Borja Plus

30/01/2025

I'm usually behind the camera, so you don't see me too often (except in the reels I'm forced to appear in). But I thought it would be good for me to introduce myself and explain why I've been doing photography for the last few years.

I started taking photos in 2018 at Chabot College taking photos of friends and spaces around the campus while pursuing my business degree. At the same time, I had gotten involved at Oakland First Fridays and became a volunteer photographer for their monthly events where I got to practice shooting anything and everything with a janky Nikon D80.

Everything kicked off in 2019 when I started a business with some creatives across the Bay Area and worked with various small businesses, typically makers and restaurants where we'd create photos, videos, and graphics to help kick off their marketing efforts. It was a fun endeavor but didn't bring in too much since we just didn't land the right market that could afford our services. After about 3 years we dissolved that business and went our separate ways.

On February 2nd, 2022 at 2 am I started up Borja Plus, unfortunately, the only thing I could come up with for a name was CREATIVELY using my last name. At the time I still had people calling me for photography and I knew I could keep going as an entrepreneur so I collected together the main team that still works with me today: Combrio (our editor) and Josue (our exec assistant).

Pictured below are moments from where I started to where I am now, featuring collaborations with amazing organizations like Oakland First Fridays, Start Small Think Big, and Conjured Events. Grateful for every step of this journey and the opportunities along the way.

I didn't intend to go into business as a photographer, as it all started as a hobby to capture people and things around me, and through a whole lot of emails, calls, AND luck I've been able to make this work. If you're still reading this far down, I'm glad that YOU have been a part of this journey in some way or another so thanks!

16/01/2025

New year, new you—time to update those headshots! 📸✨ Whether you’re leveling up in your career, refreshing your personal brand, or just want to put your best face forward, a polished headshot is always a good idea.

Don’t wait—let’s get you scheduled today!

11/10/2024

We recently partnered with Simpli to provide professional headshots for their tenants! We traveled to both their San Francisco and Oakland locations to make sure everyone had a chance to participate. Not only were the tenants fantastic, but their team was amazing to work with - we had to capture their energy and professionalism in photos!

The open space setting allowed us to create a relaxed and approachable atmosphere, capturing each individual's unique personality.

Thank you so much to Liza and Jenny for reaching out to us and making this fun shoot possible!

If you're looking to provide a unique gift for your next event, or an individual in need of a polished headshot, reach out to us!

08/10/2024

With the increasing difficulty of youth getting opportunities in the current job market, some organizations work to address the issue through upskilling the youth directly to prepare them for 'the real world'. One of these organizations providing workforce development, personal development, and creating a sense of community is, New Door Ventures.

In this program the teenagers are given the hands-on training to take apart, diagnose, repair, and rebuild a generator. While most jobs are going to be substantially more complex than this, training on a simple task is the first step to becoming an expert. Many of these teens had never used a wrench in their life with this being their first exposure in utilizing tools and getting their hands dirty.

While covering this workshop, we had conducted interviews with a staff journalist on their team. Every teen had reported that they had felt that they were gaining skills that they were actually useful in their day-to-day lives.

04/10/2024

We had the pleasure of photographing Sulpicia "Sulpi" Caburi, a long-time staff member at Atria Walnut Creek, where she has dedicated over 30 years to serving the residents. Recently, she was awarded the 2024 Excellence in Service Award from the California Assisted Living Association (CALA), an honor well-deserved for her commitment to the community. It was a joy capturing her as she interacted with the residents, showing her genuine care and compassion.

Sulpi has always gone above and beyond, bringing smiles to the residents’ faces, whether it’s through her daily service or spontaneous singing in the dining room. Watching her connect with the residents highlighted how much they adore her, and it's clear why she's made such a lasting impact at Atria Walnut Creek.

01/10/2024

To celebrate International Coffee Day, we decided to highlight a local San Leandro-based coffeehouse that we often visit, Zocalo Coffeehouse

Zocalo, directly translated from Spanish to English, is a "public square" or "plaza" and has been a central meeting space for community leaders and locals alike to connect in a lively space with delicious coffee.

The employee-turned-owner, Sara Ubelhart bought ownership of the cafe in 2014 from the former owners who started it nearly 25 years ago. Since her purchase, she has evolved Zocalo's from a neighborhood cafe to a brand known across the Bay Area. With a second location opened in Oakland and their beans being roasted and sold in-house, they've expanded beyond their humble beginnings.

Take a cup of your favorite coffee drink today, we'll be sure to pick up a zesty, "Borgia" mocha from Zocalo's.

28/08/2024

Thank you for sharing our work!

08/08/2024

We had a blast capturing the vibes at Young Professionals of San Francisco (YPOSF)’s National Avocado Day event at Avotoasty! 🥑 From networking with amazing folks to enjoying a surprise performance by the event's organizers, it was a night to remember. Can’t wait for the next one! 📸

30/07/2024

30/07/2024

On any given afternoon, you can find Kit working away in her home dining room, which she has transformed into a long arm and quilting studio. Her day typically involves prepping linens on her family table while her 8-foot long arm machine automatically sews various designs, with Kit acting more as a robotics troubleshooter than a traditional quilt maker.

Kit discovered her passion for sewing years ago, beginning with two manual sewing machines in her basement. After a few years, she invested in a pair of long arm machines, affectionately named "Kitty" and "Ani." These machines automated much of the quilt-making process, allowing Kit to focus on the creative aspects rather than the laborious ones.

Today, Kit's studio is a seamless blend of artistry and technology. The walls are adorned with vibrant fabrics, spools of colorful threads, and framed pieces of her finest quilts. The hum of the long arm machines creates a rhythmic backdrop to Kit's thoughtful planning and design work.

Kit's business has thrived, thanks to word of mouth, association in the quilting community, presence in the Castro Valley/Eden Area Chamber of Commerce, and an expanding online presence. She customizes each quilt, often incorporating personal touches requested by her clients, such as specific color schemes, intricate patterns, or meaningful messages. This personal attention has garnered her a loyal customer base.

Her journey from a basement hobbyist to a successful business owner is a testament to her hard work and innovation.

25/07/2024

15/07/2024

Halberstadt Fencers' Club, one of the first Fencing Clubs in California in the 1950s which had created and refined hundreds of professional and amateur fencers since then. Many of which had gone to compete at national and international competitions including the olympics.

We had been commissioned by the Club to capture new content for their new marketing campaign to promote their program to a younger audience. The program we had documented was their epee summer youth camp with kids to teenagers pushing themselves to build their skills through a series of training reps and back to back sparring. The program had been taught by Burkinabé sabre fencer, Julien Ouedraogo who has competed in numerous competitions including the International Grand Prix and World Cup competitions, World Championships and Olympic Games in Beijing 2008.

10/07/2024

When we first started in 2019, our first ever client was Oakland First Fridays, the monthly food, art, and music community festival that had tens of thousands coming out every month. These are just some of our favorite shots of the many times we’ve been there, how do you feel about how our editing style has changed over the years?

07/07/2024

Had an absolute blast at the Young Professionals of San Francisco (YPOSF) networking event at Cigar Bar & Grill! Met some incredible people, had some great conversations, and even snapped a few fun photos of the folks there enjoying their time. You definitely need to check out the next event. Can’t wait for the next one!

03/07/2024

The Leadership San LeandroLeadership San Leandro class of 2024 embarked on an informative Industry Day to learn about a variety of innovative businesses and essential utilities operating within the City of San Leandro. This program highlighted businesses ranging from battery manufacturing to lab-grown meat alternatives, as well as core utilities like the Waste Water Treatment Plant.

The day began with a talk from Harshdeep Walia, an alumnus of the program and owner of the local It's A Grind Coffee House. Walia shared his journey as an entrepreneur, detailing the challenges and successes he experienced in building his business. His insights provided valuable lessons for the participants, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and innovation.

Following Walia’s talk, the group visited the former Dodge Chrysler manufacturing plant, now known as the Gate510 biotech and manufacturing campus. This facility houses dozens of businesses in various fields, including biotech, manufacturing, food innovation, cosmetics, healthcare, and energy. At Gate 510, two companies stood out for their advancements in energy technology. Coreshell is focused on optimizing battery construction to extend their lifespan and reduce industry waste. Cuberg, on the other hand, manufactures lithium-metal batteries with an energy density of 395 Wh/kg, significantly higher than the industry average of 100-265 Wh/kg for lithium-ion batteries.

The program continued with a visit to the Waste Management - Davis Street Transfer Station This facility processes organics for composting, recycles household appliances and scrap materials, and manages trash for landfill or incineration. Notably, the station powers all Waste Management vehicles through the energy generated from incineration. The tour provided an in-depth look at the various processes involved in managing waste and recycling materials.

The final stop of the day was the San Leandro Wastewater Treatment Plant.This plant processes between 5 and 14 million gallons of wastewater per day, using both chemical and natural treatments. The treated water is then safely discharged into the deep waters of the San Francisco Bay. The visit offered participants a detailed understanding of the treatment processes and the importance of maintaining water quality.

The Leadership San Leandro program provided participants with exclusive access to these facilities, offering insights typically reserved for staff. This access highlighted the city's commitment to innovation and sustainability, as well as the value of community partnerships in fostering education and awareness. The program underscored the diverse range of industries contributing to San Leandro's economic landscape and the importance of continued support for these enterprises

03/07/2024

28/05/2024

Such an amazing shoot. Can’t wait for the next one!