From customizing your portrait session to delivering a beautiful work of art, Simon captures your image with skill and a passionate pursuit for excellence.

Born in Taiwan, Simon Yao immigrated to the United States in 1990.  Simon’s style of photography combines his vision of the East with his experience since moving to the West.

Although Simon graduated from the Ohio State University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science degree in business, it was his elective photography class he took because his family had a SLR camera no one knew how to properly operate that set him in action.  His entrance into photography was purely serendipitous and from it he discovered his passion.

After graduating from college, Simon had the opportunity to further cultivate his photography skills by working with distinguished portrait artists.  In 1999, he started his own venture — Simon Yao Studio — in his small two-bedroom apartment.  However, the business quickly outgrew the space and Simon moved the studio to a site in Dublin following his second year of operation.  Having found an idyllic permanent location in 2002, Simon Yao Studio is located on the northwest side of Columbus, nestled within the serene setting of Brookside estate.

Since starting his own venture eleven years ago, Yao’s photography philosophy remains unchanged.  He believes in creating a tailored photography experience for each of his clients.  His signature style of work is not only easily distinguished from other professional photographers, but is also recognized by local wedding professionals.  Simon Yao is best known for introducing his clients to a unique blend of storytelling photojournalism combined with modern wedding portraiture. 

Simon is a frequent contributor to the Columbus Bride Magazine, The Knot Wedding Pages and Wedding Channel; his work has also been displayed in Saks Fifth Avenue, Polaris Fashion Place and other boutique stores in Columbus.  In fact, Simon Yao Studio has become one of the elite wedding and portrait photography studios in the Midwest.  But Simon is not driven by competition—what motivates him is his love of photography and working with clients to create exceptional photographs, which are viewed as pieces of art for people to treasure forever.  His genuine, warm personality, combined with absolute professionalism, allows his clients to feel at ease, yet at the same time, reflects his passion for photography.