Jared was born and raised in Traverse City, MI but is sometimes a little hard pressed to know where to call home. Passionate about both maps and images from a young age, the road took him first to Orlando, FL - going to film school and then switching sides of the room to teach in the same film program. He’s studied some engineering, works at times making digital maps for the oil industry, and generally feels comfortable while traveling.
Chasing his love for photography he has driven cross country, hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, rented a car in South Africa and gotten lost on roads with hippopotamus crossing signs, tracked a wild rhinoceros until he realized just how BIG they really are, walked into a bar in Lesotho to ask for directions, slept in between the huts of a Mozambican village, and bounced over Haitian roads that made the pickup feel like a mechanical bull – loving almost every minute of it.
Now he is back to studying at Grand Valley State University and plans to graduate with a degree in International Relations and a minor in Middle Eastern Studies. He loves to work taking images that tell the stories of brave individuals around the world who are making a difference in the face of incredible odds – they are his heroes. When not doing this he studies, does triathlon training, works at engineering assistance, loves Jesus, travels when the opportunity presents itself, shoots weddings, tries his hand at rock climbing, and is incredibly grateful to be alive!
Jared is currently based in Grand Rapids, MI and is willing to consider all photography and video assignments, regardless of budget and scale. He looks forward to hearing from you and helping you to tell a worthwhile story!