From the lively scene and humble crowd of Calgary’s biggest music festivals, the name JaCas is slowly becoming synonymous with stunning, dynamic photographs. But for Jacob “JaCas” Casile, his journey to becoming a sought-after photographer in the foreign music scene was a path that started more than two decades ago, halfway across the world in the demanding nightlife of the Philippines.
- Global Experience: JaCas built a strong photography career in the Philippines' nightlife scene before transitioning to Calgary.
- Adaptability and Growth: He overcame challenges in a new country by diversifying his work and showcasing his unique photography style.
- Client-Focused Approach: JaCas prioritizes understanding client needs and capturing the essence of events to ensure their success.
A Legacy Forged in the Philippines
Long before his lens captured the Canadian music scene, JaCas was a cornerstone of the Philippines’ event industry. With nearly two decades of experience, he established himself as one of the most influential media personalities in the nightlife sector. His reputation for an impeccable work ethic and a keen understanding of his clients’ needs made him a valuable asset to any event.
However, his journey was not easy. JaCas faced depression, hardships, and regrets, hitting rock bottom while chasing his passion for nightlife photography. Everything changed in 2014 when his career took a dramatic turn for the better. Within two years, two major brands, EVENTSCAPE MNL and SPECTRUM PH added him to their teams as an official tour photographer. He also went around the archipelago as the tour photographer of the Philippines, “Best In The Business” DJ Ace Ramos and MC Paolo Avila and the rest is history. Starting in 2018, he expanded into mentorship and conducted seminars and workshops to guide newcomers interested in event media.
He was guided and mentored first by Roselle Reyes who was his first manager and soon moved to FA Agency and Core Management to further grow his career.
His portfolio from this era reads like a who’s who of the country’s major events. He was, and still is, the official or associate photographer for events supported by corporate giants in the Philippines like Globe Telecom and Smart Communications, and for iconic festivals such as Road to Ultra, ZoukOut, LifeDance, Hydro Manila, Summerfrolic, Chroma Music Festival, NVRLND, Invasion, and Summer Madness. Through these events, he covered a staggering list of global superstars, including David Guetta, Calvin Harris, Kaskade, DVLM, LANY, Fatboy Slim, Afrojack, Alesso, BLACKPINK, and Bruno Mars, to name a few.
Why Do Photography and Nightlife Go Hand-in-Hand?
A New Chapter in Calgary
Seeking a new challenge, Jacob relocated to Calgary when the opportunity arose. The transition meant starting over. He initially worked outside the nightlife industry, taking on portraits, weddings, food photography, and other projects with the Memory Maker company to establish his roots in a new land. When he finally got his shot at the Canadian festival scene, he was ready.
However, the new environment came with its own hurdles. Jacob faced initial roadblocks and had to prove his skills from the ground up. He let his work do the talking, and before long, local festival personalities took notice. His distinct, moment-driven style, specializing in wide-angle shots honed over years in the fast-paced Asian nightlife scene, offered a mature and refreshing perspective to the local industry.
This growing recognition wasn’t just limited to local organizers. At a music festival during the Stampede season, he had a chance encounter with Drew Taggart of The Chainsmokers, an artist he had worked with years prior. Taggart recognized JaCas and took a moment to reminisce about their successful tour together in 2016. “It was a humbling moment with Drew,” JaCas recalled, a full-circle experience connecting his past work with his new path. Notably, Jacob was also the official photographer for Laidback Luke’s Canadian tour under Dim Mak (Steve Aoki’s label) and developed a strong rapport with him that had started in the Philippines in 2023; JaCas now considers Luke a mentor in North America.
These encounters reignited his passion, giving him a drive he described as being “the same as when he was in his 20s” and a renewed sense of purpose. His Canadian portfolio grew impressively, making him one of the official photographers for premier events in Calgary like the Cowboys Music Festival, Chasing Summer, and Final Drop MF. He has since captured memorable performances from a diverse range of artists, including Macklemore, Fall Out Boy, Alan Walker, Ray Volpe, deadmau5, Thomas Rhett, KYGO, T-Pain, and The All-American Rejects.
The Philosophy Behind the Lens
Throughout his journey across continents and industries, Jacob has been guided by two clear principles: delivering exceptional results, no matter the challenge, and continuously learning from every experience. He remains deeply grateful for the relationships he’s built, often stating, “My new journey wouldn’t have been possible without the people I worked with in the past, and I’m even more excited about the relationships I’m building now.” Engraving memories in our souls and writing our stories as we go—that is the dedication that defines the remarkable journey of JaCas.
Driven by his passion for the industry, he makes it a point to understand what producers need to succeed. He has even DJed in the past simply to understand a performer’s mindset during a show. His craft is characterized by capturing energy, excitement, and intensity, it’s less about the simple art of photography and more about shaping the visual soul of a music festival.
This collaborative spirit is matched by a selfless professional philosophy focused on the client’s success. “What makes me happy by the end of the night is seeing my clients happy and content with my work. I want to submit an album of great moments from every perspective, the crowd, the crew, and the production. I want to see everyone win.”
If you wish to avail his services, JaCas Photography can be contacted through the following:
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: JaCas Photography (caters clubs/festivals/bars)
- Instagram (for weddings and events): Memory Maker
* generate randomized username
- COMMENT_FIRST
- #1 Lord_Nikon [12]
- #2 Void_Reaper [10]
- #3 Cereal_Killer [10]
- #4 Dark_Pulse [9]
- #5 Void_Strike [8]
- #6 Phantom_Phreak [7]
- #7 Data_Drifter [7]
- #8 Cipher_Blade [6]
