We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cristian Torres a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Cristian, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
The moment I realized I wanted to pursue a creative path professionally was the perfect intersection of two lifelong passions. Cars and Photography.
Growing up, I was fascinated by cars. I remember being that kid who could name every model on the road, even before I could properly spell their names. My father was a huge help for that. He would bring me with him to car shows, wide-eyed, with a smile from ear to ear.
Photography entered my life closer to my teenage years. I started experimenting with my family’s old camera, snapping photos of anything I could. Most of the time when we went on trips. It was a hobby at first, but one day, something shifted.
I vividly remember attending a Cars and Coffee car show with my father during this time. I borrowed a friends Canon 5D MK 3, thinking I’d just get a few shots for fun. I snapped a shot of a few classic and exotic cars and enjoyed the atmosphere. When I saw that images later, I realized it wasn’t just a photos, I felt I really captured what it is to be at a fun car show in Miami.
That was the moment I knew. I could merge these two passions, cars and photography, into something bigger. From that day, I started looking at photography not just as a hobby but as a way to express myself, capture energy, and tell stories in a way that resonated with people.
It also ended up being a slippery slope to motorsport photography, living close to the Homestead Speedway. Over the years after pursuing my style of photography, I made enough connections to being to shoot photos track side. There’s a certain excitement being only a few feet away from cars whipping by down a straight about 120 mph, then looking down at your photos seeing a breath taking action shot.
What made it even more exciting was realizing how much of motorsport and car culture is about emotion. Anticipation in the pit lanes, the art in every design, the aggressive looks a car can give mid race, the unique stories behind every driver. Being able to capture that through my lens felt like my way of contributing to something I love.
Cristian, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
About Me
I’m an automotive and motorsport photographer, blending two of my greatest passions, cars and visual storytelling. My love for cars began when I was young, attending car shows with my family, spending hours learning about new developments in the scene on social media, and eventually understanding that cars are more than machines, they’re art, culture, and engineering all rolled into one. My journey with photography began in my teenage years when I picked up a camera and realized I could capture the beauty, energy, and personality of the world around me.
How I Got into the Industry
Combining these passions felt natural. My first big step into the industry was two big major events. Attending FARA Race events at the Homestead Speedway and Sebring, that helped me network, learn and grow on track events. And being rooted in the local car show events like FuelFest and EuroTripper, to show the true car enthusiast passion. From that moment, I dedicated myself to honing my skills, not just in photography but also in understanding the essence of car culture and motorsports. I knew I didn’t just want to take photos; I wanted to create images that made people feel like they were part of the moment.
What I Do
I specialize in creating high-quality, cinematic visuals that showcase the beauty, speed, and emotion of cars, motorsports and the car community as a whole. Whether it’s photographing sleek exotic cars, capturing the raw energy of a race day, or telling a brand’s story through visuals, I aim to bring every detail to life. My work ranges from static, artistic compositions to dynamic action shots that highlight the thrill of motion.
What Sets Me Apart
What truly sets me apart is my dual perspective as both a car enthusiast and a photographer. I don’t just capture cars, I understand them, their design, and what makes them special and unique. I also stay in tune with the evolving culture and energy of the automotive world, whether it’s the adrenaline of motorsports or the community vibe at a car meet. This allows me to create visuals that resonate with both casual fans and hardcore enthusiasts.
What I’m Most Proud Of
One of the things I’m most proud of is being invited to attend the car show, FuelFest, in California and New Jersey. I felt more than honored having a major car show company to recognize my passion and artistic work, to invite me to events outside of my hometown. It also opened my eyes to the vast difference of how car culture is celebrated. Because of this, its inspired me to keep my passion alive to see what the car culture is like around the world.
What I Want You to Know
If there’s one thing I want clients and fans to know about my work, it’s that every image I create is driven by passion and purpose. I’m here to tell your story, showcase your car’s personality, or capture the thrill of the moment. My goal is always to create visuals that not only look amazing but evoke emotion and connection.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative is the ability to capture and share stories that evoke emotion and connection.
There’s something incredibly fulfilling about freezing a moment in time, a perfect drift on the track, the way sunlight hits the curve of a car coming out of a corner, or even the quiet interactions between people who share a love for cars. Those moments might only last seconds in real life, but through photography, I can make them last forever.
What’s even more rewarding is the reaction from clients and viewers. I’ll never forget when I was able to print a photo of someone car drifting through a corner. I gave it to the owner of the car, and they hugged me saying it was the most thoughtful thing anyone has done for him. Moments like that remind me why I do this.
Being an artist also means I get to merge creativity with problem-solving. Each project brings a new challenge, how to make a car look its best in less-than-ideal lighting, how to tell a story in a single frame, or how to turn a chaotic race day into something visually compelling and productive. It’s that blend of creativity and strategy that keeps me excited and motivated.
Finally, I love knowing that my work can inspire others. Whether it’s sparking someone’s passion for cars, introducing them to a new perspective, or simply brightening their day with a striking image, being able to impact others through my craft is an incredible feeling.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
In my view, supporting artists and fostering a thriving creative ecosystem starts with valuing creativity as an essential part of culture and community.
First, education and exposure play a huge role. Schools and communities can do more to nurture creativity by incorporating arts programs, workshops, and hands-on experiences into education. When young people are encouraged to explore and express themselves creatively, they’re more likely to pursue those passions and develop skills that benefit society as a whole.
Second, financial and structural support is key. Grants, affordable workspaces, and initiatives that connect artists with clients or sponsors can make a world of difference. Many creatives, myself included, invest significant time and resources into their work, often without guaranteed returns. Making funding and opportunities more accessible can reduce that barrier and allow more people to thrive in creative fields.
Third, recognizing and promoting the value of creative work is essential. Society often underestimates the time, skill, and vision that go into creative projects. By educating people about what goes into a piece of art, whether it’s a photograph, a song, or a film. And by compensating creatives fairly, we create an environment where artistry is respected as a legitimate and valued profession.
Lastly, community involvement and collaboration are powerful. Events like art fairs, car shows, or exhibitions where creatives can showcase their work and connect with audiences foster a sense of belonging and appreciation. For example, the automotive community often thrives because of its shared passion. When local photographers, designers, and creators are invited to contribute to events like these, it not only uplifts the community but also builds lasting connections.
At the heart of it, supporting creatives is about acknowledging that art and creativity are not just luxuries. They’re integral to how we experience and express life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://coatphotos.myportfolio.com/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coatphotos/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@coatphotos
Image Credits
Photos taken by Cristian Torres