My interest in photography began in a biology class in 1968 when his instructor showed him how to photograph slides through a microscope. 

My career as a photographer began with a wide variety of interests such as wedding photography, family and graduation portraiture, and anything that was outdoors. 

I am a three-time graduate of the New York Institute of Photography and have studied digital photography at Solano Community College. 

As time passed, I developed a passion for photographing wildlife and landscapes. I now organize photo adventures to unusual locations to introduce friends and family to the extraordinary beauty of the world around us. 

I am a member of the Vacaville Art League, American Canyon Art Foundation, Viewpoint Gallery, Arts Benicia, President of the Fairfield Suisun City Visual Arts Association, Director of the Village 360 Gallery and the Solano Town Center Gallery and leader of Wildlife & Landscape Photography Meetup Group with over 1100 members. 

One of my favorite locations to visit and photograph is the ghost town Bodie. I have visited the town over 20 times and documented most of the buildings. My photographs led to the publishing of my first book, “Bodie, A Ghost Town” in 2021. 

Currently I am working on my second book, Photographing California and hope to have it published this summer. During the past 12 years, 

I have won numerous awards at the Dixon May Fair, Yolo County Fair, Solano County Fair. He has also won awards in Juried Art Shows at the Vacaville Art League, the American Canyon Juried Art Show, Sacramento Art Center, Lodi Art Center, and the Fairfield-Suisun City Visual Arts Associations Nor-Cal Regional Juried Art Show. 

These awards included many 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Honorable Mention along with Best of Show and People’s Choice. I have displayed my award-winning work at the following galleries: Vacaville Art Gallery, 718 E. Monte Vista Ave., Vacaville, CA Arc Gallery, Fulson Street, San Francisco, CA Solano Town Center Gallery, Solano Town Center, Fairfield, CA Arts Benicia, 129E 1st Street, Benicia, CA 94510 Viewpoint Gallery, J Street, Sacramento, CA Pence Gallery, 212 D Street, Davis, CA, The Little Art Shop, 1st Street, Benicia, CA Yolo Arts, Woodland, CA Gallery 621, Davis, CA Gallery 1855, Davis, CA The Artist Collaborative, K Street, Old Sacramento Lodi Art Center, Lodi, CA Elk Grove Art Center, Elk Grove, CA, American Canyon Welcome Center, American Canyon, CA Lawler House Gallery, Main Street, Suisun City, CA Solano Town Center Gallery, 1350 Travis Blvd., D-8, Fairfield, CA Village 360 Gallery, 4949 Suisun Valley Road, Fairfield, CA 

Website: www.dennisarizaphotography.com 

Facebook: Dennis Ariza 

Instagram: dariza1

My art business has been designated as a "Trusted Art Seller" with The Art Storefronts Organization, which means you can shop with confidence, and know that I stand behind the quality and value of my products.