Who We Are

RUBEN REYNA-PHOTORAPHER

For nine years I’ve lived behind the lens, capturing the heartbeat of custom culture — lowriders, motorcycles, and pin‑up models. I document the chrome, the community, and the lifestyle that brings them all together. My passion is capturing the intricate craftsmanship and deep‑rooted traditions that define lowriders and customs, preserving the stories built into every curve, every detail, every ride.

ANGELO LOPEZ-PHOTOGRAPHER

Angelo Lopez car enthusiast, freelance photographer, kustom painter and pinstriper. I enjoy photographing all types of vehicles. Lowriders, drift cars, Kustoms, dragsters, Bombs etc. I first starting shooting when I was 7 years old and had my work first published in 2013. Through the years I’ve had work featured in over 12 different magazines. Being a photographer has been great. I’ve met so many cool people and made so many great friends, but most of all I had some very nice experiences. It’s one of the things I enjoy doing in my free time.

AKIRA TAKAHASHI-JAPAN MANAGER

Nice to meet you, I am Akira Takahashi, I used to be the Japan Area Manager of Bombs Magazine, as well as manage and help with various magazines in Japan. Now, I am also working as the Japan Area Manager for La Cultura Magazine.

We worked together for Bombs Magazine and when he started La Cultura he asked me to join the team and manage Japan. I do the photo shoots that are featured in each issue and on the centerfold as well as write the story for the features. I also started a magazine called ONELOW and end of the year issue was ONEWAY Magazine.

PHILIP LOPEZ-PHOTOGRAPHER

JUAN CALDERON-PHOTOGRAPHER

Juan Calderón is a native of Southern California but is currently living in Chicago U.S.A. Mr. Calderón’s interest in photography began in the mid 1970’s. By the end of that decade, he was attending and taking pictures of lowriders at various car shows in the Los Angeles, San Diego, and Phoenix areas. His involvement with La Cultura started at the 2019 Zoot Suit Riots Cruise. Juan’s choice of photo gear is Fujifilm, of which he owns five digital and two film cameras. He would like to someday be invited to exhibit his photographs.

CHRIS “CJ”ESCOBEDO-Photographer

I grew up in Orange County, California where there is so much to see but my passion started as a kid taking pictures of my brothers skateboarding. I always wanted to get that “cool” shot like one would see in the magazines. I never had money to buy a real camera, so I was always using a disposable camera. I grew up using those or my cell phone at the time and it wasn’t until about 6 years ago that I bought my first camera and started to really explore the world of photography. I wanted to shoot everything I could see but I really liked landscapes and nature because it would bring me peace. My brother got me into shooting cars when I moved to Phoenix, Arizona. He has a hopper so naturally I was around them and just couldn’t get enough of them. So, that led me to start searching Phoenix for car shows and I met a lot of great people along the way, one of who gave me a great shot at taking pictures for bombs magazine and coached me on looking at all the details in a photo. Sadly, that issue never came out and we lost a great friend. I kept the knowledge that he passed onto me and kept taking pictures every chance I could. I eventually ran into Joe and talked about his new magazine and the future of it. I followed most of the staff already and I was honored to be asked to shoot for La Cultura and the rest is history. I couldn’t have done it with the support of my girl liz and my kids, my family and everyone that’s ever supported me and my photography.

Anthony “Tone” Cornejo-Photographer

“Tone” is a Bay Area photographer with a lifelong connection to lowrider culture and the communities that surround it. What started as photographing local car shows and cruises has grown into a passion for capturing the people, traditions, and stories that make the culture unique. Through his lens, Tone aims to preserve moments that might otherwise be forgotten, from family gatherings and neighborhood events to custom builds and historic cruises. As a photographer for La Cultura Magazine, he brings an authentic perspective shaped by years of experience both behind the camera and within the culture itself. His work is driven by a simple goal: to create honest, timeless images that celebrate heritage, individuality, and the connections that bring people together.

Richard Olvera-Photographer

My name is Richard Olvera. Growing up I was infatuated with lowriders. At 19 I joined my first club and been lowriding ever since. I am the Vice President of Groupe Car Club ELA chapter. I currently own three Impala’s, a 63 ss convertible, 68 ss convertible, and 51 hard top, as well as an 85 El Camino. Photography has always been something I was interested in, so about 5 years ago I started capturing my first pictures as a photographer. My IG is @Down.lowphotography and my website is downlowphotography.com and I have two magazines as well Downlow Magazine & Barrio Life Magazine.

Marlen S Cisneros-Photographer

I was born and raised in Chicago IL. Photography for me started by taking photos of my children, nature and our city’s architecture. But Once I began attending lowrider events in 2014 with my husband who is part of Amistad car club, I started focusing my lens on the lowrider culture, which I’m now a part of. It is an Honor to be part of the La Cultura magazine team. Looking forward to what the future holds.

Elias Perez-Photographer

My name is Elias Perez, and I was born in San Antonio Texas. I have been shooting photography on and off for 14 years. I first picked up a camera my freshman year and I was hooked, I knew this was going to be a part of me forever.

I started shooting the lowrider community because it’s deep history for us as Chicanos and Chicanas. I love capturing the art of the car builds and capturing the current history that’s still being made. I am very proud to be a shooter for La Cultura Magazine!

Joe Caudillo-Event Planer

Lived in the city of Rosemead 40years plus. Been in the entertainment industry since 1994. Entertainment industry as a DJ, Sound and lighting technician, LED programmer, and Truss and Rigging. Also, as an event coordinator and party planner full on production. Worked on big productions for big artist also been in production for big corporate events, and I forget about the small parties and Cruises on the streets of Los Ángeles Ca.

Now being an event planner with La Cultura magazine. Everything and anything from setting up photo shoots, taking pictures, setting up car events, and fundraisers.

Joe Caudillo

Business consultant

(626)675-7941

Jorge Castro-Videographer

What started as a favor to help out a friend quickly turned into a lifelong passion for capturing stories through a lens. Based in Sacramento area, I am an adaptable visual storyteller specializing in both videography and amateur photography. My experience spans a diverse range of styles and settings. I regularly collaborate with multiple magazines and local shops, bringing a creative eye to editorial spreads and commercial work. When I’m not working on commercial projects, I’m behind the camera capturing life’s milestone moments – from the romance of weddings and the energy of Sweet 16’s, to the raw, candid moments of behind-the-scenes (BTS) action. For me, visual storytelling is the ultimate passion project, and I treat every frame as an art piece.

Richard “Corona Kingaz” Valdez-Photographer

Richard Valdez is a proud Chicano photographer born and raised in Surprise, Arizona. Since picking up a camera in 1999, Richard has dedicated himself to documenting the culture, artistry, and community that define the Southwest.

Known for his passion for the lowrider scene, Richard specializes in capturing the beauty and craftsmanship of classic cars while telling the stories of the people behind them. His photography goes beyond chrome and paint, focusing on authentic, candid moments that showcase the pride, family traditions, and friendships that make the lowrider community unique.

Richard is also recognized for his striking Día de los Muertos photoshoots, where he combines cultural tradition, vibrant imagery, and heartfelt storytelling to celebrate remembrance, heritage, and community. These sessions have become some of his most cherished and meaningful work.

Andrew Hernandez-Photographer

I loved lowriders since I was a kid. My dad and uncles built cars in the backyard and took them out cruising or to the old drive-in movies every Sunday. After a few years all the cars were sold and things changed but the love I had for them never changed. Years later, in my teens, my stepdad Joe came into our lives along with lowriding. I was now going to shows and cruises, with my own car thanks to Joe. I decided to buy a camera to take photos at the shows. I bought a Canon power shot camera and started to teach myself the art of photography. About three years after buying my first camera I decided to move up to a better camera, around this time Joe asked me to go with him to shows out of town and help him shoot some photos for Classic & Kustom Bombs Magazine. I am so grateful to be asked to join the team where I got the chance to meet a lot of great people and extremely talented photographers on the team. They all helped me with tips and inspired me to find my own style and share my perspective with the world. I’ve grown so much as a photographer in the last few years, I owe a lot of it to all the photographers on our team on Bombs Magazine and on La Cultura Magazine, I am still learning every day. I love taking photos and capturing beautiful photos from my eyes and being able to share it to everyone around the world. It also makes me happy to be able to help other photographers who love doing what I do with small tricks and tips to make their photos better. I will continue to go to shows, cruises and fundraisers taking photos, listening to oldies and having a good time.

Cesar Calderon-Photographer

My name is Cesar Calderon, aka calistylephotography, I am from Sacramento, California. I am a street photographer, who started off using point and shoot cameras from Long’s drug store. Black and white photography is my specialty. I live for it. I’ve been in the streets lowriding my whole life, catching everything on camera. I remember being in my homies car Big Goose riding in his box Chevy, three wheeling down the boulevard, capturing it all on 35mm film. Then, it was running to the store the next day to develop the film, it was like a drug to see what I captured on the street loved it. All this would not have happened if it wasn’t for a great teacher of mine, Mr. Clark. He was the first one to introduce me to high-end cameras in photo shop and, how to make stories with windows. He got me to professional status. I honestly did not know what I was going to do until one day I brought some photos into school to show our janitor that collected Homie dolls and posters of the Lowrider models. That day was the first time I sold a print for 50 bucks. Mr. Clark looked at me and said, “you are now in business, you’re a photographer at the age of 15 and getting paid for what you love doing”. Now I’m working for professional companies like La Cultura Magazine and Bombs Magazine. I even came out with my own magazine Cali Style Magazine. I also got to shoot for Onelow Magazine out of Japan and that was always a dream of mine. Now I’m passing the art on to my daughter Sophia Calderon. She will take my place when I’m gone and keep it going, lowriding for life!

Lupe (Junior) Ramirez-Staff Artist

Lupe (Junior) Ramirez is an automotive engineer and artist in the metro Detroit area. Born and raised in California, he developed a passion for cars and drawing very early on and pursued his passion at the College for Creative Studies, where he studied transportation design. He has worked as an automotive engineer for the past decade and currently resides outside the city of Detroit with four children and wife. He enjoys creating artwork, tinkering with his project cars, and helping others realize their vision for their own projects.

Erica J Estrada-Chief of Opperations

I’m a businesswoman, model, and co-owner of La Cultura Magazine and La Cultura Cigars. As Chief Operating Officer, I oversee day-to-day operations, marketing, apparel and accessory design, event planning, and brand development.

My journey began in my grandfather’s auto body shop, Phil’s Auto Body, where I developed a deep appreciation for craftsmanship, classic cars, and the culture that surrounds them. Since then, automotive culture has remained a significant part of who I am and continues to inspire both my personal and professional endeavors.

Alongside my husband, I travel and document lowrider, classic car, and cigar culture from around the world. Through La Cultura Magazine and La Cultura Cigars, we are dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and sharing the people, stories, traditions, and lifestyles that make these communities so unique and enduring.

Pedro Cisneros-Chicago Manager

My name is Pedro Cisneros and I was born and raised in South Texas. I was introduced to the lowrider Cultura through our neighbors who had a lowrider, at the age of 10, and have been part of the Cultura ever since.

I’ve built lowrider bikes to plastic models to building & installing hydraulics in Impalas & Classics. I was a member of the Amistad cc Texas chapter est. 1978, till | Eventually moved to Chicago where I started, with the blessings of our mother chapter, Amistad cc Chicago chapter, which has been around for 25yrs now. I work alongside my wife Marlen Cisneros (photographer LCM ) writing stories as well as distributing merch & magazines in the Chicago land area for La Cultura Magazine. We are both Honored to be part of the Team.

Ismael Pena-Photographer

Photography has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. In 1997 I joined the United States Marine Corps as a Combat Photographer and got to travel around the world documenting military training exercises and operations. Including combat photography assignments in Iraq and Afghanistan, where I captured powerful moments of military service and history.

After retiring from the Marine Corps in 2017, photography took on a new role in my life. It became more than a profession and hobby; it became a therapeutic outlet that helped me stay focused, creative, and connected to the world around me. Through the lens, I found a way to channel my experiences, clear my mind, and continue telling stories

That journey led me to car photography, combining my passion for photography with a lifelong appreciation for lowriders and classic cars. The culture, craftsmanship, and history behind these vehicles continue to inspire my work.

I am also thankful for the many talented photographers I have met along the way. Their friendship, mentorship, and shared passion have been a constant source of inspiration, and I continue to learn from them. Through photography, I have found purpose, community, and a meaningful way to share the stories that matter most to me.

Myraneli Fabian-Photographer

I’m a photojournalist based in Los Angeles and currently studying Journalism. I’m learning how to tell clear, honest, and meaningful stories. In school, I’ve learned about media ethics, reporting, and how to tell stories through photos, and I use these skills in my work.

I cover breaking news, sports, and community events. I focus on capturing real moments as they happen. My work has been published in places like Time, CBS News, CNBC, and other media platforms. I also travel to different states to cover important stories and share them with a wide audience.

I believe photography is a powerful way to record history, tell stories, and bring people together. As I continue learning and growing, I want to use my work to inform people, connect communities, and represent the people I photograph.