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DuendePhoto
Category: Event Planning & Services Photographers Photographers [Edit]
Euclid AveOakland, CA 94610
Serving Oakland and surrounding area
Neighborhoods: Lakeshore, Lower Hills
(510) 459-5799
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 9 am - 9 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
About This Business:
I love to photograph weddings, and am lucky to have been a wedding and engagement photographer for over a decade. I have also worked in advertising and… read more »
33 reviews for DuendePhoto
33 reviews in English
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Review from Ann M.
Pinole, CA
10/3/2011
The SF Bay Area not only has a dazzling wedding photographer in Ken Mendoza and Duende Photography, but an outstanding videographer.
This was my first promotional video and I was very nervous. From finding the right venue to having his partner Brady finding the right clothes, every step of the way was easy.
No matter how many times we had to shoot the material, Ken was always patient, always letting the creative process take the lead, always finding new ways to come at the shoot.
Finally, the perfect take, and a great video. This guy is not only very talented, but one of the most generous men I have ever met. -
Review from Tamra J.
Oakland, CA
3/10/2011
As a makeup artist, it's always a treat to get professional shots of my work. And when the images are as jaw-dropping as the kind Ken & Brady take ~ it's an absolute thrill! You have to see their tack sharp metal prints. I've never seen anything so realistic. It's as if your right there in front in the bride & groom! As a makeup artist, this is critical and a testament to Ken & Brady's skill as wedding photographers.
Pow! -
Review from Susan C.
San Francisco, CA
3/27/2011
Brady and Ken are amazing wedding photographers! When we began looking for photographers for our wedding in Yosemite last September, we had several criteria - on the top of the list was to have fabulous photos that would be a true reflection of our experience and the beauty of Yosemite. I've always felt a strong connection to Yosemite, as my grandfather's family founded Camp Curry (Curry Village), and I spent a lot of time in the park as a youngster. We wanted to makes sure we chose photographers who really knew Yosemite and would portray it best. The photos Ken and Brady took of us around Yosemite Valley and during our ceremony and reception are really spectacular, so we definitely made the right choice!
After my first conversations with Brady and Ken, I could tell that they really cared about their craft. They are consumate professionals, yet very approachable and flexible. We knew we were in good hands when they picked us up from the Ahwahnee and drove us all over the valley for our protraits. They have scouted out all the best spots to capture the raw beauty of the place.
Ken and Brady are a great team, and none of the other photographers we looked at came close to offering the value that we got from Brady and Ken. It's a huge benefit to have two photographers because they each catch different angles and you get almost double the number of shots. Also, Brady would sometimes provide logistical support, such as positioning light reflectors to make the most of the natural light. That wouldn't be easy with just one photographer. The two of them were there with us for several hours, starting in theh early afternoon to do our couple's shots and staying through to the end of the reception, and yet they charged a very fair price. Nor did they charge extra for their travel and accommodations, as some photographers quoted us. The are committed professionals with a very honorable work ethic and reasonable pricing.
They also provided great service as far as the editing, posting and printing. They showed us some samples of unsual finishes for large-format enlargements for when we are ready to do something more artistic with our favorite shots.
It has truly been an enjoyable experience working with Brady and Ken, as they are lovely people who really put their heart and soul into their work. We are thrilled with the beautiful images that will help us to preserve our memories of that special day. -
Review from Bryan M.
Oakland, CA
12/8/2010
Every now and then you meet extraordinary person with a heart of gold (works with urban youth) and a true passion for their craft. Ken at Duende Photo truly loves his clients and cares deeply about every single frame that he shoots. Rarely have I met a wedding photographer that cares that much about every pixel in the frame.
As a California native, Ken knows the light of the Bay Area and even scouts out the shoot location a week before at the exact time of the shoot so he knows the magic spot at the most magnificent hour! He truly is in love with his craft and his exuberance is contagious. Just look at his wedding photography. Whether it is at a winery in Livermore or a city wedding in San Francisco, Ken can capture a day in a single moment that will last forever. -
Review from Linda P.
San Francisco, CA
9/23/2011
Book them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My thank you letter to these amazing photographer says it all:
Dear Brady and Ken,
Thank you so much for all your hard work at our wedding. Your professionalism and knowledge was evident and quite helpful.
Mostly, we loved your kindness and support. I appreciate all your efforts to make a difficult family member smile. By the way, I wouldn't have had my wedding dress on for our first dance if you did not encourage us to dance in Crissy Field and then show us how pretty the dress looked while I was spinning. I am so glad I had it on for our first dance.
Brady, thanks for all your organizing, patience, advice and assistance with my bustle. Ken, thank you for all the compliments, playfulness, and reassurance (it made me calm down and not hate having my pic taken). You were both lovely. We are so glad you were our photographers. We felt as though our friends were taking the pics.
We cannot stop looking at the photos. They are all so beautiful, it is hard to choose. You captured the beauty of our wedding and the love surrounding the day.
We could never thank you enough -
Review from Anne P.
Oakland, CA
12/2/2010
Ken and Brady were the wedding photographers for my friend's wedding in San Francisco. Wedding day started at 630am for the bride and 730am for the wedding party after a late night of rehearsing and preparing. The hair and make-up people were late and just about everyone else, except Ken and Brady.
By the time they arrived, the atmosphere was tense. Everyone was tired and the bride was stressed out. She was giving instructions to people, keeping tabs on everyone and everything, and getting her hair and make-up done. Ken and Brady calmly walked in, warmly greeted everyone like they were part of the family celebrating this very special occasion together, found space to put their stuff down, and started working without fuss or extra instruction. True professionals!
Prior to the ceremony, we went on a city tour taking pictures at major San Francisco landmarks. Ken and Brady knew and understood the scenery and light that would make memorable, beautiful pictures. It was a lot of fun. My friend felt like a celebrity with an entourage and everyone on streets were congratulating her.
When the pictures are ready, they send a link to all the pictures with a password to the bride and groom so that they can send it out to their family and friends to access. An easy and convenient way to share the day with everyone.
These two are a delight to work with! -
Review from Doris M.
El Cerrito, CA
9/14/2011
My family had Ken Mendoza take our family pictures. The whole process was very easy, from scheduling the appointment to choosing the pictures. Ken was wonderful, he is easy to work with and was very patient with the kids. Not only did he come prepared with the right equipment but he was creative in capturing the kids in motion. He was able to capture so many beautiful smiles. Thank you Ken!
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Review from Bryan T.
Oakland, CA
2/9/2011
Ken & Brady are a unique photography couple because they are committed to making the entire wedding experience fun and the special day it should be. They have a wonderful sense of what works and bring a calming presence to all the hectic activities which can be a part any wedding. Technically, they are superb protographers. Just a quick glance thru their portfolio shows that they are real pros. A place like Yosemite begs for a lot of beautiful color photography and they don't disappoint but, for me anyway, some of their finest work is in black & white.
While they are always on the lookout for new technology to improve their images, Ken and Brady never lose sight of the fact that making the day special for the wedding couple is the greatest service they can provide. Their images are like getting an eye massage, with unusual combinations of light, angle, and composition. A nice example of their unconventional approach is an image that Ken took for the Tuolumne River Trust non-profit. He really wanted to convey a sense of the beauty of the stream, so he jumped right in and took an image of a gorgeous waterfall from the perspective of a trout! ... about six inches above the waterline. The Tuolumne River Trust selected this image as the cover for their 2011 outreach campaign. -
Review from Ananda S.
Alameda, CA
1/31/2011
Attracting clients from across the globe, these award-winning wedding photographers not only offer photography, but the husband and wife team also provide HD video with their wedding packages.
It's nice to find such talent with people who are so friendly and relaxed. I could tell while watching them photograph a wedding in Yosemite that they were completely in their element. I would without a doubt recommend Ken and Brady. -
Review from Michelle B.
Oakland, CA
9/7/2011
Ken and Brady of Duende Photo have such a passion for what they do. They are true professionals. They take great care to make sure that the photographs that they produce are aesthetically beautiful and technically superb. And they are easy to work with. I highly recommend Duende Photo.
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Review from Wendy D.
El Sobrante, CA
Updated - 7/15/2011
Just had an incredible session for my upcoming CD. We were in the zone and stayed there, making for a painless session. Ken and Brady are a seamless team. Creative, professional, and fun. They get right to it, have the right gear, and really love their work.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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12/14/2010
Ken photographed a benefit I performed at Yoshi's and caught some of the best photos yet of my live… Read more »
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Review from Jeff F.
Alameda, CA
3/10/2011
Ken & Brady are a unique husband and wife photography team specializing in outdoor weddings held in the San Francisco Bay Area as including Napa and Yosemite. They both have exceptional eyes and calm/friendly personalities. Ken & Brady do not use associate photographers so you will always work with one or both of them personally. Hire them and you will love the results.
PS: Ken is not only a wedding photographer but also shoots business and family portraiture. A friend of mine hired him to shoot a portrait for a dating site and the results were stunning: photographically and socially! -
Review from May T.
Hayward, CA
10/13/2011
My husband and I just got married this past Sunday and we wanted to work with a photographer different than our engagement and wedding photographer for our 'trash the dress' session. We emailed Ken and Brady on Tuesday and they got back to us immediately! They gave us recommendations of where we can shoot. They also emailed us back with with the day's temperature and samples of the different poses and backgrounds of how our pictures can be. They are just absolutely wonderful to work with! We met with them today! They were on tine! They were patient! Most importantly, they gave us directions on the poses when we needed help and allowed us to freestyle in the pictures to get more of a natural look! It was so much fun! We were done with the shoot around 7:30 and Ken and Brady had already sent us some sneak peeks of today's shoot! As a bride, I hate waiting on pictures, wondering how they look and how I look. To be able to see some sample ones definitely feels good! Thank you so much Ken and Brady! You guys are the best!
May and Daniel -
Review from Rheba E.
San Francisco, CA
4/20/2011
Even if you aren't getting married I recommend Duende for business, bday, portraits, etc. They take pictures outdoors in natural light which captures a subject near nature. Part of photos turning out is being comfortable with the person behind the camera. Ken certainly knows his stuff and took great shots in a short time!
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Review from Kristin P.
Modesto, CA
10/22/2009
Ken & Brady you are simply amazing! We are so very happy with our photos! Our family and friends can't believe how beautiful they are. You captured our day perfectly and we can never thank you enough for that.
You are such sweet, sincere people. You made us feel so comfortable and at ease. You have such a passion for what you do and a personal interest in making our special day perfect. We weren't just another couple getting married and more money in the bank. You are also truely romantic and it shows through in your photos. We appreciate your professionalism and genuine kindness.
Thank you so much! -
Review from Nadine K.
San Francisco, CA
8/18/2011
Ken (Duende Photo) photographed my recent wedding at the Fairmont in San Francisco, and I'm so glad that I chose him as our wedding photographer. The photos for my wedding were very important to me, and I chose Duende Photos because I loved the genuine, timeless, and sweet photos from their portfolio. When I met Ken, I knew that he was serious about his work, and that I would feel very comfortable and confident with him photographing our wedding. He prepared ahead of time, including asking about the general dynamics of family and guests, and going to the venue ahead of time, and suggested various ideas for photos. On the day of the wedding, Ken was the ultra-professional. He worked hard and earnestly for the many hours of the wedding. He set up lighting in a very calculated way, and took photos when I didn't even know he was there, and of things that I didn't even know happened. He captured so many good moments, and so beautifully! When I got the photos back recently, I was so excited! They are beautiful, and display the emotion, action, and special moments of the wedding so well. It's great to go through the photos and just feel good about them. It took me a while to pry myself away from looking at them and smiling and laughing hysterically at some. I definitely recommend Duende Photo and am so happy with the process and outcome of our wedding photos!
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Review from Pat O.
Berkeley, CA
7/5/2009
The photography of Duende Photo is quite beautiful. I have seen many
examples of Ken Mendoza's { owner} portfolio; weddings, family
gatherings, and nature still lifes. His style is romantic, relaxed and full
of brillant colors. His photos evoke and capture very sweet and
endearing emotions. One of Duende Photo's focus and specialities
is wedding photography in Yosemite National Park and winery weddings
[ Napa and Livermore] in a gorgeous, romantic and natural settings.
Weddings in a gorgeous , romantic and natural setting. Who would
not want that!
I highly recommend Ken Mendoza as a professional photographer.
Pat O'Neill -
Review from LUZ A.
Napa, CA
10/13/2009
KEN & BRADY MAKE AN AMAZING WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY TEAM! OF ALL MY WEDDING VENDORS I FELT THE MOST COMFORTABLE WITH THEM! THEY ARE DOWN TO EARTH, HONEST, AND EVER SO PATIENT! I WENT TO 3 BRIDAL SHOWS AND MET MANY PHOTOGRAPHERS AND ONCE I LAID EYES ON KEN'S WORK I WAS CONVINCED I WANTED HIM TO PHOTOGRAPH MY WEDDING!
Now looking at all of our beautiful photographs I can not pick just one favorite! I love how Ken captured the natural light. He truly captured our moments in the candid yet composed style I was looking for. Our couple pictures are absolutely beautiful and love so many of them!
The kids shots are adorable, my 4 yr old niece had a blast being photographed by Ken. The group shots were fun & creative- not the typical group shots one is used to seeing. Again after attending 3 bridal shows, Ken's work is truly unique! We had a large wedding party, with many kids, and summer heat, but Ken & Brady worked around it and made it fun for everyone!
Most importantly, I appreciate how Ken captured all of our special moments yet really blended in and let those moments happen naturally with no interruptions from him.
Thank you Ken & Brady! -
Review from Alma R.
Richmond, CA
12/18/2009
Had family portraits taken by Duende Photo. I cannot wait to have another session with Brady and Ken.
They are friendly, funny, fun and professionals.
Made my kids feel very comfortable while the session was going on and we all had a blast!
They are #1 at what they do and I HIGHLY recommend their services to any one who is looking for PERFECT portraits for any type of event.
Once you use them you will want to use them over and over and over... -
Review from Andrew G.
Lafayette, CA
1/28/2011
Duende Photo sets itself apart from other photographers and especially wedding photographers. Ken Mendoza is an artist when it comes to natural light, naturals spaces and natural looking people. his photographs of newly-weds in Yosemite or in the Marin headlands are both breathtaking in their beauty as well as awesome in their apparent simplicity. I say 'apparent' because their is nothing simple about ken's approach to natural light and the way he works with people. the subjects in the photographs are smiling naturally, conversing with each other and do not have that stiff, posed, cold look that is so common in other wedding photography.
If you are getting married or if you wish simply to have some fantastic shots of your family taken by someone who not only understands the skills needed to take the picture but is also deeply familiar with the techniques necessary to finish the photograph and present it, right through to the myriad of different substrates that Ken can recommend depending on the photos themselves to really bring out the best in each shot, then, give DuendePhoto a shot - you will be thrilled with the outcome. Really! -
Review from Lindsay S.
Hamden, CT
1/1/2011
Ken and Brady did a wonderful job for our wedding at a Livermore winery.
These great wedding photographers were on time, professional, patient, and were genuinely excited to take photographs during the event.
They are especially talented at taking candid shots. I love to look at the reception photos and remember that moment, how much fun we had. Their style is truly unique, and different from other photographers. -
Review from Kathy G.
Columbus, OH
2/26/2011
Where to begin. I was just looking once again at the wedding pictures from our son's Yosemite wedding. Ken and Brady captured the absolute essence of the day - the bride and groom, the guests, the setting - looking at the photos I see individual moments of emotion and joy that I missed event though I "saw" them. They are consummate pros (the quality of the photos is supurb) and a pleasure to work with at the same time - calm, invisible when they need to be, and filled with fabulous ideas.
Hint: Listen to Brady - she knows what she's doing!! -
Review from Pamela S.
Martinez, CA
1/26/2011
Ken Mendoza is a wedding photographer with a very personable technique, and easy to work with under the stress of weddings! He and his wife, Brady, are so professional, and yet give everyone that comfortable feeling during this special time. Their wedding photography is a product any family will be glad to have for a lifetime.
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Review from Carol C.
Moraga, CA
12/8/2010
Ken Mendoza owner of Duende Photography is the best ! I hired him to do a business headshot for me. Even though it was not a big job he took a great deal of time, picked locations carefully and chatted with me until he found a subject - my grandchildren - that lit up my heart and (apparently from viewing the outcome) my face. I have also seen some of his wedding portfolio and it definitely goes beyond just pictures of people - it captures the real feeling of what getting married is all about.
Ken is highly skilled at what he does both intuitively and technically. Not only is he an award winning photographer, but he is deeply involved in humanitarian work within his community. If you are looking to have a headshot, a wedding portfolio or a portrait I would highly recommend him. -
Review from Jay S.
Sacramento, CA
11/15/2009
Brady and Ken were everything we could have hoped for in wedding photographers! On our wedding day, we were able to structure a full day with them that let us get some great shots all over Yosemite. Brady and Ken were also a pleasure to spend our special day with. They were easy to get along with, easy to talk to and willing to give and take suggestions. They really took the time to put help put together a personal and absolutely stunning set of photographs from our wedding. Finally, they even suggested a guide for us in Costa Rica, who helped make our honeymoon great. We couldn't recommend Brady and Ken more highly!!
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Review from Sydney M.
El Sobrante, CA
4/25/2008
As a wedding officiant, I've worked with countless photographers over the years. Ken Mendoza of Duende Photo is one of my favorites. He has a great rapport with clients. He puts them at ease and gets great shots. Ken does a wonderful job of incorporating color, natural backgrounds and the emotions of the moment.
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Review from Dale M.
Oakland, CA
4/8/2011
Ken lives, breathes as an artist. All you have to do is look at his website and see the beauty he captures. I once said the Ken, "How easy is wedding photography Yosemite, you already have all the natural beauty." He replied, "It is the hardest place of all because of the lighting." Hire someone who makes it look easy. See for yourself.
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Review from Anne C.
Martinez, CA
1/7/2010
We hired Ken & Brady to do a photo shoot with our horse. We only had about an hour for the shoot but the photos turned out beautiful! We were thrilled. It really helps that Brady is very familiar with horses and other pets. Ken and Brady were both so easy to work with and we received our proofs in short order. Thanks, guys!
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Review from Gloria O.
San Marino, CA
3/27/2011
I know that Ken and Brady are known as wedding photographers, but we used them for family portraiture and loved the results. We were fortunate to have them photograph our family reunion celebrating my mother's 91st birthday. We had a huge Cinco de Mayo celebration for her complete with Mariachis, Pinata, Margaritas .. the whole enchilada! Brady & Ken captured this special event with both great candids and evocative portraits. Thanks to Ken & Brady for making Nana's birthday a beautiful and lasting memory for all of us.
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Review from Kelly G.
Fremont, CA
12/31/2010
I could not have asked for a more perfect wedding photographer to so purely and beautifully capture the essence of how happy we felt as we stood before our closest friends and family to exchange our vows. Duende's artful combination of photojournalism and traditional wedding photography was perfect and turned out to be exactly what I didn't even know I wanted :)
When I look at our photos I relive the joy of our wedding day and the really magical thing about it is that I get to see it not only through my eyes, but through the eyes of our friends and family. With all of the fancy digital technology in cameras these days any decent professional wedding photographer can take satisfactory pictures of all the traditionally important moments of a ceremony and reception. In my experience, what makes Ken and Brady at Duende so special is that they captured those expected moments perfectly and then delighted me by catching so many unexpected vignettes in between. All of those in between moments that I didn't even know I wanted, but Ken and Brady so intuitively captured anyway are the photos I find I love the most.
When albums by other wedding photographers are shared with me there is usually something that I think is very important missing: what was happening where you weren't and when you weren't looking? For example some of my favorite and most touching photos from our wedding are of our friends and family watching the ceremony. Most wedding photography I see doesn't capture this because the photographer is completely focused on the couple. With the point of view of 2 amazing photographers that we got in the team of Ken and Brady our wedding was captured from many perspectives that would otherwise have been lost. Having 2 photographers was also great for getting both wide and close angles and for moments like the bouquet toss...I don't know anyone else who has such great photos of both themselves tossing and the guests catching. These may seem like little things, but when I sit down to peek at or share our wedding photos I deeply appreciate them.
Friends and family who weren't able to make it to the wedding, but visited the online galleries that Ken and Brady made for us have repeatedly told me that our photos are so great and vivid that they felt like they got to share in the day from afar.
Can you tell that I LOVE how our wedding photos turned out? :)
I'll stop gushing after sharing one last, but I think very important thing: in addition to delivering technically stunning and beautiful photos that I love even more than I expected to, Ken and Brady were beyond fabulous and comfortable to work with. This is critical because, although it is obvious in hindsight, it didn't occur to me in the midst of planning craziness that your wedding photographer is always nearby and shares some of the most intimate parts of your wedding day with you. They aren't just another vendor who does their job and then is gone. You need to like them and you need to be confident that they can capture your day perfectly without imposing or distracting you from it. At this Ken and Brady are masters...practically ninja-like. I hardly knew they were there unless I needed them or Brady was doing double-duty as an eagle-eyed stylist to adjust something quickly to make a shot perfect.
I have been wholeheartedly recommending Duende and singing their praises to anyone I know who is planning a wedding in the San Francisco Bay Area, Oakland, and beyond so I'm thrilled to find them on Yelp and tell you about them too! They're simply amazing and I want every couple to be as happy with their wedding photography as I am. -
Review from Janet S.
Oakland, CA
12/19/2009
Ken's work is absolutely stunning. Although he is often known as a wedding photographer, he also does family and business portraiture. He is a real professional and takes care of his clients.
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Review from Erica B.
Oakland, CA
Updated - 11/28/2010
Ken and Brady are simply wonderful wedding photographers. When they initially met with me and my fiance, they were very patient, listened to our needs, and made lots of great suggestions. Their photos were amazing, and very creative. On our wedding day they did a simply wonderful job. Most of the time I didn't notice that they were there. Furthermore, they had methodically planned out all of the best shots ahead of time, so we were able to transition through them with ease. We received our proofs on time, as promised. It was very obvious that they had paid careful attention to detail when they edited them. Thanks to them, our wedding will remain a beautiful and lasting memory.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/18/2010
Ken and Brady are awesome. They met with both me and my fiance and were very patient, listened to… Read more »
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Review from S K.
Claremont, CA
11/26/2010
I've known Ken and Brady many years, and they are a lovely couple and team! Asked them to do my new headshots, and they nailed two great commercial looks in less than 15 minutes! Bravo!
