San Francisco, California, and beyond. Photography by Michael Der.

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Finding the Right Photographer Shouldn’t Be So Hard

Limited Skills

The photographer is great for your company’s commercial work, but doesn’t know how to deliver great family portraits or wedding photos.

Awkward Experience

The photographer might have a great portfolio, but they’re lacking the personality to match. They aren’t enjoyable company.

Endless Waiting

The pictures look great, but getting the photographer to actually deliver them in a timely manner is a frustration and a challenge.

Introducing Michael Der, the Only Photographer You’ll Ever Need

Multi-Talented

I’m a seasoned professional photographer whose work has been published across many genres, from weddings and families to commercial brands to editorial print.

Warm and Professional

I pride myself on taking responsibilities off my clients’ tables, rather than adding more to their plates; all with a smile and a quick response time.

Fast Turnaround

Expect to get your beautifully edited photos back quickly following your wedding, family portraits, or commercial needs.

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A Sampling of My Portfolio

My portfolio showcases a diverse range of passions and interests, from athletes on location to artists in the studio, to families celebrating their love. While my skill sets are adaptable depending on the assignment, the greatest strength of my work is in capturing genuine moments and highlighting the spirit of the events and brands I work with. I am proud that every image you see on this site reflects both my versatile experience as a professional photographer and a passionate, energetic style that my clients love and trust.

  • Family of six, including two young children, a teenage girl, a woman, a man, and a baby, enjoying an outdoor moment in fall with sunlight streaming through trees.
  • A woman smiling at the beach, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, a pastel-colored sweater, and jewelry, with ocean waves and cliffs in the background.
  • Two women sitting on a cream-colored couch, smiling and looking at flowers in vases, with a wooden wall background.
  • A bride and groom dancing outdoors at sunset, touching foreheads with their eyes closed, sunlight shining behind them, surrounded by trees.
  • A happy family with a woman, a man, and a little girl playing outdoors in a park during autumn. The little girl is sitting on the man's shoulders, and everyone is smiling and laughing.
  • Three women smiling and posing together outdoors, holding iced coffee drinks, wearing pink and black athletic clothing, and pink sunglasses.
  • A man giving a woman a piggyback ride outdoors on a sunny day, both laughing and smiling, with trees and parked cars in the background.
  • A smiling woman with sunglasses holding a sign that reads 'September Wear Gold' at an outdoor event, with a crowd of people in the background and colorful decorations overhead.
  • A young shirtless male boxer with wrapped hands, standing in a boxing gym, making a fighting pose with a fierce expression, near a red punching bag with dramatic lighting.
  • A man with styled hair and a hat sitting on a dark red leather chair in a studio with a dark background, dressed in a gray trench coat and black distressed jeans, posing thoughtfully.
  • Close-up of a young man with curly hair wearing a blue headband, with a serious expression, holding his thumb up, against a dark background.
  • Silhouette of a person running at sunset with three others in the background, trees, and hills visible.
  • A man screams joyfully while emerging from a body of water outdoors, wearing a black shirt and orange long-sleeve shirt, with mountains and a bright sky in the background.
  • A man and woman are embracing and kissing each other in celebration. The man is wearing a red sports jersey, headband, and athletic gloves. The woman has a headband and sports attire, visibly emotional afterward.
  • Group of five friends wearing Tough Mudder shirts, sitting and standing around the open tailgate of a red truck outdoors, smiling and talking.

Click on the buttons below to see more images from each category!

Weddings
Portraits
Events

Here’s What Clients Are Saying

“He always goes above and beyond and gives us more than asked, and easily handles any special requests. We are so happy to be able to work with him every year...”
— Cyrena; Event 360
A smiling woman with curly gray hair, wearing a navy blue event staff T-shirt, standing outdoors at sunset with her arms crossed.
“Put simply, he is one of my best photographers in the entire country... I’ve always been impressed with his ability to handle situations that come up in a cool and professional manner...”
— Brent: Spartan Race
A smiling man dressed in blue ski gear, holding ski poles, standing in a snowy mountain landscape with ski equipment on his back.
“We are so grateful for Michael...His ability to capture the heart, emotion, and beauty of our event is unmatched. Every photo tells a story and reflects the spirit of our community. We feel so lucky to work with him and can’t recommend him highly enough! ”
— Stephanie: Susan G. Komen
A woman with dark hair, blue eyes, wearing a maroon sweater, sitting on outdoor steps, smiling at the camera.
“If you are looking for an amazingly talented photographer who is not only amazing with his art but also a wonderful person to work with, Michael is who you want... I look at those photos everyday... Anytime someone sees them they gush about how beautiful they are... You will be nothing but happy if you have Michael as your photographer!”
— Katie
A family of three wearing matching plaid shirts outdoors in autumn.
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How to Get Started

1. Reach Out

Send me a note, and we’ll schedule a low-pressure consultation to talk through what you need and how I can help!

2. Jump On a Call

Let’s chat about what you have in mind for your photos; style preferences, image usage, location, turnaround time, and schedule.

3. Review the Custom Proposal

After our consultation, I’ll put together a custom proposal with pricing information for you to review.

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