Antonio Cuellar is a hospitality photographer, director, and director of photography (DP) known around the world for capturing luxury spaces with stunning visual storytelling. With over 20 years of experience, he brings together architectural precision and lifestyle creativity to create images that resonate with elegance and emotion.
He’s not just behind the lens. He’s also a guest judge for luxury travel awards, an experienced workshop instructor, and a 4th degree black belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu. His lifestyle is a unique blend of art, discipline, and global adventure.
Based between Miami and London, Antonio travels the world for photography and film projects. His work takes him to some of the most exclusive destinations across the globe, from the skyscrapers of Dubai to the tropical shores of Maui. He has worked with some of the biggest names in hospitality including luxury airlines, high end hotel chains, premium retail brands, and more.
Like most great stories, Antonio Cuellar’s began with struggle and perseverance. Starting out in the early 2000s, he focused on architectural and interior photography. It was a time of learning, refining techniques, and building trust with clients.
Eventually, his passion and technical excellence opened doors in the hospitality industry. He shifted to lifestyle based photography, where spaces weren’t just empty rooms they were alive with story and feeling.
When the global pandemic hit and many shoots were put on hold, Antonio didn’t slow down. Instead, he adapted. He converted a warehouse into a fully functional studio and began shooting fashion, lifestyle, and catalog content. That pivot not only kept his creativity flowing, it expanded his vision and deepened his portfolio.
Antonio’s style is defined by its balance of structure and emotion. His work often blends luxury interiors with dynamic human presence, showing not just the beauty of a space but how people interact with it.
He has shot everything from five star resorts and Michelin starred dining to airline cabins and luxury boutiques. His ability to shape light, frame space, and build a mood gives each project a cinematic touch. In the fast paced world of commercial photography, few deliver this level of craftsmanship.
One of his standout assignments was working with a major international airline. Shooting inside airplane cabins is notoriously difficult tight spaces, reflective surfaces, and the pressure of time. But Antonio pulled it off with elegance, using strategic lighting and creative angles to deliver powerful visuals that captured the brand’s identity.
Clients repeatedly return to him for his professionalism, precision, and artistic instincts. He listens carefully to each brief, adapts quickly on site, and consistently delivers beyond expectations.
He also brings a unique aerial perspective to his work as a licensed drone operator, capturing sweeping views of luxury resorts, destinations, and landscapes that elevate visual storytelling to the next level.
Antonio isn’t just a creator. He’s also a mentor and a judge. He’s been invited to judge major international photography and travel competitions, recognizing top talent in luxury hotel and resort imagery.
As a workshop instructor, he teaches advanced photography techniques to emerging professionals. His sessions go beyond the technical basics. He dives into creative direction, client communication, and the business side of working with premium brands.
He’s passionate about helping others in the industry grow and reach their full potential. His workshops are known for their hands on structure and practical advice, helping photographers understand how to shoot real world projects under real world pressure.
Away from the camera, Antonio is a dedicated Brazilian jiu jitsu practitioner. With a 4th degree black belt and more than two decades of training under his belt, martial arts are a big part of his daily routine.
This discipline shapes his mindset as a photographer. The patience, focus, and problem solving skills he’s developed on the mat translate directly into his creative work. Whether he’s navigating the unpredictable lighting of a location shoot or leading a production team, his ability to stay calm under pressure is one of his biggest strengths.
Jiu jitsu has also helped him stay grounded. In an industry known for long hours and high expectations, it gives him clarity, resilience, and balance.
Antonio continues to evolve in both photography and videography. In recent years, he’s expanded into full scale video production for luxury hotels and resorts. His team now handles everything from concept development to location shooting and post production editing.
This multimedia approach helps his clients create cohesive brand stories across platforms, from Instagram and YouTube to television and cinema. It also allows him to push his creative limits, blending movement, music, and mood into his signature storytelling.
He’s also working on personal creative projects that explore deeper themes projects that reflect his journey, struggles, and global perspective.
And while he’s always on the move, whether it’s scouting a rooftop in London or directing a sunrise shoot in the Maldives, Antonio makes time to mentor young artists, teach in workshops, and give back to the creative community.
Antonio Cuellar’s story is a reminder that greatness doesn’t happen overnight. It takes years of learning, failing, adapting, and pushing forward. His rise from architectural photographer to global creative director shows what’s possible when passion meets discipline.
He proves that you can live a life full of art and adventure without sacrificing professionalism. That being creative doesn’t mean being chaotic. That structure, whether in the form of jiu jitsu or photography lighting, can create freedom.
In a world flooded with content, Antonio stands out by crafting visuals that feel timeless, thoughtful, and emotionally resonant. He’s more than a photographer. He’s a visual architect, a storyteller, and a leader.
His life is a blueprint for anyone chasing their passion, whether it’s behind a camera, on a jiu jitsu mat, or building something new from scratch. He shows that if you stay curious, stay grounded, and stay hungry, you can carve a path that’s uniquely your own.
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