Steve Reyes

Steve Reyes (born 1948) is an American photographer and storyteller from Oakland, California. Reyes has been included in Don Garlits' International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion Honorees (2009), and the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame (2011).

Reyes' photography career has primarily focused on automotive sports, but he has also photographed Major League Baseball, National Hockey League, He has authored nine automotive photography books which cover his nearly 50-year career.

Reyes is currently retired. He continues to write books and online articles from his home in Florida.

Career

Automotive (1963–2008) Reyes attended his first race at Fremont Dragstrip in 1963 with his 8mm movie camera and Kodak 620 Brownie. At the age of fifteen became the track photographer after shooting photos from the grandstands. He would hitchhike with racers to attend races on the West Coast or stencil the letters on driver's cars for rides. Drag News would frequently ask Reyes to cover events since he would get the photos to them quickly. Reyes' first major publication came in 1966, when his photos were picked up by Mike Doherty's Drag Racing Almanac. primarily freelancing for the next four years. In 1970, he moved from Oakland to Los Angeles to be closer to his clients and within three years became the photographic editor for 12-plus magazine titles for Argus Publishing Corp (1973-1994). He also covered NHRA, AHRA, and IHRA races, in addition to World of Outlaws,

Reyes is responsible for many iconic photographs of drag racing and stunt driver legends, including Raymond Beadle, Gene Snow, Tony Nancy Wedge, Jeb Allen, Tom McEwen (drag racer), During one month in 1973, Reyes shot 7 of 11 covers of car magazines on the newsstand. While primarily noted for his action shots and crashes at the races, he also has an extensive collection of doorslammers run by local drivers. Reyes utilized a variety of locations for formal shoots, including Lion Country Safari, Long Beach Harbor, fast-food locations, Saguaro National Park, Six Flags, the National Mall, and El Centro

Reyes' photographs have been featured extensively in magazines, books, movies, and as the artwork for ACME Diecast., Mattel, MPC, Playing Mantis / Johnny Lightning, and Revell die cast and model car kits Brendan Shanahan,