John Celeste shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning John, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
For me, it’s the road. There’s a moment on every trip, usually sometime after sunrise, miles away from cell service—when the world goes quiet and I’m standing behind my camera with nothing but open space around me. That’s where I lose track of time. Whether I’m waiting for the perfect light to spill over a desert ridge or exploring the forgotten character of an old main street, photography slows life down in the best way. It reminds me to pay attention.
Out there, I rediscover myself through curiosity, asking, What story lives in this landscape? Who built this place? Why was it abandoned? Those questions connect me not just to the scene in front of me, but to the journey I’m on as an artist. When I’m creating, I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is John Celeste, and I’m the traveller, photographer, and storyteller behind Cactus & Lime, a photography brand born on the open road. For more than 20 years, I built my career as the owner and creative director of Onit Solutions, a successful web design and digital marketing agency I founded in 2002. I created that business for one reason: freedom, the freedom to build, explore ideas, and create something meaningful on my own terms.
Over time, that same spirit evolved into something new. The long road trips my wife and I took across the American West became more than vacations, they became a way to reconnect with life outside the noise of business. We’d plan routes through dusty red canyons, small forgotten towns, and far horizons, chasing simplicity and wide-open sky. Somewhere along the way, photography became my way of capturing not just what I saw, but what I felt, freedom, nostalgia, and the quiet beauty of places most people overlook.
Cactus & Lime is the result of that journey. It’s a collection of fine art landscape and architectural photography inspired by exploration, American grit, and the stories hidden in the spaces we pass through. Every image I create is part wanderlust and part soul, a reminder to slow down, get lost, and find yourself again.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The moment that changed everything for me was my first trip to the American West. I still remember stepping out of the car somewhere in the middle of the Mojave desert, no buildings in sight, no noise, just endless sky stretching over the earth and distant mountains. The sheer scale of it all stopped me in my tracks. Coming from busy city life and a fast-paced business world, I wasn’t used to that kind of silence, or that kind of perspective.
Out there, surrounded by rugged beauty and raw land that hadn’t been touched or tamed, I felt something click. The world suddenly felt bigger and simpler at the same time. It made me realize how small we really are and how powerful nature can be in resetting the soul. That trip sparked my love for road travel and photography. It taught me to look closer, appreciate space, and search for meaning in places most people pass by. In many ways, that moment didn’t just change how I see the world, it changed the direction of my life.
Do you remember a time someone truly listened to you?
Absolutely. When I first started sharing my photography, I wasn’t sure if anyone would really connect with it. One day I got a message on Instagram from someone who said one of my desert photos reminded them of childhood road trips with their dad. Instead of just saying “nice picture,” they told me the story behind why it mattered to them, and then asked me about the story behind the shot. That felt like someone genuinely listening. It reminded me that photography isn’t just about images, it’s about shared experiences, memories, and conversations. That kind of connection is why I keep creating.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m committed to personal growth, staying curious, evolving creatively, and becoming a better version of myself year after year. That matters more to me than any single goal or milestone. Photography has taught me patience and perspective; you don’t always get the perfect shot right away, and life works the same way. Growth takes time, consistency, and a willingness to try again.
Along with that, I believe in helping the people around me. Whether it’s sharing what I’ve learned in business, encouraging other creatives, or supporting small towns and local communities I encounter on the road, I want the work I do to have a positive impact. Progress isn’t just personal, it’s something you pass on.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I lived with curiosity, kindness, and a sense of adventure, and that I shared that with others. I’d love for my photography to live on long after I’m gone, not just as images but as moments that made people feel something. If my work brings someone a little peace, nostalgia, or happiness on a tough day, then I’ve done something worthwhile. In the end, I just hope people remember that I chased what I loved and encouraged others to do the same.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cactusandlime.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cactusandlime/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/cactusandlime/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cactusandlime/
- Other: Art Finder: https://www.artfinder.com/artist/john-celeste/
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/cactusandlime
Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/cactusandlime/
Image Credits
John Celeste
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