A man with a beard and mustache, wearing a black suit and black shirt, poses against a plain light gray background.

David Castillo a New York City-based photographer known for his portraiture, lifestyle, and evocative street photography. His striking compositions and use of light create compelling visual narratives, offering a unique perspective of people and spaces. Castillo believes the portrait is a form of a biography, who we are today and who we were in years past. Telling his clients’ stories by capturing the moment in perfect light is his lifelong work.

A third-generation image maker, Castillo has been immersed in photography from an early age, and his 30-year career reflects the passion and dedication passed down from his forefathers. After studying at the Academy of Art University and the International Maine Photographic Workshops, he launched his career in the mid-1990s as a cameraman for commercials, TV shows, and independent films. In the early 2000s, he joined Canon as a Senior Technical Representative, working in both the U.S. and Japan. He later founded Blue Barn Pictures, a creative content agency, and went on to serve as Chief Creative Officer at Coffee & Bananaz, a digital agency in NYC.

A lifelong New Yorker, Castillo has an intimate knowledge of photographing the city, honed in part through his nights covering breaking news as a photojournalist for the metro section of the New York Post. That deep connection to New York has shaped his journey into street photography, leading to a solo gallery exhibition, NYC Subway Noir, and gallery representation for Moments in New York City.

Castillo is a faculty member at The Maine Media Workshops and leads seminars for PPA and other photography organizations, in addition to speaking at international photography conferences and webinars. He recently co-founded Street-Photography.net, a global community built by street photographers, for street photographers.

Today, Castillo's work is published and exhibited internationally.

Select Clients:

Goldman Sachs, Badgley Mischka, Lightstone, S&P Global, Canon, Fred Perry, Edelman, Northwell Health, Etsy, PWC, Unfolded