Juan has three siblings, but his grandfather, whom he adored, sired eleven children. He says, “Christmas at my grandparents’ home was lively. Lots of food, and of course, more pictures.” On his website, www.juansantillan.com, Juan talks about his beloved grandfather.
Juan’s grandmother taught him to make tamales the old-fashioned way. He prepares the masa, meat, and spices. He says, “It’s very labor-intensive and takes hours. The recipe makes over 35 dozen tamales. We make them at Christmas and give many away to neighbors.” (Fortunate neighbors, right?) Tamales aren’t Juan’s favorite food, though. Mexican beans and rice are! He says, “They’re my comfort food, and I can eat them daily.” His second favorite nourishment is beer and pizza.
What about his favorite Texan? Well, that would be Lyndon B. Johnson. He loved what LBJ did for rural schools and the impact Johnson had on education. Juan has spent hours photographing the LBJ ranch and surroundings. He also loves Texas institutions such as H-E-B and Frost Bank. He’s proud of what Texans have accomplished through their industries and businesses.
Like most Texans, Santillan adores the people in Texas. He proclaims them, “friendly and hospitable.” His also adores the vast, open spaces in the state. He wanders down farm roads and lanes—often getting lost as he seeks the perfect photograph. He laughs when he talks about questions he’s received. One man who’d never been to Texas asked, “Do cows wander the roads?” Juan explained that sometimes in the country you’ll see a cow strolling down the road, but major cities are large and have no steers ambling about the streets.
If you’re a first-time visitor, Juan will take you to the missions in Texas and tell you why they are there. After the history lesson, he’ll take you to a small dance hall, like the one in Gruene. Maybe he’ll even take your picture as you dance to a Texas melody.
Music is vital to Juan. All things ‘Willie Nelson’ remind him of Texas. He loves Texas, but like most residents, he doesn’t care for the heat. The scariest adventure he’s ever had in Texas was due to a snake. He was busy taking pictures and hadn’t noticed the imposing serpent until the thing crawled over his boot and tripod. On a hot, summer, Texas day, the first snake that comes to one’s mind is a rattlesnake. Fortunately for Juan, this snake was not the notorious Texas Rattle Snake.
When visiting San Antonio, Juan suggests to guests that they discover South Town, a neat part of San Antonio. It’s a stone’s throw from the Hemisphere Plaza. The River Walk is beautiful, and no one should miss it, but South Town is artsy and has family-owned restaurants.
What started out as a hobby and lifelong interest for this banker has now become Juan’s full-time job and passion. He photographs today with intention. He scouts various sites, and then he plans his visit to capture the perfect sunrise or sunset. He thinks about the angles and soaks in the scene. He says, “To capture scenes where others can’t go is a blessing—for me and them.”
Juan sets up his own shows and is in high demand as a photographer. Clients hire him for artistic composition as well as commercial production. You’ll love the work crafted by this Texan photographer. You can reach Juan and purchase his photography online at www.juansantillan.com or give him a call at 210-630-5900.
Originally published in the Fall Issue of Heart of Texas Magazine.
