Born and raised in Chicago, Alberto Santiago is a photographer and musician studying at the Illinois Institute of Art Chicago. Like other artists before him, he admits that his photography journey started as a way to impress a girl. The romance didn’t last, but his interest in photography developed into a true passion. Today he takes photos for himself, fueled by a desire to capture moments that tell a story. He draws upon the basic principles and discipline he learned as a musician and applies them to his photography, striving to learn something new each day.

Alberto describes his style as “randomly organized,” incorporating muted and low-saturation colors and alternating between harsh light and dark shadows. As his skills grew, he upgraded his camera from a crop-sensor to a full-frame lens that literally allowed him to see things differently. Similarly, he moved from basic editing apps to Lightroom and found it to be a game-changer, allowing him to experiment with his photos in new ways. He continues to seek new perspectives, believing that the more you put in front of you, the more you end up seeing.

Instagram: @solaphotos