Self-taught King City photographer Ivan Garcia captures the community with his lens.

Sol Treasures, an art hub in King City serving South County residents of all ages, is celebrating a local photographer.

Air Force veteran Ivan Garcia got his start simply by taking photos, inspired by the college graduation of his first daughter in 2019. The pandemic gave him time to play with the camera and suddenly he was everywhere – all over King City. He showed up at events, local sports and the fair. Jude Yriarte, the gallery manager at Sol Treasures, took notice.

“He got so involved in the community,” Yriarte says about Garcia’s social media presence. “He is showing everybody how to be a community.”

Garcia never planned on becoming a photographer. Born in Mexico in 1978, he came to the Salinas Valley with a family of migrant workers. The family had roots in King City dating back to the 1960s.

After a stint in the Air Force, Garcia found his way back to King City in 2008. He is married to a King City native, Daisy Garcia, and family is his utmost priority in life. After taking countless pictures of them, Garcia extended his photographic love to the whole community.

“It came naturally,” Garcia says. “I started shooting sports, and soon the parents were asking me to take their children’s graduation photos.”

Drawn to the smiles of children, Garcia is an instinctive photographer, particularly good when it comes to catching everyday life, raw emotion and authentic moments. Authenticity resonates deeply through Garcia’s artistic philosophy.

Sol Treasures contacted Garcia in early 2024 to check if he would be interested in having an exhibit. They reviewed many of his pictures and suggested splitting them according to three categories: children and community, sports and school, and landmarks. Collectively, they are all you need to get a deep dive into the life of King City. On display until May 15, there are 64 pieces, all in one room.

“His work is beautiful,” Yriarte says. “When I look at it, I feel at home. We had a one-day photo exhibit organized with the Monterey Museum of Art – a workshop with Joe Ramos, a San Francisco-based photographer from the Salinas Valley [whose work is currently on display at MMA], but there’s nothing like a real local representation.”

Portraits of King City by IVAN GARCIA are now on display. A reception takes place 5:30pm Friday, March 22. Sol Treasures, 518 Broadway St., King City. Free. 386-1381, soltreasures.com.