We recently connected with Chester Capistrano and have shared our conversation below.
Chester, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
When I was in middle school, I was completely self-taught, diving headfirst into the world of content creation. I started with YouTube, creating skits that I thought were funny, just to experiment and have fun. That eventually evolved into photography a few years later, and that’s where things really started to click. Making YouTube videos gave me a solid foundation in the technical side of things, teaching me the basics like ISO, shutter speed, F-stop, and which lenses were right for each shot.
Looking back, one thing I wish I could have done sooner to speed up the learning process is to have an experienced photographer physically mentor me. While online resources can teach you a lot, there’s something invaluable about being in the moment with someone who can explain why they’re adjusting their settings, and how they’re thinking through each shot. That real-time guidance would have fast-tracked my growth and deepened my understanding of photography on a deeper level.
The most crucial skill I’ve come to appreciate is how to frame your subjects in a way that tells a compelling story. When I first started taking photos, I knew the mechanics of my camera, how to operate it, and adjust settings but conveying meaning through a shot was a whole different challenge. Even after years of practice, I’m still refining that skill. It’s something that evolves constantly, and I love that about photography—it’s never truly perfected, but always growing.
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?
My name is Chester, and I’m a Las Vegas-based freelance photographer. My journey into the world of photography started with a passion for video creating YouTube videos when I was younger. But over time, I found myself drawn to the art of still images, and I shifted my focus to capturing moments through the lens. Today, I specialize in weddings, events, portraits, and fashion-styled shoots.
What excites me most about photography is the thrill of capturing a perfect shot, a moment that makes me feel like I’ve truly expressed my creative vision. It’s the rush of knowing that a single frame can hold so much meaning, emotion, and beauty, and then sharing that with others. I love showing people the world through my eyes and giving them something they can cherish forever.
What I’m most proud of is the journey itself. Years of learning, experimenting and growing with every photoshoot. Each project has been a stepping stone that has shaped me into the photographer I am today. I’m also incredibly proud of the value I can offer my clients. Being entrusted to capture their most important moments is a true honor, and knowing that my work allows them to hold onto these memories for a lifetime is what makes this craft so rewarding.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Engagement, Connection, and Consistency is key!! Constantly engaging on your posts with photos and also engaging with your followers like replying or posting a poll on Instagram Stories! The algorithm changes a LOT on Instagram, so be sure to keep an eye!!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
The MOST rewarding aspect of being creative is the feeling of getting THAT shot. That feeling of serotonin you get when you feel like its “the one” and you can’t wait to go back home and edit is such a great feeling!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chestermarc.com
- Instagram: chestermarc
