Who Am I?

My name is Derek Alvarado and I'm a photographer born and raised in Los Angeles. I specialize in headshots, editorial fashion, and family photography. I have a natural ability for making people feel comfortable in front of the camera, and I have spent years honing that skill. I love showing people how amazing they can look on camera. After years of grainy cell-phone shots, many people believe they’re “just not photogenic”, but I have proven time and again that it’s just not true. You just need a photographer who can get your best angles, knows how to use the light to your advantage, and most importantly, can find and capture the real you. That’s my craft.

How Did I Get Started?

My first camera was a 110mm film camera when I was 8 or 9. It looked like an oversized harmonica, and the film cartridge was a weird shape, and it would stop working if it got too cold, but I was totally hooked.

After spending my teen and college years with various point-and-shoot cameras, I bought a DSLR and decided to get serious about photography. I devoured every piece of knowledge I could get my hands on and started doing test shoots with models — some of my early work is still on this site.

Since then I have shot hundreds of clients’ headshots, fashion editorials, families, and events, and I love every minute of it.

What Else?

I met my wife while traveling Argentina (she’s American). We moved to Austin, TX and got married and started a family. It’s a great story, I’ll tell you more about it in person.

Now we live in the San Fernando Valley, where I grew up. When I’m not playing with my daughter or hanging out with my wife, I’m taking pictures of people or wishing I was.

If you'd like to talk just drop me a line using the form here. I'd love to hear from you.