Introducing Jacob Castro, a South Florida native whose lens brings to life the vibrant and dynamic world of exotic cars. Jacob's entry into the realm of automotive photography is as colorful and exciting as the subjects he captures. In a region known for its lush landscapes and luxurious lifestyle, he has carved a niche for himself, photographing some of the most stunning and rare cars on the streets. Jacob's journey is a compelling blend of self-discovery and passion, where each snapshot tells a story of beauty, power, and the allure of the automotive world. His work not only reflects his deep appreciation for exotic cars but also his remarkable skill in showcasing them through his unique photographic style.
In our interview, we'll get a closer look at how Jacob Castro captures such amazing car photos. What's his secret to getting the perfect shot? How does he handle new projects, and what challenges does he come across in car photography? Jacob will share his personal tips and tricks, offering helpful insights for anyone interested in getting into this field.
To see more of Jacob Castro's work, check out his Instagram page here.
In 2018, I finished high school and started working as a car detailer. A good friend was starting his new business @star_coat_detail.
And within a few months of working, along with my parents permission I decided to use my college fund to buy my first car instead of furthering my education. Crazy right! As an 18 year old fresh out of high school I bought a manual 2011 Camaro SS, which was insane for a first car. Everyday I was taking pictures of it with my phone, which eventually led me to falling in love with photography, and my desire to become a Professional Photographer.
Lighting 100% makes or breaks a photo in my opinion. If you can develop an understanding of how light works and you’re able to use it to your advantage, your photos will drastically improve. Right now I’d my style of photos is vibrant, a good pop of color in every photo. My style changes often though, it all depends on the vision for each shoot.
The most challenging shoot for me would have to be the time I shot two Corvettes for a private client. I was new to rollers at the time and midway through shooting, my camera stopped, my memory cards were full ! Still being new to photography I didn’t have any extra cards so I was rushing through my camera roll to see what I could delete, before I missed out on the sunset. I ended up shooting one of my best rollers that day.
At the top of my list would be a Circular Polarizer aka a CPL filter. This a filter that goes over the glass of your lens and cuts out reflections. It also gives you control over the intensity of those reflections. For other photographers it may not matter, but when you’re shooting cars it’s like photographing a big mirror, so a CPL is a massive help.
I pride myself on being able to find a unique location for whatever shoot I have planned. I’ll spend hours driving from Miami to West Palm making notes of potential locations I can use for a future shoot. That’s just one way I keep my work fresh.
Making sure I’m always learning. Whether it’s a more effective way to shoot photos, trying new angles, or finding new ways to edit. Anything that can help me improve my craft is what I put my focus into. Overall photography has a good mix of both competition and collaboration, that’s what makes it fun! But when it’s all said and done, I want to be able to say I’m one of the best automotive photographers in the world.
Go meet new people, make connections and shoot for free! This is something I’m still working on but having the right connections can help you get anywhere no matter how skilled or talented you are. Just recently I shot a Lamborghini Countach parked on a 10,000,000$ private Superyacht because of a connection I had previously made. Connections are everything.
That’s a tough one…there are so many that I love. One of my favorites would have to be of this Mk5 Toyota Supra I shot at sunset in West Palm Beach. It was on an empty plot of land right near the water. I sat my camera on the grass super low and framed the front fender and the wheel, everything about that photo was perfect for me. Lighting, composition, the grass in the foreground, a couple flowers off to the right. One of my favorite shots ever.
I always love these questions. I’d have to go with a Camaro ZL1 1LE, a Koenigsegg Agera R, and a Pagani Zonda F. Those three by far are my favorite. I have some reasons to go along with my choices too. First, the Camaro starts back when the first transformers movie came out, because who doesn’t love bumblebee ??
Second, the Koenigsegg is one of the most aesthetically pleasing cars I’ve seen.
Lastly, as a kid I remember when the NFS hot pursuit trailer came out, seeing this bright orange Pagani Zonda F speeding through the Mountains was just…wow, My 3 favorites for sure.
We're thankful to Jacob Castro for sharing his experiences and views in the world of automotive photography. Jacob's journey, filled with passion and skill, is truly inspiring and informative. His ability to capture the elegance and energy of exotic cars is impressive. We appreciate the knowledge and insights he has provided about his work, and we're eager to see what he does next as he continues to enhance the field of automotive photography with his unique contributions.
Check out more of Jacob's work and download the TCN app today and immerse yourself in a world where automotive beauty meets high-end technology. Stay tuned for our regular updates, and let's drive into the future of automotive enthusiasm together!
