Aguila Photography

I lucked into Fernando’s work through a Groupon offer. He was a little hard to book at the time (early 2012) maybe because of all the Groupons being redeemed! But I am SO glad I persisted and SO glad Fernando took charge of my studio session. I was in desperate need of a professional headshot (it had been 15 years since my last one, and I was still using it, which got kind of embarrassing as people would comment on the change in my hair color, length, and attitude, because hey, who doesn’t change attitude (if not hair color?) in 15 years…) Anyway, he was creative, patient, very kind, made me relax enough to get a genuine laughing smile, and then got me 3 or 4 digital options to choose from the very next day. Once I picked my fave, he got me a high quality digital version right away, and I made my deadline even though I’d procrastinated for weeks… If at first you can’t reach Fernando, try, try again. You’ll be very glad you did – and so will your colleagues and friends, who are getting tired of that old version of you…

I finally decided to get professional with the photos on my portfolio and Linkedin profiles, but I didn’t want to look like a stuffy, corporate old fart. I wanted my picture to pop with energy, and Fernando knew just what to do. He had lots of great suggestions for interesting backdrops — not the same old same old. He made the shoot fun and interesting. He’s not just good at photography, he’s good at people. He doesn’t do things by the book, but by each individual’s needs. If you want headshots that make people do a double-​take, get Fernando.

We’ve had Fernando photograph our family a few times. He takes great photos, is reasonably priced, and is really good at helping you to settle into the shoot and feel natural. The photos came out beautiful, and we’ll definitely be back.

I had the pleasure of working with Fernando when I ran a custom counter top manufacturing business. I hired him to photograph client installations for as well as all our design samples for marketing materials and the website. Very fair and reasonable with his pricing too.
He was thorough, flexible and provided a level of service that went beyond my expectations such as suggestions on content management, liaising with the web master, introductions to relevant businesses/​contacts and product marketing ideas. He was without exception, professional, good natured and open with information sharing. I highly recommend him.

I have hired a number of photographers over the years, both to document the typical photo-​worthy moments in my personal life (wedding, etc.) and in my professional capacity as a one-​time newspaper editor and law firm marketing manager. I’ve worked with Fernando in both contexts and he is the whole package: creative, flexible, and an absolute pleasure to work with. He has the rare combination of an artist’s eye and a photo-journalist’s sensibility.
He has taken gorgeous, sometimes whimsical photos of my kids and family and also did a wonderful job documenting a law firm seminar that would have had many photographers rolling their eyes and pulling out hairs in frustration. Fernando worked on a tight deadline and turned in photos that were perfect in tone and content. I hope to have the chance to work with him again.

Fernando is an awesome photographer. We hired him for our wedding because of his photojournalist work– we wanted that look and not the conventional wedding photos look. We have since hired him to take our Christmas family portrait. He is really easy going, flexible, accommodating and friendly. Our wedding guests kept tell us how nice he was (not like other bossy grumpy photographers), and of course, everyone loved his pictures and creative angles and compositions. Just meet him, you’ll see for yourself! Oh, and his wedding packages are really a deal!

I delayed getting a photographer until the week before my daughter’s quinceanera and finally called the first one listed on Berkeley Parents Network list. That was Fernando Aguila who was the perfect person for us. First, he was reasonably priced or we could not have done it; second, he was a genuinely lovely person that was not just showing up to do a gig. He really cared about the event and getting a good representation of it. His photos were good and showed many of the more playful moments as this was a teen event.
He was generous with us, not only in time, but in sprit and heart. His artistry, skill and especially his ability to notice and catch special & lovely moments was great. Micky D in Berkeley.