Meet Abad Montoya | Visual Storyteller Capturing Emotion Through Light and Shadow

We had the good fortune of connecting with Abad Montoya and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Abad, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Starting my own photography business wasn’t just a career move, it was a calling. Since I was a teenager, I’ve been drawn to the power of storytelling through images. After years of working for others, I realized I needed to build something that truly reflected my creative voice. It wasn’t easy; there were financial and emotional risks, but I believed in the value of what I had to offer. That belief became the foundation of my business.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My work is not just about taking pictures,it’s about capturing essence.

What sets my photography apart is the emotional weight behind each image. I don’t just aim to create beautiful portraits; I aim to tell stories, to freeze moments of truth, strength, vulnerability, and connection. Whether I’m shooting a quinceañera, a wedding, or a portrait session, my goal is the same: to help people feel seen.

I’m most proud of the evolution of my voice as an artist. I started with limited resources, often improvising, learning on my own, and working endless hours just to improve. It wasn’t easy, especially as an immigrant building a name in a new country, but I embraced every challenge as part of the process. I sacrificed comfort and sleep, but I never stopped believing in my vision.

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that staying authentic is more powerful than trying to follow trends. People connect with emotion, not perfection.

What I want the world to know about me is that my photography is a reflection of who I am: a fighter, a storyteller, and someone who turned pain and perseverance into purpose. Every image I create is personal and I hope that’s what people feel when they see my work.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If a close friend came to visit me in Denver, I’d want to give them a full experience of what this city has to offer culture, food, nature, and creativity.

We’d start the day at Red Rocks, not just for the view, but because standing there makes you feel small in the best way. If there’s a sunrise yoga session or concert, even better. Then we’d head to Snooze or Denver Biscuit Co. for breakfast local, delicious, and with that chill Denver vibe.

During the day, I’d take them to RiNo Art District, where the murals, galleries, and street art feel alive. As a photographer, I see it like a living set, every wall tells a story, every corner has light worth chasing.

For food, I’d introduce them to some Latin spots that remind me of home, like La Diabla Pozole y Mezcal, or a Mexican Restaurant. Good flavors carry memories.

At sunset, we’d drive to Lookout Mountain or catch golden hour at City Park, just to slow things down and breathe. To close the day, maybe a drink at The Cruise Room, vintage, timeless, cinematic.

Denver has a rhythm of its own: grounded but creative, chill but full of character. I love sharing that rhythm with people I care about.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to four pillars in my life.

First to my father, for always reminding me never to give up, even when things felt impossible. His strength and perseverance became my blueprint.

To my mother, for gifting me the spark of creativity that shaped not only my career but also the way I connect with people through my art.

To my daughters, the light that keeps me grounded and moving forward. They are my greatest inspiration, my reason to keep growing, and the living legacy I hope to leave behind.

And to myself, for believing when no one else did, for persevering through the darkest moments, for sacrificing sleep, comfort, and security in pursuit of my vision. This journey hasn’t been easy, but I never gave up on me, and that, more than anything, is what brought me here.

Website: https://www.abadmontoya.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abad.montoya/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abadmontoyaphoto