Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Ares.
Michael, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 2011, I took a black-and-white film photography class at Cerritos College. I didn’t know what I wanted to do for a career at that point in my life, but I needed an elective and never intended to take photography too seriously. Little did I know that after I created my first print in the darkroom that being a photographer would be the only thing I desired to be in life.
After receiving my first digital camera, I started exploring my photographic eye with street photography in Downtown Los Angeles. My portfolio then opened the door for me to work as a photojournalist for newspapers across the country such as The Baltimore Sun, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Palm Beach Post, and San Francisco Examiner. This journey put me in the fortunate position to document four United States presidents (Biden, Trump, Obama, and Clinton), and when politics became too heavy-handed, I’d switch to photographing corporate events and sports like the Los Angeles Dodgers. Being a photojournalist also put me in the pit as a concert photographer for artists such as: Drake, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney, Macklemore, Deadmau5, and Dirty Heads.
Being a part of history was a huge rush for me, and to this day I still freelance for newspapers and corporations from time to time, as now I have a new passion, being a wedding photographer.
As you can see, journalism is my passion as I am a naturally curious person, and love talking to people and learning about their journeys in life. After graduating with a B.A. in Journalism from California State University, Long Beach, I decided to become a wedding photographer as I discovered that it was just a different form of journalism, telling someone’s love story. Since then, I’ve enjoyed the connections and friendships that I’ve made with the couples I’ve photographed and take great joy in being a part of a family’s legacy.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The main challenge to becoming a full-time wedding photographer was to actually start being one. In 2021 I was still working at a dead-end job and longed for freedom and becoming my own boss. However, there is still that lingering fear of “Can I be successful enough to do it?” That questioning hindered me for a couple of years into becoming what I desired to be. Then, out of nowhere, my company began to start layoffs, and my department was let go. Now, I was forced to not have a traditional job. Rather than being worried, I had enough savings to try out this new venture I was on to become a full-time wedding photographer, and once I began marketing myself, slowly, one by one, new clients would enter and help me fund my business and lifestyle. I believe that this is a major obstacle and challenge for a lot of people who are getting started for the first time. They sometimes don’t realize that you just got to go all in try being a full-timer at least once for a few months to a year and see what new opportunities arise for you.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
The specialty that I am in is wedding photographer, my work has a documentary/photojournalistic look to it that most brides seem to really enjoy. Candid’s is what I excelled in capturing due to my days working for newspapers. Because I’m used to capturing authentic moments because it’s relaying a bride and groom’s authentic love for one another. The clients are able to see images that not only capture the moment but a feeling.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
Anyone who wishes to work with me for weddings, portraits, events, concerts, etc., can contact me on my website at https://www.michaelares.com/ or on my Instagram at username handle @michaelaresphoto
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.michaelares.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaelaresphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082861868490
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelaresphotography/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPk28ZSYonH_qJ-qCqRWjMg
