San Diego portrait photographer · Intimate stories

A little courage. A different way to see yourself.

Portrait photography in San Diego with Joe Casanova. Guided sessions. Your personality, honestly captured. From quiet, intimate portraits to open landscapes and cinematic light, we make room for your version of beautiful. Explore the work ↗Explore the investment

No modeling experience needed · English / Español

Portrait photography by Joe Casanova

PERSONAL DIRECTIONYOUR PACE. YOUR BOUNDARIES.SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

01 / Selected work

More than a single frame.

A place, a mood, a person. Each shoot becomes its own story. Explore selected portraits below, then open a series to see the Instagram photoset that inspired it. View the complete portrait and boudoir portfolio ↗

Tattooed model reclining on white bedding in a boudoir portraitPortrait of a woman floating in blue waterIntimate portrait reflected in a mirror beside a sunlit windowFine art study of light and shadow across the bodySoft portrait framed by white bed linenOutdoor portrait in warm sunset light on a grassy hillside
Through the WindowSalton Sea · Tami

Weathered glass, desert light and Tami at the center of it. A guided portrait story shaped around stillness, strength and the Salton Sea landscape. View the full series on Instagram ↗

SeenShawna

A quiet study of what changes when you stop hiding. With gentle direction and room to settle in, Shawna’s session became a portrait of presence rather than performance. View the full series on Instagram ↗

Dreams or MemoriesSentient Bees

Soft light, blurred edges and a story that feels half remembered. Created with Sentient Bees as a guided collaboration where mood led and every frame stayed personal. View the full series on Instagram ↗

California SunsetsMadison Morgan

Madison in the last warm light of a California day. We let the landscape set the pace, then used simple direction to create portraits that feel cinematic and unforced. View the full series on Instagram ↗

Vintage MoodTegan Loving

A Yashica, a nostalgic palette and Tegan at the center. Vintage references met clear posing direction, allowing the mood to feel lived-in rather than staged. View the full series on Instagram ↗

Sand DunesElle

Handmade details, desert wind and Elle moving through the dunes. Planned with intention and directed step by step, the collaboration became a complete story rather than a single photograph. View the full series on Instagram ↗

02 / The experience

You don’t have to know what to do.

I’m Joe. I guide the posture, the hands, the angle and the expression, so you can settle into the session. We start with a conversation about what you want these photographs to feel like. The images on this page are possibilities, never requirements.

01 — Before

Make it yours.

We discuss your ideas, reference images, wardrobe, location and comfort level. Bring pieces that feel like you. We agree on the session details and available date before a deposit is requested.

02 — During

Direction, without pressure.

We begin with simple poses and build from there. I’ll explain what we’re trying and guide you through it. You can ask questions, take a pause or change direction at any time.

03 — After

A considered final set.

Your session includes 10 final images selected and edited by the photographer. Final delivery is within two weeks of the shoot. We review the intended look and delivery details before booking.

Your comfort is part of the plan.

Wardrobe and level of coverage are discussed in advance. An intimate session does not require nudity. Let me know about any boundaries, accessibility needs or questions before the session so we can plan around them. Image-sharing permission is discussed separately from booking.

03 / The Investment

An investment in yourself.

Your investment includes a planning conversation, one hour of photography, 15 minutes before and after, full posing guidance and 10 final edited images.

The complete experience

The Signature

$1,500
  • Private hotel or comparable setting
  • Hair and makeup included
  • Wardrobe review and creative planning
  • Fully guided portrait session
  • 10 final images · two-week delivery

Start my Signature session

A private setting

The Private

$1,000
  • Private indoor portrait session
  • Location and preparation agreed in planning
  • Wardrobe review
  • Fully guided portrait session
  • 10 final images · two-week delivery

Start my Private session

Light & landscape

The Outdoor

$500
  • Outdoor portraits in San Diego
  • Photographer only
  • Bring your wardrobe; arrive camera-ready
  • Fully guided portrait session
  • 10 final images · two-week delivery

Plan my Outdoor session

Booking: confirm your date and session details first. A 50% deposit secures the agreed date; the remaining balance is due on the shoot day. Any additional costs and cancellation or rescheduling terms are provided before payment.

Good to know

Before you step in front of the camera.

What if I feel awkward?

You do not need to arrive confident or know how to pose. I guide the session step by step, and we make space to settle in.

What should I wear?

We review wardrobe during planning. Bring options you feel comfortable in and reference images that show the mood you like. We agree on the looks before the shoot.

Do I have to pose like the people in your portfolio?

No. The portfolio shows different creative directions. Your session is planned around your preferences, comfort level and boundaries.

Can I bring someone?

Mention it when we plan your session so we can discuss the space and arrangements before the date.

Will my images be posted?

We discuss image-sharing permission separately. Ask any privacy questions during planning so the agreed use is clear before you book.

How far ahead should I book?

Aim for at least two weeks ahead, especially for sessions requiring a private location or hair and makeup. Your date is confirmed directly before payment.

What if I need to reschedule?

Contact me as soon as you know. Your written booking terms explain rescheduling and cancellation before you pay.

Can we plan in Spanish?

Sí. Podemos planear y realizar tu sesión en español.

Your session, step by step

A little guidance. Every step.

You do not have to figure it all out at once. Start with a date and tell me about yourself. We will plan the details together, then complete the agreement and deposit.

01 / Find your date

Make room for yourself.

Choose a Saturday evening for Signature or Private. Your calendar invitation is a provisional reservation, pending planning, agreement and verified deposit.See the calendar ↓

02 / Tell me about you

Your story comes first.

Share your goals, visual references, wardrobe ideas and anything that would help you feel comfortable.Open your questionnaire ↓

03 / Plan and agree

Know what to expect.

Joe sends your session summary, location, preparation and cancellation/rescheduling terms. Read those before signing or paying.Review the agreement ↓

04 / Pay your deposit

One clear next step.

After your details are agreed, pay the matching 50% deposit. Keep your Stripe confirmation and receipt reference.Go to secure checkout ↓

05 / Check it off

Let me know you are ready.

Return to your checklist, mark the steps you completed and add your payment reference. Joe verifies it in Stripe and sends final confirmation.Send your checklist ↓

06 / Arrive as yourself

We take it from here.

Review your wardrobe and arrival details. Allow 90 minutes: 15 to settle in, an hour of photography and 15 to wrap up.Your preparation notes ↓

07 / Share your experience

Help the next person feel confident.

After your edited gallery arrives, tell future clients what the guided experience felt like.Leave a Google review ↗

Payment and booking status: Checking a box reports your progress; it does not verify payment. Your session is confirmed only when Joe checks the deposit and agreement and sends written confirmation. This checklist does not automatically cancel unpaid calendar reservations.

Choose your provisional date.

Saturday evenings · one booking per day · 48 hours’ notice · up to 60 days ahead. Busy events are excluded. San Diego / Pacific Time; the booking page can show your local timezone. Outdoor sessions are arranged directly for daylight: ask Joe about an outdoor date.

Open booking calendar ↗

02 / Your session questionnaire

    About 5 minutes. Tell us only what you are comfortable sharing. Fields marked * are required. This questionnaire does not confirm a booking.

    Your images stay private unless you give separate, specific written permission. You can discuss boundaries privately instead of writing them here. Please do not include identification documents, payment details or intimate images.

    Your submission is stored privately in this website’s booking records and sent to Joe for session planning. For a correction or deletion request, email jcasanova@casanovaphoto.com. Google Calendar and Stripe handle scheduling and payments separately.

    03 + 05 / Agreement, image choices and booking checklist

      CASANOVA · PHOTOGRAPHY

      Session Agreement

      Agreement version 2026-10-16

      Complete this after Joe has sent your session details and terms. You may submit your agreement before payment, then return with your Stripe receipt. Use the same email each time so Joe can match your records.

      Session particulars

      01 / Parties and session details

      This agreement is between the client identified below and Joe Casanova / CASANOVA. Payments are processed through Dogs with man LLC. The session choice, date, time, location and any approved extras must match Joe’s written booking summary.

      02 / Session options

      Signature: $1,500 total / $750 deposit, private hotel or comparable setting, hair and makeup and wardrobe review. Private: $1,000 total / $500 deposit, private indoor setting and wardrobe review. Outdoor: $500 total / $250 deposit, photographer only; arrive camera-ready.

      03 / Photography and delivery

      Each includes one hour of photography plus 15 minutes before and after, guidance, and 10 final edited digital images chosen by the photographer, delivered within two weeks of the shoot. RAW files, extra images and unlisted services are not included. Any extra costs require your written approval before payment.

      04 / Reservation and payment

      A calendar invitation is a provisional reservation. Your session is secured only after Joe verifies the 50% deposit, receives your agreement and sends a final written confirmation. The remaining balance is due on shoot day.

      05 / Cancellation and rescheduling

      Cancellation, rescheduling and any third-party costs must be disclosed in Joe’s written booking summary and agreed before you pay; this form creates no additional cancellation fee or automatic non-refundable charge. If those terms have not been provided, stop and ask Joe before signing or paying. We agree to communicate promptly about changes.

      06 / Comfort and boundaries

      You may decline a pose, change a boundary, pause or stop the session. Nudity is never required. Tell Joe about any companion or practical accommodation in advance.

      07 / Image ownership and use

      Photography copyright remains with the photographer; once fully paid, you may download, print and share the delivered images for personal use. Commercial licensing is by separate agreement. Booking does not grant permission to publish your likeness. Image-sharing permission is optional and separate below.

      08 / Questions and applicable rights

      This agreement does not waive rights that cannot legally be waived. Questions or changes: jcasanova@casanovaphoto.com.

      Acknowledgment & signature

      Optional Image Release

      Privacy is the default. Your choice does not change your price or the care you receive. No image is released unless you choose permission AND identify the exact final images below. Blank image references mean no permission yet.

      Limited release: If you select permission and list specific images, you authorize CASANOVA to display only those images on casanovaphoto.com and its @casanovaphoto social profiles as a photography portfolio and organic promotion. No paid advertising, third-party licensing, stock sale, AI training or synthetic alteration is authorized. No nude or intimate image is authorized by this form; those require a separate image-specific written release after you review the final image. Your name or tag is not included without separate permission. No compensation beyond the agreed photography services is offered for this optional use. You can withdraw permission for future use by emailing Joe; CASANOVA will remove controlled online copies within 30 days, although third-party copies may remain outside its control.

      Booking Checklist

      Administrative record · separate from the agreement terms above.

      A tick is not payment verification. Joe checks Stripe and the agreement before sending final confirmation. Your checklist does not automatically confirm, release or cancel a calendar reservation. Save your Stripe receipt; never send your card details.

      Your responses are stored privately in the website’s booking records and sent to Joe. For a copy, correction or deletion request, contact jcasanova@casanovaphoto.com; records required for bookings or legal obligations may need to be retained. You can print this agreement from your browser before submitting.

      Before your session

      • Save Joe’s final confirmation, location and arrival instructions.
      • Agree your wardrobe in advance and bring your chosen options.
      • Signature: follow your agreed hair and makeup arrival time. Outdoor: arrive camera-ready.
      • Tell Joe about a companion or practical accommodation before the day.
      • Keep your receipt; the remaining 50% is due on shoot day.
      • You can pause, decline a pose or change your boundaries. Image sharing is always a separate choice.
      • Your 10 photographer-selected edited images are delivered within two weeks.

      Need help at any step? Email Joe. English / Español.

      Secure your agreed session

      Already confirmed your date?

      Use the matching checkout below only after Joe has confirmed your session date and sent your booking terms. Each payment is a 50% deposit toward the total session price. The remaining balance is due on your shoot day.

      Your payment is processed securely by Stripe through Dogs with man LLC for CASANOVA photography. These links collect payment; they do not check availability or schedule a date. After your Stripe confirmation, return to your booking checklist and add your receipt reference.

      Please enter the date agreed with Joe at checkout. If you have not confirmed availability or received your terms, contact Joe before paying. A payment confirmation is not a new appointment selection.

      Shoot a quick question to Joe