TESTIMONIALS

Black-and-white portrait of a woman in a candid, relaxed pose during a soulful self-love photography session near San Luis Obispo.

“I felt right at home the moment I walked into Jill’s space. It’s the little details that made my heart smile and feel at ease. Seeing my name when I walked in the door to welcome me, listening to the music that made my body feel connected and her softness gave me permission to express myself with no restrictions. I truly enjoyed the playfulness and honesty that came out of our session together. Being able to see the beauty of who we are (especially those parts we hide from the world) is a forever journey and in those three hours, Jill gave me the freedom to tap into myself with grace. So grateful that I was able to have this moment in time with myself and a safe place to just move and release.” ~GABI

Joyful black-and-white portrait of a woman standing in soft natural light, captured in a nurturing portrait session focused on self-acceptance and empowerment.

“Thank you Jill!  There’s an energy about Jill that feels safe and nurturing. We had so much fun, it was just magical! From the moment I walked into the studio I felt welcomed with open arms. Thank you for this experience of acceptance and love for myself. Jill has encouraged self expression and acceptance through this Just BE experience. I am beyond grateful.  Jill, you are extremely TALENTED.” ~ROXI

Black-and-white mother-daughter portrait filled with warmth and connection, captured during a soulful Just BE session near San Luis Obispo.

“My daughter and I had the pleasure of experiencing a 'Just Be' mother-daughter photoshoot with Jill at her charming studio. From the moment we walked in, we felt completely at ease and right at home. This sense of comfort carried throughout the session as we laughed, chatted, and shared special moments, all while Jill captured the most breathtaking and natural photos of us, both together and individually.

She gently guided us through our emotions and vulnerabilities, creating a space where we could fully embrace our feelings. The immediate photo reveal at the end of the shoot was such a wonderful touch, and we were absolutely thrilled with the results.

Jill, thank you for using your incredible talent to capture these cherished memories for us. We cannot recommend you highly enough!” ~ASHLEE and BYRLEE

Striking black-and-white portrait of a woman seated with grace and openness, created during a Just BE session focused on vulnerability and transformation.

“This photoshoot was unlike any other. It was authentic and raw, pushing me out of my comfort zone to reveal myself in a vulnerable way that is essential for growth and transformation.

Reflecting on myself brought up challenges I had to face. Jill was there every step of the way, guiding me through my discomfort and creating a safe space for me to embrace my feelings in that moment. By the end of the session, my Inner Goddess truly shone through, and I found myself falling in love again with the woman I saw in the photos.” ~CHRISTINA

Authentic black-and-white portrait of a smiling woman in a button-down shirt, reflecting the calm, grounded energy of her self-love portrait session.

“From the moment I saw the Just Be offering I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I knew the invitation to just be without the hair, makeup and to be seen in the vulnerable moments would be transformative. Jill's talent is indisputable, but even more so was her ability to craft an experience of seen vulnerability. The gift of the experience will be with me for the rest of my  lifetime.  Forever grateful.” ~JULIE 

Joyful black-and-white portrait of a woman resting her chin on her hands, radiating lightness and self-love following her deeply transformative Just BE session.

 “Jill created a safe space for me to work on self-love at a time I needed it more than ever. I am so tremendously grateful for everything Jill provided for me. She gave me a window into the beauty in myself that others see in me. She created an environment for me to be me again. She opened the door for me to love myself.

This photoshoot was cathartic and empowering, it was beautiful, it was heavy and also uplifting all wrapped up into one afternoon. We laughed, we cried. We danced and drank champagne. It was truly a blast. Thank you so very much, Jill. I am in such awe of your work, and the way it makes me feel.” ~CINDY

Intimate black-and-white couples portrait of a man and woman embracing, captured during a Just BE session celebrating love, vulnerability, and connection.

“When I saw Jill’s ‘Just Be’ series, I knew it would be a perfect opportunity to have photos taken of my boyfriend and I.  The natural and fun environment Jill was creating for her ‘Just Be’ experience was how I sold him on it. 

From the moment we walked up the stairs, until we left, was a total vibe.  Rick and I had so much fun with Jill and her assistant. We loved the personal welcome sign, that she helped us with our wardrobe options, and then offered us our favorite “beverages” to help with the nerves. Rick and I never had to “pose,” we just loved on each other, and pretty soon it was over. When we moved over to the computer and got a chance to look at the work Jill had done, THAT was the best part.  We loved nearly every photo she had taken, seriously!” ~LISA and RICK

Black-and-white couples portrait showing genuine connection and laughter, taken during a heartfelt photography session near Pismo Beach.

“Since we are not married, we have never done a professional photo shoot together, and were unsure of what to expect.  Jill made the whole process warm, professional, and relaxed.  It felt like just a fun day with friends; we chatted and laughed the whole time.  The photos came out as a true and beautiful reflection of us and our relationship.  We ADORE our photos, thank you so much for making us feel so welcome and special.  We can't wait to see our Folio Reveal Box when it comes in. We will treasure it for a lifetime.” ~ALLIE and CAMBRIA

Black-and-white portrait of a woman seated and smiling, captured in an authentic and empowering portrait session in Arroyo Grande.

“I cannot express enough how amazing Jill is!! I scheduled a photo shoot for her ‘Just Be’ series and I’m so glad that I did! She made it super easy, fun, and relaxed. Not only is Jill incredibly talented, but she’s super sweet, genuine, and easygoing. I really wanted to do something for myself after having a baby a few months ago and this was just perfect. Thank you Jill!” ~JENNY

Black-and-white portrait of a woman with curly hair resting her chin on her hand, captured during a soulful portrait session that made her feel both seen and celebrated.

“My session with Jill was incredible and surprisingly emotional. I usually hate being in front of the camera and prefer staying behind the scenes, but Jill made me feel completely comfortable.

After the shoot I was shocked at how many photos I genuinely loved. I’m rarely this comfortable seeing myself on camera, but Jill's organic approach and heart-led guidance allowed my true self to come through. It was a powerful experience, and I walked away feeling both vulnerable and empowered. If you’re considering a shoot that truly captures who you are, Jill is amazing!” ~KATIE

Joyful black-and-white portrait of a mother and son sharing a close embrace, captured during a heartfelt Just BE mother/son session in San Luis Obispo County.

“I had the most amazing time with Jill for the ‘Just BE Experience.’ It was the easiest and most relaxed photoshoot I had ever been a part of. Throughout the whole process I felt at ease, and to be honest, it was like I was just hanging out with a good friend. Nothing at all like I was having my photo taken. I will definitely be doing another shoot with her in the future!” ~KELLY and MARINA (mother/son shoot)

Empowering black-and-white portrait of a woman seated in a relaxed pose, captured during a soulful session focused on vulnerability, confidence, and authentic presence.

"The Just BE series was a transformative experience. Jill’s unique approach to women’s empowerment through photography captures the essence of each woman's journey, celebrating strength, vulnerability, and authenticity. During our session, I felt seen and empowered, and the raw images reflect not just my outer beauty but the powerful spirit within. Jill has an incredible ability to create a safe and supportive environment, allowing me to embrace my true self. The Just BE series is more than just photos; it’s about embracing the beauty of who you are in the moment.” ~TYLER

Fun black-and-white portrait of a man with a joyful smile, photographed during his first-ever empowering self-love session with Jill Doherty Portrait.

“I am beyond excited and could not be more euphoric to announce that I had my first ever photo shoot today and oh my gosh…I had such a fun, amazing and incredible experience! Thank you Jill for making me feel special, capturing the moments and allowing me to be me!” ~DONNIE

Timeless black-and-white portrait of a couple embracing in studio, celebrating their love with a meaningful portrait session in San Luis Obispo County.

“My wife Diana and I had an amazing couples photoshoot with Jill. It was a great experience, a wonderful environment, and we will treasure the photos forever—they captured such a beautiful moment in our lives. We’re grateful for the experience and can’t recommend Jill enough!” ~MICHAEL and DIANA

Lively black-and-white portrait of a man giving a playful wink during a Just BE session, radiating joy, freedom, and authentic self-expression in a safe, supportive space.

“My ‘Just Be’ photoshoot with Jill was by far the most comfortable I have ever been being photographed. I’ve never loved the camera. Participating in pictures has frequently felt contrived and unnatural to me. My experience with Jill could not have been more opposite to those beliefs. From the initial conversation about the shoot to the selection of photos that I would take with me, Jill always prioritized authenticity and comfort.

In addition to all the fun I had day of, I ended up with more photos I loved in a few hours than I’ve taken in the past decade. I will look back on them whenever I need to remember how much it means to JUST BE me. Thank you Jill!” ~ZACK