Meet Nico Padilla | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nico Padilla and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nico, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I didn’t, I actually studied Mechanical Engineering but never really felt completely passionate about it. I went in blindly like most people do, a couple of career tests and you are good to go right? According to all the statistics I was meant to be an engineer but deep down inside I knew there was something else waiting to be discovered. It wasn’t until later in life when I actually found photography (or photography found me) and although I do believe that it was sort of a love at first sight, I didn’t think of it as a viable option to pursue until years passed by and life kept on bringing me back to that click.

I believe getting to know yourself is a crucial part of actually finding that special thing and the only way to get there is through pure experimentation. It is not necessarily about finding something you are good at but rather finding something that lit your soul on fire. I believe most people that have achieved great things have been obsessed about something in particular, I like to use that as my compass to navigate life and find the things I want to pursue. There are no words to describe that feeling of doing something you are meant to do, only the fire burning inside knows.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m an independent photographer specializing in commercial photography, with a strong focus on brands and dynamic events such as motorsports and extreme sports. My love for everything car and motorcycle culture, coupled with adventure, drives my creative vision.

My journey began in landscape photography, where I immersed myself during countless expeditions and camping trips. Over time, my camera evolved from a tool to an extension of myself. While my commercial work thrives in capturing dynamic moments and branding narratives, my heart remains rooted in landscape photography and fine art. It’s the essence of who I am and a cherished part of my portfolio.

Explore my work to witness the fusion of my commercial journey with deep-rooted passion for capturing the essence of adventure and natural beauty.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If renting a car or having your own means of transportation is an option, then I would highly recommend doing so since Los Angeles can be a bit tricky to move around, especially if you want to cover different areas only relying on public transportation. There are many things to do within the city but one of the things I like the most about L.A. is actually the surroundings. If you have an adventurous spirit there’s nature all around, which might sound surprising to a lot of people. There’s everything from deserts to mountains, oceans, lakes and forests all within an hour’s distance from downtown. One of my favorite weekend plans is riding along highway one and visiting one of the many surf towns on the pacific coast like Ventura, Pismo Beach, Morro Bay, etc.

Having said that, my favorite spot in town is by far Santa Monica. There are many cool coffee shops to start your day like “The Motoring Coffee” or “The Deus Cafe” (which I’m currently sitting in as I’m writing this). After you’ve got your fair share of caffeine then I would highly recommend getting lost in the streets of Santa Monica, you can start off in Main St and then follow your curiosity. There are many restaurants, shops and beautiful streets to wander around. Afterwards I would take a stroll down the beach where there are many more things to do like checking out the Santa Monica pier, vendors at venice beach, skate parks, outdoor gyms, bars and restaurants, bike path, volleyball and tennis courts, etc, etc. the options are endless. You could walk for hours without end. I like walking a lot but there are other ways to move around that are also fun like renting a bike or a scooter.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Honestly it’s hard to point out a single thing in my story, rather I would say it was a series of events alongside people that believed in me and encouraged me to keep on going against all odds. From my first print sale to my first hiring client, from a single like on social media to the ones that keep on cheering on and on… I thank you all. From the people that put their knowledge out there for free to the ones that create workshops and opportunities to learn from, find guidance and facilitate deeper connections. To my family that even though they might have not shared the same vision for myself and understood my ways, they have always been there for me and I know they have my back no matter what, I am forever grateful for that blessing in my life. Last but not least, to my beautiful girlfriend who’s always there to cheer me up, celebrate the wins, support in the losses and everything in between. She gives me strength and makes life better when everything seems to go sideways.

Website: https://www.nicopadillaphoto.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicopxdillx

Other: Email: contact.nicopadilla@gmail.com

Image Credits
Nico Padilla