Onyx & Ash crafts inspirational, authentic stories of passionate people and organizations through film and photography.
Art for AIDS
When COVID disrupted our usual way of life, the Alliance Health Project sought our expertise to transition their beloved Art for AIDS fundraising auction into a virtual event. Each year, as part of this transformation, we produced ten short documentaries, each profiling a celebrated artist donating work to the auction. These films gave viewers an intimate look inside the artists' studios, showcasing their creative processes and revealing the inspiration behind their work. Alongside these documentaries, we produced a live-streamed dynamic and imaginative virtual auction event with multiple hosts, three green screen sets and live music.
Five Keys
We've recently produced a series of commercials spotlighting the incredible work of Five Keys, a nonprofit based in California. From their adult charter schools, their supportive navigation centers, the empowering Home Free housing project, to the transformative Insight Prison Project, each commercial offers a genuine, personal glimpse into the journeys of individuals touched by these programs. It's a mix of individual stories and the larger impact of Five Keys, showing how they truly make a difference in people's lives.
60 Second Docs
We frequently film eccentric character-driven original short documentaries of the world's most interesting characters for 60SD. These pieces are focused on strong cinematic visuals with an emphasis on finding the humor and fun idiosyncracies of each subject.
At Onyx & Ash, great work starts with great relationships...
Dreams33
As a relatively new nonprofit supporting foster youth to fulfill their higher-education dreams, we have been working with Dreams33 to build out a stock photography library featuring their staff and clients, filmed and photographed their live events, and produced an organizational video for them to tell the story of their emotional and impactful work through the voices of the students.
The Northern California Innocence Project
"Onyx & Ash has created inspirational videos helping communicate our cause, and we couldn't be happier with the results! James and his production team are outstanding to work with and are able to tell amazing stories through their art. We can't wait to create our next video with them!" - Lori Stone, Northern California Innocence Project
Los Cenzontles
Onyx & Ash produced the award-winning documentary feature film, Conexiones: A Cuban Mexican Connection, with Mexican-American roots group, Los Cenzontles, as they traveled through the countryside of Cuba discovering musical connections with professional and family musicians. Winner of Best Documentary at the Cine Miami Fest and the United Latino International Film Festival.
GO2 for Lung Cancer
"We've been working with James and his team since 2006 and we are beyond happy with the quality of work produced. They've taken the time to get to know our mission and beautifully express who we are in both still photographs and video. I could and would not work with anyone else - their work is truly priceless." - Danielle Hicks, Chief Patient Officer
Ghirardelli Chocolate
"Their level of professionalism and quality remains the best we have ever worked with, and their genuine kindness has made them easy and fun to be around." - Kelsey Hall, Assistant Marketing Mgr.
"Not only are they the best in the business for this type of photography, but they are a true joy to work with and I consider them an important part of my team!" - Kym Hough, Marketing Mgr.
National Center for Lesbian Rights
"They have worked with us for the last four years now. They really capture the heart of our organization - their work is magical and deeply human." - Dani Siragusa, Development Manager
WildCare Bay Area
"They bring a certain energy – a spark, really – that lights up their subject matter and shines through in all of their work." - Karen Wilson, Executive Director
Bing Consulting Services
"Onyx & Ash is a dynamic and essential part of any event - delightful to work with, always professional and always making sure everything - and everyone - looks beautiful! I have worked with these amazing people for years and have been thrilled every single time!" - Jennifer Bing, Principal
Glen Oaks Big Sur & Big Sur Roadhouse
"Onyx & Ash are incredible to work with from start to finish - patient, friendly, creative and professional." - Jeanette Kenworthy, General Manager
Marin Symphony
"The team at Onyx & Ash really understands our needs and always delivers. Whether it's a creative marketing shoot or a gala event, they inevitably exceed our expectations." - Noralee Monestere, Executive Director
Some of our other clients include...
Refugee Women’s Alliance, Transgender Law Center, Pacific Forest Trust, Northern California Innocence Project, Five Keys Schools and Programs, Disability Rights Advocates, Los Cenzontles Cultural Arts Academy, People's Choir of Oakland, Project Open Hand, GO2 for Lung Cancer, Alliance Health Project, Outward Bound, Positive Coaching Alliance, National Center for Lesbian Rights, Home Free, Safe & Sound, Playworks, Kiva, CARE Int’l, Seeds of Learning, SF-Marin Food Bank, Evelyn & Walter Haas Jr Fund, Horizons Foundation, Center for Judicial Excellence, 10000 Degrees, San Francisco Conservation Corps, Vista Center for the Blind, Jonathan Logan Family Foundation, Hispanics in Philanthropy, Our Family Coalition, Save the Children, Dreams33, Reproductive Health Alliance, National AIDS Memorial, Interpol, SF International Film Festival, San Quentin Rehabilitation Programs, Shane McConkey Foundation, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, UCSF, Bureau of Jewish Education, Domestic Violence Consortium, Home Away, Lambda Legal, Copia, Wild Care, Marin Symphony, Rebuilding Together Oakland, San Francisco Community Clinics Consortium, Vascular Cures, Stanford University, Foundation Medicine, Peet's Coffee, University of Virginia, Ghirardelli Chocolate, McEvoy Ranch, PayPal, Google, Adobe, Square (Block), Writer's Digest, NBC Sports Bay Area, Glen Oaks Big Sur, NationSwell, Agios, Sunset Magazine, Dave Matthews Band, Bobby McFerrin, Anne Lamott, Justrich Design and many, many more.