If you hire this pro, you’re covered by a money-back guarantee. Learn more
If you hire this pro, you’re covered by a money-back guarantee. Learn more
About
Photography is so much more than taking a picture of someone or something. It’s about stilling a meaningful moment in time so you can reminisce on it in the future with loved ones or by yourself. It’s about how beautifully or dramatically, how seriously or playfully you want to be represented to the world if you’re a business. It’s about pleasant self expression and infinitely more. A photo, when properly taken... can be worth a million words rather than just a thousand. What you need is a photographer that understand that and is willing to put in the required time and effort to make that happen. And I am that photographer.
Overview
Hired 53 times
18 similar jobs done near you
Background checked
1 employee
8 years in business
Business hours
This pro hasn't listed their business hours.
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Apple Pay, Cash, Check, Credit card, Stripe, Venmo, and Zelle.
Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.
2022
Services offered
Photoshoot type
Photography style
Traditional
Candid
Artistic
Natural
Photoshoot location
Outdoors
Photo studio
Home
Office
Projects and media
Projects and media
Reviews
Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, professionalism, and responsiveness.
Exceptional 5.0
41 reviews
5
98%
4
0%
3
2%
2
0%
1
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Read reviews that mention:
Reena K.
Nov 17, 2025
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Hired on Thumbtack
Derek is reliable, affordable & will do his best to accommodate your schedule. We booked him about a week out for business / professional headshots and he was able to schedule us in. Definitely recommend!
Details: Professional / business • Photo studio • 2 - 5 people • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.
Headshot Photography
Puja B.
Dec 22, 2021
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Hired on Thumbtack
We hired Derek for our maternity /family portraits. He was very professional and extremely prompt. He was also very knowledgeable in venues/locations near by and made himself available for the shoot on short notice . Derek even had the photos ready within 8 hours of completing the photoshoot which was a whole 24 hours before he had promised. Quality of his work was perfect and he was ready to do more editing if requested. All in all the perfect photographer. Thank you Derek!
Details: Maternity portrait • Candid (captured in the moment) • Natural / environmental (photographed in an outdoor setting) • High fashion (highlights style) • Outdoors • Digital or online download • CD / DVD • My home, venue, etc.
Portrait Photography
Joe c.
Apr 21, 2024
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Hired on Thumbtack
Great guy that does great work, he was on time, helped me get all the photos I wanted and even helped me plan out the shoot. I would high recommend using him for any photos you need.
Details: Solo portrait • Natural / environmental (photographed in an outdoor setting) • Outdoors • Digital or online download • My home, venue, etc.
Portrait Photography
Toni R.
Dec 14, 2021
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Hired on Thumbtack
This was my first time hiring a photographer. I was so nervous but Derek made it so easy to communicate and figure everything out. I was beyond impressed with his professionalism on figuring out the look I wanted for my photos. He guided me through poses, suggested great tips, and made me feel like we were old friends just snapping shots. His attention to detail is great. He gets the photos back to you quickly and not just a few photos he gives you all of them! I highly recommend Derek and will definitely use him in the future!
Details: Graduation / senior portrait • Outdoors • 1 person • 1 outfit change • Digital or online download • Album or photo book • At the pro’s location
Headshot Photography
Vanessa C.
Apr 23, 2022
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Hired on Thumbtack
Derek did such a good job making me feel comfortable and at ease during the photos! I was initially a little nervous but he was really welcoming and friendly which made me feel calm and comfortable. He also suggested different locations and poses and they worked out perfectly! I am really happy with the photos that he took! 10/10 would recommend !
Details: Graduation portrait • Natural / environmental (photographed in an outdoor setting) • Traditional / classic (looking directly at the camera) • High fashion (highlights style) • Candid (captured in the moment) • Artistic (focus on composition, lighting) • Outdoors • Digital or online download • Physical proofs and prints • My home, venue, etc.
Portrait Photography
Credentials
Background Check
Derek White
FAQs
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I’d like to meet with a customer first so that I can get to know them and understand how they go about their day so that I can understand your personality their mindset and their perspective. Understanding who they are as a person helps me to adjust my personality and my approach to their‘s so that they can be more comfortable and their experience in the photo shoot can be much more rewarding.After I’ve adjusted like taking their photos I let them know that they have 1 to 2 days until they’ll be receiving their photos fully edited and I am willing to make any changes or adjustments that they might need or desire to their photos.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
All of my knowledge and understanding of photography is been done through independent research and experiences. In short I pretty much taught myself everything that I know.
How did you get started doing this type of work?
When I was younger my brother who is also a photographer was doing an event photo shoot at his house for a family gathering we were having. He had to step away and take care of some other business so he handed me the camera and told me to shoot around for a bit. By the time he got back he was surprised that I was taking good photos. Fast forward a year and I was leaving to Japan with the Navy, and it halfway I decided to give photography a try in a more selfish aspect. At that point I had gone another year working with a Nikon B 500 power shot. I was still having fun with photography so I decided to upgrade to an Olympus OMD Mark one. Fast forwarding another three years and I was in San Diego leaving the military and I decided to do photography in a way that I could monetize something that I loved. And here I am.
