Deann B Photography

Deann took pictures of my four boys a few months ago, and I was thrilled with the results! As you can imagine, it’s pretty stressfull doing ANYTHING with four little boys (ages 11, 9 4, and 4), especially your typical portrait session in a photography studio… trying to get everyone to smile and sit still at the same time is impossible.
When I talked to Deann, she suggested doing the session at a park, or someplace where the kids could run and play and be themselves. I was interested to see how they would turn out. At first, I tried to do what most parents probably try to do… have my kids sit and pose for pictures, but thankfully, that’s not how Deann operates. She just followed the kids around as they played, as happy as could be. She was able to capture the spirit and personality of all four boys individually. She interacted with them, played with them, and photographed them all at the same time in a way that made all of us comfortable and happy, and hence getting some of the most beautiful pictures I’ve ever seen.
I have never had pictures of my kids that I love more than the ones Deann took, and in the future, she’ll be the only photographer I call.

I spent WEEKS doing tons of research to find the perfect photographer. Not only did I want to have the best engagement and wedding photos ever, but I also am not very photogenic, so I wanted someone who would do a great job and take tons of photos. I also needed someone I could rely on 110% since I was planning a San Diego wedding from London England and dealing with moving from California to London at the same time!
Deann did our engagement photos in Newport Beach and had no qualms driving up and meeting us at any locations we wanted. She also was fine rescheduling a few times because I wanted perfect sunshine in the photos.
Deann created a custom (and affordable!) photography package based upon my needs and wants. This was such a huge benefit over the other «cookie cutter» wedding photographers.
Also, what really won me over is she was so good about getting back to me. Anytime I called or emailed her I got a detailed response back almost instantaneously! This was a HUGE benefit because I was planning my San Diego wedding from London, England so I really needed someone to be «on the ball». I must admit, I interviewed various photographers and one of the reasons I chose Deann (in addition to her phenomenal photography) is because of her professionalism and reliability. Wedding can be stressful as it is (especially trying to plan and execute it from 8 time zones away) and with Deann, I never had to worry about anything! She is extremely punctual and delivered above and beyond quality! We even asked her to re-​touch a few photos and she did so without a blink of an eye! What service!
If I had to sum up Deann’s style I would call it: artistically beautiful. He photos are the complete opposite from the staged Prom or Sears/​JC Penny Mall photos. She is so creative and does the most amazing things with angles and light. Some of our photos my husband and I think, «wow, is that really us in the photo» because her work is so exquisite! She made us look like models in some fancy art magazine!
Not only is she an extremely talented photographer and great businesswoman, but she has a fabulous personality. Taking photos was so much fun with her and at our wedding, everyone commented how she and her assistant seemed more like long time friends versus professional photographers.
UPDATE: 2011
To give fair balance, (see Marina B’s review) we did NOT get nice formal wedding photos… Now, looking back on our wedding 2 years later this is a big regret of ours. We hardly have any photos with our families or with our bridal party. What Deann does great is magazine worthy artsy photos but not group photos. We are now sad that we don’t have photos that we can frame of our bridesmaids or families.
Overall, Deann is a lovely person and we got amazing engagement photos and wedding photos of us so I would still recommend Deann but if you want group photos make sure to stress that point with her since although I’d given her a list of group photos I wanted, there was only one take and they ended up not being suitable to frame and like Marina B, I now am jealous of my friends that have amazing photos with their wedding parties and families and we do not.

My wife and I used Honey Stetson Photography for our wedding on 8÷8÷08 at Ponte Winery in Temecula, and one of the two photographers at the event was Deann. I cannot say enough good things about her professionalism, charming personality and ability to make missing some of the party to take pictures fun. I am easily annoyed by fake, over the top personalities, and Deann was anything but. She understood the strong emotions of the day, and was not intrusive, pushy or demanding. The fun she was having taking our pictures was genuine and, from my experience in doing things I love, this passion will make the pictures that much better.
Booking a photographer can be very stressful, and I would highly recommend Deann from the experience we had before even seeing the pictures. I am sure once I see the finished product, I would recommend her services to everyone (and will update my review as such). She showed up on time, stayed the entire time that she was booked for, and I don’t know if she even ate because it seemed she was there at every moment. The prices for her services through Honey Stetson were reasonable/​the market rate.
I am sure my wife will write a review with more details, but from the prospective of an easily irritated, short tempered groom, I would recommend Deann to everyone.