Brystan Studios

I’m here with Lori getting my daughter’s senior portraits done. These photos are amazing and they are capturing a memory of our little girl right before she goes off to college. What parent wouldn’t want this memory? Lori has been doing our pictures for years. She’s the best stylist and most artistic photographer ever! It’s the whole package rolled into one genius studio!

Read the ‘not recommended’ reviews at the bottom. They are revealing. While Lori is a great photographer, this was a bad experience. If you insist on coming here, ask for pricing in writing, not just over the phone. What I was told over the phone was different later on. After I had already invested $ 500 into the shoot, pricing for prints & digital copies changed when they handed me the pricing menu. Lori was very defensive, aggressive, and rude. I cried in the studio it was such an overwhelming experience.

I had the Groupon, but loved the experience and my photos so much that I bought a handful of extras. I recommend getting your hair and makeup done, the full experience is super fun and really worth it. Jackie did my hair, makeup and photos. I loved my pictures. The studio is professional and beautiful. The viewing room was great as well and super romantic with a partner. We sipped champagne and was walked through the purchasing process with John. I cannot wait to do it again.

Lori and her team are absolutely amazing! We used Brystan for our engagement and wedding photos. They nailed every part of our wedding day from getting ready to the ceremony to getting all of the most memorable reception and party pics. My wife also surprised me with a boudoir which came out beautifully! She loved the experience and both of us could not be happier! Brystan is hands down the BEST studio in SoCal. Thank you to everyone who made it a flawless experience! Love you guys! Billy & Carrie

I bought a Groupon for a friend’s birthday and 1 for myself. It included hair, makeup and 3 different backgrounds. I waited until the Groupon almost expired and finally called to make an appt explaining that we could only come in on a Saturday. The staff was very helpful in accommodating us quickly — in one phone call we were booked. When we came in with a full closet full of ideas we were seated in a very nice waiting room and put at ease by Tim and John. We were then ushered into the makeup/​dressing room and it was like an adult dress up room — so much fun! We met Jackie who did a fantastic job on our hair and makeup and helped us choose from their many different sets. Jackie guided us professionally through the process and, what an outcome! OMG I was so happy with my shoot and the resulting photographs! Blown away really. So yes, I ended up buying several photographs and they were expensive but very much well worth it. I’m not getting any younger and Brystan Studios helped me look my best and record that moment in time. Everything was very professional including lighting, backdrops, presentation, and consultation. I received my app exactly when they said I would and same with the actual prints. All-​in-​all it was an A+ positive experience and I HIGHLY recommend it! This IS NOT a fake review and I have no idea why some people rated Brystan a 1 star. If I ever need professional photography again, I will not look to anyone other than this terrific studio! Thanks again Lori, Jackie, Tim and John!

So I decided to do something different for my husband’s birthday. And doing this Boudoir Photo shoot is something I normally wouldn’t do but doing this photo shoot honestly a Awesome experience, I enjoyed it very much. As soon as I walked in I felt such a good vibe with the welcoming staff that my confidence just skyrocketed. As soon as I meet my photographer Jacqueline she gave me such a welcome that it honestly help me have the confidence to do this. Being a plus size woman (24) and being able to do a photoshoot like this is the best feeling in the World. Lori Brystan is such an awesome person it felt like if I knew her for years it was a pleasure to meet her and her daughter. After returning to preview the slide show with my husband seeing the reaction on his face and literally taking a double take and seeing me on the screen was So memorable. You can’t put a price on memories that He now has of me to last a lifetime. I am very very happy with my photos and plan on returning Thank you so much for the experience and memories
Lori and Jacqueline xoxo’s

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
I am currently anticipating a proposal from my boyfriend. After ring shopping, I’m absolutely looking forward to having a gorgeous ring on my finger for the rest of my days. But the idea of which got me thinking that it would be nice to give a gift back to him. One which he can equally admire as I will admire my ring. One that is also beautiful and tangible that he can keep forever.
The perfect gift that came to mind was me. I wanted to give him the captured images and memories of myself as I am at this moment, this year. Captured as a young, beautiful, and fully in love woman. I have never done a boudoir shoot before but I’ve been interested in the idea. Now with the excitement of an engagement in my near future, I figured this must be the time. When I came across Brystan Studios, I knew this would have to be the place to go. The studio only uses female photographers which was very comforting!
After arriving though, my expectations were not just met but exceeded far beyond. My hair and make up were done wonderfully by my photographer, Amy. During which, I was able to sip on a glass of wine to calm my nerves. Throughout the process of the actual shoot, Amy walked me through many poses. She made the process seem entirely effortless. It was such a breeze and also a really fun experience at the same time. I couldn’t be happier with the results either. This studio did such a fantastic job from start to finish and I absolutely recommend them!

I just wanted to say I had a Groupon for Brystan Studios and I went in a little skeptical (you know how Groupon businesses can be, hit or miss…) but I wanted to do a very specific boudoir shoot for my husband so I went ahead and gave it a shot. OMG!!! First off, the staff is so welcoming and professional. I’m SUPER self conscious about my body and doing a boudoir shoot was SO out of my element, but Lori made me feel so at ease, comfortable and I actually started having fun! I’ve never felt more beautiful! I usually hate every picture taken of me, but out of the 50+ photos Lori took, I could barely narrow down ANY I didn’t like. I can’t WAIT to see my album and I’ll definitely be coming back for more portrait sessions in the future! :)

I’ve been truly lucky to work with photographers across the United States but Lori brings to you a quality that you can’t find any where else. If you can buget away at least 1K you’ll get to walk away with what you’d like in photos. If not, don’t worry. There’s smaller options. I wasn’t ready for the Amazing work that Lori brought to the Table so I missed out on getting all the prints I would have liked. «She’s that Good!» So please make sure to come in ready to Shop your heart away! Make Up and Hair was like a quality I haven’t been able to find outside of the Entertainment Industry. Perfect, Timeless and by every stretch of the word AMAZING! Get ready to have the time of your Life. Follow Lori’s Lead, Hold Your Pose and Prepare to have pictures of a Life Time. You’re worth the Price, You’re worth the Experiance! Don’t hesitate to step through these doors!

The best photography studio in OC! Lori & her associates are so talented. I’ve personally done a newborn photo shoot and a boudoir photo shoot and loved my photos. Most recently I took my 5 year old daughter for a photo shoot. She had the best time with Lori & the pictures came out AMAZING!

What an incredible experience!
I bought Living Social Deal for one a one hour shoot with a print and hair and makeup, and as motivation to loose weight and get back on track with workouts– and what a reward! My photographer — Amy– was wonderful. I was nervous at first since this was the first time I’d ever done something of this nature– but she made me feel immediately comfortable. I came back the next day and met with Nicole to go through all of my shots and pick out my favorite. I was so impressed with how they had come out I purchased a package of 12 re-​touched ones (very reasonably priced). In one of the photos I didn’t even recognize myself. I really have never thought of myself as beautiful until this experience. A huge thank you to the ladies of Brystan Studios for an incredible day and experience.
I feel really bad for the other reviewers who said they had negative experiences with the receptionists. They kept me updated on when my prints and disc would be ready, and were always very nice, both on the phone and in person.

I found this place via a Living Social deal. I had decided to get my husband a few pictures for a wedding present. i upgraded to a second look, and ended up ordering a coffee table book for him. After my experience here, I felt like a movie star! Every woman needs to feel that way at least once in their life! Jackie did my shoot, and she totally put me at ease. She did an amazing job with my hair and make up also! Sure, I felt a little awkward in some of the poses, but the photos… WOW! I never knew I could look so good.
I reviewed the photos with Nicole. She was also just amazing! She did everything in her power to make my experience exceptional.
Now, one thing to keep in mind, this is a high end photo studio. Don’t walk in here expecting to pay J.C. Penny prices for your pictures! Yes, they are expensive, but the product you receive makes it all worth it.

I should have read all the negative reviews. while photos were good, the up sell and attitude is horrible!
32 filtered reviews, that’s a red flag. i think alot of these positive review are actually fake

Better than expected! I bought a Living Social voucher and then only afterwards did I start reading reviews on Unilocal.I was a little scared by the other reviews of photographer flaking and being really expensive/​out of reach.
Jackie did my shoot. She was very professional and gave me very good editorial feel photographs in a short 30 minute one look shoot. There were really a lot of great pictures from the shoot, so I ended up spending more money here than I had planned.
They started offering package with digital files, so that was what I got. The portraits in their studio look great though.
One downside is they offer less editing/​retouching for free than other studios, but I think the quality of the photographs make up for it.

Awesome experience. Lori is not only incredibly talented but she has a way of making you feel completely at ease. Her creative/​artistic vision is excellent. Will definitely be returning soon. Thanks again to Lori & her team!

I have had an unbelievable experience at Brystan Studios. I saw their ad in Riviera Magazine and knew this was the very personal gift I wanted for my husband-​to-​be as a wedding gift. To say Lori is brilliant behind the camera would be a horrible understatement of her talents. I went in the day of my shoot completely open to her thoughts and suggestions. She did my hair and makeup without any input from me. She also made all of the suggestions for attire (ahem, or lack of) and props. She must have shot five or six hundred photos over half the day and half a bottle of wine (me not her).
On the day of my photo review I was greeted by her front office gal, Nicole who showed me into this really cool room set up with a leopard couch and large flatscreen TV. As she dimmed the lights this really soulful soundtrack of music played and a slideshow of about 100 of Lori’s best shots came across the screen. I was completely blown away that these photos were of me (and hadn’t even been photoshopped yet). Her work was exquisite… really breath-​taking from the lighting, positions, hair and make-​up. And to think I was nervous about seeing them with the thought, «what if I don’t like any of them?» The problem was just the opposite. How do I narrow it down? So Nicole and I started going through the shots one-​by-​one and she was so wonderful, patient and helpful with her thoughts when asked. After about an hour, I asked her if I could see all of the shots (over 500). It was late in the day but she said, «of course you can» and left the room while I went through the entire slideshow where I found about a half dozen photos I also wanted to add to my album.
To finish the review I wanted to address some of the other reviews about price. I don’t have a benchmark as to whether Brystan is expensive or not. I’ve never done this type of photoshoot in the past. I can say however that this is project and a process that included many hours. To me it was an investment and a priceless gift for somebody I love enormously. There is nobody else I think could have captured on film all of the different sides of me so beautifully. I couldn’t be any happier with the result and look forward to our family holiday photos going forward.

Originally purchased a groupon for a single pose photo shoot. When I arrived to the cute little studio in the cut of Aliso Viejo and poked around in the books I decided I wanted a white sheet and pin up type shoot. The extra fee for the shoot was reasonable and the staff was super nice. My friend came with me for moral support as I had never taken my clothes off for a camera before. A glass of wine later and we were snapping away. Lori was sweet and reassuring and we had fun.
I returned to view my photos but my girlfriend had been called into work. They totally worked with me and allowed for a second viewing when she was present. When we arrived to view the pictures my girlfriend was so excited she was all over the place wanting all of them and having to narrow them down. I can laugh about her over zealousy as I am her better half but Nicole let her have a field day and joined in with her excitement. She was so happy with her surprise photo. We couldn’t have had a better experience.

EDIT: The majority of these 5 star reviews are fake. Look at some of the profiles and you will see them. Scroll to the bottom and look at the filtered reviews, and you will see what people truly think of this scam business. Lori is a con artist looking for a quick buck, and isn’t shy about it either.
I’ve been trying for a while to make an appointment for a photo shoot with them using a groupon I purchased. The groupon entitled me to an hour long photoshoot with hair and makeup, and I would get to keep one «look.»
I have made three appointments, and they have ended up canceling on me the past two times. So far they have already tried to cancel my appointment for a third time, but when I told them I couldn’t keep taking off work for nothing, they said they would figure it out and call me back.
About two-​three weeks ago I had made an appointment in which I had to take off work. I waited to get a confirmation call from them, but didn’t. So around 7:30 pm or so, I called to confirm my 10:00 photoshoot for the next day. I had left a voicemail, and a man (I think his name was Nick) soon called me back. He was extremely helpful, and explained to me that my photographer had left on vacation, and had apparently canceled my appointment without telling me. He was incredibly apologetic and told me he would give his boss a call. When he called me back he said that she wanted to reschedule. Again.
This is ridiculous. I am so shocked that this company finds it okay to treat customers like this. I am amazed that, because I am not a «full paying» customer but a Groupon customer, I am treated with such rudeness and disrespect. I doubt the authenticity of the previous reviews for this business as well, as everyone I had spoken to (with the exception of the men aforementioned) were not as nice or accommodating as they should be. I felt that their attitudes were not sincere, and that they were just trying to «deal with me.»
DO NOT deal with these people. There are plenty of other photographers in Orange County that are not as expensive and not nearly as flaky.

Had a groupon for a white sheet photo shoot; went down and what a great studio! I felt extremely comfortable with Lori and she did my makeup and hair. I loved the actual shoot-​painless, quick and the pictures are all artwork!
I went back for my viewing and Stephanie was wonderful. So kind and helpful and wasn’t afraid to give her opinion when I asked which ones she liked. The WHOLE experience was amazing and I would do it again in a heartbeat! The pictures came out UNREAL! That’s all I can say! You PAY for what you get in life and let me say the price you pay for these shots, is nothing when you see the reward in the work she does! :)

I did a Boudoir photo shoot with Lori and got a good deal on Groupon – $ 99 for a Boudoir Photo Session, One 8×10, and hair and makeup. I opted to go for the extra white sheet «look» and that ended up costing me an extra $ 175 (it was supposed to be $ 100 since I asked for it when I made my appointment, but it wasn’t noted). It was hard to schedule and appointment since it was a Groupon; thus, her calendar filled up really quickily and she has odd studio hours. But I finally got an appointment.
I show up and Lori did my hair and make up. She did a wonderful job and I looked great. The photo session was cool, and posing for a photo is a lot harder than it looks. I was definitely breaking out in a sweat holding some of those poses. I felt completely comfortable with Lori and was laughing the whole time. She helped me choose an outfit and she has some accessories if I wanted to borrow them.
Then I had to make another appointment to view my pictures which ended up being another few weeks. Went in with my boyfriend and we sat in their very nice viewing room as it did a slideshow of the pictures. Here’s the hard part: choosing the pictures. The coupon comes with only ONE 8×10 and many of them looked really good. I had a hard time choosing.
In addition, if you want to buy extra prints, they are VERY expensive. $ 100 for another 8×10 or two 5×7. I’m sure this is standard pricing in the industry, but I definitely wasn’t expecting to shell out as much as I did for this Groupon. From talking to friends, there are many places that do good Boudoir photography work with packages that cost similar to what I ended up paying, but you get more bang for the buck. Oh well.
Bottom Line: Am I glad I did it? Yes. Do the pictures look amazing? Yes. Does Lori do a great job? Yes.