Today we’d like to introduce you to Aaron Alvarez Mendoza.
Hi Aaron, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My Passion for Professional Still Imagery & Fine Art:
As a Freshman in high school Aaron was filling up two to three rolls of 35mm films per-week. The Riekes Center (a non-profit organization in Menlo Park, geared to helping people achieve their goals) made it possible for Aaron to perfect his numbers & exposures which spurred his true passion for the fine arts.
While finishing High School in 2007, Aaron was already active in the business of photography and would soon become a professional in the field. In 2012 Aaron taught his first Digital Darkroom Photography class to underprivileged High School students in the Bay Area.
After graduating from the Art Institute of California in 2015, Aaron witnessed first hand how most students attending underprivileged schools needed more resources and mentors who were passionate about the field of Fine Arts. So, Aaron took on the task to build new innovative ways to best serve the community through the arts by extending digital photography classes to these students.
In 2015 to 2020 Aaron became the Visual Arts Director at the Riekes Center. In this role, Aaron was able to provide new photography equipment to students, and developed VAPA curriculums for photography techniques and digital data organization.
In 2018 Aaron’s photography had the privilege of installing over 152 30 x 40 in picture frames in both Icon Theaters and current 2023. This opportunity extended to reach students and other local artists to also have the opportunity to have their art work on both Icon Theaters walls.
In addition to Aaron’s role as a Visual Arts/Communication Arts & Financial Aid Director, Aaron worked as a professional Freelance Photographer in the Bay Area with a tremendous amount of work, which led to meeting key community stakeholders within the Silicon Valley.
Aaron’s Photography has been the contributing photographer for the Atherton Living, Los Altos Hills and Mountain Home private magazines since June 2021 and current.
Aaron Alvarez Mendoza has successfully open to the public an art studio at 1700 Industrial Rd, San Carlos, CA 94070 Office space #215 since February, 20204 & currently acting as a board member.
My fiance has two horses near our home in Moss Beach, Half-Moon Bay, so, I enjoy spending my time photographing her horses all the time.
I look forward to the future where my children find a passion for the arts like I do.
– Aaron believes that these ancient trees have genetic information that can help us understand our climates within the planet. These series of photographs will hold history, resistance, adaptation and growth.
Aaron Alvarez Mendoza
media@alvarezmendoza.com
www.alvarezmendoza.com
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The greatest challenges on my short professional career is that I am not able to fully established myself as full time photographer. It is within my 5 year business plan to be fully operational by 2030.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I enjoyed working and collaborating with other upcoming artist. I have a great satisfaction teaching others what I know best about my craft (photography) and watching those students regardless of their age, become professional themselves in the industry of photography. It is just a rewarding feeling know that I had inspired others to pursue an interest or passion for photography.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I was very fotunate to have the privilege to use a darkroom for four years straight between 2003-2007 at this non profit organization (www.riekes.org) who allow me to have a full scholarship and continue to perfect my numbers on the darkroom. I am able to continue learning directly for Ian Bornath who is a master in Landscape Photography and who was also my college professor between 2012-2015.
Pricing:
- $2,500 for the HMB – Coast Living
- $2,00 for 5×6 ft Milky Way on the Coast of Pescadero
- $1,000 30×60 in’ WW2 Bunker
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alvarezmendoza.com
- Instagram: @aaronalvarezmendoza
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bocho.mendoza.5
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvarezmendoza/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@elbocho19
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/aaron-alvarez-22143289
- Other: https://www.alvarezmendoza.com
Image Credits
All Photos are copyrighted to Aaron’s Photography (Aaron Alvarez Mendoza)
