Hot shots: Local photographers share their most prized photos

Asking photographers to select their favorite image is like asking parents to select their favorite child - while there may be an answer, providing one isn’t so easy. But what if they could pick only one? Shutter at the thought...

Arielle Levy

Age: 27
Birthplace: San Diego
Current neighborhood: La Mesa
Website: ariellelevyphoto.com
Facebook: Arielle Levy Photo
Instagram: @ArielleLevyPhoto

How long have you been into photography?
I took one film photography class in high school and fell in love. I picked back up my camera two and a half years ago and have been shooting ever since.

What do you do for a living?
I am a full-time photographer for bloggers and fashion companies.

Aaron Chang

Age: 60
Birthplace: Tucson, Ariz.
Current neighborhood: Carlsbad
Website: aaronchang.com
Instagram/Twitter @AaronChang
Facebook: Aaron Chang

How long have you been into photography?

My whole life.

What do you do for a living?

Own and operate two art galleries, in Solana Beach and at The Headquarters downtown, that feature my work exclusively.

K.C. Alfred

Age: 44
Birthplace: Burbank, Calif.
Current neighborhood: Clairemont
Website: kcalfred.com
Instagram: @KCAlfredPhoto

How long have you been into photography?
I have been a professional photographer in Southern California for 25 years. I specialize in portraiture and sports photography, but have a number of personal projects such as underwater photography.

What do you do for a living?
I’m a professional photographer. (Editor’s note: Alfred is a staff photographer for PACIFIC’s parent company The San Diego Union-Tribune.)

Matthew Dela Cruz (Brew Stills)

Age: 32
Birthplace:San Diego
Current neighborhood: Mira Mesa
Instagram: @BrewStills

How long have you been into photography?

I’ve been involved with photography for about seven years.

What do you do for a living?

I am a Disability Analyst for the State of California.

Brogen Jessup

Age: 24
Birthplace: “Texas, but I grew up a military brat.”
Current neighborhood: Kensington
Website: brogenjessup.com
Instagram: @BrogenJessup

How long have you been into photography?

I picked up my first DSLR (camera) at the age of 16 when I started shooting for the high school newspaper. That puts me at about eight years of shooting.

What do you do for a living?

I’m a destination-wedding photographer, but I also shoot food and lifestyle content for various brands.

Eric Scire

Age: 35
Birthplace: Los Angeles
Current residence: City Heights
Website: ericscire.com
Instagram: @Eric_Scire

How long have you been into photography?

Five years.

What do you do for a living?
I am full-time freelance photographer and part-time pizza enthusiast.

Arlene Ibarra

Age: 36
Birthplace: San Diego
Current neighborhood: North Park
Websites: arlenecollective.com, arleneibarra.com
Instagram: @arleneibarra, @arlenecollective

How long have you been into photography?

I’ve been a professional photographer for six years and started Arlene Collective three years ago.

What do you do for a living?

I’m a freelance photographer and own Arlene Collective, which books photographers and videographers in San Diego. I specialize in food, cocktails and fashion.

Larry Marshall

Age: 61
Birthplace: Newfoundland, Canada (grew up in the United States)
Current neighborhood: La Costa
Websites: larry-marshall.pixels.com, larrymarshallphotography.com
Instagram: @LarryMarshallPhotography

How long have you been into photography?

I have been shooting for over 30 years. I started off shooting for surfing and skateboarding magazines, then went on to pursue my true passion of landscape photography.

What do you do for a living?

I am a full-time professional photographer, social media influencer, educator and adventurer, and I was named one of San Diego’s best Instagrammers. My approach to photography is not only to capture beautiful images, but to tell a story of each destination through a series of images, including the people, landscapes, accommodations, tourist attractions and culture. I successfully worked on large social media promotions with the Indonesian Tourism Ministry and Hawaii’s Big Island Tourism Bureau. I am also a product promoter/ambassador with many clients worldwide.

Rob Hammer

Age: 37
Birthplace: Albany, N.Y.
Current neighborhood: North Pacific Beach
Website: robhammerphotography.com
Instagram: @robhammerphoto

How long have you been into photography?

Photography has always been a hobby, as long as I can remember.

What do you do for a living?

I’m a commercial photographer, mostly known for shooting professional athletes, sport and fitness for clients like Nike and Under Armour.

Todd Glaser

Age: 32
Birthplace: San Diego
Current neighborhood: Solana Beach
Website: tglaser.com
Instagram: @toddglaser

How long have you been into photography?

Started shooting photos of my friends surfing and bodyboarding when I was 15 and have been taking photos ever since.

What do you do for a living?

Make images, both still and moving, that share what it’s like to be in and around the ocean.

Donald Miralle

Age: 43
Birthplace: Los Angeles
Current neighborhood: Leucadia
Website: donaldmiralle.com
Instagram, Twitter: @donaldmiralle

How long have you been into photography?

I picked up my first camera while completing my degree in Fine Arts at UCLA in 1995 and haven’t put it down since.

What do you do for a living?

I’ve been a full-time professional photographer since 1997. I spent 10 years at Getty Images and the last 10 years as a freelancer working for major publications and commercial advertisers.

Brevin Blach

Age: 39
Birthplace: Yuma, Colorado
Current residence: Solana Beach
Website: brevinblach.com
Instagram: @brevinblach.photo

How long have you been pursuing photography?
17 years.

What do you do for a living?

Photography.