I’m Dennis Arriaza,
the guy who builds, explores,
and presses record.
Photographer, audio engineer, driver, biker, dad, and lifelong tinkerer. I grew up breaking bones outside, breaking computers inside, and figuring out how everything worked in between.
I grew up as that kid – the one outside from sunrise to streetlights. Climbing trees, building ramps taller than I was, ending up in ER rooms more than I’d like to admit. Inside, I was taking apart keyboards, wiring things into walls that had no business being there, and learning computers by breaking them first.
Somewhere between the bike crashes, canyon runs, church sound booths, and late-night download sessions, a few threads locked in: curiosity, obsession with how things work, and a need to turn experiences into something people can feel – a photo, a mix, a film, a memory.
Today that shows up as portrait and story-driven photography, live and studio audio work, systems troubleshooting, and helping small teams and churches make things feel right – not just look correct on paper.
- Story over aesthetics. Beautiful is cool; honest hits harder.
- Adventure mindset. The best work usually lives slightly past what’s comfortable.
- Builder brain. I like wiring up whole systems, not just pressing a button.
- Human first. Gear, tech, photos – it’s all in service of people.
Visual work. Portraits, branding sessions, family stories, live events, and short-form video. I like work that feels like a memory you can stand inside, not just a clean headshot.
Audio & systems. Live sound for churches and small venues, studio recording, system cleanup, and “why does this not sound right?” consulting.
Creative problem solving. Sometimes people just hand me a mess – scattered gear, no plan, a big vision – and say “Can you make this make sense?” That’s honestly where I do my best work.
- Small teams, churches, and artists who need a “tech brain” that speaks normal human.
- People who want honest feedback and elevated visuals on a real-world budget.
- Projects that feel stuck – too much gear, not enough clarity.
- Work that balances art, adrenaline, and responsibility: live shows, worship, local events.
Over time this will turn into a mix of:
- A blog / journal about creativity, risk, and the human condition.
- Galleries and print projects from the desert, the city, and the in-between places.
- Vlogs or breakdowns for other creatives and techs who like to see how things really work.
Right now it’s mostly a promise to myself: keep making, keep sharing, even when it’s not “for a client.”
This site is also a quiet archive for three humans who know me better than anyone: my daughters. A place where you can see the whole picture – not just the wins, but the crashes, the detours, the stubbornness, and the way I’ve tried to build something from what we were given.
If you’re reading this years from now: I hope this helps you understand not just what I did, but how I thought, what I valued, and how much of this was really about giving you more options than I had.
Take every good thing I’ve learned, skip the mistakes I’ve already paid for, and build something even wilder, kinder, and more free.
- Curiosity is a survival skill. Ask “why?” even when it annoys people.
- Get uncomfortable on purpose sometimes. Growth lives out past the edges.
- Know how things work – engines, money, people, systems.
- Art matters. So does joy. So does rest.
- You never have to fit into one box. I never did, and I’m doing just fine.
If you’ve made it this far and something in here resonated – a photo, a line, a vibe – you’re probably my kind of person already.
For now, the easiest way to reach me is through my business site. Send a message with what you’re dreaming about: a portrait session, a live event, fixing a sound system, documenting a story, or something that doesn’t even have a name yet.
I’ll eventually add a proper contact form, a more “official” resume, and maybe even a timeline-style CV here. Until then, one good conversation is enough to start.
Work & booking
Use the contact options there and just mention you found me through dennisarriaza.com – I’ll know what you’re talking about.
Social links and a dedicated hello@dennisarriaza.com inbox will live here later.