A couple dancing outdoors on grass at sunset, with buildings, palm trees, and a blue sky in the background.
A woman wearing a dark coat and a necklace, holding her hands over her chest, standing against a brick wall.
A family of three in a city street, with brick buildings and black lamp posts, looking at each other and smiling, with a child in the father's arms.

JOHN FRANCIS

PHOTOGRAPHY

A woman in a pink lace dress holding a bouquet of colorful flowers, standing next to a man in a dark suit with a boutonniere, against a plain concrete wall.
A couple is about to kiss, standing close with noses touching, in front of a brick building with windows.
A black and white photo of two models standing in a photography studio on a seamless paper backdrop. The male model is wearing a shirt and white pants, and the female model is wearing a loose shirt, partly unbuttoned, revealing her pregnant belly, and light-colored pants. There is a large studio light with an umbrella to the left and the ceiling fan is visible above. Decorations on the floor indicate a worn floor surface.

candid-style photography with an eye for the small stuff

Close-up of a brown, twisted, and slightly wavy stick or twig.

The best photos are the ones that look and feel like you.

With comfort and connection as priority, your story is documented through small and authentic moments.

The result is imagery that feels real and honest.

Because at the end of the day, I do take things personally —

you, your time, and everything that makes this experience yours.

Warmly,

John.

Why We Would Match

Candid and sincere

•

Cinematic

•

Into the small details

•

Relaxed and Comfortable

•

Story-driven

•

Candid and sincere • Cinematic • Into the small details • Relaxed and Comfortable • Story-driven •

offerings

See all packages

    • Graduation, Lifestyle

    • Digitally delivered online gallery

    • Pricing starts at $200

    • Engagements, Proposals, Maternity, Anniversary

    • Digitally delivered online gallery

    • Pricing starts at $350 ($275 for Proposals)

    • Newborn, Holiday, Lifestyle

    • Digitally delivered online gallery

    • Pricing starts at $375

    • Celebrations under 20 guests

    • Digitally delivered online gallery

    • Pricing starts at $700

    • One photographer (me!)

    • Digitally delivered online gallery

    • Pricing starts at $1,600

meet the

Photographer

Black-and-white illustration of a man standing in front of a whiteboard, pointing to a chart with a pointer, in a classroom setting.

JOHN FRANCIS O’BRIEN

A person with short hair, wearing jewelry and a bandana, sitting on a boat with arms crossed, looking to the side, with cityscape in the background and water in the foreground.
Drawing of an orange and black crab with eight legs and two claws on a white background.

I grew up in Boston and I was always the one to take photos of my friends.

I love antiquing and all the plates and cups in my apartment are different.

French is my second language and I got my Master’s at Sciences Po, Paris.

I shoot on Fujifilm because I love the colors, something I learned in Japan.

Learn more about John

Black and white photo of a woman wearing traditional Indian clothing, sitting on steps with her head slightly turned and smiling gently, holding her hand close to her face.
A man in a white suit is holding hands with a woman who has a wedding ring on her left hand in an outdoor nighttime setting.
A woman in a pink lace dress holding a colorful bouquet is being kissed on the cheek by a man in a dark suit, against a concrete wall.
A couple holding hands, standing on a street corner at Mount Vernon Street, with brick buildings and street lamps in the background during daytime.
A woman lifting a young girl in the air outdoors in an alleyway with red brick buildings, trees, and a street lamp.
A couple sitting on steps, with the woman wearing a white dress and black heels, and the man in a beige suit and brown shoes, holding hands.
A black and white photo of a romantic couple standing close together on a cobblestone street at night, leaning into each other in front of a brick wall, with a streetlamp overhead and a street sign reading "Cedar Ln Way" in the background.
A family of three standing on ice near a body of water in winter. The man holds a baby, and the woman covers her face with her hands, all dressed warmly.

See recent work

  • "Working with John felt like working with a trusted friend. And then there are the photos… somehow, they captured not just how everything looked, but how it felt."

    Khin (2026)

  • " If you want something that seems timeless, book with John Francis! He also has great recommendations for photo shoots locations if you aren’t too familiar with the Boston area. And goes above and beyond to make sure you get amazing pictures."

    Paola (2026)

  • "We had the best time with John! Even with a crazy toddler and a rainy cold day, he was so patient and easygoing. He made us feel totally comfortable in front of the camera and somehow captured the most magical moments without anything feeling staged. The photos really feel like us. Can’t recommend John enough, especially for couples or families with little ones."

    Molly (2025)

  • "John was incredibly accommodating from start to finish, really took the time to understand my vision, and then brought his own his own creative touch. He has a fantastic eye and an instinct for capturing something a little bit special.

    Roisin (2026)

  • "The entire shoot felt easy and comfortable, never awkward, honestly more like spending the day with a friend. We had great conversations and laughed a lot along the way. Highly recommend."

    Mae (2026)

  • "John was an absolute delight to work with. He took our vision and aesthetic and used his creative eye to bring it to life effortlessly. He has a real knack for noticing the small details that make a photo feel natural and meaningful."

    Josh (2025)

  • "Some of the best parts of an engagement are the genuine sparks in your relationship and being able to celebrate them. John captured that perfectly. He not only met our expectations, he exceeded them. If you’re looking for a tasteful, unique, and heartfelt experience, booking John is a no-brainer."

    Flannagh (2025)

  • "We did a couples shoot with John and his photos blew us away. He made us feel so comfortable that the session felt more like a walk in the neighborhood with a friend than a photoshoot. The photos are natural, cinematic, candid, and creative - exactly what we hoped for. If you’re looking to capture this season of life, look no further."

    Mara (2026)

  • "John was so wonderful to work with in capturing our very first photos as a family of three. He was warm, easy going, and so flexible with our squirmy and suspicious 8-month old baby. His artistic vision is beyond perfection. We can’t wait to work with John again!"

    Laura (2026)

Book now