About me

How my photography journey started

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.

Michael Ares holding Nikon D7000 camera

Becoming a photo journalist

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.

Michael Ares Democratic National Convention Philadelphia 2016 Wells Fargo Center

Becoming 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. If you’re a bride, click here to see “55 Questions You Have to Ask Your Wedding Photographer” and my answers to them!

michael ares with bride groom and george tshuma in oklahoma

My interests

I’m a huge fan of tv comedies like The Office, and dramas like Breaking Bad or The Sopranos. I think Lord of the Rings is the greatest trilogy of all time, and better than Star Wars (I still like Star Wars, just not the sequels). Am really invested into the Marvel cinematic universe (Phase 4 has been “meh” to me so far) and enjoy DC’s animated series like Batman: The Animated Series and the Justice League tv show.

For exercise, I’m definitely a cardio person. So I’m either at my brazilian jiu jitsu gym, walking my traditional 10,000 steps-a-day, or playing basketball and volleyball. The calories that I burn quickly become all for naught as I’m a huge pasta fan, and lover of Cheez-its.

Thanks for taking the time to get to know me. Let’s connect!