Flash Masters Members Spotlight
Art by Light Photography
Andres Casallas
Where in the world are you based? Where is the most exciting location you have shot at?
Orlando, Fl. USA
When did you set up your photography business and what genres of photography do you shoot?
About 2 1/2 years ago , I mostly focus on weddings and portraits.
What would you say has been your most memorable photography job and why?
Oh, that’s a tough one! But two shoots really stand out in my memory. The first one was a portrait shoot I did for some MMA fighters I used to train with. Until that point, I’d mostly done sports photography and shot with natural light. I had been practicing with flash, inspired by Lindsay Adler and Joel Grimes. During this shoot, it all clicked into place for me - it was the first time I captured a shot that truly felt like ‘me’.
The second shoot was when I brought a concept from my head to reality for the first time. It felt like all the stars aligned just to accomplish this idea I had. It was incredibly fulfilling to see my own concept come to life in such a tangible way
What is your all time favourite photograph you have taken and why?
Choosing my all-time favorite photo is tough – it’s often my latest one! However, any photo where I’ve brought my partner’s vision to life holds a special place for me. She consistently comes up with imaginative makeup concepts and it’s so rewarding to match her creativity with my lighting techniques. As my harshest critic and biggest supporter, her satisfaction with the final image is the greatest reward. Our collaborations truly represent the perfect blend of our creative energies.
Reveal one thing you keep in your camera bag that people may not expect to be there. Why is it there?
Believe it or not, my camera bag always has a stash of big, thick rubber bands! They’re surprisingly versatile and have saved the day on more than one occasion. From securing a light stand to a pole, to keeping the batteries in place in some of my older lights, these rubber bands are practically part of my toolkit. And let’s not forget gaff tape - another lifesaver. It’s not the usual camera gear, but it’s essential for me!
What is the biggest reason you like using off camera flash?
The biggest reason I love using off-camera flash is that it gives me the ability to craft a world that’s a bit more fun, a bit more fantastical. I view photography as the art of painting with light. With off-camera flash, it’s like I have complete control over my brushes and paints. I can dictate the mood of the image, guide the viewer’s eye, and bring focus to my subjects in ways that wouldn’t be possible otherwise. It’s an extraordinary tool that brings a whole new level of creativity and control to my work.
What is the best part/biggest benefit of being a Flash Masters member?
There’s so much I love about being a Flash Masters member, it’s hard to pick just one thing! Firstly, the invaluable education and inspiration from seeing other photographers’ work and their explanations of how they achieved certain shots is just priceless. And as someone coming from a sports background, I really appreciate the competitive aspect of the group. It pushes me to better my craft and, as they say, to be the best, you need to learn from the best.
If you could give one piece of advice to anyone starting out on their flash photography journey, what would it be?
One piece of advice I’d give to anyone starting out on their flash photography journey? Invest in education before gear. Understanding how to use the equipment you have effectively can take you much further than just buying the latest tech.
Thank you so much Andres for such an inspirational and insightful members spotlight. We are such huge fans of your work and are so proud to have you as a member of the Flash Masters community! If you would like to see more of Andres work you can check out more images and the links to all of his socials on his Flash Masters profile page.
