Photographer and Instructor at Capture the Atlas

Hi there! I’m JL Cantabrana, a landscape and astrophotographer with a deep appreciation for capturing the beauty of nature and the night sky. My journey into photography began while studying Interior Design in Madrid, Spain, when I picked up my father’s camera and discovered a passion for visual storytelling that continues to inspire me today.

Over the years, I’ve developed a keen eye for composition and detail, allowing me to blend the connection between man-made structures and the natural world. This approach helps me tell a story in both landscapes and cityscapes that goes beyond just a pretty picture.

Travel has always been a big part of my life, and exploring new places has only deepened my connection to nature. I’m particularly drawn to stormy seascapes and misty mountains—those moody, untamed moments that evoke a raw and powerful energy. Seascapes, in particular, hold a special place in my heart, reminding me of home and adding a personal touch to each shot.

Since moving to Australia, I’ve embraced astrophotography. The night skies here are incredible, and I enjoy the challenge of capturing stars and galaxies in all their glory. It’s become a significant part of my work, and I’m always pushing myself to improve my techniques and explore new ways to capture the cosmos.

As a tour leader with Capture the Atlas, I’m all about helping others find their creative spark and develop their unique style in photography. My tours are hands-on and fun, focusing on learning through experience. I make sure everyone feels supported and comfortable, no matter their skill level, so they can truly enjoy the journey and grow as photographers.

When I’m not leading workshops, you’ll likely find me hiking through Australia’s beautiful landscapes or hitting the bowling lanes in the city. After living abroad for the past 15 years, my curiosity for new cultures and places continues to shape how I see the world.

I’m excited to share my passion for photography with you. Whether we’re capturing the Milky Way or a dramatic landscape, I’ll be right there to guide you. Let’s create some magic under the stars!

Awards & publications

  • 2024 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year Astrophotography Category – Runner Up.  South Australian Museum
  • 2024 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year Landscape Category – Runner Up.  South Australian Museum
  • 2023 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year Astrophotography Category Finalist. South Australian Museum
  • 2023 Astrophotography Category Finalist. Australian Photographic Prize ’23
  • 2023 Milky Way Photographer of the Year. Capture The Atlas
  • 2023 February’s Nightmaster of the Month. Photopills
  • 2022 2x Top 10 Seascape Category. Landscape Photography World Awards
  • 2021 Milky Way Photographer of the Year. Capture The Atlas
  • 2021 Astrophotographer of the Year People’s Choice Award
  • 2021 Astrophotographer of the Year. Silver Award

My gear

As a landscape and astrophotographer, the right gear is crucial for capturing both dramatic seascapes and the night sky. From cameras and lenses to star trackers and essential accessories, here’s the equipment I trust to bring my creative vision to life:

Photo tours I'm leading

Australia Astrophotography Tour

My happy students

It’s been a joy to guide so many photographers on their creative journeys. Here’s what they had to say about our time together:

In Iceland Sept 2022 for landscape and Aurora Borealis. Great trip! David and Jose worked hard to keep our group at the right places, making changes as the weather demanded. They were constantly checking in to help make successful photos. Seeing my first Northern Lights image on the back of my camera was electrifying, spurring me to take more and more images as the lights moved and changed. Didn't know what to expect so you could say that the trip and nature grossly exceeded my expectations. Southern Iceland is a very interesting place to visit, leaving me with over 2K photos to take home. As great as the location was my teammates who gave the trip great character with an international flavor. This was my second trip with Capture the Atlas and I have already signed up for a third. Great locations, great planning and great support from beginning to end.
Roger Dean
2022 Iceland Photo Tour
Great tour! Dan was great with helpful information while arranging the trip on what was going to happen, and what to bring to have a good experience. David and Jose were excellent tour guides. They went out of their way to accommodate everyone's requests, and to do as many things on the itinerary as time allowed. They were great with both technical coaching and participant management and knew all the great spots to get the best shots. Would highly recommend this company for future tours. This was my first-ever photo tour, and they set the bar pretty high!
Michael Singer
2022 Iceland Photo Tour
I had chased the Northern Lights on my own 3 times with no success, but on my 1st trip with Capture the Atlas, I was blessed with seeing them 3 times!!! David Aguilar and Jose Luis Cantabrana went above and beyond to make sure that we had every possible chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis. Not only was this achieved, but we got to see so many of the amazing sights of Iceland while developing our photography skills. I recently purchased a drone and both David and Jose helped me to develop my skills with this. I cannot recommend highly enough booking a tour with Capture the Atlas on their Iceland photography tour. Thank you for an amazing experience that I will never forget.
Kylie Joyce
2022 Iceland Photo Tour

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