We recently connected with Alejandro Castillo and have shared our conversation below.

Alejandro, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.

That is an excellent question. Well the largest issue I see with travel photographers and the content creation field is the lack of support provided after the content is made. See the landscape of content creatives has significantly changed. Back in 2018-2019, Instagram was developing a new category of profiles. Creatives and photographers that began using the platform more as a professional display. Because of this, many companies took notice of this and started to either employ the services of these creatives, or start to create branded posts. Influencers really started to take storm. The early 2020’s was riding out this wave of wanton expenditure on influencers living lavish lifestyles. Just for a company’s product to be seen maybe once? Or twice? So, it needed to change. Either A, influencers needed to become full time content creators, producing varied and copious amounts of content to provide sufficient advertising and marketing for companies, or B, the influencer would simply run out of clients. That is the first shift, the second? Well, recently the CEO of Instagram announced that Instagram will be focused on driving traffic to creative content professionals of all sizes. So creatives rather than lifestyle figures are starting to take the scene. But we can’t waste our sponsors time and money the way influencers did. We have to create not only images, videos, graphics, that cater to our client’s needs and show our creative savvy. But also, learn fundamentals of marketing and advertising. This is where my small business steps in. This is what makes me different. I currently work with tourism boards and outdoor gear companies to produce creative content that drives interest, engagement, and conversion. But my company also assists with or even manages content curation on feeds so that our clients can focus on doing what they love. Hate advertising? Hate marketing? Hate time making videos? Hate photo shoots? Hate working on websites? Hate designing logos? Hate thinking about SEO? We focus on all of it. You want content? Great, but how do you make use of it? We tackle both problems.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

For the readers, hi, my name is Alejandro. I am a professional travel photographer. I run a content creation business designed to not only create beautiful photos and videos for advertising, but also provide assistance, and management of advertising and marketing with said content. I work with outdoor brands and tourism boards, the outdoors is my home. Generally, I align with themes such as sustainable travel, outdoor gear, the great outdoors, and economic development of small towns. I initially got into this business just through photography. I learned some basics from my uncle as a young teenager. Then around 15 my best friend at the time, bought me a Canon Rebel T6. Once I got that camera, my passion really started to open up for photography. Throughout that time, I worked with brands such as LG reviewing their phones’ cameras at the time. I also have done some affiliate work with brands such as Meriwool and the Landmark Project. Over time however, I started to adapt, learning more and more with photographic and videographic arts. Just because I have always had a passion for digital art. Now, I am running the Adventure Photography Co. A small business dedicated to creative content and marketing. I am passionate about capturing the Wild Places of Earth while working with everyone possible who show the same level of appreciation. I am most proud of the fact that my business-although we love working with clients who have well known destinations- have had a chance to work with small towns. So many people perceive traveling as just a checklist. Have you been to National Parks like Yosemite or Yellowstone? Countries like Switzerland or Indonesia. Maybe seen places like Machu Picchu, Peru or Paris, France. Then with these checklists, we hold it over others. Making them feel less than, or compete because they don’t live in a place “as beautiful”. The whole world is amazing. All of those places deserve appreciation, but we often overlook the beauties surrounding our own hometowns. I live in a small town now, and a lot of people often say: “there is nothing to do here”. But starting my work with the tourism board here, I realize, there is so much people don’t see or explore. The Wild is all around us. So if you are someone looking for creative content creators who also are your go to’s for marketing and advertisement. Give me a call. We can build a more appreciative environment together around your brand or your town.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding thing about being a creative? Living each day like its mine. Although I work with my clients to ensure that their vision is protected. The way I work, is mine, I get to be myself, and build a career that works with the subjects I have always appreciated. The environment and the arts. I love being outside, hiking, exploring, breathing clean air, and seeing the world. But my inner world can feel just as bright and exciting with having creative vision. I can make something that includes the world, while showing an acutely small aspect of it.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Well, not every small business can survive the ups and downs of life. There was a time I was going full steam ahead with this very idea. I was just graduation high school, and it seemed like things were going to work. But the Pandemic came, and my whole world felt like it crumbled. The world was shut down, and the wild spirit I have always had was restrained. I didn’t know where to go. I was frustrated. So I gave up. For years. I relegated my photography as a lost cause. I even learned other trades, and was certified in a specialized construction field. I was not sure what I wanted from myself. What I wanted to achieve. But after some years of going back and forth, trying to figure out what I wanted, I kept coming back to this idea, because this idea truly is a passion. I love it. It is all about sticking with it, even when times get tough, and the world falls around you, just keep going, keep fighting. One day, the sun will shine and everything will be ok.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theadventureco.myportfolio.com/
• Instagram: @adventuringwithalej_
• Other: Print Shop: https://adventuringwithalej.picfair.com/

Image Credits

Alejandro Castillo