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Fitness photography is a specialized field that captures the essence of movement, strength, and dedication. Wonderful Machine defines fitness photography as encompassing “anything relating to sports, games, athletes, fitness, or exercise [and] can be candid (action) or controlled.” In San Francisco, a city known for its active culture and diverse landscapes, fitness photographers find countless opportunities to refine their skills and creativity. From urban backdrops to the natural beauty of the Bay Area, the environment plays a key role in shaping their portfolios. This list of the best fitness photographers in San Francisco highlights professionals who call this vibrant city home, with a range of styles and expertise. Whether you’re planning a campaign, editorial shoot, or personal project, finding the right photographer can make all the difference in bringing your vision to life.
Go find the strange and the arresting. Make it personal, with tenderness and respect. Go analog, go tethered, go untethered, change where the sun is relative to your lens, switch out the softbox, put a grid on it. Put a gel on it. Put another gel on it. Kick the tripod. Ask if there's another view, another room, another flavor, a favorite record, a very first book, a pair of shoes that will never be thrown away. Say yes. Ask if there's any way they can put sod down in time for the shoot tomorrow. Ask if there's wifi, if there's a good sandwich shop nearby, if there are any quirks, anything they're known for. Ask if they know any good jokes. Tell a good joke. Ask if they like their smile. Make it sing. Make it up as you go along. Make it worth the expense. Make it great.
Leading our list of the best fitness photographers in San Francisco is Ian Tuttle, proeminent for his dynamic and emotive approach to capturing athletes and movement. Based in the city’s vibrant creative community, Ian’s work reflects an understanding of human strength and the nuances of athletic performance. His portfolio spans collaborations with renowned brands such as Lululemon, CamelBak, and BuzzFeed, showcasing his ability to create visuals that resonate across fitness and lifestyle industries. Ian’s photography goes beyond documenting action; he brings a thoughtful and personal touch to each session, making athletes feel seen and celebrated. His San Francisco base allows him to tap into diverse landscapes and a health-conscious culture, enriching his visual storytelling. For fitness brands or personal projects, Ian’s work stands as a testament to creative excellence
Hi I'm Jake. My favorite superhero is Missy Elliott. I made this playlist for you and am reading this Siddhartha Mukherjee piece. When not taking photographs, I’m riding my bicycle way up in Marin County or cooking or eating fruit over the kitchen sink. I also run FFS.
I live in San Francisco. I’m a dual citizen of Canada and the US, and hold active visas in China and Brazil. I’m also an avid cyclist, snowboarder, and rock climber.
Up next on the list is Jake Stangel, who excels at capturing the dynamic energy of athletes in motion. With a keen eye for storytelling, his work blends high-impact sports photography with lifestyle and adventure shots, often set against stunning backdrops like the rugged landscapes of Marin County. Having photographed for brands like Nike, Merrell, and Adidas, Jake’s images stand out for their vibrancy, authenticity, and the artistic impact they create. His diverse background also spans fashion and portrait photography, bringing a versatile approach to every shoot. A true storyteller behind the lens, Jake is dedicated to creating powerful, engaging images that reflect the spirit and unique personality of the subjects he captures.
Jim, an experienced advertising people lifestyle photographer, and director that has traveled the globe with his technically skilled team, for clients such as Hewlett Packard Enterprise, United Airlines, AT&T, GE Healthcare, Wells Fargo and global pharmaceutical companies. He consistently creates powerful and award-winning images that aim to connect us to the human experience and allow us to see more of ourselves in each other.
Jim Hughes would certainly be a top choice if you’re looking for one of the best fitness photographers in San Francisco. Combining years of experience with a passion for capturing dynamic moments, his work spans a variety of genres, including sports, lifestyle, and adventure, with a focus on authenticity and movement. Known for his technical skill and creative vision, Jim has partnered with major brands such as United Airlines, AT&T, and Wells Fargo, producing visuals that tell a compelling story. His approach is highly collaborative, ensuring that every project reflects the client’s vision while maintaining the integrity of the image. Whether shooting high-energy sports action or more intimate, personal portraits, Jim’s expertise ensures that each shot captures the true spirit of the subject. His diverse portfolio and dedication to storytelling make him a standout in the world of fitness photography.
Based in San Francisco, California
Speaks
English, Tagalog
RC Rivera (Renato Carlos) is a photographer, director & robot wrangler based in San Francisco, CA and Manila, Philippines. He shoots people, places and things in beauty, sport lifestyle and tech world. Born in Pasig City (part of Metro Manila, Philippines). 1 of 7 kids. Army brat. Moved to Virginia for High School, back to the Philippines for 2 years of Industrial Design, decided he was bad at math so he dropped out, partied too much, *ran away from home and moved back to New Jersey thinking it was close to NYC (it wasn’t), moved to New York City but his flat was too small and expensive, moved to Brooklyn, stayed for 7 years. Got tired. Moved to San Francisco. When he's not behind the camera, he can be found tinkering on a motorcycle, trying to whip up something from the momofuku cookbook, checking kayak.com for last minute travel deals, and/or annoying his wife and two sons.
RC Rivera specializes in capturing the raw energy of athletes in motion. His images highlight strength, fluidity, and the emotional depth of his subjects, making each shot feel alive and impactful. While fitness and sports photography are his primary focus, RC is also experienced in beauty, fashion, and still life photography, showcasing his diverse skill set. His impressive client list includes top brands like Ducati, Fenty Beauty, and Google, making him a top choice as a fitness photographer in San Francisco. With an eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, RC creates compelling visuals that go beyond mere representation, offering a powerful connection between the viewer and the subject. His ability to blend creativity with technical expertise sets him apart in the fitness photography world.
Gina’s first photo shoot was in the summer of 1976. She was 10 and her model—her sister, Annie—was 7. Her camera: her father’s 110. As a youth, she was laser focused on traveling the world, which is just what she did after earning a bachelor’s degree in International Relations. She traveled to over 35 countries with a camera and a bag full of film, documenting every adventure and funded her travel with a freelance career in film and television as a Location Manager.
A move to San Francisco, away from her vagabond lifestyle, led her to enroll in art school at the Academy of Art in San Francisco, to study Photography and Graphic Design. After art school, she worked as a photo assistant and commercial photo producer for several large brands, until 2003, when she opened her own photography business.
Gina is always excited when projects allow her the opportunity to meet new people and travel to new places. She loves photographing kids and the unaffected naturalness that they bring to a project. She prefers shooting expressions, lighting, actions, and scenarios that are natural, not too staged. Her aim is to illuminate the vibrant life that’s all around us.
Gina Risso, a leading figure among the best fitness photographers in San Francisco, is celebrated for her ability to capture the energy and movement of athletes. Her career began at the age of 10, taking photos with her father’s camera, and has evolved from a degree in International Relations to becoming a skilled photographer. After studying at the Academy of Art, Gina opened her own business in 2003. She’s known for capturing natural expressions and vibrant energy, whether photographing kids, professional athletes, or creating dynamic GIFs. With clients like Livestrong, Forbes, and The Guardian, Gina brings authenticity and motion to every shot. Her dedication to storytelling and meeting new people sets her apart in the fitness photography world.
I am a portrait and commercial photographer, moonlighting as a yoga instructor.
I am most known for my vivacious energy and soulful perspective of life and humanity. I have a unique way of connecting and directing people, which works phenomenally with clients who want to express themselves more expansively.
I believe that we should pursue all that sets our souls on fire! This belief has lead me to build strong relationships with some of the most innovative minds, locally and internationally.
My education from the Academy of Art University, the 15 years of production experience, non-profit and business development work as well as personal development work has given me a well rounded perspective of life in the creative and wellness industries. I am a compilation of my life experiences and they are fairly vast! I am the one who folks will often call out as the “energizer bunny” and although I find humor in the term I always clarify that I prioritize my wellbeing more than my productivity, always, and I do all that I can to ensure positive work environments for others too.
Katie Thompson is a San Francisco Bay Area based photographer from the Chicago suburbs. After attending the Rochester Institute of Technology, she worked for several years in New York City before settling in the Bay Area. She now splits her time between San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York City.
She is a Part 107 commercially licensed drone pilot.
Select Clients and Publications: Airbnb, Apple, Barrons, Billboard, Bon Appétit, The Cut, Fourlaps, Fortune, GQ Germany, Hodinkee, Inc., Into the Gloss, Le Labo, Marc Jacobs, MUTHA, NICOPANDA, Nylon, NYX, Pyer Moss, Rebecca Taylor, SELF, Senreve, Smashbox Cosmetics, Square, Urban Decay, Veuve Clicquot, W, The Wall Street Journal, Wired, WWD.
