Dore Studio

They did an excellent job helping me with new photos for LinkedIn and others. Exactly what I was looking for.

I was looking for a good place not far from the Evans Post Office (which offers walk-​in passport service), and open early on Saturday morning. I needed a passport photo for my son. The woman serving us was very professional and friendly. She took a few pictures, let us choose the best one (they wee all good, for both the pose and the quality). Two of the same for $ 10. In and out within ten minutes. Highly recommended.

For a moment in time, you are effortlessly glamorous. Everything is all about you. You’re a superstar.
Dore is THE Glamour studio, a San Francisco original. Dore is a woman owned and operated studio for over 60 years. Audrey Revell purchased it in the 50’s. Sadly she passed away. Her daughter and photographer Patty runs it now. They both did my photo shoot 27 years ago. Not many small businesses, let alone a studio can say they’ve been around that long.
I recently took my 2 daughters here to have their portraits taken. It is really special to have pictures of my daughters that look like mine… when I was their age.
My younger daughter is terribly shy when having her picture taken. Her school senior portraits didn’t capture the beautiful girl I know. I am glad I encouraged her to have photos taken at Dore. Watching her slowly transition to a confident young woman in front of the camera all glammed up with everyone focused on making her look her best was such a positive experience!
The easiest way to get the most out of this really special photo shoot is to trust the process. Trust Mercy, the makeup artist. She knows how to make your beauty shine in your photos. Trust Patty, she is behind the camera with over 3 decades of experience. If she tells you to tilt your head, tilt it. Lift your arm, lift it. Smile softly with parted lips, well… do that!
Having hair and makeup done by a makeup artist who knows how to curl hair, contour, highlight, and choose eyeshadow, lipstick, and blush colors that will bring out your beauty in front of the camera is a wonderful treat! Don’t mistake camera makeup for everyday makeup. You just sit back and get pampered. Let the transformation unfold.
The ladies here take great pride in making every woman feel special. They have your best interest at heart. They celebrate the parts of you that will make your photos gorgeous.
My photo shoot more than 2 decades ago was such a positive experience, I was excited to take my daughters here to enjoy that experience for themselves.
I don’t want the world dictating what beauty is to my girls. I want them to feel beautiful in their own skin because they are. I wish that for every woman. I really do.
Trust the process. You are beautiful. Let the professionals direct you. You’ll see your cooperation and willingness to let go pay off in the final photographs (what you see to choose your poses in the studio isn’t the finished photo.
For years my Dore photo hung on the wall in my home. It makes me and my daughters smile. Now they have something they can see, every day, a photograph that captures who they are.
Beautiful, elegant, glamourous.
The world is starved for beauty. Real beauty. Dore brings that out of us, all of us, uniquely us… one gorgeous customized photo at a time.
Dore studios is a credit to my hometown.
I highly recommend! I will return. My daughters will eventually have wedding gowns they need to be photographed in!

This place is FABULOUS! The ladies are so very nice, professional and talented. I popped in here for passport pictures and realized this place is soooo much more. The place is eclectic and filled with great energy. When it was time for my nephew to graduate, i took him here for his Senior pictures and they came out perfect. Again, they were professional and fun. We will be back to do more pictures but with some kind of fun theme to them… oooh and I must say. the owner Patty… ROCKS!

I’ve always had a very positive experience here. It is a little expensive, however, it’s totally worth it. The makeup artist do a wonderful job and the photographs come out stunning. I’ve gotten a ton of compliments on each picture I’ve taken at Dore Studio. Patty does a great job to find your best angle and she really knows her work. I highly recommend going here for beautiful photographs.

came here in 1979 for my grad pics & my husbands well boyfriend at the time. took my son here for his grad pic and took my daughter here for her grad pic it is very expensive and takes a lot of time but was well worth it. we came here last in 2004 so ten years ago it was still good. but be prepared to spend about $ 500 because you will want them all.

I loved my session here at the studio with Patty and Mercy! Patty did my hair and make up, and it was a little heavier than what I would wear on a daily basis, but that’s exactly how it’s suppose to be to show up real nice in the pictures! My hair was really nice, too. She also was my photographer and between her and Mercy, they both helped me pose and feel comfortable. They were patient with me and very helpful. I was only going to buy 2 poses but I ended up buying 3 because they came out really nice! Great experience, would definitely recommend to everyone.

I just recently had my pictures taken and was pleasantly surprised at how GREAT they turned out. It took me some time to even find a well priced studio to accommodate what kind of pictures I wanted to have taken. The entire staff was amazing especially the Hair and Make-​up artist. She was extremely friendly and had me looking amazing. She was their with me during the entire shoot and paid so much attention to even the little details (when a hair was out of place she fixed it). The young lady who works at the front end was also very professional. I felt so comfortable and relaxed throughout the entire session. I will definitely be back to have more photos taken in the near future.

I came here for my senior portraits in high school. While there were few pluses, the makeup lady pissed me off so much. She made racist comments. She asked me if I usually used foundation and I told her, «No, I use BB cream.»
She gave me a disgusted look and said «What is that?»
Me: «It’s kind of like a tinted moisturizer»
Lady: (said in a very disgusted tone) «Oh, so where do you buy it? Chinatown?»
Me: «No… they sell it at Sephora … «
Okay well maybe she didn’t mean it in a racist way … but later on while removing my makeup, she asks me, «So are you Chinese or Filipino?»
Me: Both
Lady: Oh so which one of your parents are which?
Me: My mother is Chinese.
Lady: *laughs* OH… of course.
Not sure what she really means, but I found her attitude to be very insulting. And why would you even ask so much into detail about a customer’s ethnicity? And she assumed I was either Chinese or Filipino?
Okay so about her makeup skills, she sucks. She made me look like a clown and used cheap drugstore makeup, and the only remover they had was the cream kind. My cheeks were painted with blush and bronzer that didnt match my skin or hair at all, and they don’t use any makeup primer. She made me put Lubriderm all over my face as a primer. Isn’t she a makeup professional? Oh, and they use the same sponge for eyeshadow for every customer… I saw her pull out the applicator from the box that had been used before. she went ahead to use it on me. I felt so awful after looking at myself in the mirror at the finished product and the pictures ended up being useless. Prestige was better.
The photographer wasn’t any better. They snapped random pictures and they were not trained properly. Most of the pictures I saw at the end were so out of proportion because they would force me to move into awkward postions. The photos were taken hurriedly and I feel like they rushed me through.
However, the receptionist was courteous in helping fish out photos that I could possibly use, since the photographer was so horrible. She was also very nice, unlike the makeup artist.
Overall, you get what you pay for. Cheap prices for unprofessional service. The place is also not very tidy and clean, it is very old and is in need of some fixing, despite the fact that the exterior looks decent.
The three pictures I ended up printing were completely useless. Those were the three that the photographers did not make my head look like an awkward duck. Nonetheless, I still looked like a clown, thanks to the makeup «artist.»

For years I wanted to take a nice professional portrait photo to be remembered by my family and friends. After looking into many choices I decided to go to Dore Studio and I am so glad I picked them! My pictures turned out amazingly beautiful, Not only that ! The make up artist (Mercy) did a wonderful job with my hair and make up! It looks very natural, very me! I will definitely go back and take a family picture! Thank You for a awesome job.

Patty and her staff are fantastic! They did a great job doing our family shots with my mother-​in-​law and us who was visiting from Germany. They were patient and very sweet even though she doesn’t speak english or spanish. Our photos came out amazing and I think it’s due to all the care they take in not only in doing the makeup but the lighting and posing. They work hard to get everyone looking great.

The positives here are Mercy the makeup artist is outstanding,! If it wasn’t for her I would never have returned. Also the front end receptionist was also very sweet and knowledgeable. The photographer is unprofessional, hostile, and argumentative. I had looked forward to having my pictures taken with my 3 yo daughter a keepsake however now when I look at these pictures I spent $ 600 on I will remember a horrifying experience. This photographer grabs my face gives me a psychotic look and states «I am really trying to keep it together». Who has the audacity to grab hold of a customers face and say this to them and their 3 yo daughter? Looking back I should of left right there. Obviously she is not a professional photographer. The entire time she is shooting pictures she is flashing this baton like flashlight in your eyes the police use. She is yelling different commands all at once and then becomes verbally and physically assaulting when you cannot follow. She made a special day a nightmare. In addition the place is filthy with dust, dirty clothing, and makeup that is old, half empty, and states «use makeup at your own risk.» Again kudos to the makeup artist esp given the dirty half empty makeup she is forced to use and the front end girl.

When you’re in need of a headshot for your professional use, this is the place to go. Patricia, They went beyond to make this headshot for mass publication happen! Thanks, Dore! Merci, Cristina, and Yeg come together to provide all the pre-​through-​post expertise that you’ll need. Dore Studio’s claim to fame for over sixty years has been as a classic family-​run business. They still use paper information cards. This is the charm and authenticity one appreciates. It’s a no-​frills environment. It works! Now, if you’re after a sleek, modern studio, you’ll find it elsewhere and pay more. They took their time to make sure every hair was in place. They shot a varied sequence of images, representing different vibes. Patricia was a beautician way back; and her eye for enhancement is current. The tech wizardry is beyond target. I walked out the door with a handful of me’s, which I’m so happy to be in the public eye. I wanted a natural, approachable, savvy look captured and they did that. It was a very fair price for a practical, useable product. Did I say they extended their time? What a combination of skill and generosity.

They don’t just do prom, grad, and glamour! I needed some professional photos taken, and I was in and out in one hour and now have business photos that I am VERY happy to use for work-​related projects, websites, etc. They are one of the only walk-​in, dedicated studios in the city and it’s run by a group of very friendly, professional, down-​to-​earth people. So I got nice business photos, got a good price, and got to support a woman-​owned business! Win. Highly recommended.

Many moons ago I won’t say how many ;-) when I was in high school, I wanted Sr. pictures from Dore but couldn’t afford them. So I was happy to find out a couple of years ago that they were still in business. After referring a friend who had her daughter and son’s Sr. portraits done there, I was even happier to see they still did beautiful, quality work.
Well, my son had his pictures done there last week and we were EXTREMELY pleased with the customer service and the quality of the work. I was blown away by how much time the photographer and her assistants spent to make sure the shots came out just right. No the pictures aren’t cheap, but their prices ARE competitve for the quality of the service. I do not feel like they are over-​priced at all. I called beforehand and got the prices of their packages ahead of time so I knew what to expect. Dore is way better than JCP and the quickie mall photography joints, so it would be unreasonable to expect similar pricing. As with everything else, you get what you pay for.
I have and will continue to recommend Dore Studio for quality portraits. They are a small, family business that continues to stand the test of time by providing excellent services.

Recently I had a session with my girlfriend and our dog, this was the first time I had ever done studio photography, and what a wonderful experience! Patty and Mercy were patient, helpful and kind. Its by appointment so you don’t have to worry about being rushed which is great. It was professional and fun («make it hot!»).
The only reason they don’t get five stars is becuase it is expensive. Photo packages start at $ 200 and that does not include the $ 60 sitting fee (which you cannot wave). I am happy I did it, even though it did set me back a bit. If you can afford it then you are getting your money’s worth.

This place is great, everyone there was very nice and attentive. They made getting my picture taken a fun process, which is amazing, and I highly recommend Dore Studio to anyone looking for a nice place to get quality photographs taken. They made sure that every little detail was perfect, (they even took care of my hair and makeup, which I loved!) and were very communicative while taking our photo. I will definitely be going back there the next time I want some professional photos taken.

This place is great! I just came back from there. Went to get passport photos and the über-​nice lady that helped me was very quick and I was in and out within 5 minutes, which I appreciate. $ 10 for two copies.
I had actually meant to go across the street to «A Foto Video Mail & More» but I mistakenly went in to this place. Glad I did because when I went to do a ‘walk by’ of the other place I saw that there was a short line.
In conclusion, either «A Foto Video Mail & More» or «Dore Studios» would be a fine choice, but I can’t see it getting much better or more expedient than this.

My wife got makeup and her hair done from Dore Studio the day of her wedding and we could have not been happier. I forget the name of the stylist who did my wife’s hair but she did a fantastic job, was very calming and friendly during a stressful day, and gave her a rock bottom deal. Don’t overspend going to the Marina or Pacific Heights, go to Dore!

Nostalgic is how I feel about this photography studio. With all of the economic upheaval and uncertainty, isn’t it nice to have a business to utilize that has been successful for more than 30+ years? They have been in business since 1951 and it is women owned.
I am very happy with the service and attention to detail they provided. I definitely felt glamorous and at ease. I look forward to future photo sittings.