Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristina Bernes.
Hi Cristina, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey into photography is deeply rooted in my upbringing. I was born in Milan, Italy, an experience that immersed me from childhood in an incredibly aesthetic environment, steeped in history. What made a lasting impression on me was the sheer beauty of the architecture and classical art that surrounded me daily. I was truly immersed in the world of classical art. Spending my time in Europe’s most renowned museums wasn’t just about textbooks; it was about experiencing beauty firsthand. This profound foundation in art – understanding light, form, composition, and the essence of visual storytelling from painting and sculpting – directly informs every photograph I take today. It’s why I approach each session with a classical aesthetic and an art-trained eye, aiming for a clean, timeless elegance.
When I moved to the U.S. I carried that artistic sensibility with me. My professional path took an important turn when I began working for a high-end website building company. This was a pivotal experience, as it vividly showed me that while a website could be beautifully designed, if the imagery didn’t match that level of sophistication, it could actually hinder a brand’s impact. This sparked a passion in me to help people elevate their brands through truly aesthetic visuals. I realized that my eye for beauty and composition could be powerfully applied to the business world. I saw that I could bring value for high-achieving professionals in industries like aesthetic medicine, finance, real estate, law and really just any high-achieving professional, by bringing aesthetic to the visual aspects as often times, the critical role visual presence can be overlooked. I often would see generic visuals that didn’t reflect human and personality connection, expertise, professionalism, or unique brand content. I recognized a significant need for imagery that went beyond standard headshots; photos that could genuinely convey their credibility, build trust, and resonate with their ideal clients.
This realization led me to specialize in portrait and branding photography. Although I still currently take on different types of work such as personal portraits and occasional weddings, I’m focusing the bulk of my time on portrait and branding. My approach evolved to be highly collaborative and client-centered. I don’t just ‘take pictures’; I craft visual stories. My goal is to create a comfortable, professional environment where clients feel confident and empowered. More than that, my personal mission is to make each person glow in their images, capturing them in their most aesthetic and authentic light. I guide my clients through the process, ensuring their vision is realized and their best self is captured.
Additionally, participating in the Portrait Masters and International Icon Award programs also reflects my self-imposed choice to continually hone and perfect my skills, technical expertise and artistic vision I bring to every project.
On a personal note, becoming a mother to a beautiful two-year-old has also profoundly changed me. It has made me even more efficient and organized, enabling me to service my clients with dedication and professionalism while still being able to spend a lot of precious time with my baby. This personal drive reinforces my understanding that, at the end of the day, success in business often allows individuals to have more time and freedom to spend with their families.
Ultimately, my aim is to provide more than just beautiful photographs; it’s to deliver a tangible return on investment. I create impactful images that build trust, enhance brand credibility, and drive results, helping businesses elevate their brand and leave a lasting impression. It’s truly about translating that classical understanding of beauty and communication into powerful, modern brand visuals.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
“No, the road has certainly not been without its challenges, but each one has been a profound learning experience that’s shaped Cristina Bernes Photography into what it is today.
One of the initial hurdles was bridging the gap between creating art and the commercial world. Translating that artistic vision into impactful branding photography for specific industries – like aesthetic medicine, finance, and real estate – required me to learn the unique language of branding visuals. It wasn’t just about a beautiful image; it was about an image that sells, a cohesive brand message and vibe, creating connection so that it shows personality and each unique person in an elevated aesthetic way. A way that builds trust, and that communicates a brand’s unique value. That transition from art to art with a strategic business purpose was a significant learning curve.
Another significant challenge, for me personally, stemmed from being a bit of a perfectionist. This trait, while driving me to constantly strive for excellence, sometimes led me to be overly critical of my own work. I wanted to ensure that every single image not only met my high artistic standards but also delivered tangible value to my clients. This drive for continuous improvement is precisely what led me to actively seek out and become a part of the Portrait Masters and International Icon Awards photography communities. These platforms offered invaluable opportunities to continually hone and perfect my skills, to learn from global leaders, and to have my work benchmarked against rigorous professional standards. It gave me the confidence and validation to know that my work is truly at a professional level, and ultimately, ensuring my clients are thrilled with their images is of paramount importance to me.
The journey of balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood has brought its own set of beautiful challenges. Becoming a mother to my two-year-old has profoundly changed my perspective. It’s pushed me to become even more efficient and organized, enabling me to not only maintain the high level of service my clients expect but also to cherish that precious time with my baby. This personal experience has also reinforced my understanding of why my clients strive for success – often, it’s to gain the freedom and time to spend with their own families. It adds another layer of meaning to the work I do, knowing that by helping them succeed, I’m contributing to their ability to achieve that balance.
Each challenge has been a profound learning experience that’s shaped Cristina Bernes Photography into what it is today.
My journey through photography also actually involved exploring many different genres before I specialized. I delved into newborn photography, weddings, personal portraiture, family sessions, event photography, and maternity shoots. Each of these experiences was invaluable in shaping my skills, building a deeper connection with my subjects, and teaching me immense patience. For example, with newborns, you truly understand that there are only a few fleeting moments to capture a perfect image, and you learn the importance of patience because they are little humans who can’t yet express themselves with words. These varied experiences also instilled in me a profound appreciation for human connection and the diverse stories each person carries.
Crucially, these experiences also taught me the vital importance of creating a judgment-free environment for my clients. I personally experienced being uncomfortable in front of a camera, not feeling truly seen, or sensing a critical vibe from the photographer. This left a strong impression on me, and I now 100% believe that as a photographer, it is my job to help people relax, feel genuinely comfortable, and ultimately come out of their shell so their authentic self can shine.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My Work: Crafting Visual Impact for High-Achievers
I specialize in branding photography, working primarily with high-achieving professionals ready to level up their visual assets to stand out in the competition. My core focus is to translate their expertise and unique personality into powerful visual assets. Rather than relying on generic stock photos, I create custom image libraries that include professional headshots, authentic lifestyle shots, and behind-the-scenes glimpses designed to resonate directly with their ideal clients.
Some recent projects that i’m very proud of were a branding photoshoot for actress @Sofia Milos with her incredibly awesome brand of organic skin care Made in Italy radiantbysofiamilos.com, we truly put heart and soul in this project and created beautiful imagery.
Another project I’m very proud of, just from May 2025 are the images of the new Restaurant recently opened at @DescansoGardens called @FarmhouseDG.
What Sets Me Apart
What truly differentiates my work is my classical aesthetic and vision, my ability to connect, posing, my patience and not generalizing or cookie cutter, but applying my craft to create individual unique story for each person I work with. This comes from my upbringing which instilled in me a deep appreciation for a clean golden-ratio aesthetic and connecting with humans. Understanding light, form, connection, posing and composition I approach every session with this discerning eye, aiming for a clean, timeless elegance that elevates each image, I want to make people glow.
Beyond aesthetics, my approach is deeply rooted in empathy and collaboration. Having been on the other side of the camera, I understand the discomfort many feel. My absolute priority is creating a judgment-free environment where clients feel completely at ease, allowing their genuine confidence to shine through. My personal mission is to make each person glow, capturing their most aesthetic and authentic self. This empathetic approach, combined with the strategic insights I gained from working with a high-end website building company – where I saw how vital strong visuals are for a brand – truly defines my process.
My Proudest Achievements
I’m incredibly proud of the tangible return on investment I deliver for my clients. It’s immensely gratifying to see them leverage their new imagery to significantly enhance their brand’s credibility, drive engagement, and ultimately achieve their business goals. It’s about empowering them to build thriving businesses, which, as a mother myself, I understand often provides the very freedom and time they seek to spend with their families.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I definitely view myself as a calculated risk-taker. For me, risk isn’t about jumping blindly; it’s about thoroughly understanding the landscape first. Before making a significant decision, I invest time in gathering information, weighing the potential outcomes, and identifying possible challenges. This analytical approach ensures I’m well-informed about what I’m getting myself into.
However, once that groundwork is laid, I’m absolutely not afraid to grit my teeth, jump in, and commit to making it go right. I thrive on the challenge of navigating uncertainties and pushing to achieve the best possible outcome, even when the path isn’t perfectly clear. This willingness to embrace the jump, after careful consideration, has been central to my journey.
My natural inclination as a social person, my love for connecting with and understanding people, and my commitment to creating a safe space for them to communicate their story, all play a role in how I approach risk. This connection helps me better assess situations, understand needs, and build the trust required to navigate uncertainties collaboratively. I believe that by fostering strong relationships, many perceived “risks” can transform into well-managed opportunities.
There is always a risk in each adventure. Coming to the US at 15 not speaking any english and having to learn english from kindergarden-level to high school in a very short time, plus the necessity of teenage pressure to in a whole new language. Networking and meeting people is something that I just love doing this and could do this all day long, Not everybody likes networking and being around people socially. Managing my own business and now being a mom as well as helping my husband, and most recently joining my husband in creating a Photography and Cinematography business to provide more value to our clients in our new company bernesmedia.com. (My husband is a also a wedding videographer: kevinbernesweddingfilms.com). So i’m a pretty adventurous person.
I know that one can create many more opportunities by going out there and creating them as opposed to waiting or hoping for things to happen. Connections are important so meeting new people and creating new opportunities is one of my favorite thing.
Pricing:
- Branding Photography & Cinematography full day shoot – Starting at $4000
- Basic headshot, portrait session $500
- Branding Photography session starting at $1500
- Weddings – starting at $3500
- Headshot for the company – starting at $1200
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cristinabernesphotography.com
- Instagram: cristinabernesphotography
- Facebook: cbernes (cristinabernesphotography)
- LinkedIn: cristinabernes
- Other: https://bernesmedia.com
Image Credits
Main Photo: Image photographed by Cristina Bernes Photography of Sofia Milos with radiantbysofiamilos.com.
Dr. K of @smiledentalLA
@belabio
@veronicarodriguez
@moderndaywife
@picklejar
@jess.for.now
@farmhousedg, @descansogardens
