TESTIMONIALS

Elana

Marisa is an incredible photographer to work with. Not only is her work objectively stunning, she's also just one of the sweetest people I've ever met. Many of the subjects in her portfolio are shooting for the first time, but she makes everyone look like they're professional models somehow. She knows exactly how to put you at ease in front of the lens and bring out the best in you. Would recommend her 100%.

JAYNE

“When I booked a surprise boudoir photo shoot for my husband’s 30th birthday, I wasn’t sure what to expect. My experience with Marisa was nothing short of magical. From our first phone conversation to the day of the shoot, Marisa made me feel completely at ease. She is equal parts amazingly witty and an absolute genius, capturing us everyday people like straight supermodels. Yes, big occasions like marriage or pregnancy are wonderful to hire a photographer but what about feeling really sexy with your partner on a Wednesday night? That can be just as big! This thing called life is long - treat yourself to an experience with someone who sees the beauty in ALL of it and ALL of you.”

EMILY

“We had the honor of Marisa photographing our wedding last June. We decided that Marisa was the right photographer for us when we were attending another friends wedding. Watching her work was a joy, truly effortless. She was so attentive and not imposing nor distracting to the important event happening before us.
My husband and I are both fans of Marisa's ability to capture the essence of an event, a day, a smile, a friendship. Rather then wanting pretty pictures of us posing, we asked Marisa to capture the day in its entirety. When we looked back at our wedding photos we wanted to be transported to that day, remember our guests, the music, the weather, all the laughs, and Marisa did not disappoint . She was so wonderful to work with, she was a joy to have around, she captured so many sweet moments , and neither of us felt like we were having our photographs taken the whole day. 
For my husband and I, Marisa was the perfect fit and we are so happy with all the photos and here expert editing.”

CHRYSTAL

"We had such a lovely experience with Marisa coming into our hectic schedule and being immediately warm and open. She found all sorts of creative ways to capture the joy of our family despite rain, a mess from moving, and a weary crew.  I can't wait to work with her again!"

GABRIELLE 

"Marisa Pfennings photography is pure artistry . With her eye of magic she has the ability to capture the essence of a moment. All the photos I have seen of her work are beautiful moments frozen in time, each one telling its own story. Marisa is by far my favorite photographers that I have had the pleasure to work with. Marisa makes the photoshoot experience a pure delight. She helps invoke and inspire ones confidence and beauty when working one on one. Weather she is shooting at a wedding, a music festival, or a one on one shoot her work is stunning. I highly recommend the artistry photography of Marisa Pfenning."

ANGELA

"Marisa did such an amazing job on our maternity photos. She captured one of the most precious times in my life better than I could have ever imagined. Every single photo she captured and edited turned out AMAZING! Not only that, the entire session we had together was enjoyable and surprisingly relaxing for having a camera pointed at us. We giggled a lot and followed Marisa's lead on where to go and how to do things. We will definitely be hiring her to take our family photos now that our son is born!"

RAINE

"Marisa caught some truly special shots for me and family, capturing my pregnancy in her magical way.... which made me feel way more beautiful than I thought I looked! I feel VERY uncomfortable in front of the camera (much prefer being behind the lens, or styling/costuming/make up etc....) & Marisa's easy attitude made me feel more at ease... I only made a stupid face in like half the photos! Obviously her editing skills are on point, making super beauty happen in 2d! So grateful... I will keep these photos forever and ever. ♥ thank you!"

Victoria

Absolutely inspired by Marisa’s beautiful work and thoughtful approach. While I have not worked with her personally due to distance, she has been a kind supporter and influence in my own photographic journey, and I want to share that she spreads love, beauty, and good vibes 💛

Denell

Marisa's photography helped me up-level my business! I couldn't wait to work with her, and our session was so beautifully inspiring. As someone who get's nervous in front of the camera (especially at first), Marisa helped me ease into my sense of power. The 2 hour session was so fun and I felt like such a Queen by the end! I HIGHLY recommend Marisa for any photography needs! She is very professional and her work is exquisite.

Katie

“WE JUST GOT OUR WEDDING PHOTOS AND THEY ARE GORGEOUS. I'M NOT REALLY COMFORTABLE BEING PHOTOGRAPHED, BUT MARISA IS SO EASY GOING AND FRIENDLY THAT IT WAS A TOTAL BREEZE. I APPRECIATED THAT MARISA WAS CURIOUS TO KNOW ALL ABOUT ME AND MY HUSBAND, AS WELL AS OUR RELATIONSHIPS TO OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS SO THAT SHE COULD TAKE PICTURES THAT WOULD FEEL LIKE "US," AND NOT JUST YOUR TYPICAL STAGED PHOTO. HAVING HER THERE WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE AND I WOULD RECOMMEND HER TO ANYONE WANTING TOTALLY UNIQUE, PERSONAL, AND BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS. THANK YOU MARISA!”

TORÉA

"HAVING MY PICTURE TAKEN USED TO BE A FEARFUL EVENT IN WHICH I WOULD SHUT DOWN AND BARELY SMILE. I ALWAYS USED TO HATE THE EXPERIENCE.  HAVING MY PHOTOS TAKEN BY MARISA PFENNING WAS QUITE THE OPPOSITE AND SUCH A PLEASURE! MARISA HELD OPEN THE SPACE FOR ME TO EMERGE AS MY TRUE SELF AND BE COMFORTABLE WITH A CAMERA. SHE WAS ABLE TO CALM MY MIND AND MAKE ME FEEL AT EASE, EVEN BRINGING OUT THE PLAYFUL SIDE. SHE WAS COMPASSIONATE, NEVER JUDGED AND WE HAD A WONDERFUL SESSION TOGETHER. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT THE PHOTOS ARE PHENOMENAL! THANK YOU MARISA FOR HELPING ME PRODUCE THE CONTENT I NEEDED FOR MY BUSINESS!"

SAERA

"AFTER MANY AWKWARD AND MILDLY SUCCESSFUL PHOTO SHOOTS DONE BY MYSELF AND A TRIPOD FOR MY BUSINESS I DECIDED, "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! I'M HIRING A PRO!" MARISA IS THE PRO I HAD BEEN SEEKING. I ESPECIALLY LOVE THE ENTHUSIASM, CREATIVITY AND PASSION THAT I FELT WAS MOLDING AND HARVESTING THE IMAGES. SHE TRULY ENCOURAGED ME TO MOVE INTO MANY ASPECTS OF MY PERSONAS AND EMOTIONS. LEAVING A WIDE ARRAY OF PHOTOS FROM SEXY, SILLY, MAJESTIC AND ALL THE IN BETWEEN TO CHOOSE FROM. I NOW HAVE TIMELESS IMAGES THAT I CAN SEE BEING USED FOR MANY YEARS AND GREAT MEMORIES ATTACHED, TOO!"

OPHYLIA

"Marisa is an extremely skilled photographer, and absolutely wonderful person. She gives great direction, is honest with you about what works/looks good and what doesn't (which is a HUGE plus), and is very communicative after the photos are taken as well. Her website has a great design which allows you to login and view previews of the shots and select favorites, which she can go and edit to perfection and send back to you. It's a really seamless, stress-free process! 
Not only did my photos with her turn out beautiful, the editing was very surreal and emotional which I had requested, and it still wasn't "overdone"; her photoshop skills are very advanced and she can make the photo beautiful without making you look like you're made of plastic, which some photographers I've worked with have done to me. 
Her prices are extremely reasonable for the quality of work you are receiving. I really want to work with her again soon!"

KISA

"I've never been so pleased with the results from a photoshoot. Marisa is so much fun to work with, her presence made me feel so comfortable and confident. I love each shot that I received! If you are looking for a photographer THIS IS THE ONE! You will not be disappointed. Thank you Marisa for the images I will treasure for a lifetime!

REANNA

“Marisa is an absolutely amazing person and photographer!! I admired her from a far at first but soon she came over to my camp at a festival. She got to know everyone and was incredibly pleasant. Then she was very thoughtful with her camera, taking only pictures she thought truly captured the moment. I was glad to be the subject of a few breath taking pictures, but more so to become her friend. You won't regret hiring this intuitive, kind, and professional human!”

Elizabeth

“Marisa is a wonderful photographer. She traveled to Oakland for to take our wedding photos and made us all feel so comfortable and relaxed the entire time. She was great at giving directions and helping us feel natural in front of the camera. Her photos are absolutely beautiful and her talent comes through in all of the photos, they are all magical. We have never taken professional photos together as a couple, but after working with Marisa we can't wait to hire her again in the future!”